Scene Running Guide
Contents
Introduction
The phrase, "Running a scene," on a game like Kingdoms of Kahara refers to when one player or member of staff facilitates a scene. Usually by playing out NPCs, the atmosphere, and anything else the other players may need. In this sense they're temporarily taking on the role of a gamemaster.
This page is intended to help those who are interested in running scenes in how to get started, what pitfalls to avoid, and the rewards for running scenes for other players.
The Rewards
Let's start with the good part. Why run a scene? Some people just love running scenes for people and taking on a gamemaster role, some only like to do it occasionally. For these people, running a scene is its own reward.
For those who want to know what Kingdoms of Kahara offers as an obvious benefit to running scenes, for every log of a scene a player runs they will receive 2 BP for one of their characters. This is in addition to the BP from just being in a scene.
Getting Started
Concept
The first thing a would be scenerunner needs is a concept. What are the PCs trying to get done? What do you want the PCs to try and do?
This can be anything from navigating a caravan from Point A to Point B to a merchant negotiating a big deal to going on an adventure to trying to get someone at the local tavern who has had a bit too much to drink to go home.
Complications
Next up for planning a scenerunner needs to come up with a couple possible complications which could make accomplishing the goal more difficult. These are the twists and turns. A one night scene might have one, where a longer plot which spans many scenes will have many more.
NPCs
Finally, a scenerunner may need to come up with some ideas for some NPCs the PCs might interact with. These come in three general flavors.
Bystanders
Bystanders are NPCs which may have seen something the PCs care about or the PCs might talk to. Many of these have scant backstories and might not be given names. They require minimal prep time generally.
Experts
Experts are characters the PCs may go to when their own characters don't know something and may need it spelled out for them. This could be an experienced magic user, a learned scholar, or a skilled healer.
They generally don't go out on adventures themselves, and are usually not directly involved with the concept of the scene.
Commanders
Commanders refers to a range of NPCs which are giving the PCs orders to do something. They can be anything from nobles to a random person the PCs are performing a task for. In some cases the scenerunner's PC may be the "NPC Commander" for the PCs.
These characters don't usually get involved in the scene after giving the PCs their task, as they're asking the PCs to do something for them.
Pitfalls
While it's difficult to provide a comprehensive guide on how to run scenes, and this page tries, we also need to talk about some things not to do, as these will often trip a scenerunner up.
Too Long
MUSHes are on the slow end for real time roleplaying. This means too many complications or something too difficult may make the scene go too long. Keep things simple if you aren't sure about how to time things until you get your footing. A good time target is about four hours for a single night scene.
Massive Property Damage
Running a scene gives players a lot of power, and it can be abused. Don't plan scenes which will cause large amounts of property damage in well visited areas. If a player should take actions which would cause such damage, talk to staff so we can sort it out afterwards.
Self Glorification
With the power of running a scene, a player could use it to glorify their own PCs. This is not the intent of why we give players the ability to run scenes. If you're new, we recommend keeping your PCs out of a scene you run. If they are in a scene, think of them more like an NPC than a PC for the duration of that scene.
A Do Not List
Here's a non-exhaustive list of things to avoid in your scenes to give you an idea of what you should at least consult staff about before using.
- Massive property damage plots.
- Using nobility or characters with a Wealth higher than 10.
- Plots which exist to glorify your PCs.
- Plots which change the power structure in a region.
- Plots which are designed to kill PCs.
- Plots where PCs get access to powerful magic items.
- Plots which violate Kingdoms of Kahara's general Code of Conduct.
