Sub-Plot me!!

[kevperrine]

I read this quote on RPGnet by BASHMAN and it got me to thinking about a conversation that I'd love to hear more on from the BASH! fan community!

As an option, you can also use "Subplots" for each character- things going on in their lives besides fighting super-criminals. Maybe one of the Heroes has a friend who may be doing drugs and needs help (like Harry Osborn from Spiderman) or maybe they just have a rivalry with another kid in their secret ID. These Subplots can be a good way that a parent could talk to their kid about dealing with an important issue without it becoming a lecture. Creative-wise, subplots can also be introduced by the player. So the player might say to the Narrator that his after-school job is working for a REALLY grouchy Newspaper publisher as a photographer. The Narrator then rewards the player with Hero points for coming up with this creative aspect to the Character.

Often in comics like Spider-Man, the more interesting stories isn't the big fight going down with Doc Ock- it's dealing with the teenage drama of his "normal" life. Now if you just want to keep it simple and more light-hearted, of course, subplots are only an option.

So OKAY!
Hit me!
Talk to me more about Narrator ideas and options for building, integrating, and focusing on "Sub-Plots" in BASH! UE.

What are the various RULE bits that touch on and factor in a Sup-Plot for the game rules to use and/or expand on?
- Hero Points awarded/spend?
- Team Setback Points awarded/spent?
- Personal Setback Points awarded/spent?
- any other rule points to consider??


And how about just the narrative of creating a story... Any thoughts or suggestions on how to build and integrate? Any suggestions on "how many" or who to include (ie. do you focus on 1 PC hero at a time?, etc..)


I'd love to here about or be pointed toward any notes in the core BASH! UE book to get ideas for these ideas OR have any examples of actual play or ideas to help with these!

anyone want to discuss??
-kev-

[pearLes]

nice article in there..

i enjoy reading it.. thanks for sharing..

haven;t waste any time in reading it..

[BASHMAN]

I tend to focus on one character per issue regarding subplots, and I rotate them. Sometimes I'll have a brief development of a long term plot, though with a different character.

So for instance, one of the teen-heroes in the group "came out" to his mother that he was a superhero. She got VERY angry with him, and grounded him to his room. This character's power is that he can summon "people", usually comic characters. They aren't actually sentient beings- more like golems. Anyway, so to go with the group on a mission, he made a golem of himself brooding in his room playing WoW.

So they go on the mission. This is a multi-issue story arc that ends with them defeating this gigantic cat-god. When he got back, his mother was waiting... really angry (the Golem wasn't very convincing). So he's got even WORSE problems at home.

Another player (who's secret ID is that he's an investigator for the Fire Dept) rescued a boy from a burning "Cheesy Charlies" pizza place. The boy turned out to be the child of his ex-wife- and the boy's age was about 5 months after they divorced! So they had a lot to talk about! When the PCs get back, he finds out he's being investigated for STARTING the fire! A rival from the dept. apparently is accusing him of arson (saying he did it so he could be a hero and get back together with his ex-wife; in actuality, he just wants the guy's job).

[Jason_Sunday]

I have real trouble adding in subplots. I wish I had a grasp on how to run subplots.

[BASHMAN]

I have real trouble adding in subplots. I wish I had a grasp on how to run subplots.

I am here to help. I use them all the time, so I hope I can be of assistance:

First- have you figured out what subplots your players want for their characters to be involved in?

[jakspade]

I have real trouble adding in subplots. I wish I had a grasp on how to run subplots.

I am here to help. I use them all the time, so I hope I can be of assistance:

First- have you figured out what subplots your players want for their characters to be involved in?

Subplots are easy to manipulate, but hard to maintain. I have found that subplots usually revolves around something like this:

• The hero himself - There is something about the hero that makes his life difficult. The hero might need to go through great pains to keep from anyone knowing his secret identity. Perhaps the hero is constantly mistaken for someone else, good or bad.

• An NPC associated with the hero - A girlfriend or family member or even an arch villain. The person could be someone that the hero loves or hates, one that shows up a inopportune times and gets into trouble frequently.

• An item the hero owns - Perhaps the hero's powers are derived by some rare gadget or mineral, one that needs recharging or sends him on an endless quest to maintain his powers.

• A job, ritual or gesture - Even something that the hero does on a regular basis can be used by the GM to cause drama in the hero's life.

Those are just some ideas of dramatic elements that can be used as subplots to keep heroes on their toes.

[BASHMAN]

As far as "maintaining" the subplots- what I do is focus on 1 character's subplot, then when it is resolved, begin focusing on one of the other characters. If each character has 3 subplots, you go through each in sequence, for each character over the course of several weeks.

[Jason_Sunday]

My games usually go more of the cartoon show style of play. Heroes hanging out, villians strikes, and heroes react. I really want to add personal lives but it seems that most of the time my games revolve around combating the villian.

[Jason_Sunday]

I have real trouble adding in subplots. I wish I had a grasp on how to run subplots.

I am here to help. I use them all the time, so I hope I can be of assistance:

First- have you figured out what subplots your players want for their characters to be involved in?

Not really. I think my main problem is I need more non-villain NPCs.

[BASHMAN]

Well:

1. Look at your players' sheets. Do they have "Ward" "Contacts" or some similar advantage? That's a dead-ringer right there for NPCs to interact with. Also, if someone has "Destitute" or "Resources" there's a chance to throw a ton of work-related sub-plots. For instance, if the character's secret ID is that he is the head of PC Industries, you can have situations come up like attempted hostile takeovers by other companies, or an embezzling employee, or somebody getting powers in a work-place accident blaming the CEO for it...

2. Ask the PLAYERS to come up with them. Say they should come up with 3 subplots for their character. 1 Super, 1 Career, and 1 Interpersonal based. That should be plenty for now.