For tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) enthusiasts constantly seeking fresh inspiration, card-based accessories offer a unique appeal. The Oracle Story Generator cards, funded through Kickstarter, promise to deliver detailed adventure outlines for fantasy RPGs. This review dives into the contents of the boxed set, exploring its strengths and potential drawbacks for game masters (GMs).
The complete Oracle Story Generator boxed set includes five distinct decks:
Each deck contains 60 tarot-sized cards, divided into five categories: Actor, Action, Subject, Intent, and Development. Drawing one card from each category creates a sentence that forms the backbone of a potential adventure. Each card also includes four variations offering further detail and customization, allowing GMs to tailor the prompt to their specific campaign setting and player preferences.
Each card provides a general prompt and four subcategories to refine the idea. For instance, an "Actor" card might feature "A Leader" with subcategories such as "Mayor," "High Priest," "Noble," or "Monarch." This offers flexibility; GMs can use the broad prompt or drill down for more specific inspiration. This versatility is key to the replayability of the decks and their ability to provide inspiration for diverse fantasy settings.
The review rightly points out the need for GMs to carefully consider the content of the prompts before incorporating them into their game. The Contracts and Bounties deck, for example, includes actions like "Will hire you to terrorize," "Will hire you to displace," "Will hire you to subjugate," and "Will hire you to enslave." These are strong themes, and it's crucial for GMs to be aware of their players' comfort levels and safety tools like lines and veils. Introducing such morally challenging scenarios requires careful consideration and open communication with players to ensure a fun and inclusive experience.
Understanding and implementing RPG safety tools is crucial for any GM, especially when using random adventure generators.
The boxed set comes with a 134-page booklet that expands on the card prompts and offers additional support for GMs. It includes:
The provided adventure outlines, while helpful, lean heavily on D&D tropes and monsters. However, the prompts themselves are setting-agnostic, allowing GMs to easily adapt them to their preferred fantasy world by swapping out D&D-specific elements for something more appropriate.
The Oracle Story Generator cards are visually appealing, with sturdy construction, colorful designs, and attractive artwork. They offer a tactile and engaging way to spark adventure ideas.
Pros:
Cons:
The Oracle Story Generator is recommended for GMs who enjoy using tactile tools to facilitate RPG prep and are comfortable calibrating content to suit their players' preferences. The cards are a valuable resource for generating unique adventure ideas. If you are interested in story generators you might find our review of Tome of Adventure Design useful.
Ultimately, the Oracle Story Generator offers a stimulating and potentially valuable tool for RPG GMs. With a bit of forethought and attention to player safety, these cards can unlock countless hours of imaginative adventure creation.
