The Rock at the Edge of the Mountain

Solo game This game was made for ONE-PAGE RPG JAM 2024 The Rock at the Edge of the Mountain is a solo journaling RPG that takes you on a journey through the endless struggle of human resilience. Inspired by the myth of Sisyphus, this game invites you to confront your own burdens—those seemingly insurmountable challenges that weigh heavily on your spirit, pushing you to the brink, yet never letting you escape their grasp. In this game, you don’t play as Sisyphus, but rather as yourself, caught in a cycle of persistence and reflection. The rock you push is a metaphor for the personal obstacles you face, whether they are emotional, psychological, or situational. There are no divine promises for you, only the unyielding task of confronting your burdens and searching for meaning in the face of adversity. As you embark on this journey, you will document your thoughts, emotions, and insights in a journal, using the game's prompts to guide your reflections. The experience is both meditative and challenging, pushing you to explore the depths of your endurance and the nature of your struggles. Gameplay Overview The Rock at the Foot of the Mountain uses a blend of card draws, journaling, and a tower of blocks (Jenga) to simulate the mental and emotional stability required to face your burdens. As you draw cards, you will encounter events and reflections that deepen your understanding of your challenges. The tower represents your mental fortitude—every time you pull a block, you test your resilience. If the tower falls, it signifies a breaking point, leading to a moment of critical reflection. What You Need: A standard deck of cards A journal or notebook A tower of blocks (like Jenga) A pen or pencil Why Play? This game is for anyone who has ever felt the weight of the world on their shoulders, for those who continue to push forward despite the odds. It’s an opportunity to explore your inner landscape, to find strength in your struggles, and perhaps, to discover that even in the most difficult times, there is a path forward. "The Rock at the Foot of the Mountain" is not just a game—it’s a journey of self-discovery and resilience, challenging you to face your burdens head-on and find meaning in the struggle. Are you ready to push your own rock and see where it leads? -------------------------------------- This work is based on The Wretched (found at http://loottheroom.itch.io/wretched), product of Chris Bissette and Loot The Room, and licensed for our use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). THE WRETCHED™️ is a trademark of Chris Bissette. The Wretched and Alone logo is © Chris Bissette, and is used with permission. ------------------------------------- Special thanks to Xavier Martinez for always coming with good tips and ideas.