[YSDC] Into The Deep - User contributions [en]

Keeper Advice:Sketching out your plot

2017-05-03T21:29:16Z

Wombat1:

==A Few Ideas on Writing a Short Scenario or Campaign==

Some ideas for a Keeper who wishes simply to write a scenario for his own gaming table:

1. ''Start with the one thing the Keeper can control, the Villain.'' The one character whose movements the Keeper can always predict is the villain, so one can start here, and settle three questions. Who is the villain? What is the goal of the villain? What are the steps he needs to accomplish in order to achieve that goal? The goal might be personal and modest, like resurrecting a dead loved one, or it might be global and overarching, like summoning the Big Bad.

2. ''Once the Keeper knows the villain and the goal, work out the evil scheme.'' The details of those steps to reach the goal can be filled out further. What order must the steps be in? For each step, what clues are generated? What assistants or opponents does the main villain need? Are these important actors in their own right (so that fuller NPC stats might be wanted) or are they bit players?

3. ''The investigators can now be considered.'' Do the investigators have to thwart each step, or is it enough to thwart just one step? How much time do the investigators have to thwart any given step? How will they find out about it. It is often said that there ought to be three paths to reach any given clue or decision point. That may be a bit too formulaic, but certainly there ought to be many paths into aspects of the problem, and more than one possible solution.

4. ''While the game is a horror game, the players and their characters see it as a mystery.'' The Keeper/author has all the facts and details at his fingertips and knows how the story comes out without interaction by the investigators. Thus the Keeper has a horror story. The players have only a few facts, and a very cloudy idea at best. Thus, the players have a mystery story. As a result, a lot of the rules for writing a good mystery story can be drawn upon and played with. The horror can come from the slow and dawning realization that the natural explanations of the facts don't fit and only the supernatural one remains.

5. ''Write what you need to run the game, but don't write more than you need.'' Not every NPC needs a full character sheet. Not every clue needs to be written out in full, sometimes a summary will do. BUT if something precise is needed then that certainly is something that could be better written in full.

[[Category:CoC:Keeper Advice|Sketching out your plot]]

Keeper Advice:Sketching out your plot

2017-05-03T21:26:48Z

Wombat1: the start of an article on plotting and writing scenarios

==A Few Ideas on Writing a Short Scenario or Campaign==

Some ideas for a Keeper who wishes simply to write a scenario for his own gaming table:

1. ''Start with the one thing the Keeper can control, the Villain.'' The one character whose movements the Keeper can always predict is the villain, so one can start here, and settle three questions. Who is the villain? What is the goal of the villain? What are the steps he needs to accomplish in order to achieve that goal? The goal might be personal and modest, like resurrecting a dead loved one, or it might be global and overarching, like summoning the Big Bad.

2. ''Once the Keeper knows the villain and the goal, work out the evil scheme.'' The details of those steps to reach the goal can be filled out further. What order must the steps be in? For each step, what clues are generated? What assistants or opponents does the main villain need? Are these important actors in their own right (so that fuller NPC stats might be wanted) or are they bit players?

3. ''The investigators can now be considered.'' Do the investigators have to thwart each step, or is it enough to thwart just one step? How much time do the investigators have to thwart any given step? How will they find out about it. It is often said that there ought to be three paths to reach any given clue or decision point. That may be a bit too formulaic, but certainly there ought to be many paths into aspects of the problem, and more than one possible solution.

4. ''While the game is a horror game, the players and their characters see it as a mystery.'' The Keeper/author has all the facts and details at his fingertips and knows how the story comes out without interaction by the investigators. The players have only a few facts, and a very cloudy idea at best. So a lot of the rules for writing a good mystery story can be drawn upon and played with. The horror can come from the slow and dawning realization that the natural explanations of the facts don't fit and only the supernatural one remains.

5. ''Write what you need to run the game, but don't write more than you need.'' Not every NPC needs a full character sheet. Not every clue needs to be written out in full, sometimes a summary will do. BUT if something precise is needed then that certainly is something that could be better written in full.

[[Category:CoC:Keeper Advice|Sketching out your plot]]

Keeper Advice:Dealing with fights

2017-05-03T21:02:58Z

Wombat1:

=='''A few ideas on fights for new Keepers'''==

1. ''Fights in Call of Cthulhu and other horror games can be lethal.'' Healing rules are slow and there is relatively little healing magic. Many Dungeons and Dragons players may not realize this at first and a cautious Keeper may wish to point it out.

2. ''Know the rules and teach the rules.'' Since fights can be lethal, both the Keeper and the players need to be reasonably conversant with the rules as there is no room for error. One good way to learn the rules is for the Keeper to set up a fight strictly between two groups of NPC characters, with no player investigators involved. The players can take on the NPC's of one group, and the Keeper the NPC's of the other. This can be plugged into a scenario or campaign if the Keeper wishes as a prequel. The advantage of this is that it allows both Keeper and players to make rules mistakes and get those out of the way with no bigger consequences for the game.

3. ''The Keeper should pay strict attention to the turn order.'' Whether the Keeper uses a DEX ordering system to determine who goes first, or something else, it should be clear, and strictly kept by both Keeper and players. Much trouble can be avoided this way.
[[Category:CoC:Keeper Advice|Dealing with fights]]

Keeper Advice:Dealing with fights

2017-05-03T20:58:38Z

Wombat1:

Keeper Advice:Dealing with fights

2017-05-03T20:55:47Z

Wombat1:

<<'''A few ideas on fights for new Keepers'''>>

1. ''Fights in Call of Cthulhu and other horror games can be lethal.'' Healing rules are slow and there is relatively little healing magic. Many Dungeons and Dragons players may not realize this at first and a cautious Keeper may wish to point it out.

2. ''Know the rules and teach the rules.'' Since fights can be lethal, both the Keeper and the players need to be reasonably conversant with the rules as there is no room for error. One good way to learn the rules is for the Keeper to set up a fight strictly between two groups of NPC characters, with no player investigators involved. The players can take on the NPC's of one group, and the Keeper the NPC's of the other. This can be plugged into a scenario or campaign if the Keeper wishes as a prequel. The advantage of this is that it allows both Keeper and players to make rules mistakes and get those out of the way with no bigger consequences for the game.

3. ''The Keeper should pay strict attention to the turn order.'' Whether the Keeper uses a DEX ordering system to determine who goes first, or something else, it should be clear, and strictly kept by both Keeper and players. Much trouble can be avoided this way.

Keeper Advice:Dealing with fights

2017-05-03T20:55:21Z

Wombat1: Start towards article

[['''A few ideas on fights for new Keepers''']]

1. ''Fights in Call of Cthulhu and other horror games can be lethal.'' Healing rules are slow and there is relatively little healing magic. Many Dungeons and Dragons players may not realize this at first and a cautious Keeper may wish to point it out.

2. ''Know the rules and teach the rules.'' Since fights can be lethal, both the Keeper and the players need to be reasonably conversant with the rules as there is no room for error. One good way to learn the rules is for the Keeper to set up a fight strictly between two groups of NPC characters, with no player investigators involved. The players can take on the NPC's of one group, and the Keeper the NPC's of the other. This can be plugged into a scenario or campaign if the Keeper wishes as a prequel. The advantage of this is that it allows both Keeper and players to make rules mistakes and get those out of the way with no bigger consequences for the game.

3. ''The Keeper should pay strict attention to the turn order.'' Whether the Keeper uses a DEX ordering system to determine who goes first, or something else, it should be clear, and strictly kept by both Keeper and players. Much trouble can be avoided this way.

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:30:41Z

Wombat1: /* General */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==General==

The complete contents of the Shepherd's Historical Atlas at the Perry Castaneda Library at U. Texas,
[https://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/history_shepherd_1923.html Shepherd's Atlas]

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2 Wargamer's Map of Britain]

Digital Map of the Roman Empire [http://pelagios.org/maps/greco-roman/ pelagios.org]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/ Mapping London]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==
[[Category: CoC:Keeper Advice]]

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:30:21Z

Wombat1:

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==General==

The complete contents of the Shepherd's Historical Atlas at the Perry Castaneda Library at U. Texas,
[https://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/history_shepherd_1923.html Shepherd's Atlas
]
==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2 Wargamer's Map of Britain]

Digital Map of the Roman Empire [http://pelagios.org/maps/greco-roman/ pelagios.org]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/ Mapping London]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==
[[Category: CoC:Keeper Advice]]

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:26:09Z

Wombat1: /* Modern */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2 Wargamer's Map of Britain]

Digital Map of the Roman Empire [http://pelagios.org/maps/greco-roman/ pelagios.org]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/ Mapping London]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==
[[Category: CoC:Keeper Advice]]

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:25:24Z

Wombat1: /* Modern */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2 Wargamer's Map of Britain]

Digital Map of the Roman Empire [http://pelagios.org/maps/greco-roman/ pelagios.org]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/ Mapping London]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==
[[Category:Keeper Advice]]

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:24:15Z

Wombat1:

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2 Wargamer's Map of Britain]

Digital Map of the Roman Empire [http://pelagios.org/maps/greco-roman/ pelagios.org]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/ Mapping London]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==
[Category:Keeper Advice]

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:18:37Z

Wombat1: /* Ancient */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2 Wargamer's Map of Britain]

Digital Map of the Roman Empire [http://pelagios.org/maps/greco-roman/ pelagios.org]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/ Mapping London]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:15:30Z

Wombat1: /* Britain */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2 Wargamer's Map of Britain]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/ Mapping London]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:15:12Z

Wombat1: /* Ancient */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2 Wargamer's Map of Britain]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:13:30Z

Wombat1: /* Britain */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:12:13Z

Wombat1: /* Ancient */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[Mapping London |http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:11:39Z

Wombat1: /* Ancient */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[Roman Britain on rpg.net||http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[Mapping London |http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:11:21Z

Wombat1: /* Ancient */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[Roman Britain on rpg.net|http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[Mapping London |http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:10:51Z

Wombat1: /* Ancient */

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==
Wargamers' map of Roman Britain can be found here, using traditional D and D symbols, 24 miles to hex.
[Roman Britain on rpg.net |http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?667922-5th-Century-Britain-what-was-the-terrain-like/page2]

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[Mapping London |http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==

Keeper Advice:Permanent Resources

2016-01-28T22:02:28Z

Wombat1: Created page with "This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos a..."

This page is meant as a catch-all for things found, on the internet or elsewhere, which may be useful for Keepers researching their game world. It could include both Mythos and non-Mythos references.

==Ancient==

==Dark Ages==

==Gaslight==

===Britain===

Large map of gaslight London. A very good source for London geography in the 1890's can be found here:
[Mapping London |http://mappinglondon.co.uk/2013/victorian-london-in-incredible-detail/]

==Classic 1920's==

==World War and 1950's==

==Modern==