The Storytellers
The Hearthstone Tavern RP Podcast cast finished recording today, February 21, for Episode 11 (to be released later in the week). We were thrilled to have Jaero the Grim back with us from Earthen.Ning! We also had a great time presenting a preview of World of Warcraft’s Stormrage, authored by Richard Knaak, and round-tabling about role play techniques for established role-players.
-
One of the topics that stood out during the round table discussions is the idea of a storyteller in role play. I was unclear what this term actually meant in terms of role playing within World of Warcraft. I have seen the use of the phrase “storyteller” when I have read various players’ role playing addon tags while in game. A quick definition of the actual term “storyteller” is, “One who writes and tells stories, a narrator.” However, all of us who role play are storytellers to some degree because we are inventing and writing our character(s)’ story. So, that didn’t really clear it up for me. The Hearthstone Tavern RP cast took a moment to discuss what a storyteller is in an role play setting (available in Episode 11).
-
In role play, there are participants and organizers. Organizers can be those players who organize public role playing events such as story nights or players who organize storylines written and portrayed. Storytellers remind me a a little of dungeon masters from table top D&D (Dungeons and Dragons). Here is what I mean:
“A Dungeon Master (often abbreviated as DM) is the game organizer and participant in charge of creating the details and challenges of a given adventure, while maintaining a realistic continuity of events. In effect, the Dungeon Master controls all aspects of the game, except for the actions of the player characters (PCs) and describes to the other players what they see and hear.” (ref.: Dungeon Master )-
“Dungeon Master”, or “Storyteller” is. He (or she) is the one who prepares a game or storyline in advance, and then, with the participation of the players of the game, acts out that game. They should try not to “lead” your player’s from one event to the other. Try to design your game as to allow for as much player freedom as possible; many Dungeon Masters design their games and storylines as an outline or a series of notes, as opposed to preparing a solid story. Because you never know exactly what your players are going to do, you should try to keep your games, events, and scenarios as open-ended as possible. Also, remember that people who are playing a game crave action – that’s why they are playing the game in the first.-The key to a good role playing game is not only the Dungeon Master’s ability to tell his story, but the actions of the player’s characters in game, too. (ref.: Dungeon Mastering )
-
However, in an already established gaming system such as World of Warcraft, the storyteller can’t really manipulate specific NPCs or PCs, dungeons, or quests… so how do they story tell? They can and do present storylines and continuity between characters and story which often incorporates other players’ characters and their actions within the context of the story within the established world. They do this through writing and planning storylines that are presented and “acted out” within the game and followed up in writing on forums.
-
Here are a few things which helped me understand more about the storyteller role in World of Warcraft:
-
Example: “…but little did she know that…” A storyteller’s focus isn’t on the character at all, it’s on the narrative the character’s life becomes. Storytellers tend to write narrative fanfiction, run storylines, and try to introduce continuity between events. Depending on their narrative skills, they can be valuable contributors. A storyteller is most satisfied when things lead to other things and eventually, a logical and kathartic conclusion. The only thing better than a good character is a good story for the character to contribute to. Doing that well enriches everyone’s experience. (ref: World of Warcraft Forums EU)
-
I loved playing D&D and having an adventure with a character that I developed. It seems sort of exciting to have someone willing to organize a story/event that incorporates your character. I think I will go look around for a storyteller.
| Suzanna aka Stardancer/Stardancerelf (stardancerelf.com) started doing audio articles in the Epic Dolls Podcast in 2006. She has continued on to host Hearthstone Tavern RP Podcast with a fantastically talented and creative cast. She is an avid part-time gamer, musician, artist, and someone known to philosophize. Twitter her @stardancerelf |
Role Play Editorial, Role Play Tips | Suzanna (aka Stardancer) | 
February 22, 2010 5:13 am
