Pay attention: not all text in this

EST RULES 1079 Remember the rule number

book are rules. one: have fun. It’s the most
There are some flavor texts, to important rule in the game.
help you setting the mood. TAVERN STORIES

If you’re a fascist, you’re not welcome to play this game. It’s against the rules. If you’re reading
this and thinking, “You just call everyone you disagree with a fascist,” then you’re probably a fas-
cist, or incapable of drawing inferences from context and acknowledging a dangerous political
climate that causes the oppressed to be hyperbolic. Don’t play this game. Heal yourself. Grow.
Learn. Think about the consequences of your actions.

CREDITS
Game Design, Writing: Matteo Sciutteri.
Proof Reading: Giulia Fanzaghi.
Graphic Design and Layout: Matteo Sciutteri.
Primary Playtesters and Development Consultants: Matteo Caravatti, Cristiano Dieci, Giulia Fanza-
ghi, Alessandro Nasuti, Emiliano Parodi.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Tavern Stories was first inspired by James Wallis’ game The Extraordinary Adventure of Baron Mun-
chausen and Jason Morningstar’s game Fiasco.
The background sentence idea is based on the similar mechanic from Chema González’s game Yokai
Hunters Society.
A special thanks to Sean Nittner for the suggestion about inclusivity in the game and the right way
to tell a story about heroes drinking at the tavern and Oliva Hill for originally crafting the “No Fas-
cists policy”.
The “No Fascists Allowed” logo on the cover is crafted by Andrea “Lord Lance” Parducci.

ABOUT THE PARAGON SYSTEM

A copy of AGON is required to play Tavern Stories. For more on the PARAGON system, including how
to publish your own playsets, visit AGON-RPG.com.

LEGAL NOTES
For use with the PARAGON system, ©2020 John Harper & Sean Nittner. AGON-RPG.COM

2
Pay attention: not all text in this
EST RULES 1079 Remember the rule number
book are rules. one: have fun. It’s the most
There are some flavor texts, to important rule in the game.
help you setting the mood. TAVERN STORIES

Pay attention to the HeroDrinks™

Mug icon: it indicates a hint. PREMISE
HeroDrinks™
Tavern Stories is a funny and GM-less playset for
PARAGON System, where the players are heroes gath- Dragon’s Spit c. 3
ered around a table in a tavern, drinking the famous
HeroDrinks™ and telling stories about the good old
days. Goblin’s Tear c. 2
There are two different storylines, one inside the other:
the first is what's going on in the tavern (the chit-chat, Spring Bubble c. 4
the chaos, the drink, the cheers, and so on) and the sec-
ond is the story they are telling. Autumn Twister c. 4

Blackbird c. 3
Tavern Stories uses the Paragon System,
Lime Enigma c. 7
PARAGON

which is based on the AGON Role Playing

Game.
Unless specified otherwise, the original Burning Wheel c. 5
rules apply. Specific changes to the game
system are detailed in this book. Forest Vengeance c. 6

White Shield c. 5
In addition to the AGON Role Playing Game mate-
rial to play, you will need a pile of index cards Ancient Rage c. 7
(or you can print the very cool cards with this
game) and something to drink.

NOTE OF THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE DRINK REFERENCE Because of the game’s nature, in the rules I used different
The game does not encourage you to con- nomenclatures:
sume alcohol - your character is a Retired •Players are the players in real life, around the table (or in
Hero who really likes to drink the Hero- front of their webcam).
Drinks™, not you. •Retired Heroes are the players’ characters sitting around the
table in the tavern, telling stories.
You can drink whatever you want. Soft drink
is perfect, water is fine. •Heroes are the players’ characters acting in the stories from
the good old memories.
Drink responsibly.
The tavernkeeper reminds you not to disturb the other diners:
please speak softly.

3
Pay attention: not all text in this
EST RULES 1079 Remember the rule number
book are rules. one: have fun. It’s the most
There are some flavor texts, to important rule in the game.
help you setting the mood. TAVERN STORIES

FATE THE HEROES The name of a Retired Hero is only

cosmetic.

There is no such thing as Fate The Retired Heroes are friends who lived a lot of adventures to-
in Tavern Stories: the Re- gether in the past. But the time for adventures is now just a memo-
tired Heroes are safe around ry: they are old, bruised, and not as ready for action as they used to
a table in a tavern (well, be.
maybe a little sleepy), and if
something goes wrong in They are spending their evening and night drinking at the Tavern of
the story… It's just an old Old-Memories, the cheapest tavern in the city, remembering their
memory. Nothing really bad glorious past.
can happen. There are no constraints of what kind of Hero a player can create.
All together you should decide what kind of fantasy world is (are
In the Tavern, everyone is involved there dragons? Dragons are so cool, I suggest putting dragons in your
to create and share a story, game). But every player should be free to create their Hero freely.
so there is no Strife Player
in Tavern Stories.
However, for the players who need some suggestions, in the book
there is a list of ideas.
The game is a so-called
GM-less game.
BACKGROUND
RETIRED HERO’S TAB
A huge difference between AGON Role Playing
The Retired Hero’s Tab replaces Pathos from Game and Tavern Stories is about the Hero’s
the AGON original rules. creation. In Tavern Stories it’s not important
Because they are regular customers, the Re- who the Retired Hero was in reality: what mat-
tired Heroes have their Tab. ters is who the Hero is during the stories. You
know: everything is possible when you’re
During a contest, the player can mark Tab ◇
telling stories about your heroic past.
to add dice to their dice pool (see: Make a
toast chapter). Instead of having a Name, an Epithet or Do-
mains, a Hero has a Background.

A Background is defined by a sentence and a At the beginning of the game, the trait tag has
bunch of tags. The first time a player creates D6, the occupation tag has D6 and “the some-
their Hero, they must complete the sentence, thing from the past” tag has D8.
adding the missing details (the tags).
After each session, a player will have the chance
I was a [trait] [occupation] who [something to change that tags - so don’t be afraid if you
from your past] cannot think something cool, you will have time
to rethink everything you don’t like (see: Last
For Example: I was a [bold] [warrior] who [has Call chapter).
slain the last Dragon].

4
Pay attention: not all text in this
EST RULES 1079 Remember the rule number
book are rules. one: have fun. It’s the most
There are some flavor texts, to important rule in the game.
help you setting the mood. TAVERN STORIES

A story is a single adventure

or a game session. THE STORY
Heroes Ideas
The story is the purpose for which the heroes meet ev-
• I was a dishonest witch who married the King ery night in the tavern; the tales of past times fill their
of Valour. days, now without adventures.
• I was a tolerant cleric who banished the Old
One. CREATE THE STORY POOL
• I was a rude alchemist who discovered the in-
visibility potion. Before starting, the players should choose how much
• I was a kind thief who has eaten the fruit of time they want to spend playing the game: more time
eternal youth. means more dice in the Story Pool.
• I was a narcissistic fighter who sailed the
seven seas • If the session should be very short (like an hour or
• I was an optimistic chirurgeon who saw the less), I suggest using 3D6, 2D8 and 2D10. For a
Genesys. medium session (between one and two hours), I sug-
• I was a talkative blacksmith who forged the gest using 4D6, 3D8 and 2D10.
Dark Blade.
• I was a mean jester who poisoned his father. • For a long session (more than two hours), I suggest
• I was a pessimistic sapper who detonated a using 4D6, 4D8 and 3D10.
troll.
• I was a playful bard who fell in love with a
Of course, a lot depends on the playing style - some
princess. groups like a more fast paced game, without a lot of de-
• I was a greedy bounty hunter who won the scriptions, others like a more relaxed style.
spring festival first prize.
• I was a cruel mistress who challenged Rolan
The real thing is: there is no rule to establish without er-
the invincible to a duel. ror how many dice you need to create an exact session
• I was a disloyal smuggler who raised a very duration. You should try a different approach and after
cute pet wolf. one or two games, you will have a more precise idea.
• I was a sincere fortune teller who predicted
the chosen one coming. But don’t worry! It’s a very simple game to interrupt in
the middle of a session (and reprise it in the future) or to
continue playing with a second session in a row.

CHOOSING THE STORYTELLER

When the Story Pool is ready, it’s time to start the STORYTELLER
game.
Storyteller replaces the Leader.
First, you need to choose the first Storyteller. You
can use whatever method you want but, if I can sug- As the Leader, the Storyteller will have
gest, maybe the first one can be the player who has the last word about the way the He-
bought this game (thank you! I owe you one). If all roes face the Strife.
players have bought this game (in this case: thanks However, the Storyteller will change at
to all of you!), you can roll a die and the player with the end of each contest.
the highest result will be the first Storyteller.

5
Pay attention: not all text in this
EST RULES 1079 Remember the rule number
book are rules. one: have fun. It’s the most
There are some flavor texts, to important rule in the game.
help you setting the mood. TAVERN STORIES

STARTING THE STORY As the story continues, the Storyteller will have
The Storyteller starts by saying: “Do you re- to describe the nature of the Strife, choosing
member that time …” and begins to tell the tags that makes it a worthy opponent to face.
scene. For each tag the Storyteller must take an index
Creating a scene is easy: the Storyteller simply card and write the tag on it, then take one of
must choose a place, describing it. the dice from the Story Pool and put it on top
of the index card.
Where are the heroes? In a forest? A cavern?
Maybe a fortress or a village? What are the he- Essentially, per each tag there will be an index
roes seeing and hearing? card with a die.
There are no limits about the number
of tags a Strife can have.
Then, the Storyteller should introduce the
Strife: an obstacle or situation the Heroes have However, I suggest using between
encountered. 3 to 5 tags per Strife.

What kind of situation is it? Is there someone in

distress? Is it a huge and perilous creature? Or are Each Retired Hero begins the game with 2 bonds with each
there supernatural forces at work? other. Unlike AGON, bonds with deities don’t exist.

Spending a Bond with the Storyteller, the other Retired Heroes can interrupt the narration at
SPENDING

any time. There are two ways to do this.

BOND

The first is adding details. In this case the Retired Heroes must use the formula "Yes, and I also
remember that..." and narrate the details they want to add. Then the story returns to the Sto-
ryteller's hands.
The second is changing something. In this case the Retired Heroes must use the formula "I re-
member the facts differently." and change the details previously narrated.

The tavernkeeper recommends:

CONTESTS try the Blackbird with our troll shank!

CHOOSE THE APPROACH

Inevitably, the story will lead up to a contest.
As in the AGON rules, the Heroes will discuss the approach they
want to have.
The Storyteller will have the last word on this, but all players should
suggest their idea: the more ideas the better.

6
Pay attention: not all text in this
EST RULES 1079 Remember the rule number
book are rules. one: have fun. It’s the most
There are some flavor texts, to important rule in the game.
help you setting the mood. TAVERN STORIES

THE STRIFE ROLL

Because there is no Strife Player, a player must roll the
Strife dice (a different player than the Storyteller, if it’s
possible).
They must take the dice from the index cards and roll
them in the center of the table.
The target number is always: 5 + the highest result.

GO TO THE ACTION
In Tavern Stories all Heroes will always face a Strife: no MAKE A TOAST
one wants to be cut off during a heroic story of the past!
If a player wants more dice or if their
Starting from who rolled the Strife dice, all players as- pool is empty (because no tags works
semble their dice pool. with the approach chosen), their Hero
Every Hero always has a D6 in their pool. Then, they can make a toast.
should check their tags and decide what is coherent First the Hero must ask the tavern-
with the approach established, taking the die for each of keeper a new drink (“Tavernkeeper,
them. please, another HeroDrink™ - and put it
on my tab!”), marking a Tab ◇.
Then, interrupting for a moment the
SUPPORTING

A Hero can support another one giving a die story, the Hero will raise their drink mug
from their pool, gaining a bond. Pay attention: and say something.
unlike AGON, it’s not a copy of a die: giving a die
means take it from your pool and give it to an- The toast should be short but meaning-
other player. ful. At the end of it, the other players will
A Hero can give any kind of die: a tag die, a decide how the toast was, choosing
drink die or a trophy die. what kind of drink die the player will
gain.
If the toast was funny, or touching, or re-
ally good maybe the drink die will be a
D10. If the toast was fine, maybe the
USING A TROPHY drink die will be a D8. If the toast was
If a Hero owns a Trophy and wants just “ok”, maybe the drink die will be
to use it, they should grab the in- just a D6. In a very rare case the toast
dex card from their pile, rip off it will be epic or perfect and all players
and take the die associated, agree, the drink die can be a D12.
adding it to the pool.
Pay attention: this drink die will be
More than one Trophy can be used
discarded at the end of the contest -
at a time.
so the player should use it or else it
will be wasted!

7
Pay attention: not all text in this
EST RULES 1079 Remember the rule number
book are rules. one: have fun. It’s the most
There are some flavor texts, to important rule in the game.
help you setting the mood. TAVERN STORIES

The tavernkeeper recommends:

KUDOS REWARDS in the summer an ice-cold Lime Enigma

Kudos replace Glory and they The rewards at the end of a contest are assigned differently com-
are spent to buy improve- pared to AGON.
ments. They represent the
pats on the back by the other The best Hero obtains 3 Kudos, other prevailing 2 Kudos and who
heroes, gained from the suffered only 1 Kudos.
emotions given by the
events of the story told. GRAB A TROPHY
If the Heroes won, the best hero can grab a Strife index card as a
Trophy and add it to their pile.

DROWN THE SORROW

Every Retired Hero who suffers must mark a Tab ◇: they will ask
the tavernkeeper another one, to hide the embarrassment for how
the story goes.
After each contest, the Storyteller should change. My suggestion is to ask the player
with the worst result to serve as Storyteller - but it’s up to you and your friends to
find a way you like.

P�R�O�A� T
�B N° 23
YOU MUST WASH THE GLASSES!
�rago�’s �p
If a player marks the last Tab ◇, the tavernkeeper �……….…
will ask they to pay the bill but… the Retired Hero �obli�’s T�a .. X4
r……………
always forgets their wallet at home!
�pring ��bb .. X3
�…………
So, there is only one way: washing the glasses be-
���um� Twis .. X11
hind the bar. ter…………
They cannot participate any longer in telling the Bl��k�ir�… .. X2
……………
story for the current session.
Lim� Enigm� .. X6
……………
But the player can, of course, keep playing, helping
�urning Wh .. X2
the others during the storytelling and maybe rolling ee�…………
the Strife dice. Fore� Venge .. X4
���………
If more the one Retired Hero marks their Whit� Shi�l� ... X2
……………
last Tab ◇, I suggest playing the Last
��cie�� Rage .. X3
Call phase once the contest in progress ……….….
has ended. . X1

8
Pay attention: not all text in this
EST RULES 1079 Remember the rule number
book are rules. one: have fun. It’s the most
There are some flavor texts, to important rule in the game.
help you setting the mood. TAVERN STORIES

The Tavern of Old-Memories is

open every night from 9 p.m.
and 4 a.m.
LAST CALL
When the Strife pool is empty, the tavern is closing and
Specialties
it’s time to sleep. The Retired Heroes will leave the tav- Pickled Chaos Firefinch c. 13
ern and walk home.
In the bed, before falling asleep, the Retired Hero will Roasted Chaos Mongrel c. 22
think for the last time to the stories, laughing and smil-
ing for the very good time spent with old friends, and de-
ciding if changing something about their Hero, for the
Poached Planar Steer c. 14
next time.
Simmered Manatee c. 14
Every player can change without limits the Hero tags
(even all of them!).
Garlic Pound Cake c. 23

IMPROVEMENTS Giant Toast c. 17

During the night, the Retired Hero dreams - and of course, the
dream will be about the good old memories! But there is more:
dreaming about the past allow the player to buy improvements Dragon Sorbet c. 15
spending Kudos.
•5 Kudos - add a trait tag (with D6)
Troll Shank c. 26
•5 Kudos - improve a trait tag die
•10 Kudos - improve the occupation die
Odruper Buns c. 25
•15 Kudos - improve the “something from your past” die

There are no limits to the number of trait tags a Retired Hero can have. Qiriachee Bread c. 27

A NEW STORY
The game has no end. You can play it as one-
shot (just a session - but in this case you can skip PLAYING SOLO
the Last Call) or you can keep playing it with the
It’s possible to play the game alone - you
same Retired Heroes as much as you want. know, every Retired Hero can have this kind
In this case, the next session will start with the of moment… when all other friends are busy,
same Retired Heroes and the updated Heroes leaving the Retired Hero alone for the night.
backgrounds. So, alone at the table, they will tell aloud the
Also, every player keeps the Trophies index story, disturbing all other customers.
card gained (and not used) and all Kudos not Until the tavernkeeper will ask them to go
spent, and clear all Tab ◇ marked. home.

9
 HERO CARD CONNECTIONS
My name is: _____________________________ Hero: ________________________ Bonds:___
I was a Hero: ________________________ Bonds:___
Trait: ________________________ D: ____ Hero: ________________________ Bonds:___
Trait: ________________________ D: ____ Hero: ________________________ Bonds:___
Trait: ________________________ D: ____
Trait: ________________________ D: ____ Add details of a story: "Yes, and I also remem-
Trait: ________________________ D: ____ ber that..." and spend 1 Bond with the Story-
teller.
Occupation:___________________ D: ____
Change something in a story: "I remember the
who facts differently…" and spend 1 Bond with the
Something from your past:______________ Storyteller.
_____________________________ D: ____ Make a Toast: “Tavernkeeper, please, another
HeroDrink™ - and put it on my tab!” and mark
PERSONAL TAB KUDOS Tab ◇.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ [Behind the bar!] ________ The toast should be short but meaningful.

STRIFE TAG STRIFE TAG

___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

STRIFE TAG STRIFE TAG

___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________

STRIFE TAG STRIFE TAG

___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________