Rainbow Story System

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The Rainbow Story System is a hybrid tabletop RPG and narrative design tool...

System Introduction

System Version: 1.0 (R13+ Edition)
Design Goals: Cross-compatible with D&D 5e (2024), Pathfinder 2e, Daggerheart, and d20 Modern. Built for TTRPG campaigns and novel writing.
Creative Inspirations: The Lord of the Rings, My Sister's Keeper, Famous Five, Swallows and Amazons, Jack Reacher, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Welcome to the Rainbow Story System
The Rainbow Story System (RSS) is a hybrid tabletop RPG and narrative design tool. It integrates mechanical depth from leading RPG systems with robust literary supports for novelists. At its core, it is a tool for storytelling—blending epic campaigns, emotional journeys, and world-building across physical, mystical, and mythological realms.
System Philosophy
  • Inclusive by Design: Characters evolve through experience and personal growth, not rigid class stereotypes.
  • Narrative-Driven Mechanics: Every roll, choice, and stat serves a story purpose.
  • Multi-Dimensional Play: Suitable for campaigns, co-writing, and solo narratives.
  • Cosmic Backbone: Stories span a triadic cosmology of divine, mortal, and infernal realms.
System Uses
  • Tabletop Campaigns – Custom races, classless growth, and modular mechanics.
  • Collaborative Writing – Use shared sheets, relationship arcs, and group lore.
  • Solo Worldbuilding – Build universes and chronicle myth with a structured core.
What Makes It Unique
  • Character Growth by Age: XP tied to education, guilds, and personal quests.
  • Expanded Cosmos: Includes Celestial, Material, and Infernal planes.
  • Universal Systems: Time, measurement, and economy for consistency.
  • Social Attributes: Presence, Empathy, and Subterfuge build narrative nuance.
  • Crystal-Tech + Nature Magic: Coexisting forces define the setting.
Core Inspirations
  • The Lord of the Rings – Epic legacy and mythic grandeur.
  • My Sister’s Keeper – Deep emotional realism and moral complexity.
  • Famous Five / Swallows and Amazons – Youth adventure and curiosity.
  • Jack Reacher – Grounded survival, justice, and skill-based conflict.
  • Willy Wonka – Surreal, playful imagination and magical logic.

System Pillars

1. Character Framework
  • Roll 4d8, drop the lowest, for 9 core attributes.
  • Level via age-based progression (Child to Elder).
  • Dynamic identity options for inclusive storytelling.
2. Cosmos Framework
  • Material Plane (Uthea): Where mortals and nature intertwine.
  • Celestial Realm: Seat of divine order ruled by Zeus, Athena, and Hercules.
  • Infernal Realm: Ruled by Astreon, corruptor of souls and balance.
  • Elemental Planes and Ley Lines form the magic backbone of the world.
3. Dice System
  • Supports d4 to d100 rolls, with creative extensions like d25 and d60.
  • Deception rolls aid writers in uncertain outcomes and plot turns.
  • Narrative Difficulty Ratings (NDRs) define success tiers.

Final Word:

The Rainbow Story System is designed with youth safety in mind. It is suitable for ages 13 and up, ensuring that all players can engage with the material in a safe and respectful manner.
The system emphasizes:
  • Language: Clear, creative, and emotionally intelligent.
  • Themes: Identity, legacy, loss, morality, friendship.
  • Combat: Strategic and story-driven, not gory.
  • Magic: Wonder-focused with meaningful consequences.
The Rainbow Story System isn’t just a game—it’s a launchpad for your imagination. Whether you're a young GM, an aspiring novelist, or a veteran of the table, this framework is here to help you create magic that lasts.