Okay, folks... the first draft of Skein is available for your perusal.

Go to http://vaxalon.20m.com/files/ to download it.

I get a 'forbidden' message when I try to download it, or look at it.

Try grabbing it from this page instead:

http://vaxalon.20m.com/favorite_links.html

I get the same error.

Well, pu.

I gotta figure out somewhere else to host it, then.

None of my buddies are having trouble getting to this file.

If you want me to send it to you, send me a PM or catch me on AIM or YIM and I'll send you a copy of it.

Okay, NEW LINK

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/lordothemar/skein.html

It's now up there as a webpage rather than a file download. Not what I would ordinarily choose, but for our purposes, sufficient, I think.

Yeah, the font size is small.

Hi Fred,

I had no problem getting the page. I made a graphic representation of the structure you've sketched out:

[img]http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~ecboss/images/skeinstruct.gif[/img]

Comments:
This rocks. You've delineated a structure that orchestrates what people create and weaves their creations together. Chaos level as opposed to "difficulty" is great. Prime frame creates setting and aspects of social contract of play. Character becomes the hub for exploration.

Questions:
How will people record/represent the knots being created? Will they?
How is it determined that a conflict/drama is resolved? How are competency levels set? Are all imaginary elements to be connected to a focus character? Where would new setting wide elements be introduced?

yrs,
Emily Care

edited 1 time for redundancy

I could include recommendations for how to record knots; personally, I would do it with 3x5 cards, but a notebook would serve just as well. I could even create a notation system with numbering schemes.

A resolution knot is proposed by a player who believes that the conflict is resolved; if it's not vetoed, then the resolution knot becomes part of the game, and that conflict is resolved.

There's a description in the post-scene material for adding new frame elements, but perhaps that ought to be part of the scene itself; a player could call a timeout to propose a new frame knot.

Chaos level isn't OPPOSED to difficulty, actually.

I'm going to add something about obstacles that are not represented by a participant in a scene; basically, they are either automatically overcome, or completely impenetrable, depending on the circumstances.

Vaxalon wrote: Chaos level isn't OPPOSED to difficulty, actually.

It isn't instead. The difficulty is the competencies of any other participants involved in the conflict.

Let's say that Aliceis playing Urgo, the FC troll. Bob playing Gargas, the FC wizard. Charlie is playing the Keep of Unbidden Tears, a background. In the scene they're playing, Urgo and Gargas are trying to break into the Keep. Each participant describes their own character's goal. All three each roll their associated competencies. Whoever ends up with the lowest totals (after dice are added) describes the scene, and describes it according to the winning character's goal.

This really needs an example of play, doesn't it?

Yep!

But, now I understand where you're coming from. I've attempted that idea before (except it was the players deciding on how risky they wanted their actions to be) and I really like the way you're doing it here. I need to read the whole thing again to gvie you something more constructive...

Cheers
Jonathan

Presently working on a new draft, then I'll be looking for IRC partners to give it a go.

New version is posted at the old address.

Hopefully this will clear up some of the issues, and clarify some of the language.