I’m always happy to have more people try Mythender! I’ll be posting updates on my blog.

- Ryan

Yup! As far as what Mythenders are gunning for, there’s a focus on the gods and the greater myths — the Norns, Fenris, etc. The “lesser myths” are barely peers to a Mythender. And mortals…well, there’s a future post where Mythenders, being partly Mythic themselves, can do what Myths do: terrorize mortals for power. But yeah, Thor is totally going to die in that first adventure, be in a con game or playing it out over two or three evenings at home. An individual adventure focusing on ending an individual god/greater myth.

(Or, you know, not, and try to remain human so you aren’t the next Myth you’r friends end.)

- Ryan

Interesting question.

What doesn’t sound like it’s clear is: Mythender’s want to end every Myth. There’s just usually a Myth that sparks this off in the first place. So, if you want to end Thor and I want to end the Norns and Bill wants to end Loki, then the GM has at least three adventures from that. If everyone wants to end Thor, then we know what we’re doing for the first adventure, and in playing that one we’ll figure out what’s next for our Mythenders.

For me, that’s a weird question to ask at character creation, but I can see how it would help other people. Feedback noted.

- Ryan

For example, if someone decides to kill the Norns, do I need to pick the Norns as well? The info thus far doesn’t say anything like that, but it would certainly make things easier. I guess I’m wondering how the party dynamics would work. I suppose I need to attend a con and see, but it’d be nice to have some idea without needing to.

In case it needs to be said, I’m not calling your baby ugly. I’m actually really intrigued by the concept. Let us see more as soon as you get the chance.

If you ever need more playtesters, I’d be glad to help. ;)

Q

Our group here in Northern VA. talk about Mythender all the time! A few of us have played it with you, and it just keeps popping up as an example of an awesome play experience! So, as I’m sure you know, there’s a lot of love for it out there, man. Looking forward to the game! (Though no pressure from us, we’re happy that you’re working and doing what you love, get it out on your own time and we’ll be here ready to play it!)

Buddha

But Mythenders probably do not erase the memory of the concept, sounds like it’d defeat the whole purpose. They are “-Enders” as opposed to “-annulers/obliviators”. Though that may be why 1984, Farenheit 451 and Equilibrium are so interesting… the new gods killed the old gods, and are now trying to erase all traces of their existence, to outlaw their memories, so to speak.

The reason I am so drawn to “You are Mythenders” is because somehow I feel the “a” article waters it down from its direct impact, and “Mythender, you are” sounds so weird…
I am becoming partial in my mind you “This is you (, or .) Mythender.” but I’m just voicing my own gut-feeling here.

God-killer; literally as well, not the figurative way in which all bosses are “gods”, especially compared to all the extras.

That’s the problem with trying to explain Mythender to people, and why I labored so long on this piece. “You boil rivers” is not a figurative statement.

- Ryan

2. Then you’ll also need Rambo and such ;) Half of those action flicks are all about “Against everything” and the only way it really works is by superhuman DnD HP being burnt on not being noticed, killing them before they kill you, etc.

4. Equilibrium, Farenheit 451, etc… but in all of those, the previous Mythender became the new oppression. Perfect too, Joe’s RPG.

To start with 3: There’s only one point where it becomes plural, “harbingers.” Which is one I’m waffling on. In any case, “You are Mythenders” is not as strong as “You are a Mythender,” so I will bend my text for that. But I stopped fiddling with it and just decided to post it after I had a couple dozen people go over it. Perfect is the enemy of done, and all that. I’ll come back to it in a month.

1: Rather than answer, mind if I turn the question around to you? What do those mean to you? What do you think I mean? (It’s more useful as a data point for me to ask than to destroy information by answering.)

2: God of War is one of the many inspirations for Mythender. I should stat up Kratos as a Mythender at some point. Same with Leonidas as seen in 300 — which I jokingly call “Mythender: The Movie.” (Less powered, but there aren’t a lot of movies about challenging the gods/insane odds where the challenger *isn’t* the underdog. Audiences love underdogs.)

4: It’s been forever since I’ve read 1984. I may just put that on my reading list (though I have a large list).

5: YES. A THOUSAND TIMES YES. Mythenders are Excrucians, hands down — just given a motivation that isn’t so utterly black-and-white villainous. I started off making a game that I thought was my about my thoughts on Exalted (my heartbreaker, if you will), and it turned into one on Nobilis. Awesome that you caught that.

- Ryan

1. Operaic metal, Rhapsody of Fire, Wagner, or both?

2. The paragraph beginning with “a titan amongst men” SO made me think of Kratos (God of War).

3. The final sentence, it was plural before, so shouldn’t it be “You are Mythenders”?

More serious thoughts:

4. Ending all concepts, and becoming what you fight… this made me think of 1984. You will end love and art, and become the new stifling “god”.

5. This in turn made me think of the Excruciators in Nobilis, who end concepts.

- Ryan

Ah, projected release date…

I was hoping for this year, but then I got hired to finish out The Dresden Files RPG, which killed a lot of momentum on my own games. I still have to finish the last draft of this text, have it go to editing and to beta testers, commission art for it, layout, etc. I’m *hoping* by second quarter of 2011. But I won’t announce anything official until it’s something that we won’t likely backpedal. Still, I’ll be mouthy about my pet project for the months to come.

Maybe if I choke one more god, I’ll get the power to make it happen sooner…

- Ryan

Also, I have been known to give my Robin Laws-style pitch of: “Do you want to stab Thor in the face?”

I love seeing eyes light up after saying that.

- Ryan

When is your projected release date?