Aleksandra Fenikowska: How did your adventure with RPG and board games start? What are your favorite titles?
Wojciech Wons: My adventure began with getting to know board games, and more precisely with the old edition of Robinson Crusoe P. Ignacy Trzewiczka. Even then, I was running a small blog where I published my own game scripts. This fun of creating something new turned into an interest in RPG games. Here, once again, the Portal publishing house was my “guide”, because it was Neuroshima RPG that appeared on my shelf first. Certainly many people will agree that you can see inspiration from this system in my works.
AF: What prompted you to create your own game?
WW: First of all, interest in historical reenactments, more precisely from the early period. Unfortunately, for various reasons, I finally gave up this hobby. However, I was left with a “fishing line” for beliefs, Slavic beasts. I probably wouldn’t be lying if I said that computer games also pushed me to do it (of course, we’re talking about The Witcher).
AF: Why did you become interested in the subject of the Slavs?
WW: It is quite difficult to answer this question. We just like some things and not others. Delving into the mythology of the Slavs, ours, native, or searching for information about local or regional legends was simply a great adventure. Let’s make an appointment, for me, creating an RPG started when the Google search engine was opened, the book was unfolded, or during conversations with enthusiasts. In fact, I don’t know which was better, probably on the same level, both just learning about mythology and then turning it into a game.
AF: How did you come up with the idea of creating the Slavs RPG game ?
WW: First, it was supposed to be a drawer project. I wanted to do something where I would play with my friends, that is, people who were sitting in their hands at the time, and we would create an interesting atmosphere at the same time. In order for it to turn into something more, an impulse was needed – getting to know the right person who already had a textbook published. Regards Damian (liaison) and Przemek – my first guide in the publishing world, by the way, he illustrated the Slavs!
AF: Where do you get your inspiration for creating characters and worlds?
WW: Video games, books, the internet, and (mostly!) Chatting with other people. It was during all the conversations that I most often came up with different ideas. That is why feedback is valued so much to this day. It doesn’t matter if it’s positive or negative about what I’ve done. It is always the impetus for something new.
AF: Can you learn more about the culture and customs of the Slavs during the game? How much is the game based on tales and mythology?
WW: The game is set in a fictional world, on a fictional piece of land. It is not historical, but it is very much inspired by what I call “today’s vision of ancient beliefs”. We do not have many confirmed scientific sources on the pagan times of our region of Europe. Although when I found something, I did not fail to leave it and thus various things fell into the textbook. However, there are many messages, ideas, traditions, superstitions, legends and ordinary fairy tales. This is what the Slavs are built on. On what we know today about the culture of the Slavs, what we see in folklore and ordinary stories, e.g. about the rise of Pomerania.
I had the opportunity to talk about the “correctness” and the real knowledge provided by the textbook to the Slavs at the convention in Biskupin. Then I met a lot of people, archaeologists, enthusiasts, and literally in my eyes – scientists in their field. Many of them agreed. Ultimately, a lot can be learned from the textbook; old superstitions, regional legends, rituals and holidays, knowledge about monsters that bring us closer to our own culture.
We will not do a typical scientific paper on it, but I think I can mention that the Slavs of RPGs are used in at least 4 (about so many I know) undergraduate and graduate theses.
AF: What are the characteristic features of the Slavs ? Are there any elements that set the game apart from the rest?
WW:The atmosphere and approach to mechanics, because it is modular, is easy to adapt to the group’s expectations. We define it with levels of advancement. Even today, I think it is quite difficult to find similar solutions in modern role-playing games. The second thing concerns the usual tests, which are to reflect the spirit of “meddling” of the gods in the lives of heroes – that is, counter-tests, these appear even during the “fight” with nature and fate. I know that many people will say that it is too random or too slow … that’s why the levels of mechanics were created, that we can adjust this fluidity to ourselves, while maintaining the “true spirit” of the game, without interfering and so-called. house rules. As for the over-randomness issue, this one is toned down by the right type of dice. If that didn’t work … well, all the erpegs,
AF: Do you have to prepare to create stories in the Slavs ? Can you join at any stage of the game or do you have to wait for the next session?
WW: It depends on the campaign and the Game Masters. Slavs are suitable for longer campaigns as well as single shots. So full freedom!
AF: Are you planning additions or next editions?
WW: Yes, I am planning to do this, but first I would like to give the fans of the Slavs a full collection of add-ons that I have for popular systems.
AF: What advice would you give for beginners who would like to enter the RPG world?
WW: First of all, being open. Slavs are cool that people who are interested in mythology are “supported” during this first journey. This is a cool theme to get someone into the world of erpegs. It’s also fun to just get to know something new, so an open mind and a head full of imagination is the best ally for beginner players. The second thing is keep going! There is nothing worse than the first failures, and these do happen. Poor session? Group quarrel? No luck in the bones? It’s okay, please don’t get discouraged and look for your way in RPG worlds! And they do not have to be Slavs, there are a lot of textbooks that are worth knowing from the description and reflecting on them!
AF: And for people who would like to create their own RPG? Where should they start?
WW: It’s hard for me to say anything really valuable in this matter, because I think that each artist will approach it individually. Some will probably start by writing the world, others by rules, and some will sit down with the group and jointly create the first rules for the session. There are many roads.
AF: Thank you for the interview and wish you more ideas!
