Consequences Table
by
, August 29th, 2024 at 08:38 (2971 Views)
For players who want to learn more about the usage of consequences in their Solo Sessions, I made a quick table. You can use it as a cheat sheet to find out about your PC's actions if you're stuck.
# About Choices
We all make our own choices in life with what we have in our arsenal. Sometimes they are right sometimes they prove to be wrong. Making tough choices require wisdom but the problem is that you can't be wise without making mistakes and learning from them."Strategy is making tough choices with incomplete data."
Characters we play - not just PCs - are subject to the same rules. As all choices lead to an action, there should always be a reaction whether or not it is immediate. Because our PCs may act but there are other forces in the game that may want to react. This chain is a block that completes the imitation of real world in art forms.
# About Failure
At first, you might think that failure or death of a solo PC is the end. But Solo Gameplay teaches us embracing the failures and taking responsibility for the consequences of actions in a fun way through characters we play. That's why I encourage making mistakes (even deliberately) in Solo Sessions just to learn. I used to list all the mistakes a certain classes could do in a battle then simulate it just to learn about the class. Pen and paper is not a great game-space to do that but VTTs make it so much easier.
# Consequences Table
Type Description Example Chains to General Natural Cause & Effect Using low skills unwisely; climbing a rock with penalty Natural effects; physics, chemistry Logical Consequence logically connected to action Entering into a cave alone and getting into combat Run Forest, run!
Or take responsibilityContrived Devised punishments from villains Saving the last hp potion for next turn at low health and getting hit Resentment, Rebellion, Revenge, or Retreat Attributes Physical Bodily punishments Injury, disability, wounds Seeking help in life or death situations Mental Attacks to the Mind Stun, confusion, being puzzled or worse Search for answers, mustering willpower Emotional / Spiritual Getting beaten by fundamental laws & higher forces Negative emotions and questioning faith (i.e: Oathbreaker) Good: Self-Control
Neutral: Choose above or below
Evil: Evil ActionsSerious Imbalance Within your PC and in between PCs & Villains Physical, mental, spiritual or material / wealth External conflicts Loss Deprivation of Abilities, opportunities, allies, freedom, materials, wealth, authority, motivation Internal conflicts The Ultimate Losing body, life, soul, mind... Death, becoming an illithid, undead Continue as is, New PC or Afterlife (Planes of Existence) Argh! Unnecessary RNG... Perfectly devised plan fails because numbers says so New plan, loss of motivation, rage quit, acceptance, replay