What makes for a good tabletop roleplaying game?
Is it the mechanics associated with the game? Is it the nailbiting difficulty that develops with time? Or before all of those things, there is a component that is the very foundation of every game, every book, every cinematic masterpiece? We are, of course, talking about plotting a story structure and writing a compelling narrative.
Let’s discuss how to plot a story structure in tabletop roleplaying.
Why is the story so important?
Well, any game or individual is as interesting as the story behind them. The plot drives the players’ actions and struggles, or you can even say that the plot is the game itself.
A good story will have a strong beginning and an even stronger ending; the journey will tie up the knots and the plight of the protagonist in a neat little bow. When developing a compelling plot, it is essential to consider the structure and how it will drive the narrative forward.
However, there are many other components to consider:
Journey
The hero should ideally come from humble beginnings; perhaps they live in a world of supers yet have no superpower of their own (yet), or perhaps they have been ostracized from society because of some unacceptable flaw. This will only make the wins more and more satisfying as the story progresses. The whole idea is to get them out of their comfort zone. This structure gives you a sense of purpose and direction for players as they find their way through the challenges.
Challenges
Now, let’s shed some light on the importance of challenges. The nature of the challenges should be gradual and progressive; each one should be more difficult than the last to keep the players from getting bored. The challenges should create a sense of urgency and tension in the gameplay experience to make the wins more satisfying.
Plot Twists
This is one component of a story structure for tabletop roleplaying that can either make or break the game. The art of misdirection—where you build up the story one way, drawing the player in, only to completely flip the narrative—can be incredibly effective. Compelling plot twists will keep players engaged and on the edge of their seats, guessing what will happen next. This sense of unpredictability can take your story to a whole new level.
Characters
At the end of the day, it’s the characters you engage with that ensure the experience you will have. Well-crafted characters with unique personalities, dialogue, and arcs create an immersive storyline, strengthen relationships between the players, and make for a thrilling TTRPG.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to tabletop roleplaying. For more on how to write compelling plot structures and immersive worlds and design a well-rounded TTRPG, get yourself a copy of my book, The Art of Writing for TTRPGs, now!
As always thank you for visiting and I'll see you in the stars,
David J Morand
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