Big, big thank you to Ace and Andrew for playing Fall of Magic last night with me! For the first time, we actually finished the game!

Fall of Magic is one of my favorite games because its simplicity in rules combined with voluminous, evocative potential make it a fantastic introductory story game.

So, what is it? Fall of Magic is a map-based story prompt game centered around the player characters escorting this NPC character called, The Magus, to a far away land where Magic was born. It is a fantasy world and magic is supposedly leaving the world and the magus with it. It is deliberately vague fantasy designed for you to imprint it with the baggage of your own favorite famous fantasy novel worlds as you desire.

This was my third time playing Fall of Magic but my first time facilitating it in person.

Dramatis Personae
Harp, Fox of the Mistwood, played by Ace
Justice, Golem of Ravenhall, played by Andrew
Kabu, Raven of Ravenhall, played by Eric

I made a miscalculation during the first part of the game. I made the first scene of the game about why I serve the Magus, but it was done in a very dictated/flashback like way.

Since the game tries to offer players as much of a fantasy tabula rasa for characters, the drawback to this design is that players are expected to bring their own backstory. Or in this instance, to make a scene that summons backstory and makes it true and known to everyone.

I think my decision to do that as the first (and thus example) scene was a mistake. I think it led players to believe all scenes must be solo/dictated scenes.

I think this struggle didn't correct itself until our first break and reaching Barleytown. I had the feeling Ace and Andrew were disappointed or at least unimpressed with this otherwise amazing game so I prompted them what's up. They courageously and truthfully told me they weren't expecting a game to make us do scenes so much in a solo way. It was then I realized my folly.

We corrected this by me going back to the rules, citing the "good advice" section, and asking if my usual pitch of "listen to what others are saying and say what's obvious" would have helped. They agreed. Being awake since 6:30am and running on 4 hours of sleep before, makes you not the best facilitator.

The second hour of play was way different than the first hour. We really were having fun and had some very awesome scenes. We left the "past" and buildup and really started playing with each other and encountering problems! Our Grey Rangers were lepers led by an Bronze-Mask wearing old friend of the Magus. He was upset with the travelers who should have known better than to come to the Mistwood after the summer solstice! The game just kept getting better and better from there!

In conclusion, the Golem a soldier, augmented with magic stone after injuries in the Battle of Swine Hill long ago journeyed with the Magus to the end, for with the end of magic would also mean his death. Kabu, an arrogant rogue impressed into service of the Magus bit off more than he could chew in Isstalia and became a literal Raven! He too joined the Magus and Golem entering the glow. Coincidentally, Harp, following in the aftermath of Kabu's transformation was turned back from a literal fox into her human form! Her ending seemed more positive.

We all had so much fun! Playing this with Ace and Andrew (and using the BETA version of the map, made me realize just how important the ordering and deliberate placement of prompts matters in a game like this.

One day I hope to make a game in the same vein as Fall of Magic or Life on Mars. Thank you once again Ace and Andrew for playing with me, thank you Ben for another fantastic meetup, and thank you readers for your time!