Author: Lil Johnny Halfbreed

Pardon my French, but Goddammit. Where we going next, friends?

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/8/17951890/google-plus-shut-down-security-api-change-gmail-android

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/8/17951890/google-plus-shut-down-security-api-change-gmail-android

Hello!

This is part of something I’ve been cobbling together as a sort of ‘training wheels doc’ on how to run MotW games for new or otherwise inexperienced Keepers. And most of the stuff will be applicable to most PbtA games, so that’s neat I think.

The final ‘book’ will have a bunch of stuff like what’s in here, including a bunch of mysteries, and how to link them together into arcs and such.

I’ll probably release a simple black-and-white version with no art, and then a nicer one with art for those who want to print it. I’m not trying to make money here, just want to help other folks fall in love with this game like I did. I figure the best way to do that is provide help on how to be a Keeper, you know?

I originally posted this on the MotW subreddit, and forgot to cross-post it here. I usually am on Reddit more often, mostly because work blocks access to most google sites, including G+.

Let me know if what you think.

Hi, i decided to type up a quick document to cover some “alternate Ranged Weapon’ design rules.

So… whatcha think? The idea is to allow ‘ranged options’ that don’t rely on firearms, provide an alternate ranged weapon setup for a Chosen, and generally supplement/replace current ranged weapons as needed, depending on setting, and magic/technology level.

Thanks in advance!

Hello all, been playing MotW for a while as the GM and ran into a weird question. I was directed here from someone on Reddit, and was hoping you all could possibly fill me in.

I got into a deep conversation the other day with someone over how much extra work I put into my mysteries, and we then discussed ‘if it was true to the spirit of MotW/PbtA Games”.

For a quick example, let’s say I decide to have your standard ‘serial killing monster’

At the very least, I will have a small ‘info dump’ on the monster, including what I call a ‘hard clue’ and a ‘soft clue’.

The hard clue will be an incontrovertible bit of evidence about the monster that I ‘pre plan’

The soft clue will be a short ambiguous description that I will directly pull from the players, or their interactions, or their playbooks.

So, let’s say I make a monster, and say it’s killing people to feed off them, and the gimmick of this monster is that it eats people that are drunk.

So one of my info lines will say something like:

* monster kills victims to FEED OFF THEIR LIVERS

* monster ‘hunts’ for victims at

And so on. The all-caps is a ‘hard clue’, and the bit in angle brackets is a ‘blank’ for a soft clue. So, maybe when they investigate they say “hey, this dude seems to be drunk, is there a bar nearby?” And then I can say something like “maybe, what kind of bar?” And then whatever they respond with, I can then put in the blank of the soft clue like a ‘mad lib’.

This also allows for different players and settings to kind of flesh things out. Like, if they said “dive bar” instead of “posh club” or “dance club”.

My friend feels like I’m kinda breaking the rules as the Keeper, as I shouldn’t be planning out anything past what shows up on the mystery sheet. I’m arguing that if I’m actually letting them /investigate mysteries/, I’m going to need some sort of cheat sheet to refer to, in order to keep all the various clues/‘rules of the monster’ in mind.

This also makes everything flow a lot better narratively as my cheat sheet has just enough specifics to cover any sort of weird CSI type idea the table comes up with investigating (like searching for droppings in a ‘nest’). Seriously, they really enjoy investigating.

Now, I rarely have much actual planning past that. Just a general idea on some of the areas I might need to have on hand, maybe a half-scribbled map or information on the area, and then one or two half-filled pages of NPCs I can crab from when they need one. The rest of it is standard mystery worksheet stuff.

My friend assured me I’m doing it mostly wrong, even if I’m not planning out the entire plot, as I’m already railroading the table by having specific clues/data decided upon before the game even starts.

I say that it’s pretty much impossible to have a lot of decent ‘investigation’ or ‘puzzles’ or ‘cases to solve’ unless you can honestly answer most questions the players might send my way.

So, my question to you guys is: “do you prepare ahead of time for any investigation heavy mysteries, and if so, how deep do you go?”

If you have time, my follow up questions would be “Why do you do it this way” And “Do you think your way is abiding behind the spirit of MotW/PbtA Rules/gameplay?”

Thanks in advance