MONDAY, MAY 24, 2004 Storytelling System 101 – This week we’re going to take a look at the core game system that underlies all play in the new World of Darkness, namely the Storytelling System. That’s right Storytelling, not Storyteller (which was the name for the system running through most White Wolf games to this point). The new name exists to show that this rules set is an evolution of the systems White Wolf games have used before, but completely overhauled. Dots on the character sheet and 10-sided dice are still there, but Bill Bridges and the rest of the design team have streamlined and simplified areas that were needlessly complex and reworked parts of the system that were “statistically challenged.” The Storytelling System runs better, faster and truer than anything we’ve published, and it still exists to support and enhance stories rather than eclipse them. But let’s get into the details, shall we? Traits – In terms of game traits, the core of the Storytelling System consists of nine Attributes (three Mental, three Physical, and three Social) and 24 Skills (again divided into Mental, Physical and Social). Each of these traits is rated in dots (•), ranging from 1 to 5, much like the "five-star" system many critics use to rate movies. For example, a character might have a Dexterity Attribute of ••• (3 dots) and a Firearms Skill of •• (2 dots). Attributes and Skills are combined to do almost everything in the game. Beyond that are advantages and Merits. Advantages are usually derived from other traits and cover such things as Health, Willpower, Speed and Defense. Merits are special edges (such as an unerring sense of direction, or friends in the right places), which either your character is born with or he accumulates in his lifetime. Put it all together, and you have (at least mechanically) a complete character – it’s up to you to bring that character to life. |