Using Cards
The cards are meant to
concentrate and prepare details that are relevant. In a Top Heavy
game like GURPS, Open RPGS, HERO, Chunkier version of DnD and other Games breaking down information in the cards acts as mnemonic that
allows the player and GM better access to information and
constructive problem solving. The information is not limited to be
displayed in an 8x11 space, all the space behind the GM's screen
becomes a plot organizes for before and during the game.
- Modes.
- Load-Out.
- Special Actions
- Conditions
What you will need
These are 3” x 5” cards or ISO standard of A7.
There are bigger Index cards and un-rulered index cards (being blank
sheets). Whats nice about them is that they card-stock and are
already pre-cut for your arrangement behind the GM screen.
You will also need a
printer and computer, if you want to be modular with your
information. Ideally a Doc Template for the cards, as well as good
Doc notes of everything you are keeping track.
Modes
These
are cards that describe the current status and attention the
character is doing. It allows the GM and Player to automatically
check regarding instances the Mode is relevant. If we were to go a
bit about psychology, its a set of expectations the Character has.
Ex.
Scouting
Mode – the character is focused in looking for threats and
moving more quickly than his main party.
Hiking Mode – the character is more focused in optimal
movement to energy reserve performance in trekking. The economy of
his attention is focused on pacing, looking for best footpaths,
hydration and the time.
Detect Lies or Credibility Detection Mode – the character is
using this skill to vett a target person, to make an assessment of
their credibility or the consistency. Anytime the target character is
conversed with, the character keeps note of personality traits.
Diplomacy mode – trying to please and keep a civil
discussion. (reminds me of the Techniques in TTC's Effective
Communciation). The character is concentrating in controlling many
intrapersonal, interpersonal, and diplomatically strategic points.
Such a character would be very civil, polite, and keenly on the pulse
of the social situation.
In
these modes, the character is more predisposed to notice or react
quickly to a specific set of expectations. The GM enforces economy of
attention, and points out trade offs the players may or may not
realize. When players or character try to do more than one thing at a
time, the GM will note the diminished effectivity of their
performance in their skills and passive abilities. It is in these redistrubtion players and the GM have risks and strategic objectives to consider.
Load-Out
Character
Load-outs when prepared allow the players to more accurately deal
with the logistical challenges of the encounter. A character can have
their combat load, their marching load, or their large, uncarriable, possessions as separate cards with their own notes and details.
Typical
are a Civilian Load, what the character carries in non-combat or
adventuring situations; Combat Load or variations of combat load
(light, heavy, etc...); their uncarriable possessions like their
mount, car, house, secret cache, etc...
Conditions
Conditions are a list of
details that can be in effect on the character. These are the various
status the character can be in: Wounded, Exhausted, Critically
Wounded, various kinds of emotional states (Angry, Berserk,
Demoralized), special psychological conditions that can kick in
(Panic Attack, General Seizure, Etc.).
Special Actions
These
are maneuvers detail heavy techniques, spells, special abilities, and
prepared combination of actions. Information in the card will include
costs in actions, resources, and mechanics, and the trade-offs and consequences.
Card Tools to facilitate Narrative Combat
Narrative combat or high cycle rate events and activities (cycle rate: going through all the characters, cycling, many times) can be better adjudicated through Cards tools. The cards merely break down actions and reactions/opportunities. Having the cards help tracking the trade-offs of the character, in their condition AND in the battle field.My problem with narrative combat, is that I don't have the mnemonic device of a tactical layout. Instead I have to keep track of actions and activities. Taking away the simplicity of looking at spatial relations when looking at figs; cards can help by providing a spatial relationship between actions and events. One of the advantages of figs is that, they easily relay information on the status and circumstance based on just a glance.
Example of Usage
Lay out where everyone is
in respect to everyone else. The GM assigns values to every side: the
GM's side can 12'o'clock or primary threat, the other sides as
flanks. Players and the GM can determine how many layers will they
stack against primary threat zone and against the flank zones. The GM
can then place visible threats outside his Screen to oppose what the
players have in each zone. Proximity and Card Position can show
ranges and overlapping envelopes of access. You can use figs as
paper weights (LOL).
Ex.
Instead of Frontal Force you have one card with notes on visible no.
Additional notes below the card. Flanking forces is just a card,
unless the GM breaks out an autonomous/small force to do something
else. Any prepared manuver is its own card.
Next is the GM assigns
strategic points within the terrain (If any; i'll make a table to roll for
various terrains) which he can use and draw into the zones. These
zones are a Zero-Sum game; so its exploited by one or the other
force.
The basic rule here is
when elements add up, and the situation is becoming complex I should
simplify and the break things down to elements up to 3. I re-abstact
them back to 3 elements at most to keep things simple and manageable.
The cards clarify the objective, while I adlibe/improvise what is
happening without losing sight of the element's objective.
Its like Hyrdation – you
do it because your conditioned to do it on circumstances that “feel”
appropraite. When your confused, like when you are thirsty, its too late; do it as it gets harder to track things. Like when “I feel this is getting more complicated
– simplify and re-arrange elements back to back the primary”.
Open RPG Skill draft
Stealth
Intelligence or Wisdom
You are skilled in obscuring your
position and presence. You still make noise but you are highly aware
of what noises carry and what blends into the background. You can be
seen, if the person knows where to look for you. You are able to see
what route makes the least noise, maximizes a concealment and
improves security to your destination. You are able to optimize the
use concealment, and are very self aware what may be easily exposed
of your person. You also know how to blend your visual wake with the
movement noise in the background. The better you are, the more
natural, consistent and reflexive your actions become.
Mode. Characters who use stealth
mode, increase the difficulty to be detected by their skill modifier.
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