[Dragon 301] Adventure Question/DM Help - Cut Scenes
- Thread starter Angelsboi
- Start date
LostSoul
Adventurer
Do you mean a "Meanwhile...", and then describe whatever's going on? In that case, yeah, I use them.
I've used them to show two NPC villains arguing with each other, the aftermath of an encounter with a villain, enemy forces bearing down on the PCs, that sort of thing. It can really help to add tension to the game when the players would not otherwise know that a huge army is only a day behind them.
I've used them to show two NPC villains arguing with each other, the aftermath of an encounter with a villain, enemy forces bearing down on the PCs, that sort of thing. It can really help to add tension to the game when the players would not otherwise know that a huge army is only a day behind them.
Dr Midnight
Explorer
I do that, but only in my story hour. For the actual game, it's only what the PCs are present for.
Doing it in the story hour HAS led to metagaming, which... well... kinda sucked.
Doing it in the story hour HAS led to metagaming, which... well... kinda sucked.
i only do that when the group splits up, or have explicitly said that they are keeping an eye on what happens on X part of town- say have an informant or what not.
Otherwise, they only get the information that they can see and hear. If they aren't searching fro info- they don't get it. It takes away from the mystery of a story.
DMing is hard work, 75% of what you do is never seen or used... I had a group pass up an entire encounter once because they didn't think that opening one door was important.... Just go with it. They just lost a magic item, and a homebrew monster i made just for them.
Otherwise, they only get the information that they can see and hear. If they aren't searching fro info- they don't get it. It takes away from the mystery of a story.
DMing is hard work, 75% of what you do is never seen or used... I had a group pass up an entire encounter once because they didn't think that opening one door was important.... Just go with it. They just lost a magic item, and a homebrew monster i made just for them.
Bagpuss
Legend
Angelsboi said:
Could you provide a definition of metagaming for me, because... (please pick one)
a) I'm a bit thick.
b) I've forgotten what it means.
c) I want to make sure what it means to you is the same as what it means to me.
d) all of the above.
Then I'll go on to explain when I use cut-scenes and the results.
Angelsboi
First Post
Example:
Cy knocks his arrow and lets it loose as it thumps into the head of the hobgoblin and it drops. He moves to retrieve his arrow while the others search for goods.
"Hey whats this?" asks Tatyanna the small hafling, holding up a scroll.
Jakob moves to read the scroll. "Keep them occupied in Aphis for another 4 days then retreat. We shall put into motion the plans for the Urban Blight then. - Herrash Bogwalker
Meanwhile ...
A hooded man in dark green and tattered robes moves around a small pool of stagnant water in the midst of a dark forrest as he watches the three. "Yes, thats it. Try to stop my little plan.
See? the PCs now know what he looks like and the truth of hats going on.
Cy knocks his arrow and lets it loose as it thumps into the head of the hobgoblin and it drops. He moves to retrieve his arrow while the others search for goods.
"Hey whats this?" asks Tatyanna the small hafling, holding up a scroll.
Jakob moves to read the scroll. "Keep them occupied in Aphis for another 4 days then retreat. We shall put into motion the plans for the Urban Blight then. - Herrash Bogwalker
Meanwhile ...
A hooded man in dark green and tattered robes moves around a small pool of stagnant water in the midst of a dark forrest as he watches the three. "Yes, thats it. Try to stop my little plan.
See? the PCs now know what he looks like and the truth of hats going on.
Bagpuss
Legend
Nope thats an example of a cut scene, I'm clear on what a cut scene is but metagaming means a lot of things to a lot of people.
I'ld like your definition of metagaming.
As for your example; the fact the players know that this villian is a hooded man is of no use as they haven't seen his/her face. Also they already were alerted to the plan via the letter they discovered in character, the cut-scene actually gives the players no additional information other than to alert them to the fact they are being scryed on.
This increases the dramatic tension, without revealing much at all.
I'ld like your definition of metagaming.
As for your example; the fact the players know that this villian is a hooded man is of no use as they haven't seen his/her face. Also they already were alerted to the plan via the letter they discovered in character, the cut-scene actually gives the players no additional information other than to alert them to the fact they are being scryed on.
This increases the dramatic tension, without revealing much at all.
Obviously if metagaming (players using information their characters don't have) is a problem, you can only do it in the most innocuous instances. But if you can trust the people you play with to be cool and honest, you've got more options. In general I find that metagaming to a limited extent actually helps roleplaying exceptionally wise or intelligent characters.
You could also do the cut scene as a foreboding redherring. Something audiances are familiar with anyway, the players that go off the deepend based on information there characters don't have, deserve what they get, and it might make for greater drama. Establishing a little bit of a character flaw for the heroes might make their stuggle better.
Although the players who would take bait like that, are also the ones who'd get all hot and bothered about being "cheated" in some fashion. Typically they'll, in some fashion, indicate that they consider themselves an "advanced roleplayer."
You could also do the cut scene as a foreboding redherring. Something audiances are familiar with anyway, the players that go off the deepend based on information there characters don't have, deserve what they get, and it might make for greater drama. Establishing a little bit of a character flaw for the heroes might make their stuggle better.
Although the players who would take bait like that, are also the ones who'd get all hot and bothered about being "cheated" in some fashion. Typically they'll, in some fashion, indicate that they consider themselves an "advanced roleplayer."
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