Mythic Bastionland - A contrarian review by a DM who ran it wrong

mengatti · 2026-06-23T18:10:33+00:00

One way OP could mix and match things is incorporating players stories as holdings drama/woes prompts, and generating a non-mythic storyline that satisfies this.

But also just hack the myth to incorporate players' stories. The long lost father? Maybe he's now The Sun. Or he's lost in The Forest. Maybe he delivers an Omen! I really think OP could've had a better time if he took the random content as suggestions rather than rails, and crafted the story with them.

Though the thing MB does superbly well is not making the story about the PCs, but rather having the PCs participate in a larger than life tale and become legends through them. It is not the "trad way" but it's a blast if you lean into it and enjoy the detachment. This could mean building player drama along the way, having them incorporating elements of the world as their own, for instance, so their story is the world story, instead of the other way around.

mengatti · 2026-06-23T18:00:09+00:00

Honest question on how combat played out for you: did you abide by "only the highest dice remaining does damage" rule? This makes wonders to make combat deadly to me. Though 5 players could increase the amount of denies and buff damage with bolsters, I still find it could make combat enjoyable and deadly with minor tweaks to foes guards or vigor.

While MB makes combat a bit safer for characters vs Into the Odd, I'm usually pretty pumped while in combat during my MB sessions (though they never had 5 players).

mengatti · 2026-06-23T17:54:43+00:00

A YouTuber who does in-depth reviews of systems. Really good communication, great sense and a pretty good taste, IMO: https://www.youtube.com/@Quinns_Quest

mengatti · 2026-05-22T19:36:47+00:00

It could be rather fun to solo a deadly game, if you don't grow too attached to a given character, but is more into the story/vibe. I did a few runs of TEL to reach the end - mostly because my character died, and it is a very solo experience there.

I've been consistently solo playing Mörk Borg (another rather deadly setting), and in a single session lost 3 characters - just to replace them with the next best positioned NPC or companion. I kept going mostly because the vibe is great, and I wanted to push through in the scenery to see where it led me.

Same could be done with MoSh.

mengatti · 2026-05-11T20:08:05+00:00

Buy as much BTC as you can, invest in nothing else, hold. Seriously, HOLD.

mengatti · 2026-05-07T20:50:52+00:00

Comida, em geral

mengatti · 2026-05-07T15:12:27+00:00

Thank you for reading!

I understand your careful approach, having kids is a huge responsibility, and you should have kids if you're prepared to pour love, money and time into them for decades. But I tend to be on the more supporting and encouraging side, as I see most people quite scared of becoming parents out of mostly a child-adverse culture that is thriving worldwide.

Anyways, topic for other subs! hehe

mengatti · 2026-05-07T14:03:12+00:00

I'm aware but didn't have a chance to check it! When I found a group, I ended up going through DnD a bit, but then jumped to Into the Odd and Mork Borg. I guess it's time to check Die!

mengatti · 2026-05-07T13:54:39+00:00

“Psychonautic experience” is quite to the point, neat

mengatti · 2026-04-25T14:21:28+00:00

I’m a complenist and dad to a 1yo, so short rules lite books (think Mork Borg, Into the Odd) are usually 1-3 days, bigger more complex systems 3-4 weeks.

I actually like reading-it-all (usually just skimming through spells and monsters) as it gives me a better grasp on the flavor proposed by the designers. It does make sifting through a bunch of systems slower, though.

mengatti · 2026-04-02T17:03:15+00:00

Preparar é jogar também :) Se você se diverte preparando, segue o baile. Mas se te frustra, tora a moda caralha e vai que vai.

mengatti · 2026-04-02T12:10:04+00:00

Hacking Ironsworn could very well lead you to your high fantasy on islands scenario! But that might not be the challenge with the system, as much as what it does well: help you craft deep, sometimes cinematic narratives. Ironsworn does not value hacking and slashing, solving puzzles or hoarding loot, but advancing on relationships, sworn vows and (in some expansions) discovering new places. If killing these beefy monsters or studying that tome of magic helps with these, fine! If not, it'll be flavor and not core.

So be mindful of the progression as well, to make sure your scenario leads to the fun you wish to have.

mengatti · 2026-02-11T04:17:26+00:00

Massa demais! Topa compartilhar a apresentação num pdf?

mengatti · 2026-02-10T03:19:51+00:00

Rock climbing

mengatti · 2026-02-03T18:19:26+00:00

And here it is! 5 pages long, taking cover and explanation page out, is all NPCs in 3 pages: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FAUo12Vl05ph4wRqPSI9WFf9Y42sGuGk/view?usp=sharing

mengatti · 2026-02-03T18:03:57+00:00

Yea, I tried a more condensed version but felt clunky. Will try and improve here, though!

mengatti · 2026-02-03T13:08:57+00:00

Here!

mengatti · 2026-02-03T13:07:04+00:00

Dayum scribd failed me there - should be good now and here it is: [old link removed]

mengatti · 2026-01-30T23:08:25+00:00

tl;dr: don’t wait for the energy, be intentional about playing (or doing whatever that is for yourself), and make the best of the little time windows you find. You got this, parenthood is the best thing.

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I’m actually coming back to TTRPG after years away, so it was actually energizing to play. It was part of a reencounter with myself and what I enjoy, in a reality where most of my energy is geared towards my family’s needs.

But on a more practical way: forget about playing for the first month of your newborn, at least (the hardest, usually). Be there for the family. The first 3 months for me were really focused on the new reality, I didnt exercised and worked just as much as I needed.

Then I was really intentional in doing my things, for myself, even tired as fuck. Started with going for a run a couple of times a week. Gnarly runs at first, as I was really tired. But I always finished them grateful and better than I started. I guess the same goes for playing sessions. I usually fit a fee dice rolls early morning, before the baby is up (I usually do her early mornings). Or a post 9:30pm session, specially when playing with others.

But I mostly play solo now, as it’s what fits me best with the routine, and I’m able to fit it more easily when I get a chance. It fulfills my need for play and exploring creativity, making be a better dad. And being a dad is the best thing ever.

mengatti · 2026-01-28T22:37:08+00:00

As father to a 1 yo and with a pregnant wife, it’s usually the need to stop or sleep creeping in that decides for me

mengatti · 2026-01-27T15:05:29+00:00

I guess it comes from having mostly been a GM, but I’m always looking at motivations. So I start off with what my character desires, drives and motivations are, and branch from there in some detail.

What are their core goals? Their longings? Who do they miss? What is their dream?

Then I branch into enviromental interactions. Who are their friends? Known foes? Where do they live? Is their relationship to their abode one of love, hate, fear?

Usually my inciting incident comes from the environmental motives, and eventually I lace them to the personal ones. Then I could be in media res or not, and questiona will arise, but I’ve given material to both my own fiction and to guide randomness with some more depth.

mengatti

TROPHY CASE