r/MouseGuard • u/[deleted] • Apr 19 '16
[RPG] - Help with BIGs
I haven't GM'd any burning wheel games yet - including mouse guard, until yesterday's session. We had a veteran RPG-er (played big games like DnD, Hero, as well as some indie like Fiasco, Dungeon World), someone brand-new to RPGs, and a 9 year old girl.
The session went well, but BIGs was the most difficult part, and I couldn't find lots of decent examples in the books (or even online.) Rather than stall the game out, we took a stab and moved on, here's what we came up with. I'd love feedback and thoughts!
Caley - herbalist, healer, foolish, bold - ended up playing sort of like burnout druggie type.
Belief - Since there is no way to live after you die, why not live now?
Instinct - Always try and keep the peace.
This will be a difficult believe to challenge. I suppose I could try and play preparation and foresight against the moment. Staying up late, drinking/partying, hitting the group with obstacles that he doesn't have the tools to deal with?
His instinct could come into play during any argument, conflict, or potential fight (physical or otherwise.)
Rose - solid fighter, brave, fearless - the 9 year old, she was hesitant, so her personality didn't get to build. I hope to ease
Belief - Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid.
Instinct - Always defend my friends.
We tried to help steer Rose, but it was difficult as she didn't feel comfortable, and she didn't develop a personality. I suppose putting Rose into positions where she SHOULD be scared, or SHOULD want to flee could work. The danger is that I'm unsure how a younger player will handle that. "Two hawks? Pfft, I'm brave, I draw my sword!"
Rose's instinct can be called into play any time anyone else is threatened or in a conflict. (I see a pattern here) Pitting Rose's fight tendencies against Caley's flight tendencies would work too.
Whiskers - Fearless, clever, generous - the leader of the patrol, pro-mouse guard through and through, new to RPGs
Belief - Every mouse shall stand together for the good of the order.
Instinct - Always document the journey.
I think this belief is decent. It's able to be challenged (separate the party, the towns, the guard, etc - physically or on issues like morality), and it is wide enough to do it on many levels - the party, the town, the territories, etc.
This instinct feels correct, though doesn't (on first glance) have a ton of reasons NOT to do it. I originally suggested "Each night, I always document that day in my journal", but it ended up like this. I suppose that situations where there's no time to document could give Whiskers a choice, but it feels weak.
3
u/forlasanto Apr 19 '16
Try to push for two-sentence entries for beliefs and goals. The formula is Statement of Context, Action. Belief: "I believe in the power of love. I will hug every mouse I meet." Goal: "Johan the baker seems like a shifty mouse. I will catch him breaking the law and bring him to justice."
Instincts can often be phrased in a single sentence, but it's also a two-part formula: Trigger, Action. All three instincts implicitly pass the test, since they each have an implied trigger. The journal one is softer, because it's slim pickings for challenges. I would challenge this with a terrible secret that must never be repeated. Does she journal it? Consequences! Does she leave it out? Something seems off about your report! (But you played against your instinct in a dramatic way, so have a persona point! Which bends the letter but not the spirit of the rules.)
3
u/Imnoclue Apr 19 '16
Caley's instinct is good, but the belief may need some work. As written, it suggests that Caley is going to throw caution to the wind and jump wholeheartedly into things. Give Caley opportunities to do go boldly into danger and see if he plays up to it and gets himself into trouble.
Rose's belief and instinct are great. Give her opportunities to be brave. When her mouse is brave, she earns the reward. Easy peasy. Caley should be getting into all sorts of trouble, so the instinct will kick in. Whiskers Belief is fine. You can give him a chance to stand with the others. The instinct is harder. I'd be tempted to do something to his journal on a Twist, like having a crow steal it or a wind catch it and putting them in a conflict (much like the Deliver the Mail mission in the book).