I've begun a new game with a couple of mechanics I thought might be worth sharing. First, each turn I randomize to whether to create a Period, Event or a Scene. I have 3d6, each color matched to a stack of index cards. I roll all three and the highest color die dictates what card to make. If the next level down is the second highest I make a nested card as well.
In order to work in outside influence I've set up my Rory cubes similar to playing traditional card solitaire. I have 5 columns, each with 5 cubes. Each turn I can use any of the cubes at the bottom of a column to direct the focus. The game is complete when I clear the last cube. I also have a side 'hand' of six cubes to bail me out if none of the open column slots are working for me.
I then choose People, Places, or Things and roll on the appropriate Instant Game Creator table to further define my focus for the turn.
And finally, I use the Mythic Fate Chart to decide if I will be a Light or Dark scene. This may seem like a lot of rolling, but I toss all of the dice together as single roll and sort it out from there. It only takes a moment to know what the focus and card type will be.
Then it's back to my own creative initiative I make the card and begin again, unless I've created a scene. Then i always choose to pose the question as a closed question and pose it to the mythic chart, weighted as seems appropriate. I'll ask a few follow up questions and the write a brief summary on the back of the card.
I played for a bit last night while dinner was in process and again this morning while I wait for the house to wake up. It's been a great time and much more relaxing than my usual skirmish games, which I think I'm burned out on for the time being.
Geoff, I've always been really intrigued by Microscope as a way to explore "What If..?" scenarios. My one experience with a group was not great unfortunately, as the game veered off into farce.
ReplyDeleteI love the use of the cascading Rory's Story Cubes. I think the mechanism is really interesting and something that could be explored much further.
I think I follow most of the process you used. The bit I don't get is the use of the three dice. Do you have three random piles, or is each sorted into Period / Event / Scene?
Rory O'Connor they are sorted. I have red, purple, and green index cards which I use for Periods, Events and Scenes. I then have one red d6, one purple d6, and a green d6. I roll all three and whichever has the highest result is the type of card I make this turn.
ReplyDeleteNow, if red rolls highest and purple second highest I would make a nested set. That means I'd make a new Period (red die, red card) and then under it a related Event (purple die, purple card). I haven't had a tie for highest yet, but if I do then I will make a card for each.
As for the farcical nature, I've had similar experience. I think the reasoning is that for most people improvisation is easier when it gets silly. Trying to be spontaneous and keep a degree of cohesion or focus is much more difficult. As a solo player I have the luxury that I can get up, grab a cup of coffee, come back and ponder a bit before I have to make a decision. With no time pressue or audience, it's easier.
Ah, that makes it much clearer. I'm really curious to try Microscope as a form of future-casting. I'd like to explore "What if..?" alternative histories. For example, setting up a game, with an end period of: "An unprecedented level of peace took hold in Northern Ireland". Then working the narrative back to figure out what might bring that about.
ReplyDeleteRory O'Connor I've gone for a generic, space opera inspired time line for this game. But I've thought about similar, alternate history/future timelines. The only thing to keep in mind is that your beginning and ending eras really set the tone of all that follows. If peace in Northern Ireland takes place in modern or near future time, much of your game will play out in ancient history. Which could be a lot of fun, maybe the Danes take a liking to the Emerald Isle instead of Old Blighty?
ReplyDeleteAlternatively you could reduce the scope of Periods. As written they encompass broad sweeps of history, but perhaps you could scale it down to decades?
Also, tale a look at Kingdoms. It has a similar feel, but different mechanics. The centerpiece is a community (tribe, squad, town, country, empire etc) which is facing various threats externally and internally. I don't remember the specifics, but Kingdoms rules include ideas to mix it with Microscope.
I was thinking of using Periods to cover decades. A lot has happened here since the Plantation of Ireland, with the War for Independence and Easter Rising, Irish Civil War, Ulster Covenant, the Civil Rights Movement, "The Troubles", Good Friday Agreement and post-Troubles period. It's fertile ground.
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