Sanctorum Episode 30: Touchstone Deep Dive

Welcome to another episode of The Wizards Respite Sanctorum Show, where we explore everything TTRPG! Today, we’re diving into an intriguing indie game, “Touchstone,” played by our co-host, Zachariah from Old Man Gaming.

Introduction

We start with an enthusiastic greeting from Zachariah, who shares his excitement for revisiting the original concept of the show—a deep dive into indie TTRPGs. Zachariah highlights his passion for discussing role-playing games and expresses his gratitude for the platform provided by The Wizards Respite.

Overview of Touchstone

Zachariah introduces “Touchstone,” a game by Cyrus Wright, known for creating straightforward, easy-to-understand systems with procedural generation. Zach praises the simplicity and intuitive nature of “Touchstone,” making it a perfect fit for his show, “Bite-Sized Games,” where he plays TTRPGs with his eight-year-old daughter, Stella.

Gameplay and Mechanics

The discussion covers the game’s three core stats—Body, Mind, and Spirit—and the unique health system where these stats also serve as hit points. This innovative approach to damage and resource management adds depth and strategy to the gameplay. Zachariah appreciates the elegant world generation rules and the inclusion of a simple Oracle system for random events and decision-making.

Teaching the next generation

Zachariah shares his personal experience with “Touchstone,” especially how it has helped introduce his daughter to role-playing games. He values the game’s simplicity and how it allows for creative storytelling without overwhelming younger players. The procedural generation and collaborative storytelling aspects have made their sessions enjoyable and engaging.