Writing convention scenarios

Makers of Award-winning Role Playing Games › Forums › Arcanis: The Shattered Empires › Arcanis: Chronicler’s Quarter › Writing convention scenarios

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 42 total)
1 2 3
  • Author
    Posts
  • May 12, 2014 at 3:54 pm #151224
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Writing a roleplaying scenario for convention play is very peculiar and specific writing challenge. Above and beyond the integration of the mechanics of whatever rules set you use, the plot, characters and descriptions must all be carefully crafted and balanced, taking into account the whims and vagaries of players and gamemasters beyond your control. Writing for a shared campaign increases the challenge, as the characters the players choose to play may be ill-suited to the tasks, setting, or motivation you provide. Above all else, your goal must be clear; not to tell your story, but to construct a framework within which the gamemaster and players can collaborate to tell their story.
    The player characters are the heroes of the tale. If you lose sight of this single, most important fact, your scenario will fail. It doesn’t matter how well crafted your story is, how engaging and real the characters, if the player characters aren’t the heroes, if the scenario happens to them, or around them, instead of because of them, then you haven’t written an adventure. You’ve written a short story.
    Roleplaying games are interactive cooperative storytelling. The player characters should be actors, not observers, heroes not victims. All too often I play or run scenarios where the author has lost sight of this in favor of crafting a story. A plot must be present, but it should be fluid, to account for player actions, and it should be simple, to allow for the time available. Non-player characters should be rich, well-rounded and realistic, but they should not be the heroes of the tale. They should be the villains and supporting cast for the heroes seated at the table.
    Balancing the difficulties and challenges in the scenario is as tricky as framing the plot or presenting the characters. On one hand, the challenges should be realistic and appropriate to the setting and adversaries. On the other, not every group of player characters will be capable of meeting all manner of challenges. Whenever possible, provide multiple methods of solving any particular problem. In addition, resist the temptation to increase the difficulty of mundane tasks or the competence of minor adversaries to challenge higher level characters. Experts in any particular skill should succeed in their area of expertise, and dabblers should have at least an even chance for success in any endeavor necessary to complete the mission. If you like, you may reward the true virtuoso with a bit of extra insight or information as a reward for his expertise, but virtuosity should not be a necessity.
    Timing and pacing of a scenario present challenges as well. If your scenario has a time pressure, or “ticking clock” element included, be sure this comes across to the players. If events need time to unfold, be sure not to give the impression that haste is in the player characters’ best interest. Above all, remember that you are writing for a four to five hour event slot. After time for late players, getting settled, bathroom breaks, end of game paperwork and packing up, players realistically only have three hours of play time in a four hour slot. It’s always better to be a little short, than a little long. If the scenario runs short, players can take extra time to roleplay with each other or particularly interesting non-player characters or settings. Players who finish early often feel a sense of accomplishment for their efficiency. If the scenario runs long, players feel rushed, and may make mistakes or lose track of important clues. Players who finish late often wonder if the took the wrong path, and may have difficulty being on time to their next event.
    Writing a roleplaying scenario for a convention setting can be a very rewarding and satisfying writing endeavor. The excitement of many different people playing and running your work and enjoying your plot, characters and settings is heady stuff. If you write with these points in mind, everyone will enjoy your work more, and you’ll find your editors will await your next scenario with eager expectation.

    May 12, 2014 at 9:43 pm #262174
    frootsnax
    Participant

    I basically agree with everything Peter wrote. Whatever’s going on, its the PCs who need to have the power of “agency” to influence events. Even if they aren’t regaled as heroes after the event, its their choices that determined what conclusion were reached.

    As someone whose written modules tend to run long I’ll also try to keep in mind the virtue of brevity. Or continue to fall back on the two round module (which I know convention schedulers sometimes curse). I have hopes To Die Alone will fit in one slot safely.

    May 12, 2014 at 9:59 pm #262175
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I Disagree with some of the assumptions made in the original post.

    Writing a roleplaying scenario for convention play is very peculiar and specific writing challenge.

    That is Arcanis’s most public face for certain but not the only place that Arcanis gets played, Players and Chroniclers have as much if not more of an influence on how long a mod runs than the author. The assumption that the responsibility is focused on the author is a fallacy of ommision.

    Above all else, your goal must be clear; not to tell your story, but to construct a framework within which the gamemaster and players can collaborate to tell their story.

    Again a fundamental disagreement, There are many ways to game, and even more reasons to game. playing a game “to tell your story” is one but not the only one. I personally think that Arcanis has a lot going for it in terms of Its story are you suggesting that the story of Arcanis doesn’t matter?

    It doesn’t matter how well crafted your story is, how engaging and real the characters, if the player characters aren’t the heroes, if the scenario happens to them, or around them, instead of because of them, then you haven’t written an adventure. You’ve written a short story.

    This I agree with, but again sometimes this is really a matter of the person running the game rather than the mod.

    Peter, You seem to be railing at something in specific, you wanna call it out?

    May 12, 2014 at 11:39 pm #262179
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    OK, Josh, this topic is about writing convention scenarios. For Amy campaign. The original post is my personal opinions on writing convention scenarios. I think you may want to start your own topic.

    May 13, 2014 at 10:52 am #262194
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I agree fundamentally with everything said. I try to employ these elements even in my home game adventures for all systems. The only suggestion I would make is to edit the post and allow for section breaks and maybe some section titles. This would make an excellent start to a ‘guide to module writing’ that could include sections on encounter building, etc.

    Josh, I think you’re reading too much into this and getting defensive about something that isn’t being said. The ‘story’ aspect that he’s communicating (I believe) is that if the author of a module has a story to tell and the PC’s are just along for the ride and cannot influence or affect the outcome, it is probably better served as a short story than an adventure. There should be a story within the adventure, but if it has a predefined conclusion or if the characters are just supporting players as the tale unfolds, it becomes less satisfying.

    John

    May 13, 2014 at 1:04 pm #262197
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Exactly, what I was saying, John. When I write a module, I think of writing a single issue of a comic book, with the PCs as the team of heroes.

    May 13, 2014 at 1:06 pm #262199
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Above all else, your goal must be clear; not to tell your story, but to construct a framework within which the gamemaster and players can collaborate to tell their story.
    The player characters are the heroes of the tale. If you lose sight of this single, most important fact, your scenario will fail.

    I do agree. While every adventure needs a story if the players are just watching it unfold then why are they going to bother and play? Opportunities for them to feel like they have influenced the final result (even if they haven’t and it would have played out regardless) are vital.

    May 13, 2014 at 1:24 pm #262201
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I wrote my disagreement to foster a discussion, and because I do disagree with the foundations of the post.

    I am allowed to disagree yes? or should i post something that just says “oh yes, that”?

    May 13, 2014 at 1:49 pm #262203
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Well, Josh, it really didn’t come across as “fostering discussion”. It seemed to me that you wanted to attack the idea that the discussion existed. So, I dismissed you as a troll. And your latest post hasn’t challenged that assumption.

    May 13, 2014 at 1:56 pm #262204
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    So why is it that Josh can’t (reasonably) disagree with something?

    I see lots of merit in what Josh is saying. In my experience, too often players chafe at anything that ‘limits’ what they think they want (or are entitled) to do. Events, for conventions or otherwise, have to have a framework and structure, and limitations. If players don’t understand that, then they have unreasonable expectations. These living campaigns aren’t a free-for-all, and too often I see players wanting that.

    Now, I also like the general premise of what Peter brought up, that all events should be about how the PCs can interact with and influence interesting or important events in the local/regional/world region. A combination of those all are best, imo.

    May 13, 2014 at 2:05 pm #262206
    drafit
    Participant

    Alright guys – let’s simmer down.

    Peter: Josh is not a Troll. While he may sometimes come across a little brusque in his posts, he is genuinely (I believe) trying to discuss the ideas posted.

    If you post on the forum, you have to acknowledge the fact that said post will garner some sort of feedback. As I’m sure you know, a forum is not a place to post some sort of manifesto that will be read and accepted by all. The beauty of the forums is the back and forth of ideas and opinions.

    I think your post is very interesting and has valid points. However, I can also see where others may disagree or put their own spin on things.

    I urge you to engage with the other posters and see what comes of it. You may be pleasantly surprised. \":-)\"

    Thank you.

    May 13, 2014 at 2:08 pm #262207
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    peter, your the one resorting to name calling rather than addressing the points that I disagree with. I think you are equating “troll” with someone who disagrees with you, thank you Henry.

    Thus far this has remained a one sided conversation about your “definitive” opinion about writing convention scenarios, perhaps you could link us some samples of your work and point out parts of what you are trying to express.

    May 13, 2014 at 3:09 pm #262208
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    First of, let me clarify; the purpose of my original post was to advise module authors of some of the most prevalent errors I have seen made by authors as a player, judge, playtester and editor. Namely, failing to write for the time allotted, a lack of opportunity for PC agency and action, writing appropriate challenges, and conveying the module’s intentions and expectations for the PCs.

    While many of these difficulties may well have contributing factors from the players and judge, I am specifically addressing the role of the author in this topic. That is the topic I would like to address here, and respectfully request that posters to this topic keep to the topic.

    Further, I am not addressing the modules of any given author or campaign. I posted an identical thread to the discussion group for the campaign I write for.

    Finally, my point about writing to “tell a story” is intended to address authors who write module that force the players to observers, or worse, victims of the events in the module, rather than active agents of those events. This media must be one of cooperative storytelling. I submit that no one goes to the trouble of gathering a full table of players and a judge, orders a module, creates characters with backgrounds, personalities, and abilities within the framework of the rules, in order to have a story read to them. Players want to be the heroes. That is why they show up. Module authors must remember that they are not writing for themselves, or the campaign staff, but for the players. If you want to write stories for yourself, find a fanfiction site.

    May 13, 2014 at 3:26 pm #262210
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I think I am guilty of most of what you dislike about Authors, Peter \";)\" And while I do agree that players should have a certain amount of agency, I also am strongly on the side of the “story”-driven adventures.

    In my own defense, I do tend to write somewhat more closed-off storylines. I personally like the idea of Heroes becoming involved in a situation much bigger than themselves; having to survive when life is falling apart around them. I personally feel it gives a certain edge to an adventure. As to player agency, I do agree that a Player has to feel like they are involved in the story, and that they are experiencing something. That said, I am also in favour of LIMITING how much a player can do because I am a sucker for realism. In real life, the King of a country is unlikely to blindly take the word of a bunch of (often) foreign meddlers who he has just met, so in many ways I find adventures where you can massively change the politics with a single skill roll as breaking my immersion in the universe.

    I also find that by limiting options in an adventure, it forces people to be more creative. If you simply allow people to do whatever they want in order to force agency, there comes a point where you can push the experience from RPG to a pen-and-paper version of Goat Simulator: Fun and amusing, but lacking substance (NOTE: This is an extreme example meant to illustrate, not to be representative). I am also a fan of trying to keep a narrative power-curve going, where Tier I characters can affect the world around them, but not as much as a Tier II could, and neither of them as much as a Tier III could. Though I know that PCI and Henry got a fair amount of grief about the level of Player agency during the Crusade (some from me, I admit), looking back on it it was as close to ‘perfect’ a representation of the ‘power level’ of the world that a Tier I character SHOULD have access to. Now that we’re in Tier II, we’re rubbing shoulders with Prelates and becoming involved in a brewing conflict in the Blessed lands as our own people instead of just as soldiers in a war. Next Tier we may be actively seeking out conflict and ‘righting wrongs’, and the one after that we may once again become “Champions of Light”.

    As for adventure length. . . well, as you say, it is very hard. Of my three adventures that have been released so far, one I found was too short, and one had to be split up into a two-rounder. Being able to condense an experience into a 4 hour timeslot, allowing for Roleplaying, fights, and plot is hard, and not a skill I have admittedly mastered yet. That said, I am going to continue to pelt my imperfect adventures at PCI in hopes that practice makes perfect \";)\"

    May 13, 2014 at 3:36 pm #262211
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Based on your clarifications and tone, I don’t see how you think this is a post that will then garner much discussion. To me, it only sounds like an attempt at a lecture. And that’s just not interesting.

    Out of curiosity, what campaign do you write and edit for?

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 42 total)
1 2 3
  • The forum ‘Arcanis: Chronicler’s Quarter’ is closed to new topics and replies.