Chapter 256
Chapter 256
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 256
Chapter Title: Otherworld TRPG -2
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When does a person become deeply engrossed in gambling, feeling that dizzying rush of dopamine?
When they're desperate and yearning for it.
When they have one goal they're willing to stake their life on, and they're at their wits' end to achieve it somehow—that's when every human vice and virtue gets poured into the dice they roll.
Of course, in a simple game done just for fun, there's no need or desire to evoke that level of desperation.
If a board game led to someone pulling a knife, the whole point of play would be lost.
The key is that the core of making a story fun lies in 'immersion' and 'motivation.' That's what I'm focusing on with these two elements.
TRPGs have high and numerous barriers to entry.
Matching schedules, matching tastes, learning the rules, figuring out the tools, creating character sheets... Out of all those hurdles, if I had to pick the toughest for beginners...
"So, you're saying we have to act in character?"
"You want me to talk like I'm someone else?"
"...Hmph, ridiculous..."
It's role-playing itself.
If it's online via chat, maybe it's fine, but face-to-face? A million thoughts flood your mind. You cringe, it feels awkward, you stammer.
It's only natural. I was the same way at first.
The immersion blasts away that awkwardness. The moment you dive deep into the story and get a clear goal, the awkwardness vanishes, leaving only the fun of the game.
"I suppose I should explain the background of this scenario."
First, spark their interest.
"There was a fictional nation called Lukelrn. It was the undisputed hegemon of the continent—think something like the Empire in the real world. But there was one major difference... The emperor of Lukelrn was a goblin."
"...The emperor was a goblin?"
"How could a goblin become emperor?!"
"A freak mutant genius, born in a goblin body. But as you're feeling right now... People didn't exactly like their goblin emperor. He was a different race, after all."
Then, connect that interest to more direct emotions.
"The goblin emperor was a wise ruler, but on the other hand, he cherished his own race—and other races—immensely. That was his one flaw. He issued decrees restricting all hunting. No taking lives recklessly."
"So, no hunting orcs or trolls... stuff like that?"
"Not banned outright. Just... made picky. To hunt monsters, you needed proof of harm to humans, evidence collected, yeah. Tough times for adventurers."
With that opener, even the warrior and thief seemed lost in thought about this fictional nation.
Even razing a goblin village required evidence they'd harmed villagers. Adventuring work got several times trickier.
"...In that case, you'd definitely need a smart wizard in the party. Wizards are already hard to hire as it is, and settlement rates would..."
"Exactly. Some arrogant wizards demanded up to 50% of the cut. 'If you can't handle the legal side, you can't make the money anyway,' they'd say."
"Wizards are always trouble no matter where you go—ah, no, not you, wizard. I mean, some of those guys..."
"From this backdrop, a new profession emerged: detectives."
Ask soldiers to play soldier TRPG? Not fun. Same logic—telling adventurers to slay dragons in an adventurer TRPG might fall flat.
So, I added a dash of intellectual thrill to something they probably haven't experienced in life. Solving mysteries is addictive.
This session's concept: a fantasy adventure with a spoonful of detective story.
"You all gather at an inn—"
Build it up step by step. Ease them in with familiar vibes, bond them to the characters.
No illusion magic is a shame, but this has its own fresh nostalgia and romance that sets my heart racing.
Peer into the players' hearts, find the stories they crave, weave them into the concept seamlessly.
And as I tailor to the players, I guide them to tailor to me. Show what they're capable of, solidify the unspoken agreement.
"...I'll sneak in and rob the shop..."
"You're really doing that? Alright, roll the dice... Let's see if the guards spot you."
Actions can have downsides.
"My character's got high charisma, so women falling for me at first sight is a given!"
"True enough. Charisma that captivating—even men would fall in love!"
"...Doesn't feel so natural anymore."
Using your character sheet is fine, but no brain-dead nonsense.
Roll the snowball gently like this...
I cackled wickedly in a raspy voice.
"Goblin Min says: Keeheeheehee! So, what can you do about it? My dumb kin raided the village. Not me. No evidence, no witnesses... You gonna break the law and kill me anyway?"
"You wrecked a village so brutally, and you stand there so shamelessly, goblin! I can't take it—I'm jumping on that goblin's face and burying my axe in it!"
"Hold up. A goblin smart enough for this scheme might have traps! Didn't they say a law enforcement knight was in town...?"
"Damn it all, what good is a law that protects the weak or shields vile scum like this-!!"
The warrior vented his frustration. The goblin emperor's laws were tying their hands. Circumstances were clear, culprit right there. But no evidence or witnesses meant no punishment.
It was obviously a tragedy orchestrated by the mastermind goblin, yet they couldn't act...!
The moment they broke the law and cleaved the goblin without proof, the law enforcement knight would attack them as criminals.
In this harsh reality, the warrior pounded his chest in frustration, and Selbia clenched her fists tight.
The thief gave a bitter smile.
"...Hmph, then I'll assassinate him..."
"You'll end up in jail. All your adventurer career down the drain! And Nella waiting back in the village? You said you'd confess when you got back!"
"...A natural 20 on the dice means no one catches me. And thieves belong in jail... She'll find someone better..."
"Hey. Then I'll get my hands dirty! No one's waiting for me, and honestly, I'm sick of adventuring anyway!"
Is sacrifice the only choice for these righteous adventurers? Does their journey end with someone thrown in jail? As dark clouds gathered on their faces.
"Wait. Everyone, remember the first village?"
"The merchant got tangled in that orc scam. Lucky we had the recording crystal... No way, did Goblin Min track the villagers that far?!"
"...Hmph, something crucial left at the scene...?"
A spark of hope ignited. Maybe decisive evidence to overturn this dire situation was still out there.
"Alright, Master. We're heading back to the crime scene!"
"Grab detectors and reagents from the magic shop too. Just in case!"
I clapped my hands.
"Yes, so you return to the scene for your reversal play. Can you judge the mastermind of the incident, Goblin Min? Alright, we'll end today's session here."
"Why?!"
"Why cut it off right now!"
"Because... we're here. We came to work, right?"
I nodded toward the logging camp. The lumberjacks, who'd been desperately awaiting adventurers to handle the goblins, were pacing at the entrance.
"...Can't we see the ending?"
"Yeah. Work first."
Here to earn money, slacking off would be putting the cart before the horse. With my arms crossed stubbornly, the warrior scratched his bald head in dismay. The thief looked a bit sulky too.
Then Selbia piped up as representative.
"Oppa, you'll resume once work's done, right?"
"Yeah?"
"...Hmph, I see..."
"Really? Smash the goblins and we continue?!"
Fire lit in their eyes. Determination filled their faces, turning serious. Like gamers gearing up for a speedrun.
As we approached the logging camp, a lumberjack greeted us warmly.
"Here you are! Thanks for coming. The goblins have been such a hassle we can't log. We've prepared a simple meal—rest up first and..."
"No time for food. Tell us the location!"
"...Pardon?"
"We gotta catch Goblin Min, so tell us the goblin village spot!"
The lumberjack stared blankly at the 100% motivated adventurers. Usually, they lounged a day or two before work. Why so fired up? He seemed to wonder.
"The village—I'll guide you. Straight this way..."
"Too slow! Just the direction!"
"Uh, well..."
"Slow!!"
The warrior grabbed the lumberjack, slung him under his arm like luggage, and bolted into the forest. The thief and Selbia dashed after without missing a beat.
I stared blankly at the trio kicking up dust, then snapped to and chased after in a panic. Eager is good, but we gotta go together!
The party arrived at the goblin village like a runaway locomotive and boldly declared right in their faces.
"By the lumberjack's testimony, we're emergently subjugating your goblin village. You have the right to remain silent! You can appoint counsel!"
"...Hmph, yap if you want. With evidence and witnesses already, all that's left is staining my dagger..."
"No excuses? Then execution. By this flame of justice!"
"Kieek...?"
The goblins prepping for battle seemed puzzled by the chatter, kieeking as if debating what it meant.
Even the lumberjack, toted like GPS luggage, looked flustered.
"Why talk to the goblins...?"
"No defense! Of course—crystal clear guilt, no excuses possible. You'll die by Lukelrn's decrees!"
"Lukelrn what...?"
"Charge! It's time for the Detective Mercenary Corps-!!"
The battle that followed was quick and easy. With overwhelming force in the party, victory was a given, but the macho warrior and sly thief shone too. Their enthusiasm boosted efficiency.
『Flame Skewer』
『Flame Skewer』
I wasn't slacking either. From the back, I fired off flame spells in support. After about ten minutes, no goblins remained in the village.
"We cleared it super fast. Great, so session resumes back at—"
"...Hmph, work's done. Keep your promise and continue..."
"Here? While I'm riding a goblin corpse...? You're joking, right?"
"No joke. We had a deal. Your turn to work, Master! Find the evidence quick and split that damn goblin's head!"
Glancing at Selbia, she looked eager for the next part too.
Fine by me. With players this passionate, how could the game master back out? I set up on the spot and resumed the session.
"Alright. You remember where we left off? The three detective mercs heading back to the scene for clues—that was the last declaration. So..."
"...Um, why aren't you heading back...?"
We'd plopped down and started the session out of nowhere, leaving the lumberjack standing there baffled. Too awkward to leave alone, he sat nearby to wait.
And by the time we wrapped and returned to the village...
"The detective profession seems so cool. Our village had a bread theft once, and looking back with deduction skills, judging by the traces in the kitchen—"
Lukelrn gained one more detective.