How to Improvise? Encounters

• Every Story is a chain of Encounters.
• Discoveries & Crisis, punctuated by phases of Rest.
• Each Scene is an Encounter.
• How do you create surprising Encounters?

Summary – 6 steps to memorable Encounters

1. Define the Atmosphere
2. Define the Issue
3. Define the Stakes
4. Define the Options
   • Fight
   • Negotiate
   • Flee
5. Define the Outcome
6. Define the Aftermath

• Encounters Rhythm your Story.
• They entice all to pursue the Story.
• How do you make use of them to maintain the Public & the Character’s interest?



Diversity

• Atmosphere
• 1st, you need to Frame the Encounter.
• Environments are defined by their Colors.
• As well as the impact of Light on them.
• The Environment influence Characters.
• It forces them to adapt & develop their skills.
• Potential Dangers make an Environment more alive.
• Every menace encountered by the Characters is a new Souvenir.
• As well as the Scarcity of a specific resource can put them in an deadly situation.
• The Rhythm of the environment defines the Rhythm of the Characters.

• Type of Interaction
• Your Characters may interact with other Characters.
• The Character’s goal is core to define the Interaction.
• And how it aligns with the Character’s behavior.
• She may be benevolent.
• She may be hostile.
• Her intentions may be undetermined.
• There may be no direct opposition in the mean time.
• But she could oppose the Characters later.
• Your Characters may interact with Environments.
• They may Discover one.
• Chose to Explore one.
• Or even Collect resources.

• Resolution
• The Resolution of an Encounter is defined by the other Character’s Intentions.
• There are different Type of oppositions.
• As well as different Type of alliances a Character can form.
• Your team may want to get the attention of another Character.
• Or to get rid of another Character.
• The Most common resolution Options are :
  • Fight/Taunt/Threaten
  • Negotiate/Trade/Corral
  • Flee/Hide/Distract

If you want to know more about Diversity & Improvisation.



Intensity

• Weak
• When it comes to weak encounters there are 2 main questions to consider :
  • Should your Character allocate time to this Encounter?
  • Should she make use of violence?
• If your Character is superior to her enemy she’s unlikely to waste her energy on this enemy.
• Likewise if it is a weaker ally.
• Weak Characters may be in need of help though.
• They may be in possession of a valuable piece of information.
• Should your Characters help them?
• Is it a valuable use of their time?

• Strong
• Strong Encounters are based on Opposition.
• But opposition doesn’t mean Hostility.
• Characters may be opposed in early stages and ally later.
• Strong Characters tend to have High Goals.
• Therefore, these Characters should have valuable skills.
• Why not recruit them?
• A Strong encounter is also an Unusual Encounter.
• Create out-of-boundaries Creatures & Characters.
• Individuals which behave differently than the rest of their Species.
• With Specific Quirk in order to make them more memorable.

• Mixed
• Mixes Encounters are Surprising.
• They are meant to Shock the Characters.
• Often they will take the form of a group of multiple Creatures.
• These can be Different type of Creatures.
• Or Different Groups size.
• The Nature of these Groups can be the Shocking element.
• As well as The Nature of the Alliance.
• The Heart of the Surprise resides in the Shocking nature of the Alliance.
• For best results, ally 2 Groups which should be Enemies.

If you want to know more about Intensity & Consistency.

Escalation

• Simple Issues
• Simple Issues are Common Issues.
• They take place in Mild Environment.
• Daily Issues make your world more believable.
• As they are simple they have Simple solutions.
• They can be solved through peaceful resolutions.
• Most often they should be solved through cooperation.
• However, frustration may accumulate as these mundane issues do.
• And because of this frustration certain characters may cause more mayhem.

• Threats
• Threats feel more Dangerous is the Environment is against the Characters.
• Weather is a way to create Danger.
• Structure are meant to have dangerous Specificities.
• The very Setting can be Unstable.
• There can be hostile Inhabitants.
• There can be Traps.
• The Characters may face a Strong Opposition.
• They should be pressured by their opponents.
• They should face opponents which Use new Skills.
• Threats Limit the Characters Alternatives.
• And Characters should look for the most efficient alternative.
• If peace is an option so be it.
• But if it isn’t, they should try to force it.
• Immediate Threats should be treated at a Fast pace.
• Which long term Threats should be treated at a Slower pace.

• Crisis
• Crisis are Harsh.
• They should leave the Characters scared.
• Crisis imply Deadly Environments.
• And Antipodal Opposition.
• During a Crisis there is Little to no way to reason an opponent.
• Catastrophes are an efficient way to create Crisis.
• Wherever they are Natural or Engineered Catastrophes they should be large-scaled.
• Solving a Crisis is a Slow & deliberate process.
• The Characters should be attentive.
• They should try to Intimidate the opponent.
• As the opponent is likely to Trivialize them.
• All their focus should be on Survival.
• Fleeing is an Option.

If you want to know more about Escalation & Pain.



Surprise

• Hidden Character
• Characters’ intention are essential to determine their role.
• Some Characters may hide their intentions.
• The Character may be hidden :
  • Literally – hidden Character
  • Figuratively – Character whose Role was hidden
• There are 2 main cases of hidden Characters :
  • Hidden Hindrance
  • Hidden Benefactor
    • In the case of a hidden benefactor there may be a counterpart Eventually.
• The main appeal of Hidden Characters is Mystery.
• Then the Characters should Unveil her Identity.
• As well as her motives.

• A 3rd party
• An Unidentified organization may appear later in the Story.
• It can be an especially late point.
• Maybe near the Conclusion.
• The Later it is, the Simpler the explanation should be.
• 3 Questions should be answered if a 3rd party appears :
  • Why wasn’t it part of the conflict?
  • Why is it now?
  • How do they plan to thwart the other 2 sides?
• You can them imagine multiple outcomes :
  • The 3rd party sides with party A
  • The 3rd party sides with party B
  • The 3rd party destroys party A
  • The 3rd party destroys party B
  • The 3rd party opposes both parties
  • The 3rd party wants to ally with both parties

• Alignment shift
• Why would a Character change sides?
• If they are given a Better Life elsewhere.
• Characters change sides when they are given more Consideration.
• It could be materialized by a higher position in an organization.
• They could be Pressured to save one’s life.
• Maybe the Character’s own life.
• The shifting Character should be looking for a Reward.
• There are 3 main types of Rewards :
  • Experiences & Sensations
  • Opportunities & Titles
  • Information

If you want to know more about Surprises.