Pyrrhic Stars

How to Contribute

Welcome! This guide explains how to participate in the development of this role-playing game. No technical knowledge is required - if you can use a web browser and write in a text file, you can contribute!

Quick Overview: What Can I Do?

  • Artists — Create illustrations to replace temporary AI images
  • Creators — Invent spells, weapons, armor, character classes
  • Writers — Improve rules, fix mistakes, clarify texts
  • Testers — Play and report what doesn’t work
  • Thinkers — Propose new ideas and mechanics

Method 1: By Email (The Simplest!)

Perfect if you don’t like complicated websites.

How to do it:

  1. Create your content in any text editor (Notepad, TextEdit, Word…)
  2. Send an email to: valentin@viviersoft.com

Example email:

Subject: New spell - Fireball

Hello!

I created a new spell for the game. It's a level 1 fireball
that deals 2d6 damage in a 3-meter area.

Here are the details:
- Name: Fireball
- School: Fire
- Type: Destruction
- Damage: 2d6+3
- Range: 30 meters
- Cost: 2 Flux

Thanks!

That’s it! We’ll take care of putting your creation in the proper format.

Method 2: GitHub Without a Developer Account

GitHub is the site where the project is hosted. You can contribute directly from your browser!

Step 1: Create a GitHub Account (Free)

  1. Go to https://github.com
  2. Click on “Sign up” (top right)
  3. Follow the steps (email, password, username)
  4. Verify your email
  5. Done! You have a GitHub account

Step 2: Report a Problem or Propose an Idea

  1. Go to https://github.com/lanathlor/rpg
  2. Click on the “Issues” tab
  3. Click on the green “New issue” button
  4. Write your idea:
    • Title: A short title (e.g., “New spell: Lightning”)
    • Comment: Describe your idea or paste your creation
  5. Click on “Submit new issue”

Example Issue:

Title: New class - Technomancer

Comment:
I have an idea for a new class that mixes technology and arcanotechnology.

Stats:
- Hit Points: 18
- Flux: 12
- Strength: 8
- Intelligence: 12

Starting Equipment:
- Energy pistol
- Light tech armor

Description: An expert in the fusion of technology and Flux...

Step 3: Edit Files Directly on GitHub

You can edit project files directly in your browser!

  1. Go to https://github.com/lanathlor/rpg
  2. Navigate to the file to edit:
    • Click on codex to see spells, weapons, classes…
    • Click on rules for the game rules
  3. Click on a file to open it
  4. Click on the pencil icon (top right of the file)
  5. Make your changes directly on the page
  6. At the bottom of the page:
    • In “Commit changes”, describe what you changed
    • Check “Create a new branch”
    • Click on “Propose changes”
  7. On the next page, click on “Create pull request”
  8. Done! Your changes will be reviewed

Step 4: Add a New File on GitHub

  1. Navigate to the correct folder (e.g., codex/sorts/destruction/)
  2. Click on “Add file” then “Create new file”
  3. Name your file (e.g., boule_de_feu.yaml)
  4. Write the content in the editor
  5. At the bottom, describe your addition and click on “Propose new file”
  6. Create the pull request as above

Creating Game Content

Simplified Format for Spells

No need to know YAML! Just send us this information:

SPELL NAME: Fireball
SCHOOL: Fire (options: fire, ice, lightning, earth, air, water, light, shadow, nature)
TYPE: Destruction (options: destruction, alteration, enhancement, weapon, healing)

LEVEL 1:
- Damage: 2d6+3 fire
- Range: 30 meters
- Area: 3-meter radius
- Flux Cost: 2
- Cast Time: Main action
- Description: A small fireball explodes at the targeted point

LEVEL 2:
- Damage: 3d6+5 fire
- Range: 40 meters
- Area: 4-meter radius
- Flux Cost: 4
- (etc...)

Simplified Format for Equipment

NAME: Combat Armor
TYPE: Heavy Armor
DESCRIPTION: A complete armor made of reinforced alloy

BONUSES:
- Protection: +3
- Speed: -1

PREREQUISITE: Strength 4
PRICE: 5000 credits

Simplified Format for Classes

NAME: Technomancer
DESCRIPTION: Expert in the fusion of technology and arcanotechnology

BASE STATS:
- Hit Points: 18
- Reserve Flux: 12
- Speed: 6

STATS:
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 10
- Constitution: 9
- Intelligence: 12
- Perception: 10
- Precision: 11
- Charisma: 8

STARTING EQUIPMENT:
- Energy pistol
- Light tech armor
- Hacking kit

STARTING SPELLS:
- Energy shield
- System hack

SKILLS:
- Hacking level 1
- Technological knowledge

For Artists

We are actively looking for artists! The current images are temporarily AI-generated.

How to contribute illustrations:

  1. Create your art in whatever style you like
  2. Accepted formats: PNG, JPG, SVG
  3. Ideal resolution: 512x512 pixels minimum for icons, 1920x1080 for illustrations
  4. Send via:
    • Email with files or download link
    • GitHub Issue with attached images
    • Pull Request if you’re comfortable with GitHub

What we need:

  • Spell illustrations
  • Class portraits
  • Equipment icons
  • Creature illustrations
  • Maps and environments
  • Anything that can visually enrich the game!

Frequently Asked Questions

”I know nothing about programming, can I really help?”

YES! The majority of content is just text. If you can write an email, you can contribute.

”What if my English isn’t perfect?”

No problem! The team will correct small mistakes. What matters is the idea.

”How do I know if my idea is good?”

Every idea is worth proposing! At worst, we’ll discuss it together to improve it.

”How long does it take?”

  • Creating a simple spell: 5-10 minutes
  • Creating a class: 20-30 minutes
  • Reporting a problem: 2 minutes

”How many things can I create?”

As many as you want! The more content, the better.

”What if I make a mistake?”

No worries! Everything is reviewed before being integrated. We’ll fix things together.

”Can I modify other people’s content?”

Yes! This is a collaborative project. Propose your improvements.

”How do I know if my contribution was accepted?”

You’ll receive an email notification (if you used GitHub) or a direct email reply.

Useful Resources

Where to Find Inspiration

Recommended text editor:

  • Visual Studio Code (free, all platforms) - https://code.visualstudio.com/
    • Syntax highlighting for YAML and Markdown
    • Automatic format error detection
    • Simple and intuitive interface
    • Useful extensions available (YAML, Markdown Preview)

Other simple editors (alternatives):

  • Windows: Notepad (pre-installed) or Notepad++ (free)
  • Mac: TextEdit (pre-installed)
  • Linux: Gedit, Kate, or nano
  • Online: https://dillinger.io/ (free online editor)

To validate YAML format (optional):

Project Spirit

This project is collaborative and open. This means:

  • Everyone can contribute, regardless of their level
  • All ideas are welcome
  • Mistakes are normal and we learn together
  • Respect and kindness are essential
  • The joy of creating is our main motivation

Simplified License

By contributing, you agree that:

  • Your content will be freely usable by all (Creative Commons license)
  • Others may modify and improve it
  • You will be credited as a contributor
  • The project will remain free and open forever

Contact

Main email: valentin@viviersoft.com

Discord: @Lanath

Project GitHub: https://github.com/lanathlor/rpg

For any questions, don’t hesitate to:

  • Open an Issue on GitHub
  • Send an email
  • Contact me on Discord
  • Propose your ideas directly

Thank you for your interest in this project!

Every contribution, small or large, makes the game better. Whether you create a single spell or an entire class, whether you fix a typo or propose a new mechanic, your participation matters.

Together, let’s create a unique and exciting role-playing game!