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<blockquote data-quote="Nagol" data-source="post: 7354208" data-attributes="member: 23935">Can secret back story curtail action declaration?&nbsp; No.&nbsp; But it can cause an action declaration to not require a fortune mechanic to resolve in a way unanticipated by the player.&nbsp; You know what actually curtails action declaration?&nbsp; Scene framing.&nbsp; If you don't want the PCs to delve underwater and look for a shipwreck, frame them away from the ocean and into a tense encounter with the local baron in his keep.&nbsp; Ta-da!&nbsp; Possible action declaration curtailed!&nbsp; If they never get back to the beach, the delve will never happen.&nbsp; Before the anguished cries of &quot;That would never happen!&quot; occur, of course it does.&nbsp; Probably as often as secret backstory is used as a club to force players onto the straight and narrow path the DM conceives as appropriate.&nbsp; Both turn a decent tool into a weapon against player choice.Now, can secret back story offer value other than controlling the resolution of certain declarations?&nbsp; I think so.<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">It provides guidance for the GM as to how entities will react to stimuli generated by the players via assigned motivations, action constraints, and unexpected abilities.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">It provides a rationale as to why the situation is as it is that can help the GM faithfully and consistently adjudicate attempts to alter the situation.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">It can provide a mystery or puzzle for the players to notice and solve.</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">It can provide the GM with inspiration for how to prevent the game from stalling e.g. a form of fail-forward so the answer isn't always &quot;Ninjas attack!&quot;</li>
</ul></blockquote>

[QUOTE="Nagol, post: 7354208, member: 23935"] Can secret back story curtail action declaration? No. But it can cause an action declaration to not require a fortune mechanic to resolve in a way unanticipated by the player. You know what actually curtails action declaration? Scene framing. If you don't want the PCs to delve underwater and look for a shipwreck, frame them away from the ocean and into a tense encounter with the local baron in his keep. Ta-da! Possible action declaration curtailed! If they never get back to the beach, the delve will never happen. Before the anguished cries of "That would never happen!" occur, of course it does. Probably as often as secret backstory is used as a club to force players onto the straight and narrow path the DM conceives as appropriate. Both turn a decent tool into a weapon against player choice. Now, can secret back story offer value other than controlling the resolution of certain declarations? I think so. [LIST] [*]It provides guidance for the GM as to how entities will react to stimuli generated by the players via assigned motivations, action constraints, and unexpected abilities. [*]It provides a rationale as to why the situation is as it is that can help the GM faithfully and consistently adjudicate attempts to alter the situation. [*]It can provide a mystery or puzzle for the players to notice and solve. [*]It can provide the GM with inspiration for how to prevent the game from stalling e.g. a form of fail-forward so the answer isn't always "Ninjas attack!" [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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