Introduction to Fictional Positions
So, what’s all this then?
Fictional Positions is a semi-regular Actual Play Fiction - a solo RPG that I both GM and play, then translate into prose as a sort of episodic, collaborative, public campaign journal. It’s called “Fictional Positions” A) Because my friend SGH used a storygames term for his actual play series, and B) because Fictional Positions feels kinda sexy, right? Right.
The twist here, is that the story is meant to be set in the same universe as, and at the same time as SGH’s PTFO: Stonetop. Check that out here↓
Oh it’s…fanfic? An unofficial “PTFO gaiden”1? A fun experiment for a former writing major?
Yes 🙃!
SGH super did not request this (although he definitely knows about it) and it’s not officially official. None of these Fictional Positions are cannon to PTFO’s version of Stonetop’s universe, but I’m going to do my best to create some really compelling head cannon for us super-fans to enjoy.
What’s it about?
It’s about two folks living in the North Manmarches (this setting’s Scandinavian influenced area) both with interconnected pasts and uncertain futures.
One of the PCs is Laurl - the Blessed; deposed prince of a conquered kingdom, scorned outcast of the Druids, and seeker of vengeance. He’s out to get back what was stolen, and to give everyone who doubted him some comeuppance along the way.
The other PC is Berkhard (Berk, for short) - our Heavy. Born a slave, made a peerless warrior, and now, laying low as an oath-breaking deserter; Berk hopes to find a way to cool the fury of his former blood brothers.
Needless to say, I’ll be putting these two (and their dreams) through the wringer.
Who you?
I’m Machi! I’m a full-time tech company employee, part time game designer, all-round story enthusiast. I’ve played in far more tabletop games than I’ve run (indeed, I’ve never completed a campaign, I’ve run maybe 12 proper sessions of anything ever) and it’s in a player’s perspective that I feel most comfortable. I think I’m a decent enough writer to attempt this, and I hope to get better and better as this goes on!
Why a gaiden?
I love me some PTFO. From the jump, it’s been so inspirational to me that I had to read it in sections - stopping to jot down an idea in Notion, or just to pace around my house (I work from home) thinking and musing and imagining what I’d do if I were Anwen, Padrig, or Vahid (psyche I never imagine myself as Vahid because I hate2 him).
I love it so much, I finally decided to do something about it, and ask it out on a date. offer up my only begotten son. funnel some of that energy into this wok instead of my mid-beta RPG 😬. Why? because it feels creatively “free” from a spoons perspective. Better, in fact - I get more than I give writing it. I don’t have any pressure (hence this not having a regular pub date), It’s fun to write, and the stakes are low. It’s a great outlet and has been paradoxically feeding my other endeavors. We’ll see how I do! I’m ever hopeful of a good outcome, and some fun times.
Hope you enjoy reading Fictional Positions as much as I enjoyed opening the first session with a cuss.
Check out Session 1.1:
Audio in Fictional Positions uses music from Adobe and Artlist.io, especially Ardie Son’s Aftershocks.
You can (and should) buy Stonetop here on their backer kit page!
Urban Dictionary says a Gaiden is “A side story or a spinoff of of a published work. It is not considered as a prequel or a sequel. Some gaidens are just stories retold from another character's perspective, or a flashback.” That’s the word I used when I first asked/told SGH that I was doing this, and I think it’s still the best fit. Maybe that’s because I egotistically don’t want to think of myself as writing fanfic, so, that’s something to unpack 🤷🏿♂️.
Ok I don’t hate Vahid, he’s just… I don’t know - until the middle of the Hillfolk arc he was such a wallflower/knowledge check dispenser he felt more like an NPC - there, I said it. Even now, I dare you - tell me what Vahid’s drivers are, as a person (not what he’s reacting to as a character in a story, the why he reacts that way) what made him who he is? I donno, folks. He’s really had some great moments in the last few sessions, but still - I thee challenge:
I can totally relate to the "doing this side project paradoxically makes me more inspired and motivated to work on my main projects" aspect of this. For me, the short term turn around of completion proves to myself that I can finish things and that there is a demand for the creativity that pours out of me like very interesting lava.
Dude¡!!!!!!!!!!