Mist-Robed Gate
A martial arts action RPG based on modern Chinese wuxia films. It uses game mechanics involving a prop knife that can be in one of four states: covered¸ sheathed¸ open¸ and bloody. In play¸ players fill out character cards¸ and then take turns framing scenes. The player framing a scene either fills out a new set card or chooses one that is already filled out. The knife begins covered¸ and there is little conflict in scenes. When the knife is sheathed¸ players can hand it to other players¸ and they have to respond by entering wirework¸ escalating (making the knife open)¸ or passing it back to present the same options. When it is open¸ a player can make explicit demands when passing the knife¸ and the target can respond by entering wirework¸ meeting the demand (and putting the knife down)¸ elaborating the demand and passing it to someone else¸ or stabbing another player's character sheet (making the knife bloody). The character whose sheet is stabbed will die by the end of the scene. The player can stab another character¸ do what was asked¸ or enter wirework. - A description fromdarkshire.netwith kind permission of John H. Kim