This is a great story. And has almost nothing to do with boxed text or pre-written narration. It has very little to do with the discussion even though it is about a new GM.Last weekend I sat at a game where I was a PC for the first time in 15 years (the last time was a Dogs in the Vineyard one shot)....
And how is this "Begins With" any different than boxed text? Oh it's not formatted in a box, but that's it. It is still written in a way that can be read verbatim to the players. It still is a suggestion to the DM/GM on what information the players will typically learn at the start of the encounter, it is exactly what good boxed text should be.
Begin With: It is a rainy day as the Adventurers travel down a muddy rural path. As the heroes round the bend, the see an overturned cart and scattered bodies of peasants. A single old man lies beaten and moaning against a tree. In his right hand, he holds a silken black rope tied to a large Highland red bull. The bull eyes the Adventurers passively, but does not leave the old man’s side.
I can't remember how I narrated this opening, ...
So, I honestly think that both you and pemerton are completely not understanding the point other people are making.
This is a great story. And has almost nothing to do with boxed text or pre-written narration. It has very little to do with the discussion even though it is about a new GM.
It has nothing to do with the OP because its not about a pre-written adventure etc so how can it add value to the discussion of boxed text? All it does is support the premise that many have made that different people learn and play in different ways.
Let me just say that I hope I did not come across as dismissive of your story. I don't mean to, I just don't see that it really is on topic. I think [MENTION=6799753]lowkey13[/MENTION] replies pretty well about the topic and staying on it etc, I'll leave his response as the desired ... response *G*I was responding to the particular point that you made in your post.
I thought it was an interesting point, I have different thoughts on that particular cultural/TTRPGing value than you do, so I figured I'd contribute those thoughts.
Just want to pop in with the fact that I found the prescripted narration of boxed text turned me off to using modules when I was a new DM. Reading text aloud and dictated narration was far more uncomfortable and off-putting to me than weaving the necessary details into my own narration. Yes, my experience may be an outlier, but there it is. As it was, it made me want to create my own adventures. So I guess there was an upside to it.![]()
"The room is poorly lit by dim moonlight entering through a half-covered window on the far side. A light breeze flows through the open window causing the shadows of the covered furniture to move ever so slightly. The only thing uncovered in the room is a large standing mirror which doesn't appear to reflect the room."
Maybe! I don't think so, though. To be very specific, this is (or, at least, was) a thread about boxed text.
It's a thread in the D&D forum, not the general RPG forum. So, at least theoretically, we are discussing D&D modules.
In addition, the OP specifically was discussing a debate over D&D modules. From the OP-
"Fierce Debate Breaks Out Over 'Dungeons & Dragons' Boxed Text in Adventures"
So, we are talking about whether or not boxed text is helpful, or not helpful, in the context of D&D modules and adventures. At least, that was the topic I thought we were discussing?*
IME, and IMO, while some systems allow for easier and more free "improv" and "sandbox" play, D&D is not really the best system for that. Certainly not when you're learning to DM, and you may not even know the rules very well.
And in the context of written adventures that you purchase (which is what we are discussing?) this is even more confusing to me.
*To be clear, my examples both from my past, and from teaching others, is about D&D.