Keep It Close

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)

Action and violence in a story (I use movies as my examples) can be fun, humorous, empowering, or spectacular. But I want to talk about action that makes the audience worry about the characters. How can we, as storytellers, maximize the apparent danger to the characters, and maximize the audience’s fear for their safety? Going bigger and louder isn’t the answer. It’s hard to keep track of 30 enemy soldiers, and blowing up the whole world seems abstract. No, for maximum peril, put the threat right in the character’s face and give them time to look at it. Keep it close.

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Chasing the Sunset & ancient history

Chasing the Sunset is a West Marches-style exploration game using Fellowship 2nd Edition‘s Horizon rules.

The fellowship: Dryden of Conwall the Collector/Hunter, Averiela the Elf/Elven Elite, Lucia the Brave the Heir/Halfling Sheriff, Edna Crusher-Harcourt the Ogre/Knight

Last time, the Fellowship investigated the cursed pirates and found the treasure that one was guarding, but it’s empty!  Jellylegs digs through the wall of the chamber to see Averiela, Dryden, and Lucia standing around a portal to beach and no treasure chest. Continue reading “Chasing the Sunset & ancient history”

Chasing the Sunset & Technicalities

Chasing the Sunset is a West Marches-style exploration game using Fellowship 2nd Edition‘s Horizon rules.

The fellowship: Dryden of Conwall the Collector/Hunter, Averiela the Elf/Elven Elite, Lucia the Brave the Heir/Halfling Sheriff, Edna Crusher-Harcourt the Ogre/Knight

Last time, the Fellowship made a quick stop for fresh water during their long journey to the Forgotten Lands, only to stumble upon cursed pirates! Continue reading “Chasing the Sunset & Technicalities”

Chasing the Sunset & Misdirection

Chasing the Sunset is a West Marches-style exploration game using Fellowship 2nd Edition‘s Horizon rules.

The party: Buckle the Beast/Heart of Earth, Stella the Halfling/Hunter

Last time, Stella was pulled into interdimensional shenanigans by a mad scientist Lantern piloting a scarecrow. Buckle and the rest of the world were insulated from the effects by another Lantern named Mira. Continue reading “Chasing the Sunset & Misdirection”

Chasing the Sunset & Pirates’ Curse

Chasing the Sunset is a West Marches-style exploration game using Fellowship 2nd Edition‘s Horizon rules.

The fellowship: Dryden of Conwall the Collector/Hunter, Averiela the Elf/Elven Elite, Lucia the Brave the Heir/Halfling Sheriff

Last time, the Fellowship stopped at the Sapphire Island and found a crew of Elves who can be trusted with the location of their final destination: The Forgotten Lands.  Edna is elsewhere. Continue reading “Chasing the Sunset & Pirates’ Curse”