Inspiration for Political Intrigue in SP Module

[Legacy_UnrealJedi]

               Hello all,

I am quickly approaching a part of my module where the PC is going to have to investigate a crime. I have the basic framework but need to add in fine details. This is probably going to end up being a complex storyline. For those of you who are into political intrigue and complex storylines....where do you draw inspiration from and how to come up with the fine details and nuances as you develop the story?

Thanks for any assistance you can provide!

- UnrealJedi
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_henesua]

               Do you mean Mystery or Intrigue? The two are not the same.

In any case, when working out a story, I imagine the situation, then approach it from the point of view of each NPC, and consider their motivations, angles, etc... Then I consider them all together, and wonder what conflicts or shared interests might arise. If it isn't interesting I change the motivations a little to be more in conflict.

Some of the best mystery games ever made were made by Infocom: Suspect, Witness, Deadline. I occasionally turn to them for inspiration. I've got them available via a command line z-machine interpreter on my machine.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_UnrealJedi]

               It will definitely be political in nature because the PC will be a minor noble assisting a neighboring ruler with an investigation. I'll probably have some type of conspiracy in there somewhere. Thanks for the help!
               
               

               

                     Modifié par UnrealJedi, 15 juin 2012 - 07:55 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Leurnid]

               I have found in pen-and-paper games that starting with a solid scenario presented in real life or fiction is helpful, and usually, as I would map out the interconnections for my game scenario, the subplots and relationships would build themselves.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               <looking to a good book...>

Most times I simply recall some episode my long, complex and rather sordid life :-P

Other times I turn to a good book like The Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin.

Political? Check.
Conspiracy? Check
Medieval? Check
Exhaustively researched? Check
Engrossing in a quite disturbing way? Check

<...and missing the *other* mistress>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_QlippothVI]

               The misunderstanding is also a fun plot device. Is the captain of the guard with some of his men accepting a bribe in the middle of the night, or just acting as the courier of a large some of money for a very important cause? I was trying to figure out how to arrange one faction of PCs spying on another party of PCs and causing this sort of problem in my idea for a PW (not easily solved). Kind of set them against eachother initially. 

There's also the misunderstanding and later joining of forces for a more uplifting experience. Especially to defeat a (newly discovered) common foe... and stomping them thoroughly (either through numbers or magical might, great time for a battle and/or cutscene.  '>

Or someone with authority (a temporal power like a noble) acting as a hindrance to the investigation and protecting someone who is secretly using them, and when they discover their wards treachery, they start helping the heroes. To repair their "honor" more than anything else if a more selfish authority.

Usually it's all about trust, and the appearance of the situation from various angles.
The Captain of the guard doesn't like armed (and highly dangerous from an NPC point of view) people (heroes to us) stomping around their turf causing drama.
Nobles usually don't want to be bothered, but get especially angry if someone discrupts the flow of silver into their coffers.
The people want to find someone to punish quickly and just feel safe again.
The heroes are looking for a villain, who may or may not even know they are being selfish and hurtful to others. But may not care in any case.

Anyway, it's all in how a person first discovers it and builds on that initial (possible false) idea and how it colors everything you learn as events unfold. Then you can do a nice switch (hopefully something delightful for the user) in your plot.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par QlippothVI, 18 juin 2012 - 06:32 .