Feel free to make your own scenarios.
A scenario is a broad setting. A forgotten ruin can be a long forgotten fort, castle, town, sanctuary, or anything. Small shifts in settings wouldn't require a new scenario. But, a new location with new possibilities and expectations would. The prompts would change.
Review the scenarios on this site. Use those to guide you.
Notes on my thinking as well as a template for use are below:
Parts of the Scenario
The scenarios are made to be a folded booklet with four "pages" on the front and back of a single sheet of paper or light cardstock. For that reason, there is a certain set of data provided to help the Interviewer and Players know what to expect from the story and remind them of the basics of Improv.
The Pitch
This is three lines. The general setting, a vague tagline to give interest and a statement of basically what Improv Role-Pod Gaming is.
Review the template and check out posted scenarios to give you an idea what I'm doing.
Character Ideas.
I usually keep this to one line in the booklets. Just basically what era and type of characters. If this is a Victorian Aristocrats scenario, let the players know so they don't make a Cyberpunk Elf that would be completely out of place.
In the online versions I will sometimes expand to give different story styles that groups may wish to pick from to create a more cohesive story.
If the scenario is in the same general genre, I will copy/paste the ideas.
In the end, off book characters are the best. Prompts are there, because we all get writers block.
Plot Opportunities
While writing the actual prompts for the story line, my mind wanders into all the possibilities for the setting. I know that when facing the setting, it's hard to get an idea of the possibilities. These are lists of things the character may run into in the scenario. Options they can take. Things they can find. Monsters they can easily introduce.
I usually write these lists After I have completed the prompts. At that point I have an idea where players may want a list of items for inspiration. These lists aren't required to be used. Prompts are never multiple choice. They are just there to help inspire when a little extra is needed.
Guidelines
I literally copy/paste this whole thing. It's important to remember the rules of improve and the Hard Stop safe word (break break break). Including it can help remember to be creative and safe.
Interviewer Notes
These are the prompts. There is an opening, closing, and a bunch of plot in the middle.
Because this is structured after an anachronistic podcast structure, I have made the closing paragraph and introductions very cut/paste. The Opening has a few variances for introducing the setting and the title of the scenario. This is all to give a feel of legitimacy and get into character.
The rest of the headers in the template below are based on a standard hero's plot where they find themselves in a situation, become involved, face a foe, find a twist or the thing they need to face the big bad, then Face the Big Bad to save the day.
Prompts should leave broad possibilities for the things found. suggested prompts (and sub headings) are setup to guide the interviewer through guiding the characters through the events of the day.
Open ended questions. Many options. But the ideas progress through a story.
A Template
The following structure is a template. ALL CAPS are areas where you enter information.
Your group has just returned after A VAGUE STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL THEME FOR THIS SCENARIO.
A TAGLINE.
Over the course of the podcast, your characters will describe who they are, what happened and what the outcome was. The host will guide you through a series of interview questions (prompts) that you should answer in character using improv rules.
A LIST OF WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE CHARACTERS. GIVE FREEDOM TO BE CREATIVE. THIS IS JUST TO LET THE EXPECTATIONS BE KNOWN AND SHARED. FEEL FREE TO GIVE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT A GROUP MAY WANT TO AGREE ON FOR THE SESSION.
PICK A FEW LISTS OF IDEAS/THINGS THAT MIGHT HELP INSPIRE IF SOMEONE NEEDS SOMETHING EXTRA FOR INSPIRATION.
In character:
You will be playing in a character. The characters will describe the events that happened to make the story.
The focus is to have fun. Sometimes craziness ensues and you may break character (especially laughing). While you should minimize the break, it’s more important to ignore the obvious out of character laughing that can happen.
Yes/And
You should strive to take whatever narrative is presented by the host and other characters and add to it to build the story. Those unexpected curveballs are what makes the exercise fun.
No/But
Lines and Veils are in full effect. If the narrative turns to an area that you can’t just ignore or play through, say something.
If a player says something about “I’d rather not go into detail”, assume that we need to “fade to black”. It still happens, but we should not describe more detail on the action.
If a play says, “I’d rather not talk about that”, or “Let’s talk about something else”. Assume it’s a line and find a different direction to go.
Hard stop:
If anyone says, “Break Break Break”, this is our safe word. Stop and the person who broke tells us if we need to strike a topic from the story or what we need to do to move forward. Can also be used for real life intrusions.
Opening:
Welcome to the Survivor's Tavern podcast where we interview a different group of travelers to tell us stories of their latest adventures.
This episode is titled “EPISODE TITLE”
Our guests tonight returned from THE GENERAL THEME/LOCATION. They found more than they expected. This is their story.
Introductions
Let’s go around and tell me who you are and something about yourself.
The Trigger
PROMPTS FOR WHAT LEAD TO THE CHARACTERS BEING THERE.
Stakes
PROMPTS FOR WHAT MADE THE CHARACTERS GET PERSONALLY INVOLVED
Turning Point
PROMPTS FOR THE POINT BEFORE A MAJOR CONFLICT
Challenge
PROMPTS FOR A MAJOR CONFLICT.
Discovery
PROMPTS FOR THE TWIST THAT HINDERS THE CHARACTERS
Resolution
PROMPTS FOR THE FINAL CONFLICT
Aftermath
PROMPTS FOR AFTER THE EVENT
Closing:
This has been the Survivor’s Tavern podcast coming to you from the backroom at the Survivor's Tavern and end at the Crossroads to everywhere. 'Til next time, may all your adventures be worth the trouble.