Book of the Kiss ( http://samchuppmedia.com/botklink ) thread: one of the biggest reasons I thought romance will work in fantasy is that many fantasy RPGs storylines work within the structure of a similar narrative curve (Hero's Journey v/ romantic formula).

One of the areas where the narrative content of romance and fantasy TTRPGs differ, though, is the circumstances or background setting of the romance itself. Stories can be set in romantic locales: sprawling cities, palaces, an Elven enclave, an idyllic island paradise.

But if they are set in a foot-slogging march through a swamp, a dungeon plunder, or in the midst of a war against the forces of evil, it might be a bit difficult for lovers to do anything but fight to survive.

One thing I would remind folks is: overcoming great odds, surviving certain death is, in RL, a tremendous boost to the spirit. Some people respond to this with an urge to join in partnership, to secure a companion, or otherwise just celebrate life together.

Book of the Kiss allows players to address romance symbolically to start with and then move to fill in the narrative details as and when they feel comfortable doing so. It can also be used as a narrative device.

For example, let's say an NPC really appears to dislike you, but you receive an Desirous regard (+2) from them. Mixed signals? Or if your Kind regard (+1) friend suddenly changes to an Amorous regard (+3) a la "Zoe's Extraordinary Playlist." It introduces roleplayable moments.

Those regards form the basis for a future relationship, and they cost each player some Vivae (attention currency) to give or to change. Then, there are the Heart Signes, which are essentially a kind of romantic "alignment." Each Signe has qualities that might repel or attract.

In the future I am considering writing an adventure "module" to go along with the sourcebook, kind of like what I did with "Live & Let Dye." Would you be interested in something that shows how this guidebook could be utilized in specific gameplay?

Thank you for reading my thread. The graphics published along with this thread were created by designerT.S. Doyle and represent some of the various Heart Signes.