Blog of Monica Valentinelli, Writer & Content Consultant

The Devil’s Night by White Wolf Publishing

DEVIL’S NIGHT is about a pyrokinetic named Gabriella St. Bruno who has lost control over her abilities. When I was developing her character, I wanted to give her a lot of flexibility. Storytellers can either depict her as a victim or as a villain; gamers can either eliminate her, try to save her or investigate why she lost her powers.

One of the things that Eddy and I had discussed was to ensure that Gabriella wasn’t the typical “I light things on fire” trope that has been done, done and re-done. To get around that, I thought about what might motivate Gabriella’s character and what she might have lost. To me, pyrokinesis would be a dangerous ability that would also have an effect (or a cost) on a character. In this case, Gabriella finds solace in religion as a way of dealing with her pain. To her, she’s not sure if her ability is a gift or a curse. Her insecurity makes her a very dangerous character on Devil’s Night, because her fires might also inspire other deadly acts of mischief around the city. The question is: What will you do to put out the fires?
Available for free at FlamesRising.com. Read my design notes for THE DEVIL’S NIGHT: Storytelling Adventure System (SAS) One Scene.

Exquisite Replicas by Abstract Nova Entertainment

Exquisite Replicas is a horror tabletop RPG. My contribution was the setting chapter entitled “Initiation,” where I described the game from the point-of-view of an extremely paranoid woman, a member of a team of unsung heroes saving the world from aliens bent on replicating–everything. I described the setting by utilizing a holistic design, blending multi-media techniques like podcast interviews with providing artistic descriptions (post-it notes, hand-drawn maps, etc.) Of all the horror games I’ve contributed to, this is the darkest game I’ve ever written for. A similarly-themed movie that may give you a good feel for this game is Imposter, starring Gary Sinise.

Available at Indie Press Revolution. Read a review of Exquisite Replicas.

Aletheia by Abstract Nova Entertainment

Alien abductions. Crop circles. Spontaneous Human Combustion. Such things defy modern science and spark human curiosity. But what if these things are not really unexplainable? What if humanity is only viewing these phenomena from a limited and flawed perspective? Perhaps a simple, yet invisible, explanation underlies all such phenomena.

Aletheia is a role-playing game about the strange and mysterious corners of reality. Players investigate the anomalous phenomena and impossible occurrences that defy logic and commonsense. Through exploration of these mysteries, they will discover the true nature of reality.

Available at Key20.com

Noumenon by Abstract Nova Entertainment

Noumenon is a role-playing game of mystery and abstraction. Players assume the roles of the Sarcophagi, strange insect-like creatures trapped within the Silhouette Rouge. During their adventures, players will encounter bizarre entities and explore strange locations. The Silhouette Rouge, Noumenon’s setting, is detailed enough to spark the imagination yet open enough to allow customization. In Noumenon, player cooperation is key. Noumenon uses a domino-based task resolution system that enables players to build upon each other’s successes.

Transcendence or damnation? The Silhouette Rouge beckons.

Available at Key20.com

Ninja Burger: 2nd Edition by aethereal FORGE

Ninja Burger, the world’s only fast-food chain run by ninja, is looking for new recruits. Do you have what it takes to work for them? Pirates need not apply! The second edition of the award-winning Ninja Burger RPG has been completely revamped and rewritten, with an all-new game engine and all new ninja content.

Available at RPGNow.com

Worlds of the Dead by Eden Studios

Worlds of the Dead is the first Deadworlds collection for the All Flesh Must Be Eaten roleplaying game of survival horror. Inside this rancid tome, Zombie Masters will uncover everything needed to push their players to the edge of survival-on a weekly basis!

Worlds of the Dead is filled from cover to tainted cover with Deadworlds from a variety of authors. We’ve drawn from industry professionals, up-and-coming talents, and never-before devoured acts. Then we sent them to run amuck with the dead!

Available at RPGNow.com

Cursed Empire Warrior-Priest Class Book by Spartans Unleashed

The Warrior-Priest Class Module provides additional material for players and Masters of Tales alike as well as bonus material beyond the scope of the class itself for other players. A selection of renowned temples has been provided to enrich the game setting including a handful of maps ready to be used to kick a campaign off or run a single scenario. A complete scenario (Congregation of Shadow) is included in the book.

Available at RPGNow.com

Obsidian: the Age of Judgment LARP Quickstart by Twilight Games

You are about to step into the shoes of one of the citizens of the Zone, a monolithic city that houses the last survivors of the human race. Kultists menace the conduits, stalking souls to fuel their malefic Convokations. Mystics struggle to keep the Daemonic threat in check. Machines fall away from the imperfect humans around them. Corporates profit from the chaos and the rest of the populace just tries not to get caught in the crossfire.A quickstart is just that: a quick way to start a game. The Obsidian Live Action Roleplaying Quickstart contains everything you need to know to play in or run a game.

Available at DriveThruRPG.com as a free download.