Behind the screen, faction clock rolls.

Behind the screen, faction clock rolls.

Behind the screen, faction clock rolls.

So the web of faction ties is complex and confusing (I might make an entity relationship diagram to figure it out) and the faction clocks are equally challanging (Im going to need to build a series of sequence and stateflow diagrams to figure it out).

My question to gm’s out there is how do you drive a narrative backdrop based on these competting constraints (opposed to just ignoring it and making stuff up)?

Without putting more effort into it than is required to say design an amazon webservice….

6 thoughts on “Behind the screen, faction clock rolls.”

  1. You find a few factions that are related to your group. You pick a couple more you like. You decide what they’re doing for each. Roll once a downtime and interpret the results.

    In general you look at their direct relationship (who they are allied with, who they are fighting, what do they want). No giant relationship web required.

  2. Depends on what you are wanting out of it. If what the characters interact with is the most important I agree with Stras Acimovic. If you and your players really want the rest of the city to feel alive even if the players were not there, you could do a GM turn style thing like Stars Without Number. Though a lot less detailed in regards to things like specific unit types. The system as written reminds me of Fronts from other AW style games as well so that is also a good place to look for inspiration on how to handle it.

  3. The faction turn in SWN is a very good syatem, but it isn’t in Blades because that’s not how factions work in this game.

    Don’t try to track and simulate everything. Do what the book says (what Stras says here) and then see what you think.

  4. Luke, I feel ya. I was intimidated at first but have since learned the “Blades way”. 🙂 Hold on loosely and go with what’s interesting and follows the fiction. Let it flow naturally and use NPC faction downtime to surprise yourself! It’s a lot of fun to make a roll and then apply it to the fiction and it can inspire some great stuff.

    For groups not yet on screen, don’t worry about it. If they do show up, use them logically and more importantly, in a fun and cool way that you like. If you’re stuck as to where they’re at, make a fortune roll or more, as desired. Proceed from there.

  5. Even with the understanding that it’s not necessary for Blades, I’ve been thinking of making a diagram of the the relationships that are happening behind the scenes as well. Just for the purpose of having ideas for complications all in one place. I like the idea of all the factions being in a constant state of tug-o-war with each other, so it might be useful to have the already existing web of enemies and alliances laid out. Obviously yeah, the main action is what the players are interacting with, but I really like the idea of moving parts behind the scenes forming a narrative backdrop, as you put it. If you end up making something like that, I for one would like to see it.

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