Refers to a plot specifically tailored to use each character's special strengths. Should be done rarely, as happening too often makes it look like the villains are idiots and designing their defenses to match the hero team's strengths. If one of the characters has a strange or lame power, it can result in an absurd obstacle that makes no sense except to "use" said character's power.
Samples:
• Chouji, Neji, Kiba, and Shikamaru in the Naruto Squad arc storyline.
• Happens a lot in One Piece as well.
Has a lot of potential in a D&D game, where most characters will have drastically different strengths.
For a twist, have the same setup, but force each character to take on a different character's tailored challenge.
Fighter using a dead hollowed-out goblin as a bag to hold his magic biscuits?
Wizard hurling bottles of poop and eggs instead of fireballs?
Frenzied berzerker being slowly and agonizingly drowned by a giant clam?
Time for a Madness Check.
Showing posts with label spotlight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spotlight. Show all posts
The Caper
A team of criminals get together to do something, most likely carry out some kind of crime. They are usually distinct, interesting characters each, and may be polar opposites of the good characters.
Possible uses: the players play this team of criminals fully, then later "discover" the crime(s) as their real characters. It provides a nice change of pace when roleplaying, as the players can play different personalities with different motivations and goals than their regular characters.
Has potential to flesh out and individualize NPCs/villains more dramatically than the DM doing so, as each player may lend their own unique touches to the villain they play. Also potentially drawback, as a character meant to be serious might end up being portrayed as a buffoon...
Possible uses: the players play this team of criminals fully, then later "discover" the crime(s) as their real characters. It provides a nice change of pace when roleplaying, as the players can play different personalities with different motivations and goals than their regular characters.
Has potential to flesh out and individualize NPCs/villains more dramatically than the DM doing so, as each player may lend their own unique touches to the villain they play. Also potentially drawback, as a character meant to be serious might end up being portrayed as a buffoon...
Broken Pedestal
A mentor figure who taught a main character everything they know, and is revered by said character, has some dark secrets and/or is revealed to not be as good as they seemed. Often the mentor will explain his actions as "for the greater good" or "for their/your own good" but the sense of betrayal is still strong.
In some cases, not only are they imperfect, but they're downright bad, maybe even using their status as mentor to further their evil ways. Creates a sense of betrayal, surprise, and probably anger and/or thirst for vengeance. It will always come down to a final confrontation between mentor and student, of course, if the mentor is actually evil.
Sample:
• Professor X seemed like a savior and perfect person, but then MUCH, much later you learn that he lied about Vulcan's team's death, AND ignored the sentient danger room's cries for help.
• Jade Empire, your mentor/sensei trains you and coaches you throughout the entire game, only to reveal it's all been one giant plot to conquer the universe, which you learn as he beats you down.
In D&D, this could be used with an NPC, but only one who is recurring and trusted. A great example of this was Terelas/Stelera, the priestess in the forest town within Undermountain, who worked with the party to supposedly solve the mystery of the imps, disappearing townsfolk, etc. In reality, it was actually her behind it all, and by working with the party she knew how to avoid detection, AND she managed to frame (and kill!) the town's championi, Baris, who was actually good and trying to ferret out the truth himself.
In some cases, not only are they imperfect, but they're downright bad, maybe even using their status as mentor to further their evil ways. Creates a sense of betrayal, surprise, and probably anger and/or thirst for vengeance. It will always come down to a final confrontation between mentor and student, of course, if the mentor is actually evil.
Sample:
• Professor X seemed like a savior and perfect person, but then MUCH, much later you learn that he lied about Vulcan's team's death, AND ignored the sentient danger room's cries for help.
• Jade Empire, your mentor/sensei trains you and coaches you throughout the entire game, only to reveal it's all been one giant plot to conquer the universe, which you learn as he beats you down.
In D&D, this could be used with an NPC, but only one who is recurring and trusted. A great example of this was Terelas/Stelera, the priestess in the forest town within Undermountain, who worked with the party to supposedly solve the mystery of the imps, disappearing townsfolk, etc. In reality, it was actually her behind it all, and by working with the party she knew how to avoid detection, AND she managed to frame (and kill!) the town's championi, Baris, who was actually good and trying to ferret out the truth himself.
Bachelor Auction
There is an auction in a kingdom of eligible bachelors (or whatever), and somehow one (or all) of the male characters end up involved. Some possible outcomes is that they tell a fellow party member to bid on them so they don't end up the "property" of some horrible person, in which case the horrible person is rich and outbids them anyways.
Other possible bidders could include extremely beautiful people (Nymphs, Sun Elves, Dryads) or extremely ugly people (Hag, Troll, Mongrelman). If the party is good, could make for great swallowed-dignity scenes, if the cause is good, or if the party really needs the money.
Or for an actual gaming twist, maybe a villain buys them. It could be serious and lead to an encounter, or it could be funny (if female) and she just wants a night out with someone who understands her. Obviously in the latter case it needs to be a pest villain and not an evil villain.
Other possible bidders could include extremely beautiful people (Nymphs, Sun Elves, Dryads) or extremely ugly people (Hag, Troll, Mongrelman). If the party is good, could make for great swallowed-dignity scenes, if the cause is good, or if the party really needs the money.
Or for an actual gaming twist, maybe a villain buys them. It could be serious and lead to an encounter, or it could be funny (if female) and she just wants a night out with someone who understands her. Obviously in the latter case it needs to be a pest villain and not an evil villain.
Accidental Hero
A character is celebrated for heroism, but they really didn't do anything special.
Usually happens when the accidental hero blundered in some way, or accidentally does something that, by fluke, ends up saving the day. Usually backfires when their blunder/lack of intent is revealed.
Samples:
• Homer saving Springfield from nuclear meltdown in "Pulling a Homer." Backfires when he has to do it again and everyone realizes it was just by fluke.
• Jayne Cobb in "Jaynestown" in Firefly. Backfires when they find out that he didn't dump the loot to share the money, but rather to escape.
• Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, when her house crushes the Wicked Witch of the East and she is applauded for her "heroic actions."
Usually happens when the accidental hero blundered in some way, or accidentally does something that, by fluke, ends up saving the day. Usually backfires when their blunder/lack of intent is revealed.
Samples:
• Homer saving Springfield from nuclear meltdown in "Pulling a Homer." Backfires when he has to do it again and everyone realizes it was just by fluke.
• Jayne Cobb in "Jaynestown" in Firefly. Backfires when they find out that he didn't dump the loot to share the money, but rather to escape.
• Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, when her house crushes the Wicked Witch of the East and she is applauded for her "heroic actions."
Ten Minute Retirement
Something terrible happens and the Hero completely gives up. Feeling of helplessness, inadequacy, or even bitterness. Then 10 minutes later something happens to change his mind, and he returns to the job. Often accompanied by a Major Entrance, aka Lee's kick on Kimmimaru.
Samples:
• Jack Bauer retiring from CTU after killing Curtis, then 10 seconds later the nuke goes off in LA, and he reverses his decision to quit.
• Vash quitting as Vash the Stampede after his angel arm activates, and then Wolfwood finds him in the next episode and convinces him to go back to his former ways.
-----
Alternately, Achilles (sulking) in his Tent, which is when a member of a team gets in a fight with everyone else and quits, and everyone hates each other. Then a threat arises which is precisely suited to the missing member's talents. Without the ex-member, the team is in grave danger. The ex-member realizes he still cares about them after all, and saves the day with a Major Entrance. Afterwards, all is forgiven and they are a solid team again.
When done well, the villains know about the quitter, and send a specialized threat to take advantage of the now-missing strengths. When done badly, the next encounter just HAPPENS to have those particular skills, and it's not as memorable.
It can also add legitimacy to a character who otherwise does not seem important or necessary, and proves why they are an equal member of the team.
Samples:
• Jack Bauer retiring from CTU after killing Curtis, then 10 seconds later the nuke goes off in LA, and he reverses his decision to quit.
• Vash quitting as Vash the Stampede after his angel arm activates, and then Wolfwood finds him in the next episode and convinces him to go back to his former ways.
-----
Alternately, Achilles (sulking) in his Tent, which is when a member of a team gets in a fight with everyone else and quits, and everyone hates each other. Then a threat arises which is precisely suited to the missing member's talents. Without the ex-member, the team is in grave danger. The ex-member realizes he still cares about them after all, and saves the day with a Major Entrance. Afterwards, all is forgiven and they are a solid team again.
When done well, the villains know about the quitter, and send a specialized threat to take advantage of the now-missing strengths. When done badly, the next encounter just HAPPENS to have those particular skills, and it's not as memorable.
It can also add legitimacy to a character who otherwise does not seem important or necessary, and proves why they are an equal member of the team.
Major Entrance
A character makes a memorable, incredible entrance, tossing foes out of the way in a display of incredible skill, or at exactly the right moment, or single-handedly saving the day. Often the character has been missing/away/presumed dead/etc, or maybe the party is expecting someone else, but virtually always it is a surprise.
Samples:
• Wulfgar showing up instead of Zaknafein in the Drizzt series, and kicking Errtu's ass.
• Optimus Prime "entering" the fight in the TF movie and disposing of about a dozen Decepticons with ease.
• Lee showing up OUT OF NOWHERE to save Naruto versus Kimmimaru.
Samples:
• Wulfgar showing up instead of Zaknafein in the Drizzt series, and kicking Errtu's ass.
• Optimus Prime "entering" the fight in the TF movie and disposing of about a dozen Decepticons with ease.
• Lee showing up OUT OF NOWHERE to save Naruto versus Kimmimaru.
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