Flying Ostriches and Floating Castles
In this episode, we explore “Flying Ostriches and Floating Castles,” a solo RPG inspired by the classic video game Joust and the animated film Laputa: Castle in the Sky. This game blends hex crawling, treasure hunting, and jousting in a whimsical world where knights ride ostriches and explore floating islands and castles.
Game Overview:
- Gameplay: Players create characters and explore a floating world made up of hexes. The objective is to gather wealth, discover ancient technology, and prepare for an impending world-ending event.
- Inspiration: The game draws inspiration from the RPG “Troika!” and the “Advanced Fighting Fantasy” series. Like its predecessors, it uses simple mechanics with just a few stats and skills, making it easy to learn and play.
- Character Creation: Players roll dice to determine their characters’ skills, stamina, and luck. They can choose from six backgrounds like mercenary, knight, or clone.
- Exploration and Combat: As players explore hexes, they encounter various events, enemies, and treasures. Combat is straightforward, involving opposed dice rolls to determine outcomes.
- Unique Features: The game includes enchanting elements like cloud islands, abandoned nests, and floating castles, with detailed rules for each encounter. Players can also engage in jousting competitions, take over rival castles, and collect mystical items.
The Appeal: This RPG stands out for its charming setting, ease of play, and the rich variety of encounters and activities. It’s perfect for fans of solo hex-crawling adventures who enjoy quirky, imaginative worlds.
