Re: Re: Hero Quests R Uz

From: Benedict Adamson <badamson_at_...>
Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2001 12:24:16 +0000

"Robin D. Laws" wrote:
...
> This is true of any part of an adventure hero's daily life.
> Adventure stories are about interesting trouble.
>
> Cattle herding only comes up when something threatens
> the herds.
>
> Harvesting only takes center stage when a crisis interferes with
> it.

[etc.]

True, but it leads to what could be called 'the skeleton problem'. Experienced RPGers encountierng an inanimate skeleton will instantly smash it to bits, because everyone knows it could pop up at any moment: what ought to be a surprise becomes predictably dull. There must be enough normality for the unusual to appear unusual (chiaroscuro).