ÐAVid

A two-player game about

myth, sacrifice, and
otherness.

łS
KIŁ
GOł TH
storybrewers roleplaying
 David ………………………
The People

David must slay them—that monster! That giant

Once you are done, it is the second player’s turn.

K i lls
beast as old as myth who crushes our fields afoot
They shall be our first Storyteller.
and haunts our nightmares. Who will be the one to
strike the blow? It must be David. The Storyteller is a wrinkled old soul puffing on
a pipe and staring into the flickering candlelight.
My child, had you dreamed to face a creature so

Gol i  ath
They have a job to do. They must tell us about Goliath.
large? And yet it can be done. Climb, from the tips
of his feet that crush the dusty rocks, to the crown, Storyteller, find the question listed next to
the crown that sways as the creature lumbers. Goliath’s feet, and answer it by telling us a tale.
Therein plunge your spear, David, Tell it as a tale told so often, that as it starts, you
and listen for the dying gasp. feel you must already know how it ends.
The Storyteller The first player sheds the role of David, and
becomes a listener to this story.

the climb
“I will strike you down; and I will give your
dead body this day to the birds of the air and A small wide-eyed child clutching a tiny wooden
to the wild beasts of the earth.” sword, or a traveller shovelling spiced rice into their
David arrives. The dust swirls beneath their feet, mouth.
—The Book of Samuel their spear glints firm by their side, their face is
tilted to the sky. A shadow, as long and black as the Be a good listener—gasp and snort and smile—
“We view things not only from different sides, jagged cliffs. This colossus, so tall its face cannot and ask questions, if you have any, about this titan.
but with different eyes; we have no wish
to find them alike.”
be seen. This Goliath.
………………………
A deep breath thick with the creature’s smell.
—Blaise Pascal Once the Storyteller is done,
The climb begins. it is David’s turn again.

……………………… David is a hero, a warrior. But so too are they one

of the common people like you and me. David has a
Read all the text in this game out loud. home and a family and a story all of their very own.
When you reach an instruction, follow it.
The Storyteller’s tale reminds David of a story
Choose a player to begin the game as David. from their own life. One that echoes the themes,
morals, or meanings of the Storyteller’s words.
David, you have reached the creature’s feet.
Describe what they are like, to touch, to smell, David, tell us this story now. It may be gleeful or
to see. What do they remind you of? And how mournful, thrilling or mundane, but it must be a
do you scale them and begin your long climb tale close to your heart.
upward?
Once David is done, both forget who you were.
David becomes the Storyteller.
The Storyteller becomes David. Slaying Goliath Credits
David moves forward, upwards, onwards, towards Can you believe that you have come this far? Storybrewers Roleplaying
the top of the colossus. The journey you have taken, the things you Design: Hayley Gordon & Vee Hendro
have seen, remembered. And now is the moment. Writing: Hayley Gordon
David, move to the next part of Goliath's towering When myth becomes reality. And reality
form, choosing your path if you can. Then, tell us Layout: Vee Hendro
becomes the myth.
of this new, shuddering aspect of the titan’s body. Art: Helen Graham
David, tell us, what is it like up here upon the With special thanks to patrons: Haley
Thus, the circle of tales begins again. thinking, feeling crown of a monster? Kottman, Mathew Sforcina, William Raillon.
……………………… David, tell us, how you kill Goliath.
This game comes with two versions of Goliath.
Then Storyteller, for this moment only, you are
Choose which you would like to use.

turn Summary
not a wrinkled orator in a room thick with eager
listeners. No, for this moment, you are Goliath.

1 David, choose the next part of ………………………

Goliath’s body to climb to (or follow
Goliath’s mighty form begins to sway, and swirl
the path where no choice exists).
and fall, like a thousand-year-old statue loosed
2 David, describe what it is like here, and from its foundations, or a tree sliced in two before
your journey through. its time.

3 Storyteller, tell a story of Goliath Goliath, tell us a story. From your own life.
that answers the question at this Just one. You choose.
location.
Now, there is a warm and lifeless husk upon the
4 David, tell a story from your own ground. And there is just one more story to be told.
life that echoes and reflects the
Storyteller’s tale. ………………………
5 David becomes the Storyteller. David, you are not David anymore. You are the
The Storyteller becomes David. memory of David, the legend of David, and then,
the myth of David.
6 Repeat like an endless story that has
been told through all of time. But it is And so you must tell us one final story.
not endless. Tell us the story of how David killed Goliath.
7 When you reach the forehead go to the
next section entitled “Slaying Goliath.”
 Slay Goliath }
{ Ears
Eyes
}
What will Goliath never hear?

{ Spine
What will Goliath never see?
Mouth
}
What will Goliath never say?
What holds
Goliath strong?

{ Shoulders
What burdens does
Goliath bear?

climbing Goliath
David climbs the titan’s form.
Chest
What stirs
Goliath's heart? }
{
Hours fly by, or has it been days or weeks?
Ribs
Starting from the feet, make your way up

}
What does
Goliath. Where the paths diverge, David Belly Goliath protect?
can choose which path to take. For what does
Goliath hunger?
Mark your path as you go.

Knees
How does Goliath bring
their enemies to their knees? }
Feet
How did Goliath
come to be? }
 Slay Goliath }
climbing Goliath
David climbs the titan’s form.
Eyes
What will Goliath never see? }
} {
Hours fly by, or has it been days or weeks?
Horns Beak
Starting from the feet, make your way up What will Goliath What will Goliath
Goliath. Where the paths diverge, David never overcome? never cry for?
can choose which path to take.

Mark your path as you go.

Arms
What does Goliath
reach for? } { Throat
What is the yoke
around Goliath's neck?

{ Claws
What has
Goliath destroyed?

Wings
What does Goliath
fly from? } { Gut
What sickens
Goliath?

Hind
What does Goliath
tread upon? }
Hooves
How did Goliath
come to be? }