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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Solo Story System

A quick "Solo Story System" a fellow created by a fellow who referred to it on another website (can't remember where). Looks interesting, if very very lightweight.

http://www.rpglaboratory.com/solo_story_system

Monday, December 27, 2010

Sercet Scene #1

Sercet is quietly sitting on a park, watching Rhea as she teaches them about the mysteries of God; about his Creaton. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it shows in the way the children react to her. A part of him regrets not having the same gift for moving hearts, but that is His will.
 
He becomes aware of the joy inside him, of which she is the cause. He wonders: Does she even suspect how deep his feelings go? 

Will the antagonist try to undermine Rhea's faith? 50% 87 No. The children's faith.
Will it come from one of the children? 60% 22 Yes
Random Event: NPC Action
Event Meaning: 92 Vengeance
Event Action:  38 A Path

As Sercet is watching, he notices two of the little boys shoving each other. The bigger one ends up hitting the smaller one, who starts to bawl. He can't hear, but it's plain that Rhea is scolding the boys as she separates them.  The boys seem to be listening to their yasu, but the older brat suddenly throws a temper tantrum at something Rhea said. Sercet clearly hears him screech, "I wish I was Kinta, then I could do whatever I want!" The boy suddenly becomes aware of Sercet, and breaks into tears.

Sercet approaches the boy with the intention of calming him down. While he wants the child's respect, he does not want his fear.

(See conflict here.)
First he greets, Rhea. They do not touch foreheads, as that would be much too familiar. A slight bow of his head is more than appropriate, "Greetings, yasu Rhea."

"Greetings, yassat Sercet," she responds, her voice sounding pleased, and her eyes smiling.

"Yasu, would you be offended if I talk to the child?"

"Of course not. Please do as you wish. His name is Haroun."

Kneeling before the boy, who, out of fear, has stopped crying, "No need to fear, young man. I am not here to punish anyone."

As the young man, between sniffles, still did not reply, Sercet continued: "Truth be told, Haroun, I only came here because I did not want you to cry or be scared. I think it's good for you to speak your mind."

He could see the question in Haroun's face, "Really?"

Sercet made an affirmative gesture with his head. "I also speak my mind when people do things they shouldn't do, including other Kinta."

"You do?", Haroun finally speaks.

"Yes, my friend. If I think that someone in the Kinta has done any wrongdoing, should I not say something?"

Haroun thinks, "I suppose you should, yassat."

"I think so too. We are supposed to be guardians of the flock. I will not let anyone, Kinta or not, do as they please if it harms even one of God's children. Do you understand?"

At this, Haroun smiles, satisfied with Sercet's explanation. "Yes, yassat."

"Now, don't you think you owe an apology to your friend, and to yasu Rhea for how you behaved?"

Haroun, looking subdued, "Yes, yassat."

"Good. Remember, care for your brothers and sisters. We are all from God. Now,  your yasu and your friends are waiting for you. Go now with my blessing, my child."

Sercet's Scene #1: Conflict Breakdown

Is Mythic going to enter into conflict with me? 80% 45 - Yes


Sercet's stakes:
If Sercet wins, he is able to calm the boy, and strengthen the children's faith with his talk to them.

Antagonist stakes:

If Mythic wins, does his talk induce one of the children closest to Rhea to "rat her out", unintentionally. The child says something that shows Rhea's thinking is at odds with the Kinta.


Sercet will use Truth, as his Faith compells him to understand it.

Truth vs Lies 6: Need to roll over 6.
2d10: 5, 10
1d4: 3



Antagonist/Mythic will use Truth.
Will Mythic use more than 4 credits? 50% 54 No
Will it use 4 credits? 50% Yes
Will it use 3d10? No

Truth vs Lies: 5. Need to roll over 5
2d10: 4, 7.
1d4: 2

Will the Audience participate? 50%: 65 No


Sercet roll, after modifiers, succeeds. (10-2 = 8)


Antagonist roll, after modifiers, fails. (7-3=4).

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Kaluvan's Scene #1 - Conflict Breakdown

I don’t want Kaluvan to surrender yet. So, I will resist this. Does Mythic agree? 50% 56 No. There’s a conflict.


Stakes:

Kaluvan: If I win, Kaluvan not only does not surrender, but he comes out of the trance.

Antagonist: If Mythic wins, Kaluvan retains no conscious memory of this episode as Sinamar guides him into burying it away in the recesses of his mind.

Kaluvan:
Kaluvan will use Truth, because this does not match his conception of Truth as he believes it to be:

Praxis: Truth vs Lies - 4

2d10: 5,3 (Need to roll over 4)

1d4:4

Antagonist

Mythic will use 2 credits (11 credits left after this).

Will Mythic use Submission vs Rebellion? 50% 42 Yes

Will it use Submission? 50% 63 No. It will use Rebellion as Sinamar is acting in rebellion to the current order. 


Praxis: Submission vs Rebellion 7

1d10: 3 (Need under 7)

1d4: 4


Audience


Will the audience use its dice? 50% 53Yes

Will it use it to help Kaluvan? 50% 62 No

It will be used to help Sinamar. Since it cannot change the result of her stake, it helps her 1d4.

1d4: 2 (Would be used to help Antagonist's 1d10 or 1d4, but it's not needed)

Results:
Kaluvan cannot resist and after much struggle, surrenders to Her.
Sinamar succeeds in guiding Kaluvan towards burying this memory.

Kaluvan wins a new Feature as a result of this conflict: "Can I ever be in control of my real self?"

Kaluvan's Scene #1

Does the color White signify purity in this culture? 65% 95: No
Knowledge? 65% 21: Yes
Are people forced to serve as Oracles? 30% 64: No
Coerced? 60% 39: Yes


The white halij that covers Kaluvan doesn’t feel so alien any longer. The hall he now walks in has become as familiar as the purification ritual that awaits him. The columns that reach up into the frescoed sky still humble him, however; everything in the Sacred City still fills him with awe -- imperfect as it must be compared to the wonders of Paradise.


Two years have passed since he was chosen to serve as Medium; since he had to choose between those he loves and God. Erishti, strong in her faith, gave him the strength to do what's right. Little Nok was too young to understand. Kaluvan knows he should not feel guilty, but his boy's tears are still etched in his memory. Only the knowledge that his sacrifice pleases God, and the knowledge that he'll see them again in due time, keeps him going.


He has now arrived for his purification, as today he will again be one with God; the privileged recipient of His will for His people.


Will Kaluvan meet his old friend now? 60% 94 No (I was asking if he'd meet his Antagonist now)
Does Kaluvan’s purification involve someone else? 50% 36 Yes
Will it be someone familiar this time? 50% 16 Yes
Is it a male? 60% 71 No
(It begs the question.) Does purification involve ritual sexual contact? 30% 83 No


Kaluvan finds that Sinamar is already waiting for him. Though physically younger, she is his elder in the faith having been a servant for much longer than him.

“I see a dark cloud obscuring your peace, Kaluvan.”

Feeling somewhat guilty, Kaluvan admits “I was thinking of Nok. Erishti.”

“Do not feel guilt for the love you feel,” says Sinamar as she grasps his head and touches her forhead to his in greeting. “You will see them again. Soon. Isho”

“Isho. Yes, if He so wills it.”

“Should we begin?”

“Yes, Sinamar.”

Sinamar's voice is like a songbird taking flight; her chanting soothing to his soul. Soon, she will stop her prayers and begin to guide him to that place of peace where he can empty himself; where he can become a vessel to be filled by His Will.

“As you follow the light, Kaluvan, let all your thoughts melt like snow...into nothingness...We are but a speck in the totality...of the totality...we become nothing and everything.”

Soon, Kaluvan finds himself ready.


Does Sinamar inject him with something painful? 60% 17 Yes
Is God a female? 50% 03 Extreme Yes



Suddenly, he feels fire inside his neck, coursing through his veins and into his head. Helpless to stop it. “What’s happening!”, but the words do not even take form.

He hears Her call him, “Kaluvan”. Her? How can that be? “Trust” Her? Something has gone wrong. Sinamar must be playing a trick on him. Mischief. It's not like her. “Kaluvan. My child. I am calling all my children to me. Surrender, and do my will.”


* I did not want him to surrender, but Mythic initiated the First Shock: Social Science Fiction conflict here- see breakdown in separate post (blog)*
Kaluvan used Truth  for this roll, as his sense of Truth, what he's always believed is being challenged.
The Antagonist, per Mythic, used Rebellion. This is interpreted as the Antagonist character being used Rebelling against the current order.


Surrender? Yes...No! It is not right. "My child...come to me." Kaluvan struggles with all his will, but slowly he realizes he cannot win this battle. It is Mother after all. We all must go to her; surrender to her love. "My child, this is my will. For all of you. My revelation."

Kaluvan vainly tries to hold on to this wonderful feeling, to this moment, but everything fades back into Sinamar's worried visage. He only remembers being guided into Emptiness, then...nothing.

Sinahar sees the question reflected in his eyes, "What happened?"

"Kaluvan, you had a reaction to the Bhesh when you inhaled it."


Is this unheard of? 50% 52 No


Kaluvan knows that certain states of mind can be dangerous while under the influence of the Bhesh. He already begins to feel embarrassed and guilty, yet something still tugs at him.

"Forgive me, Sinamar, for my sentimentality. I should be more disciplined."

Caressing his face, "Do not apologize, sweet Kalu. Your love for your family is a bright light in darkness." Pressing her forehead to his, "Wait here while I call for someone to tend to you. Isho."

"Isho."

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Erro

Issue: Greed

Shock: God For A Day

Features:
  • Unspiritual. Does not believein God.
  • Does not care about the non-ruling caste, only in how their efforts maintain his leisurely lifestyle.
  • Uses religion to maintain his power
  • I have been too lenient with Cavanu. [Feature gained as result of conflict failure on scene #1]
Links:
  • Highest level members of the Kinta, of which he is one.
  • There is no God.

Story Goal: Become a martyr.

Praxis Scale
Submission vs Rebellion - 4
Truth vs Lies- 5


Erro’s Antagonist


Those opposed to the current order.

Praxis
Submission vs Rebellion 6
Truth vs Lies 4

Kaluvan

Issue: Free Will
Shock: God For A Day

Features:

  • Transform-Balance
    • Change is how God brings balance.
  • Deceive-Evil
    • Untruth is an abomination.
  • Work Hard- Good
    •  Must work for the better good with diligence
  • Can I ever be in control of my real self?
Links
  • Neglect- Misfortune
    • Nok and Erishti. The family he left behind to answer God's call
  • Work Hard - Good
    • God rewards sacrifice.
Story Goal:
  • Open-Military
    • Open the gates for God's Army
Praxis Scale

Submission vs Rebellion - 3
Truth vs Lies - 4




Kaluvan’s Antagonist


  • Return-Love
    • Ianego: old childhood friend who was like a brother.
  • Attach-Ambush
    • Kaluvan and Ianego still share a strong childhood bond, which Kanego can exploit.
Praxis


Submission vs Rebellion 7
Truth vs Lies 7

Sercet

Issue: Sabotage
Shock: God For A Day

Features
  • Crisis- Restlessness
    •  Feels restless. A premonition that disaster is at hand.
  • Doing - Persuasion
    • Hearts must be moved to action.
  • Resolve-Learning
    • The truth will bring resolution one way or another.
Links

  • Attach - Intrigues
    • Rhea. He secretly is in love with her free and bright spirit, in an otherwise solemn life calling.
  • Work Hard - Magic
    • Devotion to God brings about miracles.

Story Goal
  • Desert Emotions: To feel abandoned and broken hearted.  
Praxis Scale
Submission vs Rebellion - 8
Truth vs Lies - 6



Sercet’s Antagonist:


  • Triumph-Liberty
    • Faction of rebellion that want “liberation” in the total sense: from the Kinta, and from religion.
  • Develop-Pain
    • Debilitating illness that has set upon him.
Praxis

Submission vs Rebellion 6

Truth vs Lies 5

Shock: God For A Day - Minutae

  • Recruit, A Plot
    • Subjects often serve God by being recruited to fullfill and fulfill his Divine Design as defined by the leadership.  
  • Divide, Advice
    • It is the will of the All Kowing that a select few of his servants live apart from the rest of his subjects, in the glorious Sacred City.

Shock: God For A Day - Fleshing out the Issues

  • Issue: Greed 
    • Debase Reality: Your dreams, your problems, your hopes, your whole life, your reality is unimportant insofar as it doesn't serve your God and his Grand Design. All your energies are to be devoted to Him and his glorification.
    • Intolerance Dreams: Other creeds or philosopies are against the law as all resources must go to the service of God.
  • Issue: Sabotage
    • There is an underground conspiracy to undermine the current planetary order.
  • Issue: Free Will
    • Bestow Fears: Opposition is kept in check via the use of fear.
    • Communicate Dispute: Speaking out against those over you is to rebel against God.