Dungeon Masters Guild
Narrow Results
$ to $















Back
pixel_trans.gif
i've been $2.95
Average Rating:4.7 / 5
Ratings Reviews Total
3 1
0 2
0 0
0 0
0 0
i\'ve been
Click to view
You must be logged in to rate this
pixel_trans.gif
i've been
Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild
by Jason M. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/19/2019 16:33:34

This is a very different module and, as a person who has their own mental struggles, it hits home. The work put into this is obvious and should be commended. I love the concept of the Static and the tools used to explain the manifestation of depression. I think you should give i've been a spot in your ttrpg collection.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
i've been
Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild
by Cindy B. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 08/30/2019 09:25:44

i've been is a truly unique adventure that encourages roleplay, alternative game interactions, and honest discussions of feelings and motivations. Often in DnD, we play things aggressively and black-and-white, but i've been challenges people to understand mental duress and illness in a thoughtful, visual way.

In i've been, the party is tasked with tracking down Kieran, a performer who has suddenly gone missing. Kieran's friends, colleagues, and clients are concerned about them and direct the party to their house. However, they find that the house is guarded by Static and ripples and within they find echoes of Kieran's self-loathing and sadness. Although they can push through with combat, only by talking frankly about what they're feeling and experiencing can they help shake off the effect of the Static.

i've been is a really clever module that attempts to visualize mental illness and make it something others can interact with. It doesn't pretend to encompass all mental illness or even all forms of depression, but it does try to make mental illness a bit more understandable. From a player/GM perspective, I would have liked maps since Kieran's house was so important. I also found this module a bit difficult to GM and a bit difficult for my players to grasp -- it took some prodding to get them to understand how to rid themselves of the echoes or what the Static really was. However, I'm not entirely sure how to change the module to improve that right now.

I definitely recommend people give this module a look. It represents a new facet of TTRPGs, and more players and feedback could only make it better and encourage others to create similar modules. Giving voice to mental illness and acknowledging how roleplay and communication can positively affect it are important!



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
i've been
Publisher: Dungeon Masters Guild
by Seb W. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 07/29/2019 17:47:21

So two things you should know, I have an awful habit of picking up things on here and not reading them for an age, and I don't normally post reviews before playing an adventure. However, when I came across this I just had to sit and read it cover to cover and write this initial review (I plan to add my thoughts once I get to run I've Been) right away.

I'm going to talk about my experiences with mental health in the next couple of paragraphs, so if you want to jump straight to the adventure review or are concerned about being triggered by all means skip to after the second set of *** below.

The bravery and honesty with which the author opens up and shares their experiences with mental health are commendable and really hit me where I live. While my childhood experiences were less extreme in my eyes, they still lead to a life of anxiety and depression that culminated in me having a full on PTSD breakdown, worse than few I had suffered before. I lost my twenties to PTSD, I couldn't walk, I had uncontrollable movements, hypersensitivity, a stammer so bad I could hardly communicate and I felt absolute terror of strangers, crowds and loud noises. I am so lucky my partner stayed and cared for me and, after nearly a decade I finally got diagnosed and started EMDR and CBT. I now have a great deal of my life back, but as with the character in the adventure I still suffer it's static that I think of as being similar to having a dodgy knee, only emotionally, that can act up now and again. I also had another breakdown and more therapy as there was another aspect I still hadn't processed. I now live a more stable life, but I have been left with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain and my own static shadow I tend to with mindfulness and meditation (the Calm app is great) and support from my wonderful, soon to be wife.

If you are suffering, please know you are not alone and that there are people and services who do care for you and can help. With hard work and the right help there is no static that cannot be at least somewhat tamed or made more manageable, and you truly deserve that respite. It might not seem like much, but at least one random on the Internet truly feels love and empathy for you, and knows that things get better.

Right, finally to the adventure itself. It was an emotional read and a well told story that truly brings to life and explores depression and it's personification with a skill and care born of experience.

The writing and layout are great, as are the suggestions, tables and descriptions of the manifestations of Kieran's depression. The way the characters and players experience the thoughts and emotions of Kieran are fantastic, and use the rules and structure of the game really well.

I am so eager to run this adventure and to see the interactions, roleplay and (hopefully) the understanding, sympathy and empathy that I believe this adventure is capable of eliciting.

For those that need their players to hit things, have no fear, the static and manifestations of depression certainly create some interesting and scary creatures and interesting encounters.

There are things to consider when running this adventure and dealing with this subject, but there are great ideas, suggestions, systems and references to allow you to approach your players and ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience playing. And, I do think that this will be an enjoyable and illuminating experience for everyone at the table.

I think there is something truly special about this adventure, using the game we love to discuss, understand and to continue to smash the ridiculous taboo society is too slowly shifting about discussing mental health. I think this adventure will allow people to know they don't suffer alone and educate others, or at least open the door to the conversation.

'I've Been' can easily fit into any setting and is well worth discussing and bringing to your table.

I just want to thank the author for allowing themself to be vulnerable and put themself out there, creating something wonderful from the darkness that can bring light to so many.

I thoroughly recommend this, just be sure to have an open dialogue with you players.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
pixel_trans.gif
Displaying 1 to 3 (of 3 reviews) Result Pages:  1 
pixel_trans.gif
pixel_trans.gif Back pixel_trans.gif
0 items