When Demons Scheme

[JamesDJIII]

Here's another question for Sorcerer GMs out there:

The Sorcerer rules mention that sometimes its good to know, as a GM, what the demons are up to or aiming for. Do you always think this out when preparing? How important is this step?

I'm conlficted - I don't want the goals of the demons to de-protagonize anyone - but am I cheating myself out of anything?

[Ron Edwards]

Hi James,

These threads might help.

Demon antagonism
What else can demons do? (a bit focused on demon abilities, but what you're asking about is the real issue)
Love, demons, and a desperate cry for help (especially the second page)

I'm also thinking that you may be confusing "protagonism" with "full character freedom." Remember that people play Sorcerer because they want their characters to be under maximum pressure in maximal conditions of adversity. I have played demons who impaled characters with the broken-off ends of street signs. I have had demons crawl into bed with characters. I have had demons mate inside a character's body and, in a later session, give birth through the character's face. I have had demons make demands worthy of My Life with Master, especially after acquiescing to something that wasn't really their speed in an earlier session.

Even in somewhat lighter games like Demon Cops, in which the demons are more like side-kicks, they were (a) very active and (b) often quite off-kilter in logic-terms.

Demons are your special fun as GM. The point is to turn up the heat, and then give the player the decision-power for coping with it. The system operates as a phenomenal outcome-spinner during this process, and it consistently rewards desperation and passion on the part of the player, especially when delivered creatively. You don't ever have to worry about outcomes as a Sorcerer GM. All you have to do is play the NPCs, and that most especially and intensely includes the demons.

Trust me - the more you hammer the player with their own demons, whether just in whacked cross-eyed social interaction about the Need this time, or in the most abusive and confrontational physical terms, the more you permit the players to protagonize their characters.

That's a key point: no one can directly protagonize someone else's character. You can only facilitate them doing so themselves.

Now for another point: you use the phrase "think this out" during prep, and I may be wrong, but I smell a bit of "be completely prepared" habits, which is to say, "plan it all ahead." So be aware that I'm not talking about knowing exactly what to do with every demon prior to play. I'm talking about playing them, as GM, during play. That means getting into their horrid little heads and moving fast, and decisively, when circumstances of play provide them with opportunities from their point of view.

Best,
Ron

[JamesDJIII]

Ron said:

I have had demons crawl into bed with characters. I have had demons mate inside a character's body and, in a later session, give birth through the character's face.

Oh. Ohhhhh. That''s not right.

About 3 years ago I read a GM's sumamry of hw they prepared for play. He introduced the rather mind-blowing concept of not determining how to solve the problem (or the adventure, scenario, etc). Otherwise, he said he felt he was just preparing the game for a railroading.

Now at first I thought "That can't possibly work!" But I tried it and liked how things went much better than before. So, I am not worried about preperation in that regard. What I am concerned about was more along the lines of "Am I missing something to make a game of Sorcerer better?"

(At some point I think I need to start another thread about the sort of players you want for a Sorcerer game... but that's anther thread...)

[Ron Edwards]

Hi James,

I guess I'm having a hard time interpreting this part:

What I am concerned about was more along the lines of "Am I missing something to make a game of Sorcerer better?"

Did the thread references help with that, or are you still inquiring about it? And if so, can you be more specific?

Best,
Ron

[JamesDJIII]

Yes, the thread did help.  Question answered - Thanks!