Making the Most of Your Turn
In narrative role-playing games, every action matters—not just for your character but for the story as a whole. Your turn at the table is more than a chance to roll dice; it’s an opportunity to deepen the narrative, explore your character’s motivations, and contribute to the group’s shared story. But how do you make your actions feel meaningful in a way that goes beyond just succeeding at a task?
By asking the right questions, you can transform your turn into a pivotal moment for both your character and the narrative.
Start with the Big Picture
Before you declare what your character does, take a moment to consider their goals and challenges. What’s driving them right now? What obstacles stand in their way?
For instance, let’s say you’re playing a no-nonsense space pilot in a science-fiction adventure. The group is stranded on a desolate planet, and your turn arrives. Instead of simply announcing, “I try to fix the engine,” you might think about your character’s deeper motivations:
•Are they driven by a sense of duty to get the group home?
•Do they feel personally responsible for the crash?
•Are they questioning whether this is even the right mission to complete?
By framing your actions within these internal conflicts, your turn becomes more than a dice roll—it becomes a moment of character development.
Ask Yourself These Questions
Here are five questions you can use to guide your decisions during your turn:
1.What’s my character’s immediate obstacle, and how do they plan to address it?
Identify what’s standing in their way and think about how they’d approach solving it, whether it’s an external problem (like a malfunctioning ship) or an internal one (like self-doubt).
Example: Your space pilot might approach the engine not just to fix it, but to prove to themselves that they can still be a leader.
2.How can this moment help my character grow or confront a personal challenge?
Think about how your character’s actions can serve their larger arc. Are they taking a step toward overcoming a fear or resolving a past failure?
Example: The pilot’s actions could be framed as an effort to redeem themselves after a botched mission that haunts them.
3.How does this scene affect the world or society around them?
Consider how your character’s choices ripple outward. What impact might they have on the group, the mission, or the broader game world?
Example: Fixing the ship’s engine might signal to the rest of the crew that the pilot is stepping up, reshaping group dynamics.
4.Which relationships are affected by my actions?
Reflect on how your choices influence your character’s bonds with others. Does this build trust, create tension, or challenge an existing relationship?
Example: If the pilot’s decision puts the crew at risk for a chance to succeed, how will their closest ally—or rival—react?
5.How do my actions push the story forward?
Link your turn to the group’s overarching goals. Can you use this moment to gather information, forge alliances, or resolve conflicts?
Example: The pilot’s actions might uncover a clue about the planet’s dangers, helping the group decide their next move.
For Narrators: Encouraging Meaningful Turns
As a Narrator, you play a key role in guiding players toward intentional, story-driven play. Here are a few ways to support this mindset:
1.Ask Leading Questions:
Before a player acts, prompt them with questions like, “How does this action reflect your character’s goals?” or “What’s at stake for your character here?”
2.Create Situations with Personal Stakes:
Design challenges that resonate with the characters’ backstories and motivations. For example, a political crisis might echo a character’s personal loss, making their actions more emotionally charged.
3.Reward Creativity Over Efficiency:
If a player makes a choice that aligns with their character’s persona, reward them with narrative consequences, even if the action isn’t strategically optimal.
Moving Beyond Mechanics
In narrative TTRPGs, your turn isn’t just about what your character can do—it’s about what they care about and why. By taking the time to consider your character’s motivations and connections to the world, you can turn every action into a meaningful part of the story.
So, the next time the spotlight is on you, remember: It’s not just about rolling the dice. It’s about taking a step deeper into the narrative, shaping the world through your character’s eyes, and leaving a mark that resonates beyond the moment.
