Prologue: Part 2 - The Framework
After forging a universe in our first session zero, we reconvened for a "Session 0.5" to build the framework for our story. If the first session was about the "what" (the world, the characters, the central conflict) this session was about the "how." We established the rules of engagement for our two-person cooperative game, created homebrew mechanics to fit our narrative, and laid out the structure of the show itself.
This is a look at the architecture of our storytelling and a deeper dive into the shared history of the Kelvarus siblings.
The Rules of Engagement: How We Play Together
Without a traditional Game Master, our story will be a collaborative conversation. To keep it fluid and engaging, we established an "improv baton" system for scenes. One of us will set the stage (establishing the location, the immediate goal, and any obstacles) and then pass the baton to the other to react and drive the story forward.
This extends to Non-Player Characters (NPCs). The player who introduces an NPC will hand off the portrayal to the other, providing three key details to bring them to life: their appearance, a notable behavior, and their general disposition. This ensures that our characters are always interacting with a world that feels responsive and alive, rather than talking to themselves.
Structuring the Story: Building the Show
We want Iron Rising to feel like a cinematic, serialized drama. Each episode will begin with a brief, one-minute recap of the previous installment. This will lead directly into our unique intro sequence: the chanting of the Gold Mantra.
"Strength is duty. Duty is order. Order is gold."
This mantra is the heartbeat of the Gold's indoctrination, and it will be the heartbeat of our show's intro. But this intro is not static. As the characters' journey unfolds and their loyalty to the system begins to fracture, the mantra itself will break. Keen-eared listeners will notice when it is interrupted, when only one sibling says it, or when it disappears entirely—a meta-narrative reflection of their rebellion.
Forging Our Own Rules: Homebrew & Mechanics
While Starforged is our foundation, we've added a few custom rules to better serve our story. We've created a house rule to allow the benefits of a Swear an Iron Vow to be shared when the quest is a true partnership. We also designed a Montage Move to handle lengthy, routine tasks outside of combat, allowing us to compress time and keep the focus on the drama.
Finally, we'll be using Interludes as dedicated downtime scenes. These moments will give the characters a chance to decompress, process the intense events of their mission, and allow us to explore their personalities and evolving relationship in a deeper, more meaningful way.
The Kelvarus Siblings: A Deeper Dive
To solidify the bond between Selene and Dorian before the first roll, we sat down for an in-character Q&A. This revealed the core of their relationship: a fierce, if complicated, loyalty.
- Trust & Protection: Dorian trusts Selene implicitly because she has always been his shield and his spear, defending him from the harsh political realities of Gold society. Selene, in turn, relies on Dorian's brilliant mind, trusting his technical expertise above anyone else's.
- Conflict & Disappointment: Their opposing views on Reds are a major point of friction. Dorian recalled with disappointment a time when Selene's ingrained prejudice led her to "retire" a rogue Red he had specifically asked her to bring back for study.
- Shared History: Their fondest memory is of a family trip to a beach on a distant world, a rare moment where they were free from the immense pressure of being Golds. It was a glimpse of a life they can't have, and a memory that Dorian drew inspiration from for the design of his jellyfish-like utility bot, Icarus.
- A Fragile Bond: Dorian makes Selene laugh by knowingly pushing her buttons with familial teasing, a small crack in her severe, professional armor. He is also the only person in the entire galaxy who knows about her secret affair with the Violet poet, Kaelle (KAY-elle)—a secret that binds them together in a dangerous pact of silence.
With our world built and our framework in place, the stage is set for the first act.
Click here to watch Session 0.5 on Youtube.
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