Scenario  #

Society of Rafa is based around Scenarios. The best Scenarios ask players to solve an open-ended, ethical quandary, related to caring for their patient(s) and/or managing human-spirit relations. A Storyteller should not come to a session with a predefined correct solution. (Though it is helpful to consider possible solutions and how you’d react—more on that later.)

A Scenario ends when the players solve the quandary in a way that feels satisfying and provide appropriate medical care to their patient(s).

Additionally, optional mechanics called Community Play can deepen the roleplaying of organizations with power and/or interest in the state of the community. Your Rafa Circle can decide if you are collectively intrigued before starting.

Sessions #

A session is a period of time when you play the game. Most Scenarios last one session between one to four hours, based on the storyteller’s style, but some more complex Scenarios might take another session. Give yourself enough time to play out a satisfying amount of the story.

As a Rafa Circle, you should collectively figure out the session length that works for you. Many times a Scenario can run shorter or longer than expected; be flexible with yourselves. Sometimes everyone is just tired, and there is no shame in ending early. Other days you will get sucked into the story and run late. Many roleplaying groups who meet in person bring snacks or eat a meal together. Figure out what works for your group. Leave enough extra time to wind up and down and catch up with friends.

The Storyteller #

A Storyteller is the person who leads the Scenario. The Storyteller is in charge of setting the moral quandary, describing the world, determining the outcomes of your actions, and acting out non-player characters. The Storyteller is key to setting the Scenarios’ pace and suspense. 

Switching Storytellers #

Society of Rafa is designed so that players can easily switch off who is the Storyteller from Scenario to Scenario as all players’ characters are members of the community. This game is very episodic, as each Scenario can build layers of complexity into your version of Kahal.

The Players #

As you know, each player plays a Rafa character. You roleplay how your character responds to each Scenario’s events and conundrums. You can improv knowledge and traditions of Kahal and the Avodai based on what you know about the world. Bring to your experiences into the game from your own close-knit communities and cultures. As a community Rafa, you know just as much as the Storyteller, even if the player needs to explain to the group. Each Rafa Circle will create a different version of Kahal and its residents.

This Handbook, character medical records, and Book of Spirits are a toolbox open to all storytellers and players to build off of and mold as they like. Add notes and stories to the Society of Rafa’s Medical Records and Book of Spirits. The only materials that we recommend players avoid reading are the provided Starter Scenarios, so that they can react organically and unspoiled during play.

Actions #

In Society of Rafa, your actions are determined by your Rafa Skills, supplies in your Rafa bag, and your own imagination. You perform skills by rolling three 10-sided dice (3d10), explicated more in the next gameplay section. You can refill your basic supplies of your Rafa bag each time you go to the House of Healing or collect other rare items during your adventures. Herbal remedies and amulet making require specific supplies that are plentiful in the House of Healing or surrounding shops.

Beyond healing, you can do anything that your character could reasonably do in real life by describing your actions.