Re: [BNW] Meta-Plot vs Static world

["g. m." <gm1970@hotmail.com>]

>The problem I have is
>that I avoided ANY definition of how the powers worked, or any revelations,
>or any plotlines that hinged on power functionality. Which is a big hole in
>a world where the powers ALL have a common base. In the four sessions we've
>run, it's already come up twice. I gave the players basic/non-commital
>information in an attempt to slide it past them. Which they pounced on.

Tell them the truth. That "the Delta power sourse is not known. That they've 
researched it since the first known Delta poped up in WWI, and no body's 
discovered the answer. What makes you think your beginning PC think they can 
break what the greatest Delta minds couldn't crack? It's being worked on, 
but nobody's gotten it yet." That's what is says in the book.

>If you can't tell I run fairly detailed campaigns (a lot of which my 
>players
>never see) and a 'vague' spot like this is like a giant sign saying 
>"explore
>this mystery". I had to break suspension of disbelief and tell them WHY it
>was vague. Or they would have spent several sessions chasing down a big
>blind alley.

Do you always tell your players what all your mysteries are? And what your 
villians are up to? Just curious.

>Right now I am on the verge of just making a decision on the 'unifying'
>principle so I can have a more complete game. Almost certainly this will
>sever my world from most of the commercial support. Not certainly, but most
>probably.
>Which is disappointing.

Why? Now it's more your world and your campagin. Run with it!

>-----cut---
>.  What if some bit of history in said 'static' game contradicts
>what you established, and causes your game to wildly diverge at this
>point?--------
>I don't use it. Unless the book is ALL history (which I wouldn't buy) I
>could still work in the NPCs and the institutions
>--------
>Or if a new power is released?  ----I use it or not. Decide if it fits. A
>new package is EASY to work in for BNW. It simply hadn't occurred yet.
>TRY: how about a definitive change to how ALL powers work at a basic level.
>Which is what is going to happen if I make my own decision on BNW powers.
>But otherwise, I have to tell my players NOT to look too closely into this.
>"Please ignore the man behind the curtain". Come on. Just for ME to have
>some mystery? That kind of logic is just exactly like "For your convience
>and viewing pleasure, outside food and beverages are not allowed in this
>theater." What am I? a sheep?

Only if you're a slave to the published continuity. And there's no reason 
for your players to know the reason for delta powers. None. No one knows. 
Does anyone in the real world know what hapened to the Roanoke collony? How 
quantam particles do the things they do? Millions of people drive cars with 
know idea how a combustion engine "really" works, they just put in the gas 
and get a tune up when they're supposed to. Delta powers can work the same 
way. "Where do my powers come from?" "Well, its being researched, but 
hasen't been discovered."  "I want to figure it out." "Ok, you a genius?" 
"Um, no." "Ok, buy these 6 science skills, all at level 10, then roll an 80 
for each one, seperately, and remember you only have 3 Delta points." 
"ummmm...I wanna see the governments papers on the origins of Delta Powers." 
"So you want to break into the Pentagon, the NSA or Delta Prime first?" 
"Um...." "And when you get there, the papers will say 'Still researching.' 
But you do see that King Jack is planning..."
"...I think I'll investigate that now..."

Simple, really. It's a facet of the game world. It's unknown. If the 
characters in the world don't know, then why should the players? How are 
they going to get info that no one knows?

--
GAry m, minor epot
   aka "Sneezy the Squid" · www.geocities.com/sneezythesquid
------------------------------
If life is a lesson, it's a crash course.
   - Derek Lin

DNRC Member since 1995 · ICQ#: 8391493 · #dragoncon on DALnet mIRC

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