BNG story games have gone dry & died lately so I’m going to make (an attempt) at returning one. Copy and paste the italic text and change where needed. I felt like giving the player more free choice because I feel freedom will make this more fun. Enjoy!
- You play a character named (name of choice). Your character is a (gender of choice). Born on (birthdate of choice), your character is a (zodiac sign of choice). Roll a dice, if it’s odd; your character has a single parent. If even, your character has two parents. Roll a 1-4 dice for siblings. 1 = no sister(s), only brother(s) and non-binary or genderfluid sibling(s). 2 = no brother(s), only sister(s) and non-binary or genderfluid sibling(s). 3 = both brother(s) and sister(s) and/or non-binary or genderfluid sibling(s). 4 = your character is an only child. You may choose the number of siblings if your character isn’t an only child. Your character starts through life in teenage years so the siblings can still be younger than your character.
Your character is 16 and has found a nice date to the dance. (Date’s name) is also 16 and is a very wonderful date for your character. (Date’s name) is the best at (activity) out of anyone (Your character’s name) knows and is also an intelligent and funny person. The two enjoy a nice dance and end up staying steady until graduation at 18. Your character and that date end up attending the same university. However it’s lately been going rocky for the relationship and the two need to talk it out and have a break. Roll the dice, if it’s even then your character and their date get back together and become S.O.s and if it’s odd, they break up for good and your character eventually gets another S.O.
Your character finishes college and starts a career at (job). Your character’s family is doing wonderful and soon they ask you for advice. It’s a very important message. Roll dice, if it’s odd, then it’s bad news and if it’s even, it’s good news. Your character has a strong reaction to the news and makes sure everything works out for the best. Your character is in early 20s and has a closer and more meaningful bond with a significant other, (S.O.'s name). Soon there’s unexpected news the couple will know. Roll dice, if it’s even, then it’s an unexpected pregnancy and if it’s odd, it’s a different surprise. If a pregnancy occurs, choose the name and gender. The couple has just found out (unexpected news). Definitely caught them by surprise but bonds the relationship stronger, now that the couple is more prepared for the unknown. A year passes, and the couple gets engaged.
At the age of (Age), (your character’s name) and (S.O.'s name) have married! They have a lovely wedding at a (wedding location) and it’s a beautiful ceremony. Your character’s family is happy to be in attendance and feel united as one with your character’s now-spouse’s family. Roll a 1-6 to determine how last names are settled. 1-2 = your character keeps surname. 3-4 = your character hyphenates surname. 5-6 = your character changes surname. Unless your character changed surname, do the same dice roll with your character’s new spouse. They are now (Character’s name with whatever last name is) and (Spouse’s name with whatever last name is). They honeymoon at (Honeymoon destination) and buy a new house to live together. Things are going great for them when the couple decides to try for a pregnancy. A successful pregnancy occurs and a baby is born 9 months later! The baby is a (baby’s gender) and is named (baby’s name). It’s a delightful year after a delightful year and the couple can say they are proud to be parents of their child(ren).
Nearly two years later, another successful pregnancy happens! This is no single birth, it’s twins! The twins are expected to be born early, and the families of (your character’s name) and (spouse’s name) are excited for this! In addition, (sibling of your character, or of your character’s spouse if your character is an only child) is married as well and has welcomed a healthy baby (baby’s gender) named (baby’s name). The pregnancy leads to a healthy twin birth and the twins, who are (twins’ genders), are named (twin 1’s name) and (twin 2’s name).
The couple is enjoying family time and are now in their early 30s. They’ve adopted a pet, a (type of pet) named (pet’s name). The companion is a much-needed pal for the family and they take turns caring for their animal friend. The children beg for another pet and the couple agrees, getting a (type of pet) named (pet’s name). The children grow up and attend school, doing great in classes and making new friends. The couple try for another pregnancy but are unsuccessful, but reluctantly understand and focus on the children and pets they have.
Things have taken a rough turn when the couple is in their mid-40s. The pets have since passed away, the parents of (sibling or sibling-in-law’s child) have divorced, and (name of one of the children) is being bullied. Your character and family help put a stop to the bullying but unfortunately are unable to put a stop to the divorce of (sibling or sibling-in-law’s child). They explain to the kid that divorce is natural and at least the couple will always love (sibling or sibling-in-law’s child). The former couple agrees and they still do a great job co-parenting and raising the child. In a bit of a shock, your character and spouse are expecting another child! Due to older age, the couple is monitored closely but deliver a healthy baby (baby’s gender) named (baby’s name). The baby is nothing short of a blessing and they feel good knowing they have yet another new child into the world, even if it’s the last for them.
The couple is in their 50s and sadly, (spouse’s name)'s parents have passed away. Your character comforts (spouse’s name) and the family mourns and grieves for them. They make a beautiful speech at the funerals and remember them fondly. The youngest child, (youngest child’s name) was recently diagnosed with (health condition). It’s been a struggle for (youngest child’s name) but the child is otherwise very healthy and keeps a positive attitude and doesn’t let it interfere with enjoying daily life. The eldest child, (eldest child’s name) is very athletic and is professional at (sport), considering an athletic career. The other children have been struggling with some personal friendship dilemmas, but the family helps them take care of it and feel better.
The couple is in their late 60s and the eldest child, now a professional athlete in (sport), has since gotten married. The family has a nice time bonding with one another during this wedding. Unfortunately, not too long after, your characters’ parent(s) have passed away, alongside one sibling of the couple’s (sibling or sibling-in-law, does not have to be the same as the divorced parent). It’s been a topsy-turvy year, but your couple has very much understood life and death, just not the feeling of never contacting deceased loved ones again. It doesn’t quite go away, but they manage to enjoy every day of life. The couple has retired from work to have more time with their family and since adopt a (type of pet), (pet’s name).
The couple is in their 80s and by now, some of their children have had their own children, making the couple grandparents of (number of grandchildren) lovely grandchildren. The couple is still going strong romantically and always make time to visit relatives. The eldest child, (eldest child’s name) has also retired from the athletic career and is always there for the family. Sadly, all the siblings of said couple have since passed away along with (pet’s name) and the couple needs all the support they can get. Things are gloomy but life is precious and they’re very grateful for all the family members in their lives, dead or living.
Years pass. The couple has now become great-grandparents to their first great-grandchild! It’s an exciting meeting and they’re happy for it. They know this is only the first and more will come, but for now, they treasure this next generation. On a very rewarding note for the couple, they both turn 100! They celebrate a century of love, knowledge, and happiness. They look back at their families and everything they’ve accomplished in 100 years, and have a fun party where they enjoy themselves for who they are. They’ve embraced the past and given well hopes for the future. They celebrate because it’s more than just a birthday, it’s a testament of life.