Part 3: Remix a common trope in my own encounter to make it more dynamic
The Death World trope could be remixed so that the cavern and underground environment is of benefit and somewhat helpful or even nourishing to the players – it’s light, colourful, and possibly pleasant to exist in. So much so, players may feel longing for the place when taking their leave and ascending to the surface.
It’s okay to use any of the three pillars (social, combat, exploration), but keep the encounters short – it’s just to practice with coming up with new ideas.
Not every encounter idea you come up with will be the most amazing idea ever, and that’s OK; that’s the point! Only by practicing does this process become easier.
Ashley Warren (Brainstorming the Effective Way from Week 2)
Exploring my encounters through the lens of each pillar – how might the same encounter be experienced as combat, socially or exploratory?
(1) COMBAT Location: Mysterious underground cavern Goal: To defeat others from rival clan(s) who are also trapped and trying to escape the cavern. Obstacle: Battling unknown number and skill levels of rival clan members.
(2) COMBAT Location: Mysterious underground cavern Goal: To defeat an ailing race of indigenous creatures seeking to escape the cavern and take over surrounding area, and then the world. Obstacle: Battling the creatures in an unfamiliar and unforgiving environment.
(3) SOCIAL Location: Mysterious underground cavern Goal: To form a truce with others from rival clan(s) who are also trying to escape the cavern. Obstacle: Reaching a delicate balance between friend and foe in order to survive – frenemies!
(4) SOCIAL Location: Mysterious underground cavern Goal: To befriend and tend to an ailing race of indigenous creatures that that may know how to escape the cavern Obstacle: Communicating effectively with the creatures who have never seen your character race before, or anyone else for that matter.
(5) EXPLORATION Location: Mysterious underground cavern Goal: With great stealth, escape the cavern using one of the many potential routes while avoiding combat and contact with rival clan(s) or creatures. Obstacle: Being discovered by rival clan(s) and indigenous creatures.
(6) EXPLORATION Location: Mysterious underground cavern. Goal: Escape the cavern using the safest route and with the most detailed mapping and details of the underground area so you can return with reinforcements. Obstacle: Getting lost and limited time to create detailed maps and potential to be discovered by dangerous creatures and rival clan(s) also trapped underground.
My six three-line encounters
My exploration of how we learn and how we design and develop digital stuff that helps us learn.
