Two Things - 2025-03-08
The Night Move & The Profane Move
As I’ve been writing situations for It’s Worth Than That!, I’ve gained insight into the Night Move.
In most Carved From Brindlewood (CfB) games, two basic moves cover most character actions - The Day move, for less risky actions, and the Night Move, for more risky actions. In Rosewood Abbey, they have the Pious Move and the Profane move. These represent actions inside or outside the Abbey respectively. Writing situations based on Rosewood Abbey has made it easier for me to think about how side characters could get wrapped into making things worse.
Playing or GMing games with different systems helps you become a better GM in your favored system. It may even help you find your new favorite system.
Generally, I think of this in terms of wildly different systems and give advice based on that. If you’re a fan of a D20 system class-based system, try a D100 classless system. If you only play traditional RPGs, try a CfB or Forged in the Dark (FitD) game.
This highlights how similar games can help open your eyes too. I should have recognized this earlier. Playing Paranormal, Inc. made me think about how I give my Beneath Ahknoor CfB game a GMless mode (after I get a play-testable Ashcan version done). I’ve also been thinking about how ideas from The Night Crew might apply to Beneath Ahknoor and other games.
More Trophy Thoughts
Listening to the recent Darkened Threshold episodes on Trophy have me itching to play it again. The episode on Risk Rolls really got me thinking about using it in play and about Katas for GMs (again). Night Moves, Risk Rolls, Devil’s Bargains, and narrating results are all excellent opportunities to do this. I’ll probably write about each of these over the next few months.
I’m hoping to play a little Mouse Gold soon. I think it has the opportunity to recast Mausritter in a more narrative forward game. I’m also thinking that there’s room for a Bunnies & Burrows kind of game that’s Rooted in Trophy.
One More Thing
Sprigs & Kindling has Calls For Submissions out for their Summer and Fall editions. Summer submissions are due July 1st and the theme is Public Access and Analog Oddities. Fall submissions are due October 1st and the theme is Trophy. If you’re looking for a way to start publishing with a supportive community around you, this is well worth looking into.