[DiTV ] All the Dogs do is talk!
JC:
I don't mean to flood your thread, so just tell me hold it if you like ;)
Quote from: phargle on January 25, 2008, 03:35:07 PM
A note on that conflict where I had to choose between escalating and giving: I was alone. It seems to me that Dogs functions best when the Dogs are forced to go into conflicts alone, and that is something that runs counter to my GMing instincts, especially since a Dogs conflict can mean the other two players aren't as involved for what could be a longish time. But does that mesh with other people's experiences? Are individual conflicts more intense in terms of "Is this worth getting violent over?" I suspect so. If so, then I just need to figure out what would motivate the Dogs to split up. I suppose a town where too much is happening to just focus on on area would do the trick. Hmm.
two things:
1/ everyone around the table can enjoy a good dramatic conflict, even if their character isn't involved
the only time I've seen this be a problem is over IRC, because it's really slow
if people aren't interested in each other's conflicts, you might want to emphasize collaborative character creation
2/ splitting the Dogs up is one way to go
I prefer to give them relations to people in town that might put them on opposing sides of conflicts
John Harper:
Quote
Can't _everything_ verbal be ignored?
Pretty much, yeah. That's why just talking isn't mind control. You have to have something to say that hits your opponent like a punch in the face. This is hard to do! If it was easy, the Dogs wouldn't need their guns, and would just travel around holding town meetings.
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What is the nature of an unignorable verbal raise?
Something that hurts to hear. Something that demands a response. Something the opponent desperately wants to stay unsaid. It should be personal, pointed, backed up with he authority of the King of Life, or family ties, or the dirty, ugly secrets that no one wants to know.
You know them when you hear them. They make everyone go "Oh, man."
"I tell him to come outside." Yawn. Whatever.
"We know what you've been doing, Jeremiah. You can't hide your shame anymore. Come out here and be judged!" Much better. A man of the faith can't just ignore that. Of course, if he blocks that, you'll have to take it up a notch if you want to keep it just talking. Say that you're going to tell everyone what he's done. Or say you can keep it quiet if he comes out. Like that.
It's not that it's impossible to make talking raises, just that it's not simple. Conversations, requests, simple threats... not good enough. You have to push someone's buttons. You have to be manipulative, aggressive, inappropriate, insightful. You have to say stuff that just might make someone cry, scream, punch you, or shoot you as a response.
At least, that's how we do it. Each group has to find their own standard; there's no one true way. If you're not happy with the standard for talking raises now, talk it over.
phargle:
That is very useful advice. It gets to the heart of my problem: my Dogs escalate when they have no dice left, not when they have no ideas on verbal raises left. If we all agree to be harder on verbal raises, it would make them more powerful and would also make Dogs who run out of ideas have to escalate or give. I like that.
Noclue:
Quote from: JC on January 25, 2008, 03:31:29 PM
we agree that everyone who participates in a conflict gets dice from escalation at the same time, right?
meaning that when someone escalates, they escalate the whole conflict for everyone involved
Nope. I don't agree. You get your dice when YOU escalate.
Noclue:
Quote from: phargle on January 25, 2008, 03:26:31 PM
Can't _everything_ verbal be ignored? What is the nature of an unignorable verbal raise?
Lots of stuff. Blasphemy's a good one. Blasphemy in public with the whole town watching you. That kind of talk challenges everything you are as a dog and can threaten the salvation of every man, woman and child who hears it. You going to let that kind of talk stand?
Also, someone threatening your relationships or pushes buttons you have in your traits, like "Doubts his faith" or "Devoted to his mother" or "I will save my brother's soul". Start insulting his mother, calling his beliefs into question, or tempting his brother and see what happens.
The word "no" in response to a Dog's order. Are they just going to let everyone ignore them? What are the repercussions of disobeying a Dog? Do they shoot you?
Brother Isaac, you are forbidden to speak to Sister Constance ever again!
I love her and I will marry her and nothing you can say will stop me!
Boom! (really?)
(or do you just ignore them?)
Oh, okay. Talk to her if you want to then.
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