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Quill: A Letter-Writing Roleplaying Game for a Single PlayerClick to magnify
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Quill: A Letter-Writing Roleplaying Game for a Single Player

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Suggested Price $1.00

To whom it may concern,

Quill is a solo roleplaying game with a twist. Instead of hacking goblins and looting caves, you are writing letters. Rather than having attributes like strength or dexterity, characters in Quill use Penmanship, Language and Heart. 

In a game of Quill you will write real letters, with the aim to craft the best, most beautiful missive possible in order to get a favourable response. You will use words from the Ink Pot to inspire your letter - but be warned, should you roll badly you could end up writing a bad letter. 

If you're looking to kill some time, Quill is a perfect roleplaying distraction and something completely different from anything else out there. 

Winner: Best Free RPG of 2016 - Indie RPG Awards

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Reviews (18)
Discussions (21)
Customer avatar
Sydnie C August 15, 2020 10:49 pm UTC
PURCHASER
This was very worth the $1 to me. I had a lot of fun with it right away. I'm personally thinking about incorporating it into a dnd game where my 2 player party would be trying to worm their way to the top of high society. Once you have the system I think it could be adapted to any scenario in this way and it would be fun to add this in as letter-writing rules instead of just one persuasion roll to see if it goes over well or not. Especially with a very very RP heavy game/group.
Customer avatar
Tuukka K April 29, 2020 5:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
The rules could really benefit from a step-by-step example of writing a single paragraph with the different attributes and flourish being used. I had to look for third party source for better explanation of the rules.
Customer avatar
joohyun R October 01, 2019 12:55 pm UTC
This game is in vogue in Korea So as a big fan who loves this game so much, I want to change it to a version that reflects Korean history and distribute it for free. So, as the original writer, I want to ask you if I can do this.
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Customer avatar
joohyun R October 01, 2019 1:00 pm UTC
I will mark the original author, also the link to the original, and will tell you the link to distribute the rules that I changed if you want to.
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Customer avatar
joohyun R October 01, 2019 1:12 pm UTC
and I will not make any financial gains from this, if you like, the link to distribute rules that reflect Korean history.
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Customer avatar
Elf F October 01, 2019 3:22 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Quill is released under a Creative Commons BY-SA (Attribution-Share Alike) 4.0 license. Details are at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

You are free to:
Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.

ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.

No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything...See more
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Customer avatar
joohyun R October 01, 2019 3:32 pm UTC
thx very much!!!
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Customer avatar
scott M October 06, 2019 6:35 am UTC
PUBLISHER
More than happy about this :)
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Customer avatar
Amber F August 08, 2022 7:58 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I would be interested in this version of the game.
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Customer avatar
Aliza K August 09, 2022 10:13 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I would also be interested in this adaptation of the game!
Customer avatar
Marius V June 06, 2019 9:37 am UTC
PURCHASER
A great game! But I still have a question of understanding: If you succeed in a Language test and a Heart test, too, do I get 1 point + 2 points? Or does the 2 points in the successful Heart test stands for the augmentation AND the Superior Word together? (In this case, the 1 point of the Language test would be ignored, only the heart test score will be used.) What is correct?
Customer avatar
Chris S March 17, 2019 3:33 am UTC
PURCHASER
Is there a version of the document without the background on each page? I would like to print this out for reference, but the background will eat up toner like crazy.

Thanks!
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Customer avatar
Elf F April 27, 2019 11:11 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Since it's Creative Commons, there's permission to reformat it - email me at elf at dreamwidth dot org, and I can get you a more print-friendly version.
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Customer avatar
Wouter V May 08, 2020 4:11 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Could I mail you aswell?

I really like the quill games but printing is an issue.
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Customer avatar
Elf F May 09, 2020 5:27 am UTC
PURCHASER
Certainly; I'm happy to send a copy to anyone who'd like it.
Customer avatar
James M June 13, 2018 9:41 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I like the layout of the update. Thanks!

Thought you might want to know that there appears to be an omission on page 17. In the update I downloaded, the last sentence on the left hand side states "Make sure you remember any effects listed under the Rules of Correspondence because..." but seems to end prematurely. The previous version would seem to indicate that the rest of the sentence should read "...they can heavily impact your letter." Not a nitpick - the rules are clear regardless - just an fyi. Thanks again.
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Customer avatar
scott M June 15, 2018 6:53 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Ah thanks James - will update this.
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Customer avatar
Johnnie P February 11, 2019 5:42 am UTC
PURCHASER
Just picked up the game and this typo is still in the game. Any chance of an update?
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Customer avatar
Obed Martin H August 13, 2019 10:41 am UTC
PURCHASER
Just got the game and the omission is still there in page 17. Just letting you know.
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Customer avatar
Elf F October 01, 2019 3:23 pm UTC
PURCHASER
The full sentence, from a previous edition, is "Make sure you remember any effects listed under the Rules of Correspondence because they can heavily impact your letter."
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Customer avatar
Charlie V January 25, 2022 4:57 am UTC
PURCHASER
It is kind of upsetting that you said you'd update this book to fix the error over three and a half years ago, and it is still not fixed. Considering this is a game about writing... shouldn't it be a priority?

With that said, I initially got this for myself, but introduced it to my 12-year-old when they expressed boredom. They were very excited to try it, and I love that they are finally writing for fun on their own. They are already thinking of ways to adapt it for their own creative uses, but state they will try it out as written first before doing so.
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Customer avatar
Ross P March 11, 2023 10:27 am UTC
PURCHASER
Page 17 still has the abrupt sentence cut off.
Customer avatar
Darian H January 21, 2018 3:44 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hi,

This concept sounds interesting, i brought both the rule booklet and White box. However im a bit confused with the rules.

When it talks about Flourishes, 'you have to do a heart test BEFORE the language roll to draw from the ink pot' it later says 'if the word turns out to be a superior word you score 2 points' draw from and turns out- seems to suggest random drawing of a word?? is adjective and adverbs for flourishes from the ink pot too or any describing word you come up with (ink pots seem to feature words of places or people - i don't see any doing/action words there)? if the later then how can you tell which is a superior one over another adjective?

I think a full example ink pot with the how to play might of been better where you can single out words as an example with several examples for Flourishes.
Reply
Customer avatar
scott M February 14, 2018 8:12 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Hi Darian

That's exactly it, a flourish allows you to augment a word with any adjective or adverb you like. The idea is that you're taking a risk for additional points, or reducing your points if you roll badly.

Hope that clarifies things.

Scott
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Customer avatar
Sergio M January 20, 2019 10:31 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hi! Sorry for revive an old discussion, but i think is more correct put it here.

¿Doesn't be a bit more fair vinculate the +1/-1 of the flourish to the Heart Roll? I understand that some pj are hard to play than others, but it make play with the kight really difficult!

Also, in languages like spanish (my mother languaje) make it simplier for write. The only adjectives than come before the name are the epithets!

Regardless of this, I congratulate you for a game that is so simple and so pleasant to play
Customer avatar
Karl G August 05, 2017 8:05 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Have you considered making scenarios (and rule alternations) specifically set in a fantastical Arabian setting? The power of pen-and-ink was specific there... or what about a mythical version of Japan?
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Customer avatar
scott M August 13, 2017 4:09 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
I believe that a third party is working on a Japanese version, although I am partial to a 1001 Nights setting - perhaps a future project
Customer avatar
Karl G August 05, 2017 5:24 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Very original, yet simple. Good invention.
Customer avatar
Wilhelm Z May 22, 2016 4:30 am UTC
PURCHASER
I really enjoy this game and its supplements. It's also a fun way to try and think about character development, and perhaps do several letters as a single character to see how their personality and worldview forms.

Any idea when more scenarios might be available? Or any additional supplementals?
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Customer avatar
scott M June 05, 2016 7:26 am UTC
PUBLISHER
I've been working on a bunch lately, but I've had so many projects on that I've yet to publish. I'm hoping to have a new scenario set out at the end of the month
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Customer avatar
Wilhelm Z December 08, 2016 2:10 am UTC
PURCHASER
Whoops! Took me forever, well several months anyway, to see your comment! Sorry!

Anyway, good luck with your projects! I look forward to see what you come up with!
Customer avatar
Elf F May 08, 2016 5:04 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I am delighted by this game and plan to introduce it to my daughter's school with suggestions that they use it for writing exercises.

However, there are a couple bits in the rules/scenarios that I'm confused by - a couple of scenarios require re-rolling, with phrasing like this: "Ms Bowbridge likes to be impressed with beautiful calligraphy so you must take care. Reroll any Penmanship test. You must take the second roll."

As written, that makes no sense: "roll twice and only use the second option" doesn't change anything, except that you've seen a roll that you won't be using. Should it be "reroll any successful Penmanship test?" That would make it much harder to persuade her, showing that she's very picky. Or, "reroll any unsuccessful Penmanship test?" That would give you a second chance, showing that you're taking extra care.
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Customer avatar
scott M June 05, 2016 7:25 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Agreed - I've taken another look at this and will be altering. Great to hear that you'll be using it as a teaching tool :)
Customer avatar
Ray B March 03, 2016 5:27 am UTC
PURCHASER
A great opportunity for me to brush up on proper letter writing skills. At the office I send out more "nastygrams" than I care to count.
Customer avatar
Otto H March 01, 2016 1:40 am UTC
PURCHASER
This guy took what looks like a school assignment in creative writing... and turned it into an actually fun solitaire game. I'd love to play a campaign of sorts, perhaps with a branching plot. Thank you, Scott Malthouse!
Reply
Customer avatar
Eric M March 17, 2016 8:06 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I just sent Scott my version for politics. And several of the scenarios could be chained together- they use some of the same characters in different areas.
Reply
Customer avatar
Tim S May 02, 2016 3:29 pm UTC
PURCHASER
And I'm finishing up "Quill Quest", which is a campaign of sorts as you recruit adventure party members for a dangerous mission. The mission's success hinges on how many NPC's you're able to recruit through your correspondence.
Customer avatar
Eric M February 12, 2016 1:05 am UTC
PURCHASER
Almost have a set of characters and scenes written for use in government/political science/civics classes. I'll be sending to Scott as soon as it's ready.
Customer avatar
Gergely P January 23, 2016 2:07 pm UTC
PURCHASER
This is a real unique experience everyone should try. I will also to integrate it with my other tabletop games. Thanks for making it!
Reply
Customer avatar
scott M February 14, 2016 4:50 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
You've very welcome.
Customer avatar
Laurentiu V January 18, 2016 2:41 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I wrote a short review about Quills here: http://brainyandnerdy.com/quill-a-letter-writing-roleplaying-game/
Reply
Customer avatar
scott M January 18, 2016 10:18 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Great review , much appreciated :)
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