TTRPG INDEPENDENT MODULE/SYSTEM CREATOR: Slav Borg - PJ

If you look hard enough, there's pretty much you can find a TTRPG in all sorts of settings and whilst a lot of them are set in fantasy worlds, occasionally you come across one set in modern times, in places that many people aren't that familiar with.  

Coming to the tabletop soon (currently undergoing a kickstarter campaign running until the 29th June.) Slav Borg will bring parts of Polish history to light set in a fantasy setting where Orc's and Goblins face off in a Mad Max meets Fast and Furious game.  Here we were lucky enough to have a chat with one of the creator s PJ and heres what he had to say...

Totally Pawsome:  As a creator of modules/systems for TTRPG's, what inspired you to write the one you're most proud of? 

PJ:  I dabbled with custom campaign systems, not only for RPGs but for stuff like Battletech as well and that was really fun but somewhat clinical. But the one that I am the most proud of is definitely SLAV BORG. It’s inspired by our upbringing in some, let’s say, interesting parts of Poland and real-life history that is collectively ignored - late ‘90s and early ‘00s. Effects of economic upheaval, rampant organized crime, progressing alienation, shocking greed. It bodes well to turn all that into something inspired by MORK BORG. Our mission as a studio is to translate some of these experiences into tabletop settings and SLAV BORG is just the beginning! 

TP:  What would you say is the best selling point of your TTRPG's? 

PJ:  Setting! As much as we like cool mechanics and interesting gameplay, for us, it’s always about the setting. We want to sprinkle around as many narrative hooks for players and DMs as possible. That’s what we love about the modern RPGs - you don’t need hours of pouring over tomes of detailed lore (although that’s cool too) and doing extensive homework before the session. All you need is some inspiration from the rulebook that will drive you to weave inspiring adventures on a whim and stimulate your creativity. 

TP:  Why the TTRPG space? 

PJ:  It’s the most imaginative and complex - narratively and socially - form of entertainment. It’s also really open to expression and exploration of self. It can be as deep or as shallow as you want. Edgy or thoughtful, the only limit is the imagination of players and the DM. You can go with the tropes or brake them, create memories and experiences that transcend the constraints of physical space. Which was very handy during the pandemic!

TP:  What is your favourite product that you produce and why? 

PJ:  SLAV BORG is our first, but we will continue on with some aspects of it in our future products - especially racing mechanics and setting.  

TP:  What is your current work in progress and what can you tell us about it? 

PJ:  Currently, we are near the finish line of the Kickstarter for SLAV BORG. It’s a post-Soviet, semi-fantasy RPG, using OGL of MORK BORG. Its main selling point is racing mechanics that kind of replace traditional fighting. You can fight with conventional weapons but in The Realm of Zgol your wheels (cars) are everything. There are three types of dungeons in SLAV BORG: smuggling runs that will test the ingenuity of the players and their ability to plan and then think quickly on their feet; races that can influence local power balance and provide powerful allies and nasty enemies; blocks of flats - concrete jungles inspired by classic survival horrors and the interesting, maze-like architecture of post-Soviet countries. There is also a roguelike mode that aims to compress the narrative arc of a few sessions or even a campaign to a one-shot adventure. What we are trying to do, is to provide everyone a toolbox to craft really personal styles of play, and the best way to enjoy and explore this unique world. 

TP:  Who do you think would love to play your TTRPG's and why? 

PJ:  We were aiming at fans of OSRs, especially the Mork Borg-type. But looking at the early feedback we got thanks to our crowdfunding campaign, racing is the thing that intrigues people the most. So if you like high speed, road raging in customizable vehicles, or even Mario Kart - which is, believe it or not, a huge influence on our game - then SLAV BORG is for you. Oh, and there are some tidbits for everyone that is interested in post-Soviet history and culture. We are aware of Slav stereotypes that are popular on the internet and we are playing with them a bit. We’re not dispelling them entirely but use some of them as a jumping point to tell our own story. We also want to draw the attention of the greenskins fans - we have orcs, goblins, and hobgoblins, each with their own unique culture and spin on these classic fantasy races.

TP:    If you were given the time and opportunity to develop something unique, what would it be and why? 

PJ:  We love miniatures and gaming terrain so it’ll have to be something connected to that. Maybe a 28mm scale Zgol city with modular, plastic buildings and streets and customizable vehicles that you can magnetize and modify? Of course, with an epic RPG/skirmish campaign that will provide fun for years! 

TP:  Who do you admire in the Independent TTRPG writing space and why? 

PJ:  Pelle Nilsson, of course, because without Mork Borg I don’t think I could bring my adult friends to playing RPGs - some of them have never played, others played years ago. With the elegant and crazy design of this game, it was really easy. I love the creativity of MB, and hats off to Johan Nohr as well, because bringing the art/punk zine style to tabletop is just a genius and mind-opening move. I really like Death In Spaceby Carl Niblaeus, a perfect encapsulation of hard sci-fi. I love Corny Groń by Kuba Skurzyński, who is also looking into the past of our country and re-telling some folk tales in a more fantasy and dungeon-crawly fashion. But I am mostly looking outside of the RPG space for inspiration. I love everything that Joseph McCullough is making, especially his solo play stuff. Mike Hutchinson, because his games have this flowing, satisfying character. 

TP:   What got you into TTRPG's in the first place?

PJ:  I was an extremely nerdy child, and I felt lost and lonely. But I found the group of likely-mind nerds as a teenager and we got into 3rd edition D&D, Vampire: the Masquerade, and Magic: the Gathering which was a crime in our school, punished by bullying. RPGs gave me shelter, inspiration, and friendships. During the pandemic, we’ve built a strong community around playing TTRPGs, and I think that’s the strongest aspect of this activity - building community and providing much-needed healing from the horrors of the late-stage capitalism.