Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site iddic.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!orca!iddic!dorettas From: dorettas@iddic.UUCP (Doretta Schrock) Newsgroups: net.games.frp Subject: modular refereeing Message-ID: <2271@iddic.UUCP> Date: Tue, 29-Oct-85 14:02:42 EST Article-I.D.: iddic.2271 Posted: Tue Oct 29 14:02:42 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 2-Nov-85 02:15:36 EST Distribution: net Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 45 [The fastest way to a monster's heart is with a halberd] Here's an idea I thought of recently that I haven't seen in these parts: modular refereeing (or DMing, etc.). Basically, the idea is to let several people get in on the joys (!? :*) of refereeing in a short time period with minimal chaos and reality distortion. It also helps stave off referee burn-out, since everyone gets to play as well. Here's how it works: One person acts as the super-ref, and sketches an outline for an adventure (say, 12 to 18 hours worth, very rough ideas). He or she then breaks the adventure into modules at natural break points (like when the party goes from city to forest, etc.) and assigns each module to a different person. These people are then free to develop their section of the adventure as they see fit, with a few restrictions. The super-ref tells them what the general setting is, how long (playing time) it should be, what the players' goals during the module are, and, specifically, what NPCs will be going in, which should come out (i.e., which ones have to be introduced or killed off during the module), and what items, if any, need to be found during the module. The designer of the module is then free to orchestrate these events however he or she likes (what? You say it sounds like software design?! How dare you!! :-), including any red herrings, diversions, obstacles, etc. that he or she wants to include. The super-ref runs the first and probably last modules, with everyone playing in everyone else's modules. This requires that everyone be on at least fairly good terms, since someone is going to have to run your character(s) when you referee your module. Now, before I begin to get those "marshmallow toastie" feelings, let me say that this idea is completely untested. I'm getting together with some old college buddies for a pseudo-reunion in a couple of months, and we're going to be doing this with our homebrew FRPG (which, really, is the best game you've ever seen :-). I've got module #4, which may or may not be significant (the super-ref won't tell us, and we aren't telling each other), and boy oh boy do they have some surprises waiting for them (evil laughter, evil laughter). I'll let you know how it turns out. If anyone else has tried anything like this, do you have any pointers? If this is really an old shopworn idea that I somehow missed, would you like to hear about another neat new idea I have? I call it "special relativity"...:-) Mike Sellers <--note the name difference from above "You've got to do some stupid things once in a while, if you want to be a hero." -- Rocky J. Squirrel