Making RPG proposals in Rohan (and the Shire)-- a tutorial - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 01-21-2003, 06:17 PM

Hi Nonesuch,

There is a unique form for game proposals at Rohan, which has its own address for submitting game proposals as well. You can find this information here:
How to propose new RPGs for Rohan

It is good that you ask why we want more detail than simply the statement, "Elves from Rivendell travel to Misty Mountains for an adventure and have run-ins with Orcs and other nasty types."

It has to do with the points which Rimbaud has made about games needing a beginning, middle, and end and about games being fun both for participants and for readers. Games which go on and on and on without a clear sense of direction become boring for both readers and gamers.

Your first statement does not given much sense of what this plot would be because 'adventure' is vague. Stories and games usually have a problem which needs to be resolved or solved. That way, readers become interested in the problem and start to second guess the answer. This is part of the fun of reading. It is also part of the fun of gaming, for it gives gamers a sense of where their ideas might be heading.

Having a specific sense of what the problem might be also helps the gamers know what kinds of difficulties their characters will meet, so they can plan some of the psychological development for their characters and also plan how to meet some of those conflicts you seem interested in.

I hope this helps!

Looking forward to hearing more from you,
Bethberry,
Innkeeper of The White Horse

PS. You are welcome to post at The Horse in your main character, to get a sense of what that might be like, or to post as different characters, developing them as well. For instance, I am currently posting there as both 'Bethberry' and 'Ælfritha' and might soon be posting as 'Cadfæl' as well.

01-21-2003, 06:17 PM	#17
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Hi Nonesuch, There is a unique form for game proposals at Rohan, which has its own address for submitting game proposals as well. You can find this information here: How to propose new RPGs for Rohan It is good that you ask why we want more detail than simply the statement, "Elves from Rivendell travel to Misty Mountains for an adventure and have run-ins with Orcs and other nasty types." It has to do with the points which Rimbaud has made about games needing a beginning, middle, and end and about games being fun both for participants and for readers. Games which go on and on and on without a clear sense of direction become boring for both readers and gamers. Your first statement does not given much sense of what this plot would be because 'adventure' is vague. Stories and games usually have a problem which needs to be resolved or solved. That way, readers become interested in the problem and start to second guess the answer. This is part of the fun of reading. It is also part of the fun of gaming, for it gives gamers a sense of where their ideas might be heading. Having a specific sense of what the problem might be also helps the gamers know what kinds of difficulties their characters will meet, so they can plan some of the psychological development for their characters and also plan how to meet some of those conflicts you seem interested in. I hope this helps! Looking forward to hearing more from you, Bethberry, Innkeeper of The White Horse PS. You are welcome to post at The Horse in your main character, to get a sense of what that might be like, or to post as different characters, developing them as well. For instance, I am currently posting there as both 'Bethberry' and 'Ælfritha' and might soon be posting as 'Cadfæl' as well. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.