The Last Stand

Created for the Rackham Jam

Inspired by Arthur Rackham’s How Mordred was Slain by Arthur, and How by Him Arthur was Hurt to the Death, THE LAST STAND is a GM-less micro-role-playing game in which 1-4 players portray the last combatants facing each other on a battlefield. 

Using playing cards, the combatants will determine their strategy each round as they circle each other. In between exchanging blows, the combatants will describe what is going through their minds, both in regard to the current fight as well as memories that well to the surface as they face the possibility of their own death. Eventually, one combatant will win, and the others will fall.

THE LAST STAND can be played in one of several modes:

• Solo. One player against the game, represented by a deck of cards. The solo player records their thoughts in a journal.

• Standard (1 vs. 1). Two players face each other in a one-on-one fight to the death.

• Kingslayer (1 vs. 2). One player simultaneously takes on two allied combatants. 

• Companion (2 vs. 2). Fight two simultaneous duels between sets of combatants that can then progress to Kingslayer or Standard mode if necessary.

• Battle Royale (3+ players). Everyone against everyone. Fight until only one combatant is left standing.