Vignettes

Vignettes are a special type of encounter that Scouts and skill heading gains access to.  Vignettes operate as small quests/encounters that are run by the Scout.  The players who go with the scout on the particular Vignette may end up playing their own character, or may play NPCs for the duration.

Once the Scout has been approached by the players interested in traveling into the Wastes, he reports to NPC camp where he collects a Vignette Packet.  This packet will contain some basic information, such as the number of players the Vignette requires as NPCs, and the suggested number of PCs as well.   There will also be suggested costuming for the NPCs.   If there are idle members of the Support Staff they may volunteer to participate as well.

For the duration of the Vignette, the Scout will act as the Storyteller.  The Scout will work with the party of PCs to figure out which of them will “Be an advance party” with him and act as NPCs for the duration of the Vignette.

The Scout will take these players aside, select roles for the mod, and help them find their costuming and get into position (finding a location to run the mod is also part of his responsibility).  Then he will go back to the players and take them to the location.  (Regular scavenging rules apply for these missions).   Once the Vignette begins the Scout is expected not to participate, but just to observe and note what happens.

After the Vignette has been resolved, the players may return back to game.  The Scout then takes the players who played NPCs and fills out the after action report and gives out any NPC rewards that exist.  He then collects any of the costume garb the players borrowed and turns these things in while the other PCs return to play.

There are no rewards for participation for the Scout themselves, the expectation is that they will solicit payment from PCs for their work.

Elements of a Vignette

Vignette Card
This card gives the scout some basic information which can be used to help put together a party.

Name – This is the name of the Vignette
Scout Description – This is some basic info that the scout will give to players to let them know vaguely what to expect, to explain why they’re traveling to the location they are.  For example: “A part of the desert with strange creatures in it and an old ruin”
NPCs Required – The number of NPCs needed to run this Vignette
PCs Required/Supported – The basic number of PCs needed, and the max that can be brought on the Vignette

The above information is what the Scout can use to recruit a party that’s interested in their Vignette.  Once they have the group they can open the packet itself, which contains more information

NPC Cards
These cards are given to the NPCs to give them the information they need to play their characters. These are located inside the Vignette envelopes and only revealed once the party is en route

Name – The name of the NPC
Costuming – The costuming required for the NPC
Basic Background – Some rough information for players to understand the basic background of the NPC
Possessions – Any items the NPC has on them
Goals – What the NPC is trying to get out of the current scene they’re in
Notes – Anything else that needs to be known by this NPC

Scout Card
Since the scout is the individual running the scene as an ST, this card has the information they need to set up and stage the encounter.  These are located inside the Vignette envelopes and only revealed once the party is en route

Setting Description – The types of setting the scene needs to be placed in (Ex. “Near a building”)
Basic Description – A high level description of what the scene is (Ex. “Bandits are trying to rob a farmer”)
NPC Information – A few sentences to reflect what’s on each of the NPC cards
NPC Rewards – What each NPC gets as a reward if they meet their goals
PC Rewards – What kinds of rewards are available to the PCs for this Vignette and how they can acquire them
Damage Control – Suggestions to help the scene if the PCs are floundering (Ex. “If the PCs are having trouble locating the hidden cache, have one of the PCs fall through a sinkhole, taking damage, but revealing the cache”

After Action Card
This card is filled out by the scout after the Vignette to tell the Storytellers what transpired during the Vignette. NPCs may also need to fill out AAC’s

List of NPCs with a blank space to fill out who acted those roles
For each NPC listing their goals and a checkbox for whether or not it was met
Space for Notes for each goal with any clarifying information
List of PCs that were present
General notes beyond what was listed of interesting events/interactions which occurred