What can the PbtA approach of Agenda and Principles contribute to the use of Oracles in solo RP?
(Please see linked discussion for background if interested. This is one of the topics I wanted to fork from that original discussion into its own thread.)
Ivan Vaghi suggests:
"Alex, it could be so useful to know what the proper mental stance should be when asking the questions. Some sort of agenda and principles to consult the oracle."
So, those of you familar with PbtA games, any ideas of how that approach could help make using an Oracle more fun, and perhaps closer to attaining a feeling of playing with an actual GM?
"Monsterhearts' is the first PBTA (hack) that I have any experience with, so I 'm still feeling my way, but the way I was able to get a good GM experience was:
ReplyDeleteI would pick the setting, let the GME frame the action/context of the scene with a roll for Action/Subject, then the usual Mythic Modified scene rolls (which REALLY keep the story twists coming!), & rolls as appropriate on UNE for what NPC's what to talk about, roll for reactions to events, & so on.
Once I got in the scenes with the above going on + making Moves & Getting & Giving Strings & Conditions things really flowed & took on a life of their own.
I found myself (in my mind) jumping back & forth across the player/GM fence a lot, in that I kept picturing in my mind if I were the GM what question I would ask now to keep the story moving, & then THAT is what I'd do (I actually imagined my "imaginary Jenn Martin GM" asking those questions for me ;) ), but I didn't mind.
It didn't really detract from the experience once I accepted this is the game, this is how it plays, & that if I had a REAL GM this is pretty much how it would go & just flowed with it.
I let the GME, UNE, & Covetous Poets mak all the decisions from the GM side & fill in all the narrative blanks & I reacted as I should to guide & drive the story.
Maybe not a direct answer to your question per se, but as I say, I'm still groping my way though.
I know I made at least one "Hard Move" on behalf of the GM that was totally appropriate, would have fit & is what I would have done if I was REALLY GM'ing, & the Oracle confirmed, yes, that's what happens, & it made for a great finish for the scene.