Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gorgon Zee" data-source="post: 9735492" data-attributes="member: 75787">Well, this assumes that all the potential distressing events have happened and been described simultaneously. I'm not sure exactly how that could happen. Typically people would use the X-card pretty much as something occurs and in the cases I've seen it used, it's been because the descriptions have been too graphic for them -- so no way could this scenario actually happen without multiple people narrating all at once ... which would be weird.But suppose for now that I have described this scene, and for some reason mix in graphic descriptions of meat, of flirting and of a fight breaking out all I together without any breaks or ability for people to butt in. Then sure yes, you may have a problem figuring it out -- but don't do this. Not just for x-card purposes, but it's terrible exposition. When you describe a scene, give an overview and then treat each element in turn. This is just much better for people to comprehend in general, as well as avoiding the situation you present.So, summarizing your hypothetical. There are two cases. If the scene is critical, but the elements are not, then this is trivially easy. Drop all the elements and keep going. You might also retcon a little. I'd probably go with something like:"Let's ignore those descriptions. Imagine a generic bar scene in the little hamlet of Ottershome, filled with food and elements that appeal to you" and then immediately introduce the elements needed for the scene.The trickier case is if one of the elements is vital. Let's suppose the meat has an added hallucinogenic added that could be detected or eaten, leading to a dream scene, a chase or a combat. We could go with:"Let's ignore those descriptions. Imagine a generic bar scene in the little hamlet of Ottershome, filled with food and elements that appeal to you. A bearded waiter brings a dessert to your table for you to try"I'm struggling to think of a plausible scenario where it absolutely must be a meat product. OK, maybe the scenario is all about hunting; nope that won't work as the scenario description ought to mention that. How about an alchemist who is transforming animals into monsters and the food is an accidentally released experiment that was killed by a hunter? OK. Now this is tricky. I might have to call a 5 minute bio break to think it over (as you say, it can be hard to think in a con situation!). My thought would be to look at the skills needed to handle this situation and ask for players to roll them without specifying why -- or maybe invent rolls if the players were intended to use player knowledge to address the scene. So maybe this:"Let's ignore those descriptions. Imagine a generic bar scene in the little hamlet of Ottershome, filled with food and elements that appeal to you. I'd like everyone to make Animal Handling and Empathy Checks, DC 17 ... OK, Sella, you made both. You realize that the food is tainted unusually, and when you notice that, you see that a woman in the corner who has been watching you sneaks out rapidly. If you immediately follow you could chase her down."------I've seen X-cards or similar used about a dozen times or so. Several times it has been spiders. Never an issue modifying that and always very clear what the issue it! A few times it has graphic descriptions in horror games. Again easy -- just skip them. Harm to children and unpleasant sexual descriptions have needed fixing also. I can't recall anytime the reason for X-card has been in dispute. Not saying it couldn't happen, but it does seem really unlikely.</blockquote>

Verification