Of Ash and Steel

Of Ash and Steel - Tristan is a cartographer, not a warrior, and this changes everything: he finds himself on the bleak island of Greyshaft after a shipwreck caused by a cataclysm called the Blight. His weapon is knowledge, not a sword, and he has to survive among people who have their own plans for these lands. The work of a cartographer is paid modestly, but it is the maps that open the way to places where others are not allowed. The world is open and full of dangers: settlements, forests, ruins and dungeons coexist with hostile creatures. The hero collects cards, explores the area, trades and carries out assignments, gradually moving from simple affairs to great intrigues. The weather and time of day affect what happens: the roads are dangerous at night, and some residents speak only during the day. Battles take place in real time and require preparation: equipment wears out, and it is better to separate opponents and take them one at a time. Leveling up depends on what the character does: the one who swings the tool is stronger in the craft, and not in the fight. The workshop allows you to remake equipment for yourself if you find the necessary materials and drawings. The choice of sides affects the course of history: each faction has its own goals, and the hero will have to decide who to side with. Tristan's past is revealed gradually, and the ending depends on who he became on this shore. Crafting is woven into the plot: some tasks can be solved with goods rather than a fight, and this is more profitable. Companions and random fellow travelers sometimes help, but you shouldn’t count on them all the time. The gloomy island lives by its own rules, and the usual indulgences for the genre do not work here. For those who appreciate role-playing games without a chosen hero and with a living world.