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<blockquote data-quote="dvvega" data-source="post: 5300318" data-attributes="member: 524">My method of writing my scenarios in general is a flow chart/brain map. I start with a bubble labelled &quot;Start&quot;. From there I branch out as required for the options that I can foresee the players taking. I also have a branch that covers stuff I've not anticipated.I then take that step and branch out. The aim is to try and connect bubbles as much as possible so that no matter what path they take you can get them &quot;on track&quot; with a storyline but they have done it their own way.I've had these mind maps cover pages but it makes it easier for me to script a game and gives the players a feeling of freedom. It also gives a sandbox feeling where otherwise there is none.I do it with pen and paper (love my pens and paper), however there are software mind mappers out there, even word can be used. You can even just print out pages with rectangles covering it and join them as required.The other thing that is necessary to make this work are main encounters you want to use - the final confrontation, the down on his luck drunk with information, the prostitute with a grudge and put them on the map somewhere with all paths leading to them.And you will need a list of random encounters to cover things when they head down that &quot;what if they don't do any of those&quot; path. These encounters need not be just a fight - it could be a warehouse raid, or a mugging that makes them run into a main path.Hope that helps a little.D</blockquote>

[QUOTE="dvvega, post: 5300318, member: 524"] My method of writing my scenarios in general is a flow chart/brain map. I start with a bubble labelled "Start". From there I branch out as required for the options that I can foresee the players taking. I also have a branch that covers stuff I've not anticipated. I then take that step and branch out. The aim is to try and connect bubbles as much as possible so that no matter what path they take you can get them "on track" with a storyline but they have done it their own way. I've had these mind maps cover pages but it makes it easier for me to script a game and gives the players a feeling of freedom. It also gives a sandbox feeling where otherwise there is none. I do it with pen and paper (love my pens and paper), however there are software mind mappers out there, even word can be used. You can even just print out pages with rectangles covering it and join them as required. The other thing that is necessary to make this work are main encounters you want to use - the final confrontation, the down on his luck drunk with information, the prostitute with a grudge and put them on the map somewhere with all paths leading to them. And you will need a list of random encounters to cover things when they head down that "what if they don't do any of those" path. These encounters need not be just a fight - it could be a warehouse raid, or a mugging that makes them run into a main path. Hope that helps a little. D [/QUOTE]

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