Getting Started
Party Lore runs as a Discord bot. To play, you need a free Discord account and either your own server or access to one with Party Lore installed.
Add Party Lore to Your Server
- Click Add to Discord
- Select your server from the dropdown
- Approve the bot permissions — Party Lore needs to read and send messages, create threads, and use webhooks for NPC characters
- That's it — type
/createin any channel to start your first game
Or Try It in Our Server
Don't have your own server? Join the Party Lore community server to try the game first. You can play with other community members or start a solo adventure.
How to Play
Step 1: Create a Game
Type /create in any channel. Choose a realm (fantasy, cyberpunk, office satire, and more) and set the pace. A game thread appears automatically — share it with friends or go solo.
Step 2: Join and Pick a Class
When a game is created, an invite embed appears with a Join Game button. Click it, pick your class, and optionally name your character. Joining takes under 10 seconds.
Step 3: Play
The AI Game Master narrates scenes and presents action choices as buttons. Click a suggested action or type your own response — anything goes. Each player submits actions, and the story advances when everyone has responded (or when the timer runs out).
Step 4: See Your Results
At the end of a session, you get a scorecard with XP earned, new abilities unlocked, highlights from the adventure, and awards. Your character, relationships, and progress persist for next time.
Bot Commands
| Command | What It Does |
|---|---|
/create | Start a new game — choose realm, timeout, and level range |
/join | Join an active game in the current channel |
/character | View your character portfolio — stats, abilities, inventory |
/journal | Read your session history and character journal |
Play Styles
Party Lore supports different play styles using one simple setting: the batch timeout. This controls how long the game waits for all players to submit actions before advancing.
| Style | Players | Timeout | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Night | 2-6 | 1-2 min | 30-60 min | Friends on Discord voice |
| Solo | 1 | Instant | 10-20 min | Quick sessions, commutes |
| Slow Play | 2-4 | Hours | Ongoing | Busy schedules, play-by-post |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Discord?
Yes. Party Lore runs as a Discord bot. Discord is free to use — create an account at discord.com.
Does everyone need to pay?
No. Only the person who creates the game needs a subscription. Everyone else plays free — just like how one person buys a board game and everyone plays.
Can I play alone?
Yes. Solo play works great — the AI Game Master adjusts the experience for a single player with more NPC interaction and protagonist-focused storytelling.
How long is a session?
30-60 minutes with friends (Game Night mode), or 10-20 minutes solo. Each session is a complete adventure arc — no cliffhangers unless you want them.
What happens to my character between sessions?
Your character persists within each realm. XP, level, abilities, NPC relationships, faction reputations, and your character journal all carry over between sessions.
Is it appropriate for kids?
Each realm has its own tone and content. Some realms (like Sprint Zero) are lighthearted satire, while others (like The Hollowing) lean into darker themes. Check individual realm pages for tone details.