Game Design and Project Resources: The Workshops Quarter > Tabletop Design - The Senet House

Rodent Rangers: Be mice, have adventures

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Jacob S Kellogg:
Hello everyone!

I'm new to the forums, but was invited from over on Mastodon to share my project with you: a new tabletop RPG called Rodent Rangers!

Today marks the launch of the Kickstarter campaign for this RPG, which is inspired by old-school cartoons about mice living under the noses of oblivious humans: The Rescuers, An American Tail, The Great Mouse Detective, and so on. Rodent Rangers brings this concept into the modern world and puts you in the shoes of a critter working for an international organization of mice (and other small creatures) who send agents out on missions to help those in need.

Have a look at the project HERE and feel free to ask me any questions. Thanks!

Jubal:
Welcome to Exilian! :) I'm the executive admin (and currently also the chair) so do drop me a message if there's anything you want to ask about the site (or shout at our masto account and whoever's manning that will help you out!).

This looks a fun project, and the idea of a family friendly low-combat RPG of this kind is definitely quite appealing. :)

A couple of questions: are the dice required a full polyhedral set? Also, whilst you've said that the game doesn't have dedicated mechanics for combat, what specific areas does it focus on/what mechanics does it have that specifically tie into this setting?

Jacob S Kellogg:
Thanks for the welcome!

Regarding the dice, technically the d20 isn't needed (unless something changes in development), but the typical dice from d4-d12 are all in play.

The core mechanics are basically skill checks, determining the success or failure of whatever it is you're trying to do. It's worth noting that the skill list includes things like "Scamper", which is used to do stuff like scurry across a busy street without getting stepped on, or otherwise use your mousey agility to get around. There is also a friendship die that you can use when helping a friend if they're using a skill you're not very good with, thereby encouraging teamwork because it helps compensate for your individual weaknesses. It's possible that additional setting/theme reinforcement could be added in development, but it will have to compete with a goal of simplicity and ease of learning; even so, I'm optimistic about landing in a sweet spot there.  :)

Feel free to drop me more questions!

EDIT: Another good example of a setting-specific skill is Big Machines, which you use when you need to operate human-sized contraptions like keyboards or cars.

Jubal:
Ah, nice!

Further question: are all the characters mice, and are they all the same species of mouse? :)

Jacob S Kellogg:
Mice are the default, but other small critters are possibilities as well. Basically as long as you fit the premise of the game, you're good to go. Something like a bear couldn't really be part of the society of critters that lives in the margins of human society unnoticed, so that wouldn't work, but pretty much any sort of small rodent, or even maybe certain birds or reptiles of a small enough size could be playable.

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