Playing Scenes
It’s time for a scene, a minstrels’ terzetto. Hopefulness, show them the way. Bleakness, stab! Like a stiletto. Finally, Hero, enjoy this fine play!
On your turn, your character is the undisputed protagonist. Therefore, you do the following things:
- set the scene;
- portray your character;
- if you want, draw a Fate card (only once per session);
- finish the scene when you’re ready.
On others’ turns—in addition to using the ritual phrases—you can always do the following things:
- create or play a secondary character;
- describe events and the environment;
- use your authority and possibly veto others’ narration related to elements you own;
- interpret the Resolution and Fate cards.
At the beginning of your turn, describe where your character is and what is going on. You are the one that sets the scene, so you can ask other players to portray secondary characters or describe the setting. You can also be explicit about the purpose of the scene—for example, you can say it is a memory, a flashback, a current event, etc.
A good suggestion is to make sure each scene has a purpose. This will allow you to provide other players with a track to follow. As the destiny point assures you a medium-term goal for the session you are playing, the purpose of a scene allows everyone to be on the same page. Of course, this does not mean having the whole scene in mind and following it slavishly (on the contrary, it is good that you know that in that case, the game will rush against you).
The only rule to follow at this stage is: support your characters, let them follow their desires, and satisfy their needs.
When you feel ready, you can end your turn and pass the turn to the next player. The scene ends when it seems most appropriate to you (probably when the purpose of the scene ceases to exist) unless someone tells you Harder.
You can play a secondary character at any time, either because someone asks you to, or because you feel like it. The current player can say Try a Different Way, of course, in which case you either change your portrayal of the character or just play a different character. Nobody owns secondary characters—anyone can take them over at any point.
At any time you can narrate events, describe the surroundings, and so forth.
Lady Iseullt mourns Sir Cararant, at death’s door, after she herself pierced him with the iron under the false pretences of the Periwinkle Knight. Alas, untrustworthy war, you tear the lovers apart with chains whose links are crowns of kings.
Last modified 1yr ago