A Science Fiction Fantasy Board Game

The world as we knew it is gone, left in ruins by greed and malice.

If you could, would you make life better the second time around?

Strive is a science fiction fantasy tabletop role-playing game in which players assume the roles of factions that have discovered a new planet. Their goal is to restart civilization by exploring, gathering, and using resources to rebuild society. From the beginning, players are directly competing with each other with the overall goal of establishing a new society by focusing on only one faction being victorious.

Two traveler's standing in a field at sunrise, with the base off in the distance and the front most traveler looking at colorful petals.

A horned, robed Empress with gold filled cracks and red on her face and neck holds a crown and sword.

A Fox Shaman Stands on top of an unconscious person wielding blue flames from his staff in a dark library.

A decorated Commander standing firm with her sword in the ground at a small base camp.

A white and iridescent lizard folk basks in the glorious sunlight.

Exalted Warrior ◊ Divine Monarch ◊ Ruthless Victor
A warrior queen chosen to rule by a divine being. In a distant past, the Empress led her people to salvation in an unwinnable war, proving their deity was on her side. Now she leads the faction known as Sovereigns, with gold filled scars and red war paint to symbolize the past she has overcome. Operating under divine doctrine and “necessary evils,” the Empress will do everything to ensure the Sovereigns reign for eternity.
Arcane Master ◊ Devious Elder ◊ Trusted Scholar
“Speak incantations and carry a big stick, you will learn much...” Or was it “Speak in riddles? Bah! You get the point!” The Staff Mage might be getting up there in age but his
prowess for the arcane and wealth of knowledge leave him uncontested. The Staff Mage leads the Council and the faction known as the Collectors. These diligent academics were quick to learn the magical properties of their new planet’s resources and immediately began documenting and committing to the progress of the arcane. After all, “Knowledge is Power...” Or was it, “Half the Battle?”
Decorated Veteran ◊ Stern Strategist ◊ Relentless Leader
A veteran who leads by example and iron fist. The Commander takes her vast military history and runs a tight ship in the faction known as Phalanx. Her philosophy of no nonsense and diligent observation creates perfect strategies, allowing one to be ten steps ahead of the enemy. While others argue and profess divine right over who should rule, the Commander and the Phalanx will be out in the world setting up perimeters and securing precious resources for the right moment. For she who controls the land...
Infallible Beacon ◊ Gleaming Egomaniac ◊ Sacred Brute
An iridescent lizardfolk who was destined to show the glory of the Sun. Sun’s Chosen is the divine leader of the faction known as Acolytes, worshipers of the Sun. This faction, though a little radical, proclaim the divine superiority of the Sun, for now matter what planet they might discover, it is always there giving life. Sun’s Chosen leads his faction by example, your worth comes from how well you love and spread the grace of the Sun. He sings worship by being “self-centered”; so long as his scales glisten, you will always be reminded of the life giver.

Strive focuses on themes such as rebuilding and exploration, while also touching on deeper concepts such as the corrupting influence of greed, power and the cyclical nature of history.

These themes are informed by the belief that if society were to prioritize the collective well-being of its people and environment, instead of leaders' personal ambitions, life for everyone would be better. As the game progresses, players reflect on the ethical implications of their actions in the name of victory. Not only will players recognize that their choices are not ethical or sustainable, but how easy it is to do so in the name of a religion, defense or pursuit of knowledge. Players will have to choose between moving forward with their pursuit of power or discovering a strategy that resists temptation toward a more sustainable future.

Hunting Grounds
Ruined Portal
Crashing Twins
Ruby Temple
Stargazer Peak
Canyon Path
Transmission Terrace
Lotus Swamp

When developing Strive I had two core guidelines to follow visually:

The images must be readable while small and they must subtly enforce the underlying themes of cyclical history and greed. This was achieved through the use of gold art deco motifs on cards and golden representations of their power used to achieve victory by any means. Locations have subtle hints that perhaps a society fell long ago with ruins of long lost civilizations or colossal behemoths lurking in the now threatened ecosystem. Another way to focus on these themes was the juxtaposition of natural beauty and territorial expansion. Within the rules of certain locations, players can claim the land for their factions by building military bases or religious shrines. I specifically try to highlight how serene and beautiful the landscape is to emphasize the tension of preservation and exploitation.

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