Julio
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Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Sat 13 Jan 2018, 21:31

What do you all think about having a countdown clock for the behind the scenes machinations in Raven's purge? 
 
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King_Kull
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Sun 14 Jan 2018, 10:23

Can’t follow your line of thought because I don’t know what you mean. Could you please elaborate a little?
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Brior
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Sun 14 Jan 2018, 11:48

We're actually discussing this currently. I then assume that Julio means historical events unfolding beyond the control of the adventurers although they certainly may affect the outcomes. There probably will be a forking history line depending on what happens.
 
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9littlebees
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Sun 14 Jan 2018, 15:35

I think countdown clocks are a great idea, even if unsupported by the rules. Countdown clocks are a great narrative tool and GM device from Apocalypse World (and used to great effect in Blades in the Dark), which can be easily adopted into other games / settings.

Here's a great description of how they work, and how to use them in other games (the article is a bit long, but worth it):

https://medium.com/@kwhitaker81/locked- ... 2ac20ffbd5
I make YZE games (https://drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Matt%20Kay) and produce predominately Free League content on my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@3skulls)
 
Julio
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Sun 14 Jan 2018, 19:38

Yes, I am referring to countdown clocks as in a series of unfortunate events that unfold with time ending in cataclysm if the players don't intervene. 

In Mutant Year: Zero the meta-plot was fairly separate from the well being of the ark, and countdown clocks were not necessary. It was more of an optional mystery than an impending doom. Given that the meta-plot of FB will have consequences for the entire valley countdown clocks could be a good tool to push the story forward and avoid the Skyrim/fallout problem where the end of the world is fast approaching but you can dither about as long as you want. 

Too strict a countdown clock could hamper play because side quests are fun, but too loose a countdown clock could diminish the tension/stakes. Maybe a happy medium could be an optional  series of events the GM could use at their choosing.
 
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Tomas
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Sun 14 Jan 2018, 23:42

Yes, we are actually planning to have coubtdowns for each of the major factions in the Raven's Purge campaign. :)
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King_Kull
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Mon 15 Jan 2018, 00:20

Ah, now I know what this is all about! :) Good idea to have something that will move the metaplot along. Is it possible to reset the countdown for a faction if the players action will change the plot?
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King_Kull
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Mon 15 Jan 2018, 09:19

I think countdown clocks are a great idea, even if unsupported by the rules. Countdown clocks are a great narrative tool and GM device from Apocalypse World (and used to great effect in Blades in the Dark), which can be easily adopted into other games / settings.

Here's a great description of how they work, and how to use them in other games (the article is a bit long, but worth it):

https://medium.com/@kwhitaker81/locked- ... 2ac20ffbd5
Thank you for the link!
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9littlebees
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Mon 15 Jan 2018, 13:45

Thank you for the link!


No worries! What did you think of the article?
I make YZE games (https://drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Matt%20Kay) and produce predominately Free League content on my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@3skulls)
 
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King_Kull
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Re: Ravens Purge and Countdown Clocks

Mon 15 Jan 2018, 18:07

Thank you for the link!


No worries! What did you think of the article?

Find it very good and intersting. I‘m using something like a calendar to keep the world around the characters evolving. But the idea to make a clock for an adventure is something I will definitely try - I‘m also a lazy GM ;)
But what I haven’t found in the article is when the GM will make the clock tick forward - as he likes? Or when the players are idle?
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