Untitled - Index of - Free

each Actors current Plot Point Total, how developed each
of the Actors' personas are, and therefore, how much more
development they should be allowed at the present time.
Unfortunately, we're probably not going to be able to
offer as much advice here as you'd wish As mentioned
under 'Complexity', in this chapter, all the above factors
vary far too much with each particular Setting, Chronicle,
and Troupe. We can give some rough guidelines though,
which we provide in the chart to your right. This chart lists
a few typical Settings, the number of Plot Points that
would carry you through 10% of a Chronicle in that
Setting, and the sort of Advancement Subplot that might
allow. However, we caution you to take these numbers
with a grain of salt. They're rough, and you're just going
to have to develop your own sense of what is theatrically
appropriate for each of your Chronicles.
We'd like to note that Plot Point Totals provide a
guide to pacing the development of characters along side
that of the Chronicle. They don't demand such develop­
ment. Actors may choose not to develop their personas
until there's a large gap between their present maturity,
and their allowable potential. This larger gap makes room
for leaps of sudden development. Other Actors will prefer
a slow steady pace, developing their characters a little at
a time, whenever they're able. Each persona's Plot Point
Total only acts as a cap on such growth. The method of
development is left up to the mdividual Actor, the needs
of the Chronicle, and the preferences of the Director.
THE BASIC RULE
This is a storytelling game. If you don't like all the
numbers associated with the last two chapters ('Improvi­
sation' and 'Epilogue'), then don't feel obligated to use
them. A few of the options are ...
¢ Use our magnificently crafted and carefully
balanced system, just as you see it here.
¢ Toss out the numbers, and allow the Actors
to alter their characters in any way that suits
your Chronicle.
84 Theatr-ix- The Core Rules
r
I
Adavancement Guidelines
SETTING TYPE Pts./1 0% ADVANCEMENT { 10%
High Fantasy 12 pts. Acquiring a sword of power - or
Being granted a Baro"{ • or
Learning the secrets o Alchemy
Superhero 14 pts. Altering your force field's shape- or
Getting funds for the new base • or
Given the Iitle of Sorcerer Supreme
Space Opera 16 pts. Becoming a student of the Ioree • or
Winning a starship in a bet - or
Promotion to captain of the flagship
Cyberpunk 16 pts. Learning the art of Dim Mak • or
Having your single go platinum - or
Finding the backdoor in a database
Low Fantasy 18 pts. Finding an elven sword • or
Being granted Knighthood ·or
Learning the rudiments of Alchemy
Science Fiction 20 pts. Earning mercantile trading rights - or
Increasing jump drive efficiency • or
Gaining entrance to the sisterhood
Gothic Horror 20 pis. Becoming a sharp shooter- or
Finding the tome of Ibn Hazbad • or
Getting that grant money at last
Pulp 22 pts. Hiring a protector and chauffeur- or
Learning to fly a barnstormer • or
Winning world renown as a writer
¢ Use the Plot Point system described in
'Improvisation', but don't bother with making
the Actors pay for altering their roles.
¢ Don't use Plot Points during your Episodes,
but assign Plot Points afterward for the
purpose of character advancement only,
based on how well the Main Cast did during
the Episode.
In other words, just because we don't mind the
numbers, and even appreciate how they guide our Epi­
sodes, that doesn't mean you need to bother with them.