Plotweaver RPG

@plotweaver

Plotweaver™ is a new RPG system and setting from Brotherwise Games, the team that brought you the record-breaking Cosmere® RPG. Plotweaver invites players to explore the Tapestry, a universe where every story is true. www.plotweaverrpg.com

26 Following252 Followers60 Posts

Patreon Patreon Patreon Reddit Reddit Reddit Reddit Discord YouTube Bluesky

cosplay

Is this your profile?Claim it and plotweaver.dirty.social is yours.Claim profile

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· 19d

Andrew was also able to speak to *opportunity cost* and how the team uses it balance things like magic in the adept paths. www.reddit.com/r/rpg/commen...

Piro4134 asked: What are the main levers you use when balancing something that is so versatile as magic tends to be?

Etheral_Fish (Andrew Fischer) answered: The biggest lever we use in Plotweaver is opportunity cost. To expand into an adept (magic) path, you typically need to not only spend levels (to gain talents), but also complete narrative goals (so also spending rewards). This means that you are missing out on other character advancement to get access to these extraordinary powers.

We try to build a lot of the "staple" effects and talents into heroic trees, as well as giving powerful narrative-control talents at the end of each tree. To go into magic, you are going to have fewer of these, meaning you have a tradeoff for your fantastic abilities.

We also have the direct power of magic scale off of skill ranks, but that's a bit more zoomed-in than this opportunity cost answer.

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· 19d

Andrew Fischer spoke to the nature of magic in the fantasy setting (Folio), the injury system as it translates from Cosmere RPG to Plotweaver, and guidance for balancing homebrew through the team's work on Plotweaver Academy! www.reddit.com/r/rpg/commen...

5_Million_Moths asked: I have a few questions and fully understand if you can't answer some of them, but I'm into system design so I'm very curious about Plotweaver since it's the coolest core d20 system I've seen.

With the addition of a more traditional fantasy setting, will there be any core system for defined spells and characters learning them, or is it going to all be freeform?

Will injuries have more weight in the plotweaver settings? The injury system is well designed, but in Stormlight they can all be easily cleared out of combat with early talents. Was that a thematic choice for stormlight, or is it generally how they will go (or to put it mechanically, are injuries intended to be a mid-fight thing or last past that)?

Will there be any guidelines for balancing homebrew content? I've made quite a bit of homebrew for Cosmere and would love to see the philosophy behind the systems official balancing.

Thank you for taking the time to read and answer everyone's questions, this is the most involved I've ever seen a non-indie team be with their playerbase and it warms my heart!

Etheral_Fish (Andrew Fischer) answered: Our magic in Project Folio (our internal fantasy setting) will be a bit more freeform, but we will have a spell system available in a different product that I can't share quite yet.

Injuries will work roughly the same, though we have been exploring ways to make them a bit more common or hit harder.

Yes! We will be releasing a lot of guidance through our Plotweaver Academy Patreon, then, after release, we will be publishing all of that designer guidance in a packaged format to help people design the best possible content for the system.

And thank you for the kind words! We try really hard to be as involved as we can! It can be hard with everything we have going on, but we really want to foster a strong community around this game, and we'll do anything we can to support, listen to, and work with you all!

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· 19d

Meric was able to provide clarity as to how Plotweaver will work as an open-source RPG: ALL of the rules (scene types, dice mechanics) available in a free-for-everyone PDF online! We will have a guidebook and setting books for sale, but Plotweaver is for everyone. ❤️‍🔥 www.reddit.com/r/rpg/commen...

taco-force asks:
Something that always has bugged me about this large books using freelance writers is the pay structure. Whether it be pay by the word, page, hour, there's a tension between the creative team's ability to make a highly effective and edited text versus their own financial success. This also comes from top down pressure to make a "proper" sized book for the market.

These days I personally find the higher budget the book, the more bloated the game becomes. Is this just the nature of the beast?

Mericmoir responds: No, I don't think so at all! Different book sizes accomplish different things when you're smart about them. Stormlight and Mistborn are huge books, but that's not the route we're going with Plotweaver, because it's not the right route for Plotweaver.

Instead, we're doing setting books (about 224 pages) that have everything the GM needs to know about the setting and everything the players need to make characters in the setting. Then we're putting all of the rules (scene types, dice mechanics, statistics) in a free-for-everyone PDF online. We'll also print the free rules in a Plotweaver Guidebook (about 200 pages) alongside expanded GM advice, more art, more adversaries, and more meta-setting information. This way we don't need to print the rules for Combat Scenes in every book, and people have to buy fewer (and smaller) books

taco-force responds: "Then we're putting all of the rules (scene types, dice mechanics, statistics) in a free-for-everyone PDF online." This is fantastic!

I'm definitely a fan of Sanderson's books but I've found that huge ttrpg books aren't usually for me these days. I like what I've been hearing about Plotweaver so far.

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· 19d

Kavlan001 asked a great question about how to go about getting involved in the TTRPG industry as a writer and freelancer, and Meric imparted some excellent insight into his own journey and how Plotweaver Academy is a great resource for budding freelancers ✨ www.reddit.com/r/rpg/commen...

Kavlan001 asks: How would you suggest going about getting involved in this industry?

I saw in another answer that lots of the Plotweaver/Cosmere RPG team got their start as freelancers. If someone has only been a player/GM, what steps can they take to break in to freelancing?

If you can only answer in the sphere of Plotweaver, that’s fine. I willingly admit that this question is motivated by my not being qualified to apply for the jobs Brotherwise is currently accepting applications for, but wanting to become qualified if there’s similar opportunities in a few years 😂

Mericmoir answers: Something near and dear to my heart! I got into the industry by being adjacent, doing the work, and asking a bunch of questions!

I was recording TTRPG AP podcasts, then reviewing TTRPGs, then interviewing designers like Wade Dyer, Ian Lemke, Vee Hendro, Hayley Gordon, Jim Johnson, and John Houlihan. While I was doing that, I was writing my own homebrew adventures and trying to make them look as professional as possible. Eventually, Ian mentioned he was looking for writers, and I said I'd like to apply. He asked me to send him a writing sample, and I had something polished and ready to go that same day. Luck + preparation = success.

I didn't write the best first adventure for Ian, but I was willing to learn, and he commissioned me for another adventure, a mini setting, and a PDF supplement over the next few years. You get that ball rolling, and then you can show your portfolio to other people. Having done the work, they trust you can keep doing the work!

The other thing that we're doing to make this easier for people is creating Plotweaver Academy. We've got a Patreon where we're giving people support and tools to make stuff and dip their toes in the industry. To build those design chops and that writing discipline, so when you do get lucky and an opportunity comes your way (like an open call for freelancers), you're prepared to jump in and do it!

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· 19d

Join Plotweaver RPG Director Meric Moir and Lead Designer Andrew Fischer now on r/rpg for an AMA! www.reddit.com/r/rpg/commen...

Plotweaver AMA on r/rpg LIVE NOW!
Headshots of Andrew Fischer and Meric Moir

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· 21d

Grimoire is the modern, urban fantasy setting of Plotweaver and one of the cool things being developed for the setting is Monster ancestry! From Eren Angiolini, the Adze and Arraki monster characters, and the Stonecoat monster art is by Julian del Rey. 🔥 www.patreon.com/plotweaveracademy

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Jul 7

The Codex setting Closed Alpha just finished last week, so it seemed a good time to recap what we know about it before moving into Grimoire territory 👀 And honestly, with Codex, this isn’t even half of the story. In the meantime: keep your eyes peeled for the closed alpha feedback review!

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Jun 30

Codex Ancestry concept art in COLOR! 🤩 Humanoids, Jumpstarts, Frinn, and Kithrets. You can find more concept art reveals and Plotweaver development insights and updates over on the Plotweaver Academy Patreon! patreon.com/PlotweaverAcademy

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Jun 12

Our fantasy setting, Folio, recently wrapped on Closed Alpha testing, but Open Alpha for Folio comes this fall! What stands out to you from this feedback as most interesting to you? 👀

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Jun 4

The Folio Setting for Plotweaver just wrapped on it's Closed Alpha playtesting, so we figured a quick review of the world as we know it may do us all some good 🙂‍↕️ Anything is subject to change since we're still in development!

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· May 20

We shared this shot of some vehicle concept art for our Sci-Fi setting in our most recent newsletter! Coming in June, the Project Codex closed alpha will include Vehicle rules, new adversaries, a new Spacer heroic path, Plotweaver character creation, and so much more! https://ow.ly/5JmM50Z2mM4

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· May 5

Plotweaver Academy is HERE! Join the Plotweaver Academy Patreon if you are a player who loves the system of the Cosmere RPG, a game designer or aspiring freelancer, or just someone who loves all things TTRPG. Help us Weave the Tapestry. ✨ https://www.patreon.com/cw/PlotweaverAcademy

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Apr 29

The Plotweaver RPG Lead Artist Search ends TOMORROW, April 30th! Don't forget to share the form with your favorite comic book and sketch artists and submit your portfolio! 🎨✨ We can't wait to meet our Lead Artist! Could it be you?? docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Promotional Plotweaver imagery of a flying duo of Sci Fi and Fantasy Heroine and Hero across images of several different settings: fantasy with dragons and castles, Sci-FI setting with flying cars, etc. Image reads: PLOTWEAVER Lead Artist Search Ends Tomorrow

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Apr 28

As we quickly approach the start of Closed Alpha Testing for the Folio setting, we figured we’d share some Spirit World Concept art! The Spirit World is intrinsically tied to the mortal world. Energy flows back and forth in a symbiotic relationship, feeding the land and helping life flourish. ✨

Sketch style drawings of fantasy locations: waterfalls, rivers of light, monuments made of natural plant life.

Sketch style design concepts for fantasy locations, lotuses growing above water with floating light streaming around, natural bridges over light-like water

Sketch style concept art for fantasy locations: crystals growing out of the ground surrounded by plate, trees with roots that form mountain range-like bodies, carved tablets growing from the ground

Sketch style concept art for fantasy locations: crystals growing out of trees with roots at their base as if vegetation

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Apr 15

We can't wait for Project Folio alpha playtesting to begin in May! So why not show off more Folio environment concept art to get you all prepared for what is coming...✨ Concept art by Christian Benavides https://www.voyagerillustration.com/

Fantasy world concept artwork for Plotweaver RPG

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Apr 14

The April Plotweaver Newsletter is here! Including some new concept art, like these Grimoire character concepts: mailchi.mp/brotherwiseg...

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Mar 27

Calling all artists! 🖌️ We are looking for the Lead Artist for Plotweaver. Starting with a $10,000 commission, this artist would help define the look of Plotweaver through concept art and final illustrations. Learn more by applying today: https://forms.gle/CNdzv7iFMnv2W2re9

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Mar 18

In Plotweaver settings, worlds and realities collide! A land rich in magic is thrown out of balance when ancient technology begins to awaken. A galaxy-spanning autocracy mines the essence of other realities. Living stories step through liminal spaces and into the modern world.

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Mar 17

🧵Today is a big day full of Plotweaver NEWNESS ✨ Our March Newsletter just went out mailchi.mp/brotherwiseg... And with it comes the announcement that we are aiming to start Alpha playtesting in May with Project Folio. You can sign up for playtesting here: forms.gle/vMPps3RQcyZS...

Plotweaver Alpha Playtesting Roadmap:
May - Project Folio
June - Project Codex
July - Project Grimoire

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

And last, but definitely not least, we have Max Brooke as a Consulting Designer for the Plotweaver system! Max is a game designer who has worked on games such as Warhammer 40,000 RPG, Star Wars RPG, Legend of the Five Rings RPG, and the Cosmere RPG. He also runs Wild Plum Games!

Plotweaver Consulting Designer Max Brooke (he/him)

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

Nat Kreiman has joined the Plotweaver team as a Designer! Nat is a storyteller, disability advocate, designer, editor, unabashed mechanics head, wilder of worlds, AND professional gamemaster! You can find their designs in Flee, Mortals!, Where Evil Lies, and The Undead Gala.

Plotweaver Designer Nat Kreiman (he/they)

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

James Mendez Hodes is our Project Grimoire Lead! James is a cultural consultant, game designer, and writer. He has consulted on Dungeons & Dragons, Daggerheart, and the Jackbox Party Packs. His design work includes the Avatar Legends RPG and Streets of Jade!

Plotweaver Project Grimoire Lead James Mendez Hodes (he/him)

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

Dylan Grinder is Plotweaver's Project Folio Co-Lead! Dylan is a graphic/game designer that has authored original games, such as Become: Artificial Investigation & Spoken Magic. She also has worked as a freelancer in layout for games like Draw Steel and Valor: The Heroic Roleplay.

Plotweaver Project Folio Co-Lead Dylan Grinder (she/he)

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

Kienna Shaw has joined the team as the Project Folio Co-Lead! Kienna has worked on projects like Pathfinder Lost Omens: Tian Xia World Guide/Tian Xia Character Guide, Cloud Empress, and Stormlight Scenarios! They've also worked as a co-curator on the @ttrpgsafetytoolkit.com

Plotweaver Project Folio Co-Lead Kienna Shaw (she/they)

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

Another familiar face for Cosmere RPG fans, Andrew Fischer has joined the Plotweaver team as the Lead Designer! Andrew brings deep design experience from past projects like Star Wars RPG, Fallout, and the Cosmere RPG. He also works as the game design director at @earthbornegames.bsky.social!

Plotweaver Lead Designer Andrew Fischer (he/him)

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

Plotweaver's RPG Director and Project Codex Lead, Meric Moir, may seem like a familiar face for fans of the Cosmere RPG! Meric is also the Lead Writer for the Cosmere RPG, but has worked on many other titles such as The Expanse, Fantasy AGE, Achtung! Cthulhu, and Star Trek Adventures.

Plotweaver RPG Director, Meric Moir (he/him)

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

Plotweaver is currently getting developed by a wonderful group of folks! So, please read (and share!) below about the people making this awesome game 🧵

Groupshot of the Plotweaver team with the Plotweaver symbol

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 10

Our February newsletter has gone out! mailchi.mp/brotherwiseg... The development team has been hard at work getting ready for the alpha playtest in Q2! Stay tuned for more information.

Q2 2026Alpha Playtesting
Q3 2026 Secret
Q4 2026 Secret
Q1 2027 Beta Playtesting
Q2 2027 Kickstarter

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Feb 3

Check out some of the concept art for the three core settings of Plotweaver! Which setting excites you the most? 🪐Project Codex 🐉Project Folio ✨Project Grimoire You can see more concept art on plotweaverrpg.com!

Preview of the Folio Environment concepts - showing a "crystal seed" growing into a tree

Concept artwork of the Codex setting showing a futuristic civilization, with a distant town on top of a mountain. A flying ship is off in the distance.

Concept artwork for the Grimoire setting. Showing a young person holding a bike looking at a staircase that leads to a mysterious hole in the wall

Plotweaver RPG@plotweaver· Jan 21

The first Plotweaver newsletter has gone out! mailchi.mp/brotherwiseg... In this month's newsleetter, we show off the roadmap for Plotweaver, an internal playtesting update, results from the Plotweaver survey, and some cool art!