You, Beyond the Pale
A downloadable game
You don't belong in the mortal world.
You live alone, and you have always lived alone. You have yourself, and you have your own territory. The mortals have their own realms, and the mortals have each other.
So what happens when the mortal world starts coming to you?
You, Beyond the Pale is a solo journaling RPG based on my Aspire SRD. Take up the role of a unique monster, adrift and alone, bewildered by a world full of mortals. Observe them. Learn about them. Scare them, or leave gifts for them. Make a friend. And brace for when your friend tells the rest of the mortal world about you.
This game is meant to be played at a slow, contemplative pace as a daily ritual, allowing you to inhabit your monster's world for up to one month per playthrough. You can also play it in one sitting, which will take approximately four to six hours.
- Two 10-sided dice (d10)
- A deck of playing cards, with jokers
- Somewhere to record your story
Proud recipient of a 2023 Q4 Luminary Grant!
If you enjoy You, Beyond the Pale, consider checking out these games as well:
- Her Odyssey, also by me, is a slow and contemplative solo journaling RPG about a wanderer trying to make her way home - or find a new home.
- Untitled Moth Game, also by me, is a fairytale-themed solo journaling RPG about a cursed moth-maiden exploring a humble Village and navigating the dangers of the foreboding Tyrant's Castle, trying to find and save her true love.
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This is my first go at solo journalling, and I feel very blessed that this is my first experience. Not done too many days yet, but it has already been really meaningful. Thank you for creating this.
Oh gosh, thank you so much for your kind words! I hope your monster’s journey continues to be a source of reflection and inspiration.
You are monstrous and you are alone. There are mortals who share this world with you, but you are alone. They are different from you, some fear you, some worship you. Some live upon your territory, some seek interaction, but you will always be alone.
You, Beyond the Pale is a game about taking on the roll of an inhuman monster living near the mortals. You start the game by making your creature and placing both of the jokers into strategic spots in the deck. Each day you draw two cards to represent a mortal who wanders into your territory. You think roll 2d20 to see how that interaction goes.
During the First Act, sometimes you have a good interaction, observing and learning about them, but sometimes things go wrong and everyone gets scared. Sometimes you can even gain or give a treasure to the humans. When you draw the first joker a mortal friend appears, and becomes a reoccurring character for you to interact with. During the Second Act every time you draw a card with the same value as your friend card you get to see them again and further your friendship. You learn more about the mortals and how to become acceptable to them.
The final act occurs when you draw the second joker and something special happens and you make one last entry.
I played as a large polar-bear type creature who kinda wanted to be left alone, but also enjoyed all the trinkets that the mortals made of them. You can find my playthrough HERE
Thank you so much for playing! Your Solovember playthroughs are always real gems to read.
I love this game so much, I keep thinking of my playthrough of it months later. It's such a comfort for when one is trying to find their own people.
I’m honored and touched to hear that the game made such an impact on you!
This. This game is hitting me hard in the feelings, and I've only just begun. The contemplativeness, the loneliness, but also the curiosity and the moments of mirth, of rooting for the mortals you observe— truly wonderful. Absolutely love it.
Thank you so much for your kind comment! Wishing you an interesting journey ahead.