Post by Rigil Kent on May 30, 2014 11:23:38 GMT -6
Using Tarot for Story Elements
I’m trying to figure out a way to do the sandbox thing (wherein the PCs are totally free to do whatever the hell the want) without the game grinding to a halt because the players are (as we’re wont to do) paralyzed by too much freedom. To that end, I thought about using the Tarot to effectively set up the plot elements for the next session.
Mechanics: Each Major Arcana will be assigned to a “Faction” (for example, the Magician would be the White Council of wizards, while Wheel of Fortune would be an ‘Arc Card’ and The Moon would be Red Court vampires.) At the end of each session, each Player will draw one card. I, as the GM, will note what that card is and then craft a subplot for this.
Example: At the conclusion of a session, LabRat draws … The Sun (inverted, so it’s upside down.) This conforms to White Council (ironic that.) Since it is inverted, that’s bad, so I as the GM craft a plot where Sofia learns that the Wardens have pursued a warlock on the run into OKC and finds herself getting involved. Gigermann draws the 4 of Cups Inverted – consulting the chart, I note that Cups are related to relationships (home, friends, family), so I spin up something bad related to his friends or family (a buddy is in an accident or something.) Magman draws a 9 of Swords – consulting my chart, this is Work so something comes up at OSBI for him (let’s say … he’s got to testify at a trial because he was involved in the arrest.) Budah draws a 2 of Pentacles (Inverted), but my review of this reveals that Pentacles and Wands mean nothing, so he doesn’t get a spiffy subplot. MikeE draws a 3 of Pentacles, so he also does not get a subplot.
Addendum: Regarding the four Minor Arcana, I've decided that this will apply as well, but only in the event of a "Face" card (King, Queen, Jack, Page). The division here will be:
In the event that a Player already has a major plot thread in mind (say, Magman has found out something related to his Obsession and wants to dig into that), he or she would not be required to draw a card ... although I'd still recommend doing so as that might put an unexpected spin on their planned plot thread.
Thoughts? Feedback? Ideas?
I’m trying to figure out a way to do the sandbox thing (wherein the PCs are totally free to do whatever the hell the want) without the game grinding to a halt because the players are (as we’re wont to do) paralyzed by too much freedom. To that end, I thought about using the Tarot to effectively set up the plot elements for the next session.
Mechanics: Each Major Arcana will be assigned to a “Faction” (for example, the Magician would be the White Council of wizards, while Wheel of Fortune would be an ‘Arc Card’ and The Moon would be Red Court vampires.) At the end of each session, each Player will draw one card. I, as the GM, will note what that card is and then craft a subplot for this.
Example: At the conclusion of a session, LabRat draws … The Sun (inverted, so it’s upside down.) This conforms to White Council (ironic that.) Since it is inverted, that’s bad, so I as the GM craft a plot where Sofia learns that the Wardens have pursued a warlock on the run into OKC and finds herself getting involved. Gigermann draws the 4 of Cups Inverted – consulting the chart, I note that Cups are related to relationships (home, friends, family), so I spin up something bad related to his friends or family (a buddy is in an accident or something.) Magman draws a 9 of Swords – consulting my chart, this is Work so something comes up at OSBI for him (let’s say … he’s got to testify at a trial because he was involved in the arrest.) Budah draws a 2 of Pentacles (Inverted), but my review of this reveals that Pentacles and Wands mean nothing, so he doesn’t get a spiffy subplot. MikeE draws a 3 of Pentacles, so he also does not get a subplot.
Addendum: Regarding the four Minor Arcana, I've decided that this will apply as well, but only in the event of a "Face" card (King, Queen, Jack, Page). The division here will be:
- Cups: Romantic life
- Pentacles: Work life
- Swords: Enemies
- Wands: Home life (friends, neighbors, etc.)
In the event that a Player already has a major plot thread in mind (say, Magman has found out something related to his Obsession and wants to dig into that), he or she would not be required to draw a card ... although I'd still recommend doing so as that might put an unexpected spin on their planned plot thread.
Thoughts? Feedback? Ideas?