Silverbrook: a Text-Based RPG

Silverbrook: a Text-Based RPG is a text-based role-playing game set in the troubled town of Silverbrook. Goblins threaten from the east, undead from the north, and a necromancer is at work in the old dungeon. Beyond the mountain pass, something ancient is waking after being sealed away. You play an adventurer taking on a situation that grows worse over three phases, from a goblin bounty to far greater threats.

Combat and character creation

The game uses a ruleset compatible with D&D 5e, including attack rolls, saving throws, spell slots, critical hits, conditions and action economy. Your choices in character build affect how you play, and combat gives you opportunities to prepare rather than relying solely on chance. You choose a background, roll your stats and select from seven classes and six races.

The classes are Fighter, Rogue, Wizard, Cleric, Ranger, Paladin and Bard, each with unique abilities. Fighters can endure attacks, Wizards can defeat enemies quickly, and Rogues can avoid danger by moving out of harm’s way.

Story and companions

The story spans three phases and more than 40 handcrafted rooms, with the world expanding and new threats appearing as the stakes rise. Four veteran adventurers can be hired at the Rusted Flagon. They use spells and abilities under AI control, flank enemies and can attack with Fireball; they leave between adventures.

Difficulty and music

You can play on Easy, Normal or Hard. Easy makes the world dangerous but fair; Normal makes most enemies tougher, turning manageable encounters into threats; and Hard makes enemies especially deadly. Goblins are the same on every difficulty.

The original synthesized soundtrack has 12 tracks that change with the phase and zone. It moves from tavern folk tunes in Phase 1 to minor-key dread in Phase 2, with more dramatic music when the dragon is involved.