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13 Germinal

A historical and narrative RPG set in the world of Emile Zola's novel. You are a young man in 1866, forced to work deep in the mines to survive. But every day, the work gets harder and the meals get smaller. Organize a strike, reignite the smoldering revolt, and try to change this unjust world.

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About the Game

13 Germinal is a narrative RPG adapted from Émile Zola's novel.

You play Étienne Lantier, a young man who became a miner to survive in the Northern France at the end of the 19th century. In 1866, in the mining towns of northern France, choices were limited: you had to work for the mining company or starve. Or freeze to death.

So if you want to survive, you'll have to develop Étienne's talents, choose your allies, and take control of the miners' political destiny.

Inspired by paper-based role-playing games, 13 Germinal uses dice to offer an interactive experience and unpredictable stories. Each day, you'll roll dice that will allow you to take action. You'll have to choose how to use them: work in the mine or organize the workers, uncover the secrets of the Mining Company, or forge alliances. Develop your skills, learn more about the political world of the 19th century and how it works, organize the workers, and lead the strike!

As the new International seeks new supporters, the echoes of the French Revolution still shake the authoritarian Empire that rules over northern France. With capitalism more terrible than ever and crushing any attempt at revolt, you will face crucial choices that will determine the outcome of your struggle. Chart your path to the game's many endings, and try to save as many of your comrades and friends as possible.

The mining towns are home to the characters in Zola's novel, men and women with complex motivations who are trying to survive and shape the future of the workers. In the mine, the foremen, miners, cutters, machinists, and stablehands maintain the great hive, while on the surface, engineers, shareholders, cabaret owners, and grocers complete the vast ecosystem that you will have to learn to master.

Forget statistics and experience points: choose a vocation to chart your own path. There are four vocations (People's Tribune, Enlightened Vanguard, Force of Nature, Ingenious Tinker), each unlocking various bonuses that will help you prioritize certain approaches and even change your perception of the world.