[OOC] Inspiration & Resources

[briar]

Interested to know where I got the inspiration for this game? A lot of sources, actually, and many of them are listed on the game's advertisement. If you want my take, here's a longer, more detailed list of things you can check out if you want to get into the same spirit!

Anime & Manga Titles

Ascendance of a Bookworm (Crunchyroll)

Avid bookworm and college student Motosu Urano ends up dying in an unforeseen accident. This came right after the news that she would finally be able to work as a librarian like she had always dreamed of. When she regained consciousness, she was reborn as Main, the daughter of a poor soldier. She was in the town of Ehrenfest, which had a harsh class system. But as long as she had books, she didn't really need anything else. However, books were scarce and belonged only to the nobles. But that doesn't stop her, so she makes a decision... "If there aren't any books, I'll just create some."

Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill (Crunchyroll)

When a magical realm looks to summon heroes, they’re sorely disappointed to end up with a mediocre salaryman. Mukoda Tsuyoshi may not be a hero, but this conjuring error has given him a delicious power—Online Grocery. And something about this modern food brings with it unbelievable effects. This easy access paired with his cooking skills will have patrons from across the land coming back for more!

Konohana Kitan (Crunchyroll)

Konohana Kitan is the heartwarming story of a new apprentice named Yuzu, and the other fox girls who work at a hot spring hotel called Konohatei. The staff at Konohatei live by one belief: no matter who one may truly be, no matter what, anyone who is a guest is a god. Of course, that includes you. Let the hospitality of Yuzu and the Konohatei heal your tired soul.

Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World (aka Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu) (Crunchyroll)

Izakaya “Nobu” is a modest establishment, staffed by only two people: master, Nobuyuki Yazawa, and server, Shinobu Senke. Despite its humble appearance, its entrance is mysteriously connected to an ancient city from another world: “Aitheria.” Nobu’s patrons consist of lazy palace guards, incognito clergymen, and the Waterworks Guildmaster - not your average clientele! But once they enter Nobu’s doors, they are greeted with the finest alcohol and dishes the likes of which they’ve never seen. The patrons leave their troubles at the door as they call, “Give me a cold ale, master!”

Princess Connect!: Re-Dive (Crunchyroll)

In the beautiful land of Astraea where a gentle breeze blows, a young man named Yuuki awakens with no memory of his past. There he encounters a guide who has sworn to care for him—Kokkoro, a lovely swordswoman who's always feeling peckish—Pecorine, and a cat-eared sorceress with a prickly attitude—Karyl. Led by fate, these four come together to form the "Gourmet Guild."

RPG Real Estate (Crunchyroll)

In need of a home? Look no further than RPG Real Estate! Fifteen years after the demon king was destroyed, peace was restored to the land, leaving Kotone, like so many, looking to this agency for a place to live. They’ll find your dream fantasy home, but for Kotone, it’s also where she works. With her three colleagues, no cloud is too high or water too shaky for them to find you a wonderful place!

Slow Loop (Crunchyroll)

Nervous to meet her new stepdad, Hiyori heads to the place she always feels at home—the ocean. When a curious girl named Koharu shows up, Hiyori decides to teach her how to fish, just like her father did before he died. But after Koharu reveals she’s also meeting her new family that night, the girls come to a startling realization. Their friendship is about to reach a whole new level!

Sweetness & Lightning (Crunchyroll)

Kohei is a single father and high school teacher who lives with his only daughter. A chance encounter brings him together with Kotori, one of his students. The three of them start to meet together to make meals. None of them know how to cook, but they all love delicious food! ”sweetness & lightning” is a heartwarming and fun experience that you're sure to love!

Yuru Camp (aka Laid-back Camp) (Crunchyroll)

Nadeshiko, a high school student who had moved from Shizuoka to Yamanashi, decides to see the famous, 1000 yen-bill-featured Mount Fuji. Even though she manages to bike all the way to Motosu, she's forced to turn back because of worsening weather. Unable to set her eyes on her goal, she faints partway to her destination. When she wakes up, it's night, in a place she's never been before, with no way of knowing how to get home. Nadeshiko is saved when she encounters Rin, a girl who is out camping by herself. This outdoorsy girls story begins with this first encounter between Nadeshiko and Rin.

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Novel Reads

Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes by Travis Baldree

Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv, the orc barbarian, cashes out of the warrior’s life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen.

However, her dreams of a fresh start filling mugs instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune’s shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners, and a different kind of resolve.

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea: A Cozy Fantasy Steeped with Love by Rebecca Thorne

All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, firelight drifting between the rafters… all complemented by love and good company. Thing is, Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence. Leaving their lives isn’t so easy.

But after an assassin takes Reyna hostage, she decides she’s thoroughly done risking her life for a self-centered queen. Meanwhile, Kianthe has been waiting for a chance to flee responsibility–all the better that her girlfriend is on board. Together, they settle in Tawney, a town nestled in the icy tundra of dragon country, and open the shop of their dreams.

What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. In a story brimming with hurt/comfort and quiet fireside conversations, these two women will discover just what they mean to each other… and the world.

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Table-top Games & Content

Ryuutama: Natural Fantasy RPG (Drive-Thru RPG)

Ryuutama is an RPG developed in Japan by designer Atsuhiro Okada. It is set in a world where the "NPCs" of the village--the bakers, farmers, shopkeepers and healers--set off on a wonderful adventure exploring a fantasy world together. Some people colloquially call it "Hayao Miyazaki's Oregon Trail", because of its heartwarming (in Japanese "honobono") feel of family anime, and its focus on traveling and wonder over combat and treasure.

The characters are travelers in a world without classical fantasy wizards and warriors. Instead, the characters are minstrels, merchants, healers, hunters, artisans, farmers and nobles who decide (or were fated) to leave their towns and explore the world. Using a light rules system based on polyhedral dice where the randomness in results leads to more story development, Ryuutama provides a framework for travel-focused stories fun for adults and enjoyable for all ages.

Golden Sky Stories (Drive-Thru RPG)

Golden Sky Stories is a heartwarming, non-violent role-playing game from Japan, by Ryo Kamiya. In this game, players take on the role of henge, animals that have just a little bit of magical power, including the ability to temporarily take on human form. You can be a fox, raccoon dog, cat, dog, rabbit, or bird, and each kind has their own special magical powers. Players will then attempt to solve problems around a small enchanted town with ingenuity, co-operation and friendship.

Goodbarrel's Ultimate Guide to Cooking Drive-Thru RPG)

Have you ever wanted to really put the cooking utensils to good use in D&D 5e? Do you have a player who is always looking for foodstuff or trying to cook their way out of a bind? Do you want to add a layer of fun and player engagement to your game or campaign? Well look no further! Goodbarrel's Ultimate Guide to Cooking has got you covered!

Ronan Goodbarrel is a famous Halfling known through all of the Forgotten Realms as one of the greatest cooks in the land. Put the skills in this book to work and you too will become renown for your deftness at crafting the finest food and drink around.

This guide provides everything needed to integrate cooking, ingredient gathering and eating & drinking into your game. Included are recipes and ingredients with associated rarity and prices. Also provided are an original cooking system and gathering system to provide ingredients for cooking as well as bonus attributes that come from eating and drinking.