QWEST Project

Beginner’s system

Are you prepared to set off on an adventure? Everything happens unexpectedly and a war even more so. How lucky you are that years ago your communist government invested considerable resources into building fallout bunkers in which the rich and influential were to survive for decades. Regardless, wealth and influence have come to mean nothing. In this life, the most valuable things are drinking water, a slice of bread, one’s own life and a few friends you can rely on. This is a time when even seemingly incompetent individuals may have abilities without which you can't get by on the road... Like opening a can with one hand.

Before the Fall is a classic tabletop role-playing game (i.e. TTRPG) based on a system tailor-made for beginners. Grab your companions and set out on a qwest!

GAME SYSTEM

Before the Fall is designed to be enjoyable for both beginners and experienced players. Learn to survive in a world where everything wants to devour you, explore new areas, fight your enemies and dive deep into adventures that you might stumble upon – or will they stumble upon you? The story takes place in the vicinity of Cheron Crossing after the attack on Vakonia.

The game can be played in two modes:

Carefree mode puts emphasis on basic human values. This playthrough is ideal for boring rainy afternoons in a country house or wherever you like. The adventure takes place in a hilariously caricatured setting where the solutions to conflicts and missions can defy reality. For example, you can trick your enemy into believing that you’re holding a shrapnel grenade and not a can of urine. And yes, even such a choice will have an impact.

Lethal mode bears more resemblance to the real world. The game contains horror scenes, drugs and violence. Your character’s dark side awakens and it’s your call to give in or resist at the cost of a more demanding playthrough.

All you need is a six-sided die. You should find all other requisites such as pencils and game pieces in your desk drawer, or you can buy them online. We will provide accessories that take the game to the next level, such as world and location maps, items, ID cards, and more

Characters

The game features 10 pre-made characters of the genders F, X and M for you to explore the world with. Each one has lived through something and has acquired unique skills, but their characteristics and appearance are fully in your hands – feel free to fool around! Mix and match different characters based on playstyles and classes divided into 6 categories:

WHACKER: knows how to handle bats, axes and other things that can be lifted from the ground;

SHARPSHOOTER: an expert on firearms which go RAT-TAT-TAT! or BANG!;

COLOSSUS: when they get hurt, they don't like it, but they can stand it;

THIEF: a pickpocket, crook, sticky fingers, snatcher, burglar; yes, they should get checked out;

SUPPORT: the friend who does your homework; and

HEALER: they keep your heart beating and they keep beating the crap out of their enemies.

Do you prefer playing a vicious gunman or a sneaky thief? A ripped colossus or a qualified team healer? The choice is yours!

The following are just examples of what you can expect from us. Don't worry though, we won’t reveal the plot...

ID Card

The information on the ID card is sorted logically.

It lists the basics about your character, who they are and what skills they have. There is also room for your character’s portrait. We supply you with ready-made portraits; however, we give you full freedom in drawing your character’s appearance on your own... You can always tape it over, you know.

Next, you will find statistics on health, attack and defence points and everything related. There are also your class abilities and your backpack. You can write or draw in it – we won’t judge.

Maps

You will also receive maps to get a better idea of the setting.

Maps are available in a black-and-white format or a color format.

Colors are set up so that all kinds of surfaces are clearly distinguishable. Black-and-white format uses hatching and shades of gray. So it’s up to your preference.

Locations and Events

A zoomed in map is called a location. Here you can fight foes, rest, replenish supplies, search for items and more. There are several such locations on the maps. Events there vary depending on whether you play Carefree or Lethal mode. Or both at once!

Now, let's look at the ways in which the game can be played. Take a look at a non-existent location called Dan Druff’s Tattoo Studio.

A party that has entered the area near the location is peering into the studio, hidden behind a pile of garbage cans. Outside the door, a tattooed meathead with a machete behind his waist is puffing away. The party is made of three players and they have only just begun their game, so they have nothing besides their passive ability. They are aware that the Studio may contain rare items and bonuses which they want to get at any cost.

Option A) They can attack Dan Druff, kill him and simply take the gear. There is a great risk that they'll leave with dandruff, or he calls for a back-up, though.

Option B) They can sneak around Dan Druff using their stealth and dexterity skills and steal the items. One of them could distract him by talking to him or making noise. But there is a chance that Dan Druff will see through it and react.

Option C) Using their conceptualization and persuasion skills, they can come to an agreement with Dan Druff. They might pitch an idea for a really good tattoo that he can then do them, increasing their intimidation permanently. But there is a danger of Dan Druff having a bad day.

Option D) Try and think of something yourself...

The possibilities of resolving the situation are endless. The most creative and funniest moments are invented right there at the table by you. Our job is to set up the playing field: place our Dan Druffs, rubber ducks and breakfast marshmallows

Items

Three types of items will aid you during the playthrough. Permanent items, consumables and artifacts.

A permanent item might be a weapon (from a wooden stick to a machine gun), a piece of armor (from visorless cap to a bulletproof vest) or even a rope.

Consumables include food, medicine or boosters (you don’t get to visit parallel worlds but they amp you up).

The last category includes items which increase skills that can't be increased in any other way. One such item is binoculars increasing perception. Such items are hard to find and since they provide the player with a great advantage, a player can only carry one artifact.

Encounters and Foes

Imagine walking around an abandoned town when a red balloon floats past.

In Carefree mode, you encounter a carnival vendor with a broken leg who is wedged under slow-leaking helium cylinders. Squeaking, he asks you for help and offers a reward.

In Lethal mode, a bloodstained clown with a long knife will probably run out of the back alley. What you do is in your hands...

As implied above, all kinds of foes might await you in the locations and outside of them. As the game progresses, their stats as well as their abilities and gear, which they can use against you, are improving.

Facing some of them will be a real challenge. Your goal is to survive so it is sometimes better to just withdraw and escape. Only you know if you are a coward or a tactician.

Bunker Master

The last essential piece of this game puzzle is the Bunker Master (BM). They are the game guide, storyteller, judge, and executioner all at once. Unfortunately, this is the only piece we cannot provide. The role is often taken on by the most experienced player but we designed the BM rules in a way that even a complete beginner will understand.

Admittedly, the BM will miss out on some of the adventure, as they will look behind the curtain and eventually reveal events and portray foes. No worries, though! You can switch roles after finishing the game, discard already used events and try a different playthrough. This is usually agreed upon within the party as some players prefer role-playing one character, while others like to guide and put on various characters. The latter are a perfect fit for the role of Bunker Master.

And there you have it!

This is all from the Qwest Project. We will be grateful if you buy our product and support a pair of geeks who want to escape on an adventure full of things they would never want to face in real life (such as clowns with knives). We recommend buying a lot of marshmallows, potato chips and putting together a bathroom waiting list.

Grab your friends, family or classmates and set out on a qwest!

BEFORE FALL