Alright we got this new card deck item into the store from PAIZO - Plot Twist Cards. A deck of them.

 I read the back of it and it started to make me think of that story game stuff that we all debate. However, years ago I found some EVERWAY cards marked down at a Baseball card store and I liked the EVERWAY cards as good videa starters.  

The PAIZO PLot Twist Cards -

Each one has an illustration of a possibly plot trwist or McGuffin with a D20/OGL mechanical effect suggested. After that on the card there are four possible variations on the plot idea suggested.

The last three cards in the deck are instructions or suggestions for how to uyse trhe cards in a role playing game, and of course the legalese OGL disclaimer included. They make a pont of saying the GM is still in control of the game, although the phrase 'shared storytelling' is used at least twice.

They're pretty nice...and maybe usable in some future game.

Anyone else seen these?

Anyone else bought a deck of them?

What did you think?


- Ed C.

Odd, I would have expected this in an OGL game that has a narrative control method, like FantasyCraft's Perks.  Does Pathfinder have any narrative control mechanic that would allow a player to pull one of these out?  Are people inclined towards Narrative RPGs even using Pathfinder?

Looked it up, it's a Gamemastery Line product, which has other stuff besides Pathfinder.

Narrative Control Method?

 What the Frak are you talking about?

Its a deck of cards.


- Ed C.

Quote from: CRKrueger;396337Odd, I would have expected this in an OGL game that has a narrative control method, like FantasyCraft's Perks.  Does Pathfinder have any narrative control mechanic that would allow a player to pull one of these out?  Are people inclined towards Narrative RPGs even using Pathfinder?

Looked it up, it's a Gamemastery Line product, which has other stuff besides Pathfinder.

I think you are not getting it. I'd wager a bet these cards are to be used by the gamemaster for random plot twists.

Quote from: PAIZO's Own Web SiteReady for a whole new way to roleplay? Draw a Plot Twist Card and guide the adventure in directions limited only by your creativity. Plot Twist Cards open up a new experience of shared storytelling, providing players with ways to suggest new events during an adventure or get help when they need it most. Each of the deck's 51 cards presents a different theme that the GM and players, working together, can weave into the game's narrative, as well as related rules effects. With Plot Twist Cards, everyone can help tell the story and enjoy being surprised by new and unexpected turns of fortune.

GameMastery Plot Twist Cards add a new storytelling element to roleplaying games, allowing players to bring their own twists to an adventure's plot. Each card provides a minor story-altering idea along with a few options players can either use as presented or take inspiration from to craft similarly themed suggestions that affect in-game events. Every Plot Twist Card can be interpreted in countless ways, allowing players to suggest minor alterations to a game's events that a GM might add or adapt however best fits the story's needs. Such alterations might bring about an added bit of luck to improve the situation for the PCs or up the ante to create even greater challenges—it's all up to the players and their Game Master!

You bother reading the description Ed? :hmm:

Good thing you didn't bet, Saphim.

Quote from: Saphim;396341I think you are not getting it. I'd wager a bet these cards are to be used by the gamemaster for random plot twists.

Krueger seems tro mired in jargon and terminology.


The PAIZO suggestions for their use say they migfht be ghanded out randomly one per player for each time they change level.

I'd rather there was more of a Random Factor to them. IF I ever use them in the future I might do it as a stunt. Ask a player to shuffle the cards thoroughly - then I pull off the top 5 cards.
 Those five cards get used by me, the GM, in some way - whatewver way I want during the game session.
Since each card has four possibl suggestions or variations on how to use rhe plot twist on the card some interesting variety is definitely possible.

To me, thats not much different than using the classic TRAVELLER supplement 76 PATRONS that had a small dice chart of variations after each adventure starter as to what might happen.


- Ed C.

Quote from: Koltar;396345Krueger seems tro mired in jargon and terminology.

So in other words, you still haven't read the description?

There's no doubt that these cards could be used by the GM to kickstart the creative juices and toss in some random options when he's planning a session, without players even knowing the GM has a deck.

It's also not how they are advertised.

Quote from: CRKrueger;396344You bother reading the description Ed? :hmm:

Good thing you didn't bet, Saphim.

Funny, nowhere in there do I see the phrase ' narrative control method'.


So does this mean the Story Games folk have invaded and infiltrated parts of PAIZO?


- Ed C.

If so, they also developed a time machine, visited 1987, and infiltrated Lion Rampant. Or possibly the idea of removing the viking hat dates back a long ways further than Ron Edwards.

Ars Magica: a real roleplaying game, or product of SWINE?

Yes Ed, a method of "shared storytelling" that lets players "weave events into the game's narrative" is a method of giving them narrative control.  I know you speak Klingon, but try to hold on to English a little bit longer.  

Leave the Swine and invasion strawman alone, I didn't say it. Pundit will be here at some point I'm sure.

All I said was, popping out a deck of shared narration cards for a game like Pathfinder strikes me as odd.  But it's the Gamemastery line, so meant for other games, but still, seems weird to be tossing in shared story stuff into a 3.5 crowd.

Kind of seems like one of those weird marketing things, where someone says "Hey, let's get the storygamer's money too."

Quote from: CRKrueger;396356I know you speak Klingon,,......

Whether I do or don't has nothing to do with the topic of this thread.

- Ed C.

I've thought the idea of something like that could be fun for the GM, but I hate that sort of thing for players.

I have a lot of Legend of the Five Rings cards. I made a deck of events once for an L5R game I was planning on running. It would have been interesting.

Quote from: CRKrueger;396344You bother reading the description Ed? :hmm:

Good thing you didn't bet, Saphim.

I see the words "idea" and "suggestion" being used a lot in that description. That is not shared authority in regards to the story it is the same thing like you sitting at the table and going "wouldn't it be cool if there were ninjas in there" and then the gamemaster either agress or disagress.
Just with fancy cards.

Quote from: Saphim;396341I'd wager a bet these cards are to be used by the gamemaster for random plot twists.

Quote from: PAIZOPlot Twist Cards open up a new experience of shared storytelling, providing players with ways to suggest new events during an adventure or get help when they need it most. Each of the deck's 51 cards presents a different theme that the GM and players, working together, can weave into the game's narrative, as well as related rules effects. With Plot Twist Cards, everyone can help tell the story and enjoy being surprised by new and unexpected turns of fortune.

GameMastery Plot Twist Cards add a new storytelling element to roleplaying games, allowing players to bring their own twists to an adventure's plot. Each card provides a minor story-altering idea along with a few options players can either use as presented or take inspiration from to craft similarly themed suggestions that affect in-game events. Every Plot Twist Card can be interpreted in countless ways, allowing players to suggest minor alterations to a game's events that a GM might add or adapt however best fits the story's needs. Such alterations might bring about an added bit of luck to improve the situation for the PCs or up the ante to create even greater challenges—it's all up to the players and their Game Master!

Boy, I sure hope you don't retcon all your bets that way.

Quote from: Saphim;396398I see the words "idea" and "suggestion" being used a lot in that description. That is not shared authority in regards to the story it is the same thing like you sitting at the table and going "wouldn't it be cool if there were ninjas in there" and then the gamemaster either agress or disagress.
Just with fancy cards.

Yeah, they go out of their way to say "Oh no, this isn't really Forge stuff, the GM has the final say", but C'mon, shared narration is a type of narrative control technique, even if the GM or other players can veto.