1

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend

plaintext version

created by stargazersasha

welcome p. 1
the trans agenda p. 2
the core rules p. 3-4
gm moves p. 4
playbooks p. 5-16
some words on the world and characters of this game p. 17
optional rules p. 18
thanks & end stuff p. 19

- WELCOME -
welcome to the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend! i’m sasha, and i’ll be your
host! this is a lighthearted little rpg about the hilarious disaster that is being
trans and a young adult. i made this game in ms paint. i hope you like it.

honestly the best way to learn about this game is to look over the character sheets
and GM moves. but i’ll say a little bit about this game here:

this game comes with some rules and a handful of characters. you should start the game
with a handful of them as your main characters — 1 per player, plus one or two more.
skim the character sheets and pick some that you’re interested in smashing together to
see how they interact, or create some characters of your own! not every character
needs a playbook, but playbooks will help you figure out what to do if you're stuck,
as well as giving you an easy character arc to follow or abandon as you wish.

part of this game is watching your characters change and grow. at the end of every
scene, all of us will learn a new move — something new that we can always do. i’ll
talk a little more about this in a section called “the core rules”.

a plaintext version of this document can be found at

stargazersasha.itch.io/girlfriend.

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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- THE TRANS AGENDA -

let’s read this out loud, so that we’re all on the same page about what this game is
and what we’re here to do.

LET EVERYONE JUST WANT A GOOD TIME

this game intentionally does not focus on the injustice that is happening offscreen.
this game focuses on us during the precious time we have with each other.

we are not here to fuck with each other. life is a lot of pressure, and while that
pressure will be felt in our game, you only have to bring it to the foreground as much
as you want to!

in the space we’ll create in this game, we want to focus on being ourselves, living
openly, and expressing our feelings the best way we can. things might get hilarious
and messy (i hope they do!), but we all just want to get along. sometimes that’s all
we have.

BE DRAMATIC & MAKE THINGS INTERESTING

just because everyone’s basically pretty nice doesn’t mean there won’t be any conflict
in this story. if someone wants something, make sure you decide as a player what’s
keeping them from getting it!

be loud and make rash decisions. this isn’t a long game, so make your scenes count.
say what you need to say and storm off, do something without talking to others first
and regret it

GET EXCITED ABOUT THE OTHER PCS AND TELL OUR STORY TOGETHER
get invested in each others' stories and look for ways we can play
into each other! let style = magic, and go ham! play to find out :3

SAY WHAT HONESTY DEMANDS

do what you need to do, and deal with the consequences together. most of us will
probably still be friends in the end, and if we’re not, that’s okay too. you have to
feel what you have to feel. be honest.

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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- THE CORE RULES -

we’ll play this game in scenes. at the end of each scene, we’ll each learn a new move
we can always use. all characters also have an ARC & FINALE section, which can help
you structure their personal story arc. each of these sections offers a personal
social goal, and when this goal is met a certain number of times, they get to use
their finale move!

SHARED NORMAL MOVES

(anyone can always):
- describe something you’ve noticed or experienced
- offer to share a space with someone
- share something that’s been bothering you
- ask for advice
- suggest a silly solution to a relevant problem
- give it everything you’ve got
- make it magical!

SHARED FINALE MOVES

(in addition to your unique options, after all your boxes are filled, you can):
- show someone they’re special to you
- offer to let someone into your life in whatever way is meaningful to you

GM MOVES
(challenge a character or complicate a situation; described in detail in the section
“gm moves”):
- threaten them with a good time
- give them two good options, and comfort them either way
- let someone you don't like make a really good point
- let someone lash out and make people upset
- fade to black
- isolate someone and check in
- show how we're more similar than you think

GROWING & CONNECTING

after each scene, all characters in that scene may gain up to one “you can always”
move. this can be a move you learned from someone else’s playbook, or it can be a move
of your own design that reflects how you grew this scene! write it on your playbook.
if you need space, cross out an old move you don’t need anymore.

after a character uses their finale move, decide whether their central conflict in the
story has been resolved. if it hasn’t, you can erase the boxes and work toward using
it again. if it has, the character can move into the background, or you can design a
new arc & finale for them!

- THE GOLDEN RULE -

if there’s something on a character sheet that you don’t like or that doesn’t make
sense for that character anymore, cross it out! you can replace it with something new

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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right away or you can wait until you figure out what feels right. replace it with
something from another playbook, or something of your own design.

i guess this is as good a time as any to say that you don’t have to be trans to play
this game. this is a game *about* being trans, though — if you took that away, this
would be a different game! i encourage you to play this game in whatever way feels
most honest to you.

check the back of the book for three optional rules about the way moves & scenes work.

- GM MOVES -
these moves serve to challenge the characters and complicate situations that are
otherwise moving smoothly. don’t know what to do? make a gm move! don’t have a gm?
make a gm move anyway, i’m not your boss. this is not an exhaustive list, but a menu
of starting places.

THREATEN THEM WITH A GOOD TIME

oh no!! i invited you over??? you want to bake bread and then cuddle???? holy fucking
shit, that’s so much pressure but i want it so bad! oh god what will i do?

GIVE THEM TWO GOOD OPTIONS, AND COMFORT THEM EITHER WAY
life is hard. make any choice feel good. reward decisive action and show how people
will forgive you if you can’t give them your time or attention right now. characters’
actions should have consequences, but be kind to yourself!

LET SOMEONE YOU DON’T LIKE MAKE A REALLY GOOD POINT

hehe >:) they don’t have to be a main character, but let this pull them into the story
and make them important and/or make this conflict more important!

LET SOMEONE LASH OUT AND MAKE PEOPLE UPSET

it’s okay to cause problems and be selfish. you should be meaner to people, why are
you being so nice to people? say something that’ll make people upset, but in doing so,
reveal what you truly want and let them empathize with that. say shit without
anticipating how other people will react; let them surprise you.

FADE TO BLACK
you don’t have to move a boulder in every scene. when in doubt, end the scene and find
somewhere new to set the next one. check in on a character we haven’t seen in a while,
or introduce someone new. connect things back in whatever way feels right.

ISOLATE SOMEONE AND CHECK IN

what do they do when they’re alone? let this reveal why they need the other characters
right now.

SHOW HOW WE’RE MORE SIMILAR THAN YOU THINK

use this to soften an emotional blow, or to bring someone closer who’s feeling left
out. there’s no limit to the power of this move.

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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playbooks
the trans girl who’s really into architecture (p. 6)

the werewolf who i smoked with that one time and is pretty cute actually… (p. 7)
*cw: smoking and implied violence

the lesbian who’s in a band & holy shit, he’s just so fucking cool… (p. 8)

those two goths (p. 9)

guy with quilt (p. 10)

i’m dating someone new and idk, he’s kind of normal, but i like him a lot… (p. 11)

the edm witch (p. 12)

spike (p. 13)

the other werewolf *cw: implied violence (p. 14)

the girlfriend of my girlfriend *cw: potential suicidal ideation (p. 15)

design your own playbook! (p. 16)

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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the trans girl who’s really into architecture

pick 1+ name [cassie, jupiter, diana, etc.]

pick 1+ gender [trans girl, history major, music major, librarian, etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [she/her, they/them, fae/faer, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- i’m roommates with one of you
- i met one of you in a class and got your number
- i met one of you at a party, somewhere away from the action
- one of us helped me pick up the stuff i dropped on a train, and then when you
ran into me a second time you asked for my number right away

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i want someone to notice how cool my new outfit
- i need to talk about my ideas for my thesis project
- i need help sorting out my feelings for someone
- i need advice figuring out my new style & the magic that comes with it

MY MOVES
i can always:
- make space for someone else to talk
- know something cool about what we’re talking about
- have researched someone else’s interests between scenes
- get really excited!
- say: “i’ll go with you!”

ARC + FINALE
whenever someone creates an opportunity for me to gush about my interests and i take
it, mark a box:

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all seven boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- i’m ready to tell someone i have feelings for them!
- i’m throwing a party!
- i’ve created something really beautiful and am ready to show it off!
- i’m ready to appear in my new style!

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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the werewolf who i smoked with that one time and is pretty
cute actually...

pick 1+ name [beanz, foxx, julia, etc.]

pick 1+ gender [werewolf, stoner, guitarist, amateur tattoo artist, etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [xe/xem, they/them, ve/ver, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- i smoked with one of you that one time and you thought i was pretty cute
actually
- i turned one of you into a werewolf and am trying to make it up to you in any
way i can
- i was limping injured through your neighborhood and you invited me to stay on
your couch for a couple nights
- i transformed right in front of you, and you promised without words that you’d
keep my secret

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i need someone to be a singer for my band
- the full moon is coming and i need something important to prepare
- i need help sorting out my feelings for someone
- i need a moment of peace and quiet

MY MOVES
i can always:
- appreciate someone else’s routine
- laugh really loud at something
- be reminded of something i think is true
- offer quiet comfort to someone
- be soft and furry (and sharp, if i have to...)

ARC + FINALE
whenever one or more people make time to chill out with me, mark a box:

[ ] [ ] [ ]

when all three boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- i’ve decided i want to take you all on an exciting trip!
- i’m not afraid of myself anymore!
- i’ve moved on from it, whatever it was!
- i feel ready to take care of myself again!

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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the lesbian who’s in a band & holy shit, he’s just so

fucking cool

pick 1+ name [rocky, aarusha, sophie jean, etc.]

pick 1+ gender [lesbian, soc major, truck owner, bassist, etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [he/him, she/her, it/its, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- we swapped numbers after one of my shows and there’s a possibility i think
you’re hot
- i hooked up with at least one of you, a month or so back
- i play board games with at least one of you (i’m scary at them)
- i know one of you from back home

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i’m writing a song for one of you
- i’ve brought a gift for one or more of you
- i need a big favor
- i’m going somewhere and i want some of you to come with me, because i’m kind of
nervous to go alone

MY MOVES
i can always:
- make or have friends in an unexpected place
- hum a little tune
- be really good or really bad at something, and have a good laugh either way
- extend a hand to someone
- ask someone to jam out with me!!

ARC + FINALE
whenever i outdo myself, mark a box.
if i’m satisfied with the way it makes me feel, mark an additional box.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all seven boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- i’m hosting the biggest gayest gig you’ve ever seen
- i’m dropping my album, let’s celebrate!
- i want you to be my partner!
- in a fantastic spectacle, we learn together that my music has magical
powers..... 0__0;;

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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those two goths

pick 2+ names [ruby & jade; alex & alanna; melody & noise; etc.]
pick 2+ genders [goth4goth; t4t; victorian & scene; math + science; etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [they/them, it (plural), she (plural), etc.]

entangle yourselves into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- we taught you a simple spell that even non-goths can use
- we fell in love with you after you made a recipe that just absolutely
captivated us
- we helped you through a tight spot a while back, using a little luck and some
magic
- sometimes we come over to your place and just vibe for hours. none of us can
remember afterward what we did together

pick 1+ that is on our minds during our first scene:

- i want to try a new recipe together but you’re going to have to trust me
- i want to observe you until i figure you out
- i want to ask someone if they’ll try a ritual with me
- it’s hard to say out loud, but i’m thinking of branching out from being goth

OUR MOVES
we can always:
- ask: “can you show me how you did that?”
- say something mysterious, cosmic, or beautiful
- split up, and describe what each of us is like individually
- design a new spell to cast later
- cast any spell we’ve designed

ARC + FINALE
write our names next to each row of boxes.
whenever one of us learns something new, mark a box in their row:

__________________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
__________________ [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all ten boxes are marked, we can take center stage and have our FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- we’re throwing the HOTTEST DAMN GOTH PARTY anyone’s ever seen.
- we’ve grown out of one kind of magic. cross out all the spells we’ve designed
and design a spell of a whole new type.
- we’re trying not being goths. rename our playbook and explain why.
- we’ve decided to separate. rename our playbook and explain why.

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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guy with quilt

pick 1+ name [thomas, mouse, sage, etc.]

pick 1+ gender [knitter, barista, microbio major, occasional librarian, occasional
werewolf, etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [fae/faer, he/him, ae/aer, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- i have a fucking hopeless crush on one of you
- we were in a class together and clicked but never found time to hang out
- i kind of want the job you have
- i let one or more of you come over and be cozy with all the stuff i’ve knitted!

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i want to be closer with you
- i need help figuring out what my life can be like now
- i want someone to try my new drink
- i need someone to take care of my plants, i can’t take care of them anymore
(but i’ll happily come visit them)

MY MOVES
i can always:
- make this face:
- follow a craving
- be kind to the one who needs it
- build on what someone said in a colorful way
- pine... quietly or otherwise

ARC + FINALE
whenever i add a memory to my quilt, mark a box, and then describe what it looks like,
and describe the quiet magical property that i weaved in with it, intentionally or
otherwise.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all nine boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- i’ve finished my quilt! describe the finishing touches.
- i’ve moved on to a new project! rename my playbook, if you like.
- i’m ready to tell you how i feel about you
- i want to teach you how to do this

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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i’m dating someone new and idk, he’s kind of normal,

but i like him a lot...

pick 1+ name [sam, jamison, kim, etc.]

pick 1+ gender [dude, woman, stem major, dog person, etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- i’m the most “normal” person you’ve dated in a very long time, whatever that
means
- we know each other from work
- you have no idea i’ve wanted to be your friend for a long time
- you helped me learn something really important about myself, but you don’t know
that yet

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i’m soooo hungry right now
- i think you’re super cool and want you to tell me about yourself
- there’s something so cool and new about this place, and i want to figure it out
- i really like you

MY MOVES
i can always:
- recognize a way in which we are different (you decide if you feel honored or
not)
- say: “i love that!”
- invite someone to do something normal with me
- laugh and be awkward and sweet
- try something new!

ARC + FINALE
whenever i try something new, mark a box and (now, or later) secretly decide how it
affected me:

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all six boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by combining
one or more of these:
- i’m leaving for good
- i want to apologize for something i said to you
- i’ve decided to try on one or more new labels! write them down and celebrate.
if you want, rename your playbook.
- i want you to know that i want to keep growing with you, for as long as you
want to be with me.

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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the edm witch

pick 1+ name [eiya, lizzie, dex, etc.]

pick 1+ gender [nonbinary, noise, glitch, sludge, disco, trip hop, deep house, etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [they/them, xe/xem, witch/witches, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- i’m producing something for you, and it’s going to be huge (if i can get it
right...)
- we’re researching something ancient and mysterious together
- we are each others’ windows to another world
- we just moved into an apartment together!

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i want to ask you why you flaked on me last night (i’m not mad or anything)
- i’ve had a breakthrough on my new project
- my magical companion is sick and needs help
- i need some fresh air, and i want someone to take a walk with me

MY MOVES
i can always:
- ask how this makes you feel
- say what i think needs to happen for something to feel magical
- pay attention to what my magical companion needs
- stim
- cast a spell i’ve never cast before, and won’t ever cast again

ARC + FINALE
whenever i let myself or my magical companion push me out of my comfort zone, mark a
box:

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all five boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- i finally feel at home here!
- i’m ready to drop my big project! come celebrate with me!
- my style is changing! describe how, and describe how my magical companion
changes too.
- we’ve uncovered something huge and magical! describe it, & decide what we’ll do
with it...

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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spike

pick 1+ name [SPIKE, DODGE, BANSHEE, etc.]

pick 1+ gender [genderfuck, artist, sk8rgirl, menace, etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [zey/zem, they/them, he/him, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- we’re huge fans of each other and maybe get a little competitive
- you have access to something i really need
- i’m staying on your couch for now
- we’re best friends even though we couldn’t be more different

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i’m thinking about how good spraypaint would look on this wall
- i want to create something with you
- i fucked up and need help
- i just want to be around you right now

MY MOVES
i can always:
- do a cool trick
- show you how to get somewhere we aren’t supposed to be
- appreciate what makes someone special
- show you how something’s not so impossible
- cast a spell on a building or small region by leaving my mark on it — the
bigger my mark, the stronger the effect

ARC + FINALE
whenever i reveal what it costs to be so bold, mark a box:

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all five boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- i finish my masterpiece. describe it, and its magical effect
- i give you my tools for as long as you want them
- i let you know i’m glad we stuck together
- i tell you my other name

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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the other werewolf

pick 0+ names [no name, ajda, grudge, halia, etc.]

pick 0+ genders [werewolf, pisces, burned-out, gendersharp, etc.]
pick 0+ pronouns [no pronouns, it/its, xe/xem, they/them, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- we became werewolves together and are handling it differently
- we’re staying together now, but we don’t get along that well
- i’m not in touch with myself like you are, and i want to be
- you’re not in touch with yourself like i am, and i don’t think you want to be

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i’m looking for a distraction
- i have intense feelings for you that sprung up very suddenly
- i saw something in town earlier that confused me, and i’m still thinking about
it
- i need to blow off steam somehow and i think you might want to join me

MY MOVES
i can always:
- notice something everyone else missed
- ask you what i can do to help you right now
- communicate something nonverbally
- defend someone fiercely
- show my feral side, even for a moment

ARC + FINALE
when i let someone touch me, mark a box.

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all five boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- i know this now: i have what i need to be present for you.
- i give you what i think you want most.
- i have the best night of my life.
- this full moon, i let you come with me.

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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the girlfriend of my girlfriend

TW: The content on this page depicts a character drifting away, and can resemble the
experiences of someone actively suicidal. please skip this playbook if you need to.

pick 1+ name [aurora, sarah, echo, etc.]

pick 1+ gender [nonbinary, pastel, scifi lover, etc.]
pick 1+ pronoun [they/them, she/her, ae/aer, etc.]

entangle yourself into our group by choosing 1 or 2:

- i’m the girlfriend of your girlfriend
- i’ve been friends with at least one of us since childhood
- i appeared to one of you in a recurring dream long before we met
- i knew your name before you knew mine

pick 1+ that is on my mind during my first scene:

- i’m thinking about how things aren’t how they once were
- i’m thinking about swimming in the ocean or visiting somewhere far away
- i’m thinking about how pretty your eyes are
- i want to invite you to spend a very special night with me

MY MOVES
i can always:
- describe the symmetry in something
- smile and say, “of course!”
- say, “i’m going to miss this,” and don’t explain myself
- take a picture
- reach for someone’s hand

ARC + FINALE
whenever i suddenly disappear or reappear, mark a box:

[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

when all five boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by
combining one or more of these:
- i invite someone out for a very special night together; don’t tell them why
it’s special to me.
- print 1+ of the photos i’ve taken and post or stash them somewhere.
- hold someone and tell them i’ll always be with them.
- disappear forever.

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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design your own playbook!

pick 1+ name
pick 1+ gender
pick 1+ pronoun

entangle yourself into our group in 1 or 2 ways:

write 1+ thing that’s on your mind during your first scene

MY MOVES
a list of about 5 things i can always do (i’ll learn more soon!!):

ARC + FINALE
how do you, the player, want to see me grow? write an arc condition:
whenever ___________________________________, mark a box.

(you have to draw the boxes, i ran out)

when all the boxes are marked, i can take center stage and have my FINALE by combining
one or more of these:

give yourself some different options!! you’ll have to play to find out which one feels
right :3

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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some words on the world and characters of this game

what are you doing!! don’t read this section!! the playbooks should speak for themselves
or whatever!! there is no metaphor in this game!!

on the werewolves: first, werewolves can be a metaphor for whatever you want them to
be. they don’t have to be a metaphor for anything — sometimes it’ll just happen to
you. but i’ve included hints as to what werewolves mean to me for this game, so do
with those what you will.

second, and finally: any character can be a werewolf. “the other werewolf” doesn’t
have to foil the cute werewolf; you can make anyone the “first werewolf”, or you can
make this little guy be its own werewolf.

on magic: same thing about the metaphor: sometimes you can just do that.

in the world of this game, magical power is generated by aesthetic power. the goths
don’t have to be goths, they can be into any style — but their fierce belief in their
visual style is what gives them their magic. same with the edm witch, who draws
magical powers from the aesthetic qualities of xyr music; quilt guy, who gets faer
power from the blanket they’re enchanting; and spike, who gets magic from his
graffiti. use magic however you want, but keeping this theme should yield fun results!

only some of the characters have magic written into their playbooks — but remember
that you can always learn moves from other people, and design your own. maybe boring
guy grows into a new style of clothing that lets her float, etc. this is a game about
learning each others’ magic!

on “i’m dating someone new and idk, he’s kind of boring, but i like him a lot”:
i wrote this playbook to honor and treat with gentleness what it means to invite a cis
person into your life as a trans person, and what it means and feels like to be let
in. “normal” and “boring” are very touchy and relative, and i encourage you to find
your own definition of them. and of course, this character can still be trans — maybe
there’s something else about you that they’re unfamiliar with and excited to learn
about! let them grow with you, and let them go if they need to.

on modding & swapping:

what if architecture girl is fixated on trains and buses instead? what if guy with
quilt is working on a magical robot instead of a magical quilt? what if the other
werewolf is a vampire or a zombie instead of a werewolf?

i’ve given you my interpretations of these characters that i’ve created — but i hope
you don’t need my permission to do with them whatever you will. :3

on “the girlfriend of my girlfriend”:

wouldn’t you like to know!!!

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

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optional rules

THE SPOTLIGHT RULES

(if you really want me to tell you how to structure your silly little game)

play the game (or each session of the game) in three acts. in each act, have a
number of scenes equal to the number of players, with each player taking one
scene to spotlight something they’d like to see played out. each scene, the
player setting the scene selects a subset of any number of characters to
participate (they can include every player!), and that player decides where the
scene will be set and what generally will be happening at the beginning. take
suggestions and be flexible!

after each act, take a break and talk about where things are headed. let act 1
introduce the characters and conflicts, act 2 be loud and messy, and act 3 be
the resolution. include an epilogue for each character at the end, if you want.

this works best for three to five players, and will yield a session of about
3-5 hours, including time at the beginning for character and world setup.

these rules were inspired by dialect by thorny games.

THE WATCH-THE-SUNSET RULES

(for an additional challenge, & to highlight growing pains)

replace the normal “after each scene” text with the following —

after each scene, all players read and answer this, in turn:
something to remember. add a move to your playbook, either learned from another
character’s playbook or designed yourself, to reflect how you grew this scene.
something to forget. you’re changing. choose a move anywhere on your playbook
to cross off. you can’t use this move anymore.

THE PUSH & PULL RULES

(for a game that feels more gamey)

after you answer your playbook questions:

choose two moves that give you a token when you use them.
choose two moves that you have to spend a token to use.

- whenever you add or replace moves, adjust so that the above numbers are
satisfied in a way you like.
- whenever you mark a box, you must additionally spend a token to do so.

these rules were inspired by avery alder’s no dice no masters system.

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io

 19

thanks & end stuff

this game was created on the unceded ancestral land of the Duwamish People past and
present. the author would like to honor with gratitude the land itself and the
Duwamish Tribe.

this game is for maia, the girlfriend of the girlfriend of my girlfriend. i love you!

thanks to everyone in the possum creek community for your feedback and test reading,
ESPECIALLY to Nos Woods and Valentine!

this game has many inspirations! including YOU ARE A WIZARD by valentine
(transval.itch.io), untitled 1 by Jay Dragon, and yazeba’s bed & breakfast by Mercedes
Acosta, Jay Dragon, M Veselak, and Lillie Harris!

you can use this game however you want — taking just the playbooks and using them with
a different system could be cool as hell! alternatively, liberate my simple core rules
setup and build on it in your own way. i support you, and would love to hear about
your experience!!

please also feel free to remix this game and publish your take on it — and tell me if
you do so i can boost you! if you do, you can credit me like this:

“This game is Powered By My Girlfriend, built on the Girlfriend Engine created by

stargazersasha.”

please do this, i think it would be hilarious.

and don’t think you’ve seen the last of this system! i have two bigger projects coming
up using the Girlfriend Engine — one about lonely space explorers finding kinship on
their long voyage, another about a kid and their magical companion — very excited to
get both of them out into the world in good time :3

thank you for reading. i hope you have as much fun playing this game as i did creating
it.

yours in handholding and silliness,

sasha <3

sept 23 2021

the girlfriend of my girlfriend is my friend / stargazersasha.itch.io