So I'd like to share some Actual Plays for a solo Stars Without Number game I'm doing, but I was wondering which format folks preferred for presentation: A more 'mechanical' take, with rolls results, etc, or a more narrative approach, the play session written up as a short piece of fiction?
In my own experience, people have asked me to include mechanics with my write-ups and so I have a bias in favor of that combination. I think it helps others understand how you go about getting from the dice and rules to the narrative. Personally, I find I can get inspired by someone's take on a die roll or a rule and how they work the narrative that follows.
ReplyDeleteI like to see mechanics, because I like to see where the mechanics push the fiction, if at all. I usually skip longish dialogue and anything too flowery since they tend not to be influenced by the system that much. YMMV!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely want mechanics. Usually I footnote them or add them in para. breaks with paren or double-parens.
ReplyDeleteI tend to write fiction guided by my roleplaying so I include all flowerly and dialogue. I also include mechanics.
ReplyDeleteHow I write up the mechanics is still up in the air for me. I want something quick and easy but something that shows what's happening in enough detail.
I don't mind flowery in short doses. Your AP was just about right. It's when the fiction runs away without any mechanical push where I lose interest in APs. I just love to see when the gears of the system push the gears of the fiction.
ReplyDeleteAlex Yari I agree in seeing how the system drives the fiction. Though one of the more interesting APs I read doesn't talk about any system elements in it at all.
ReplyDeleteOnly once in all my APs (the first Chronicle of Lisulak: http://lonecabbage.me.uk/blog/roleplaying-games/campaigns/lisulak-chronicles/origin-of-lisulak ) did I not have any rolls. I did not go out to do this but it ended up that way. As he was an interesting character in an interesting situation it felt right.
Alright, thanks for the input! Once I get a few more in-game days down, I'll post them up. I'm going to format them as fiction with callouts to the mechanics.
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