Cinematic Cut-Scenes: Anyone use them?
- Thread starter Liquidsabre
- Start date
I've never used cut scenes to give away future events or detail what is currently going on elsewhere with the BBEG; I often use them in my write ups for my players when I convert the session into a story. As they approach the door to the evil fortress and make their stealth roll, I will cut to the yawning guard within noticing a couple of mating bugs and squatting down to watch them. Or I'll cut to the BBEG within busily torturing a prisoner, plotting world domination, writing a love poem to his wife, or making an artful flower arrangement for his mother, depending on his mood at the time and how much of a moral quandry the current adventure is supposed to be 
That way I get to add quite a bit of fluff and interest to the story to help the players feel they are in a constantly evolving, non-static world without giving them spoilers for what's coming up next.
That way I get to add quite a bit of fluff and interest to the story to help the players feel they are in a constantly evolving, non-static world without giving them spoilers for what's coming up next.
Piratecat
Sesquipedalian
We pegged the spell at 6th lvl, because (a) there are relatively few good 6th lvl divination spells, (b) information is quite valuable in our game. Feel free to adjust the level (or the insight bonus to AC and saves) based on the frequency of visions that you intend to provide.
Vision Cascade
Divination
Level: Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 24 hours
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
Vision Cascade relies on gathering echoes of the caster’s personal knowledge which reverberate upon the astral plane. Throughout a 24 hour period, this spell shows the caster fragmentary glimpses of his enemies, allies, and even strangers whose actions may interact with the caster’s at some point in the future. Oracular visions may occur at any point in the 24 hour period (as dictated by the DM), and in any given day the caster may see between zero and his level in number of oracular visions, as determined by the DM. These visions are perceived the caster instantaneously when they are periodically generated by the spell, but may relate events that vary from seconds to minutes in length. The events seen by the caster generally occur in the present (i.e. within the past day), but the unpredictable nature of the spell occasionally relates events that have happened in the past or which have not yet occurred. The knowledge of roughly when the vision took place is communicated by the spell (ie “past,” “present,” or “future.”)
The caster has no method for determining exactly what people are viewed by the spell, although upon casting he can choose one target creature or event. There is a percentage chance equal to the caster’s level that this target creature or event is definitely included in one of that day’s oracular visions. This spell works in spite of most scrying preventions, but is thwarted by mind blank and more powerful spells. Subjects shown by the oracular visions have no way to detect the spell’s observation, as there is no scrying sensor to detect.
In addition to providing oracular visions, this spell provides limited insight into immediate danger. While it is in effect, the caster gains a +1 insight bonus to both AC and Reflex saving throws. This bonus does not stack with other insight bonuses.
Note: This spell is primarily used in campaigns where the DM wishes an in-game method to impart information via “cut scenes.” The player is encouraged to occasionally remind the DM that the spell is active if relatively few visions have occurred on any particular day.
Vision Cascade
Divination
Level: Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 24 hours
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
Vision Cascade relies on gathering echoes of the caster’s personal knowledge which reverberate upon the astral plane. Throughout a 24 hour period, this spell shows the caster fragmentary glimpses of his enemies, allies, and even strangers whose actions may interact with the caster’s at some point in the future. Oracular visions may occur at any point in the 24 hour period (as dictated by the DM), and in any given day the caster may see between zero and his level in number of oracular visions, as determined by the DM. These visions are perceived the caster instantaneously when they are periodically generated by the spell, but may relate events that vary from seconds to minutes in length. The events seen by the caster generally occur in the present (i.e. within the past day), but the unpredictable nature of the spell occasionally relates events that have happened in the past or which have not yet occurred. The knowledge of roughly when the vision took place is communicated by the spell (ie “past,” “present,” or “future.”)
The caster has no method for determining exactly what people are viewed by the spell, although upon casting he can choose one target creature or event. There is a percentage chance equal to the caster’s level that this target creature or event is definitely included in one of that day’s oracular visions. This spell works in spite of most scrying preventions, but is thwarted by mind blank and more powerful spells. Subjects shown by the oracular visions have no way to detect the spell’s observation, as there is no scrying sensor to detect.
In addition to providing oracular visions, this spell provides limited insight into immediate danger. While it is in effect, the caster gains a +1 insight bonus to both AC and Reflex saving throws. This bonus does not stack with other insight bonuses.
Note: This spell is primarily used in campaigns where the DM wishes an in-game method to impart information via “cut scenes.” The player is encouraged to occasionally remind the DM that the spell is active if relatively few visions have occurred on any particular day.
Altamont Ravenard
Explorer
Don't know if this qualifies, but once a DM gave us a "five years later, the world is in shambles, and you've all gained 5 levels" speech. Still not sure if I liked it.
AR
AR
I've started to use cut scenes in my PbeM game. It can sometimes lead to shocked players when it jars with where the last update ended, but they usually seem to enjoy them.
In person, I've only used them with the Buffy RPG, although I would like to use them in my regular D&D game (particularly with all sorts of intrigue-y stuff cropping up soon).
And if there was a full-fledged wizard in the group, I would likely have him find Piratecat's Vision Cascade spell somewhere.
In person, I've only used them with the Buffy RPG, although I would like to use them in my regular D&D game (particularly with all sorts of intrigue-y stuff cropping up soon).
And if there was a full-fledged wizard in the group, I would likely have him find Piratecat's Vision Cascade spell somewhere.
Nine Hands
Explorer
Piratecat said:
Most useful PC
This is EXACTLY what I am looking for.
Thanks,
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