What it is
City of Birds is a game of stories. It has elements of both role-playing and story-telling games. Every player is principally in charge of a single character, but that character can be transformed by the other players, and each will be asked to take on multiple roles. All players are equal—there is no game-master—but they do trade jobs with authority. Characters have traits, but these are verbal, not numerical. There are conflicts, but no dice, hit points or formulae.
What results from these pieces? A social creative endeavor where the flow and timing of what’s said is regulated, while the content is an outpouring of human imagination, undistracted by figures and formalities.
Who you play
You and some friends control citizens of an ancient empire’s powerful capital city. These characters are enmeshed in their society and bound to one another. They have a history and a path; but when their lives are interrupted, they will have to react, and they will have to change. You are…
- members of the royal court, vying for power as the queen drifts towards death.
- the sons and daughters of a successful merchant. Each wishes to help the family business, but also find a job and spouse for himself.
- residents of a small neighborhood, celebrating a festival when a coup brings revolution to the empire.
The exact setting of the game is fluid, and varies between stories. It could be in imperial China, early Babylon, or a city of pure myth.
The rules
Characters are defined by their roles in society and connections to other people. Through these traits they will make decisions, confront conflict and bring trouble upon themselves.
Players trade off various GM-like duties. In each round, everyone gets a job: The Voice describes a situation that confronts the Bird's character, while the Snake and the Tiger provide resolution. There are no numbers and no dice. Piles of stones regulate the flow of the game while coins are dispersed as rewards.
City of Birds is extremely low-prep: you can be up and playing in half an hour.
How to get it
City of Birds is available in print and PDF. It can be purchased through Lulu:
- Print copy ($12 + S&H) full color, 8.5''×8.5'', saddle-stiched
- E-book ($6) letter format for easy printing
Reports and Reviews
- RPG.net Review by James Gillen
- Foundry playtest with TonyLB, Lxndr, DaveC and Jasper
- Play report of theTsar's Court session