The 9Q Engine - Core.pdf

(93 KB) Pobierz
the
solo rpg engine
2013 edition
9Q
s
john fiore


www.SoloNexus.blogspot.com
Welcome to the 9Qs!
Derived from screenwriting techniques, the 9Qs are nine questions that guide a solo
player through spontaneous role-playing game adventures by directing and inspiring
the creation of exciting encounters. Those encounters will become the building blocks
of a complete story, from the intriguing opening sequences to the climactic final
confrontation between the heroes and their greatest threats!
To make this happen, the 9Qs exploits the unique rhythm that is the interplay between
the Game Master and the Player Characters. During a game, you are
both
the GM
and
the PCs. So, as you play, you'll be presented with the challenge of creating a cohesive
narrative out of disparate inspirations and the heroic actions of PCs.
Step 1: Choose your RPG
Any role-playing game that does not have a plot structure imposed upon its mechanics
may be used with the 9Qs. Since the 9Qs engine only guides narrative action between
GM and PCs, none of the RPG's rules will be altered.
When selecting the setting for the adventure, it is recommended that you choose a
world that is somewhat familiar to you. With only a vague notion of place, it is more
likely that you will get "stuck" interpreting the results of the random idea generator.
Furthermore, in this new edition, there are opportunities for random place selection
that could produce surprising encounters. So, your efforts will be well served if
associations to the setting can be made without too much of a struggle.
Step 3: Create your PC(s)
Since most RPGs are designed to be played with a group, it is perfectly appropriate to
use the 9Qs to run multiple Player Characters. If you prefer to run a single PC, no
adjustments need to be made to the 9Qs. However, the RPG system you have chosen
may contain threats too difficult for a single hero to handle. If that's the case, your lone
champion might not make it through all of the Qs!
No matter how many PCs you run, your heroes will need a way to be bound together
so that the 9Qs engine can run smoothly. Although PCs will have individual goals, they
should also all share a single
heroic motivation,
an explicit purpose or philosophy that
clearly articulates why they put themselves in mortal danger on a regular basis, e.g.,
defending the kingdom, defeating a great evil, completing an epic task, and so on.
The heroic motivation will often become the "target" of the 9Qs.

Step 3: Select a Random Idea Generator
During the adventure, the 9Qs will prompt a player to use a "random idea generator"
to inspire the creation of various narrative elements. This is any product or application
that produces non-specific yet evocative words or images that will trigger new ideas
when combined with the contextual elements of a particular situation.
Many random idea generators exist that would work well with the 9Qs. There are
published products, freely-accessible websites, and clever techniques for homemade
inspiration. Here are a few suggestions.
•
Rory's Story Cubes
by The Creativity Hub.
These different sets of nine six-sided
dice feature clever images that allow a player to roll inspiration instantly. Use one
cube for each of the 9Qs and interpret the results literally, figuratively, or
tangentially. Currently, I have combined the original set, the
Actions
set, and the
Voyages
set into a single dice bag, and I draw my inspiration literally from there!
•
Mythic Game Master Emulator
by Word Mill Games.
This classic in GM-less
roleplaying by Tom Pigeon includes Action and Subject charts that can be used with
the 9Qs to endlessly generate combinations of generic words usable in any genre.
•
The Idea Generator
by CreativityGames.net.
It's a web-based app that can
generate a random word or generic image with the click of a mouse. Click more than
once to receive any number of the two. Find it at ideagenerator.creativitygames.net.
•
Idea Generator
by The Directors Bureau.
An application available on many devices,
this tool will generate a combination of three words from default lists that can be
easily edited to become a bank of customized, world-specific terms. A very useful
product in the right hands!
•
Seventh Sanctum.
Steven Savage's website is all about lists of cool, randomized
concepts in many different genres. It's as endlessly fun as it is endlessly useful. Check
it out at www.seventhsanctum.com.
Step 4: Begin the game!
If you want the adventure to begin with the PC(s) reacting to a sudden threat that
emerges from within the setting, start your game with Q1a. If you want the PC(s) to be
proactive and boldly march themselves into danger, start your game with Q1b. Either
way, proceed to Q2 afterwards and follow all subsequent Qs in order.
And that's it! I hope the 9Qs provides an entertaining and creative challenge that
leaves you with a memorable tale to tell when the final Q is answered!

Q1a.
What looming hostility inherent within the setting unexpectedly comes into
conflict with the heroic motivation, threatening to worsen over time?
Be the GM first:
• Use the random idea generator to inspire the selection of a threat from the setting.
• Choose one or two of the following or roll a d6 twice for an encounter in which (1-2)
an enemy pursues new goals, (3-4) an enemy takes aggressive action against
unsuspecting victims, and/or (5-6) an enemy takes aggressive action against the
heroes.
• Choose or use the random idea generator to inspire the place where and when the
encounter will occur.
Be the PCs next:
Use the heroes' abilities to respond to the threat as per their heroic motivation and the
RPG's rules.
Be the GM once more:
Close the encounter by resolving NPC reactions to the heroes.
Q1b.
What actions consistent with the heroic motivation do the heroes take that bring
them into conflict with a looming hostility inherent within the setting?
Be the PCs first:
• Choose one or two of the following or roll a d4 twice to declare an act of (1)
defiance, (2) infiltration, (3) pursuit, and/or (4) combat that will bring the heroes into
conflict with one of the known threats that already exists within the setting.
• Choose or use the random idea generator to inspire the place where and when the
encounter will occur.
Be the GM next:
Use the random idea generator to inspire an encounter that reacts with appropriate
resistance to the heroes' declared act.
Be the PCs once more:
Use the heroes' abilities to respond to the threat as per their heroic motivation and the
RPG's rules.

Q2.
What unusual event occurs soon afterwards?
Be the GM first:
• Use the random idea generator to inspire a strange or troubling event that defies
immediate explanation and does not necessarily appear to be related to what
happened during Q1a or b.
• Choose one or two of the following or roll a d6 twice to express the unusual event in
an encounter featuring (1-2) intrigue, (3-4) pursuit, and/or (5-6) combat.
• Choose or use the random idea generator to inspire the place where and when the
encounter will occur. The place and time do not have to be the same as in Q1a or b.
Be the PCs next:
Use the heroes' abilities to respond to the strange event as per their heroic motivation
and the RPG's rules.
Be the GM once more:
Close the encounter by resolving NPC reactions to the heroes.
Q3.
What elements of the results of Q1a or b and Q2 suddenly get twisted together in
a surprising manner, increasing the danger to the heroic motivation?
Be the GM first:
• Use the random idea generator to inspire a shocking plot twist that wholly or
partially expresses a relationship between the threat encountered in Q1a or b and
the unusual event experienced in Q2, alluding to greater dangers ahead.
• Choose one or two of the following or roll a d6 twice to express that twist in an
encounter of (1-2) betrayal, (3-4) revelation, and/or (5-6) combat.
• Choose or use the random idea generator to inspire the place where and when the
encounter will occur. The place and time do not have to be the same as in Q2.
Be the PCs next:
Use the heroes' abilities to respond to the twist as per their heroic motivation and the
RPG's rules.
Be the GM once more:
Close the encounter by resolving NPC reactions to the heroes.


Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika:

Zgłoś jeśli naruszono regulamin