L.U.C.I.D.

AroleplayinggameaboutenteringsomeonesDreamsandstealingtheirthoughts.
WrittenbyChadWattler
EditedbyChuckWills
TABLEOFCONTENTS
TheSetup
ADreamofaHeist
I.Pulls
II.TheDream
III.TheFalseAwakening
IV.TheThirdDreamingState
V.CollapseandRecovery
VI.DeathandTaxes
VII.TheMinderandWakingUp
TheTravelerswithinTheDream
VIII.MakingTeamandTheMark
IX.TypesofGames
X.TheFlowoftheStory
Acknowledgments,Legal,SampleQuestionnaire
Version1.0

TheSetup
Inthisgame,youplayhighlyillegalconmenwhostealinformationfromunsuspecting
peoplewhilethey,andyou,sleep.UsingasmallhandheldunitcalledaL.U.C.I.D.(Lucidwhile
UnConsciousInterrelatingDream)deviceandspeciallymadechemicals,youandyour
teammateswillsedateTheMarkwithouthisknowledgeandenterhissubconscious.The
ArchitectwillcreateuptothreelayersofDreamsthattheteamwillhavecontroloverinevery
wayexceptforthepeoplewhopopulateit.TheMarkwillbelievethatTheDreamishisown
unlessheisconvincedotherwiseandwillgenerallynotunderstandthatheisevenDreaming.As
TheDreambecomeslessandlessstable,theteamwillhavetoworktogethertofigureoutwhat
motivatesTheMark.Theplayerswillthenusethatmotivationagainsthimtoconvincehimtogive
themwhattheywantwithouthimknowingwhattheyaredoing.
NotcountingTheMarkortheteam,therearetwokindsofpeoplewhopopulateThe
Dream:NormalProjectionsandAgents.TheNormalProjectionsarepartofTheMarks
subconsciousandmaybeinteractedwithtogaininsightsabouthim,hispersonality,orhispast.
Forexample,iftheteamquestionsanexgirlfriendprojection,theymightfindsomethingout
aboutTheMarkspastorsexualityhowever,keepinmindthatallinformationwillbefromThe
Markspointofview.ThemorespecificthecharacteroftheNormalProjectionis,themore
specifictheinformationthatmightbegained.AwaiteratadinerinTheDreammightbemoanhis
lifechoicesandlackofeducation,indicatingTheMarkthinkshighlyofhisowneducation,
whereasanencounterwithameanandbossyparentmightpointtodeeperissues.These
projectionswillbecomeincreasinglyhostileasTheDreamdestabilizes,tothepointofhunting
downandkillingtheoutsidersinasubconsciousefforttoprotectTheMark.
Agentsareprojectionsofamilitarizedsubconscious,indicatingTheMarkhashad
specializedtrainingtocombatthetypesofincursionsthatyourteamisconducting.These
Agentsstartoutunawareoftheteamand,likeanygoodbodyguards,willblendintothe
backgrounduntilneeded.TheMarkisusuallyunawareoftheirpurposeintheDreamandthey
actindependentofhim.AsTheMarkfeelsthreatenedandeithersuspectstheDreamisnothis
ownorbecomesgenerallyagitated,theseAgentsbegintodisrupttheplansoftheteam.Killing
theNormalProjectionsandAgentsinnowayhurtsTheMarknordoesiteraseanythingfromhis
mind.
SincetheteamdefinestheworldofTheDream(viaTheArchitect),theycandoanything
theywantwithinit.Theycancreateendlessroadsthatleadnowhere,M.C.Escherlike
landscapes,impossibleobjectssuchasaPenroseStairsandTheDevil'sTuningFork.
IndividualobjectscanbecreatedorDreamedbyanyteammember,fromgunstoairplanes.The
moreoutofcharactertheobjectsareinrelationtotherealityofTheDream,themore
destabilizedTheDreambecomeswhentheyareused.Anexampleofthiswouldbeusinga
particlebeamcannononatankinaDreamthatissetduringWorldWarII.OnlyTheArchitect
canchangetheworldofTheDreamonthefly,butanyonecanDreamobjects.Thismeansthat

theteammustworkwithintheworldTheArchitectdefinesforthem.Forexample,onlyThe
Architectcancreatetheroads,buttherestoftheteamcancreatecarstodriveonthem.
Theinformationtheteamislookingforcanbeextractedinavarietyofwaysbutitallboils
downtoonetruth:TheMarkhastheinformationandhemustgiveitwillingly.Itcannotberipped
fromhim.Takingtheinformationwillresultinitbeingjumbledanduselesswhilepotentially
wakingTheMark.Theteammustearntheirtargetstrust.Thisisachievedbyfindingoutsome
issueinhislifeandhelpinghimworkthroughitwhilerelatingwhattheyaretryingtogetoutof
himtotheissueorthesolutioninsomeway.Manytimesthegoalofthemissionwillbetoobtain
asecuritycodeorsafecombination,getaformulaforanunreleaseddrug,thenamesand
locationsofparticularpersonsofinterest,anythingTheMarkmayknowandthepeoplehiringthe
teamwant.
ADreamofaHeist
I.Pulls
L.U.C.I.Dusesadicelesssysteminvolvinganyblocktowerstackinggamesuchas
JengaorTaKaRadi.ThistowerrepresentsTheDreamanditsstability.Theplayersmakepulls
fromthetowerwhentheydosomethingthatupsetsTheMarkandhissubconsciousdefenders
oralterstherealityofTheDream.TheGMaskstheplayerstomakepullsofbetweenoneand
threeblocksdependingontheseverityofwhatitistheyaretryingtodo.Astheplayersdomore
andmorepulls,TheDreambecomesunstableTheNormalProjectionswillgrowincreasingly
hostile,goingfromrudetoactivelyhuntingdownandkillingtheteam.TheNormalProjections
willtendtolashoutatrandom,whereasTheAgentswillbereactingtospecificthreatstoThe
MarktheirlevelofhostilitywillincreaseasthestabilityofTheDreamdecreases.Agentstendto
respondwithequivalentforcethismeansthatiftheteamisntpullingoutgunsandkilling
people,theagentswillnottendtodosoeitherunlessTheDreamisgettingveryunstableorthe
teamhasbeenoperatingunchallengedfortoolong.
Apullisnotnecessarilyacombatorskillcheckitisarepresentationofplayeraction
havinganimpactonTheDreamoutsideofwhatTheMarkexpectsfromTheDream.An
exampleofthiswouldbekillingthehighschoolprincipalataclassreunionbecausehewouldnot
letateammateperformatask.Apullwasrequestednottohitorkilltheprojectionoftheprincipal
butmerelybecausehewaskilledinasettingandsituationwherehewouldnormallyberelatively
safe.TheMarkdoesnotautomaticallyknowtheprincipalinthisexamplehasbeenkilledunless
hewitnessedit,buthewouldfeelagrowingsenseofuneaseasthisishappeningintheir
subconscious.ThisuneasemightmanifestitselfinTheMarkbecomingagitatedorTheNormal
Projectionsmightstarttakingannewandunwelcomeinterestintheteam.InstabilityinThe
Dreamcanmanifestinavarietyofways.
Atthesameclassreunionsetup,TheCounterfeiteristryingtogainthetrustofTheMark
bydisguisinghimselfashisdate.Duringthisdate,theotherteammemberskeepcallingThe
Counterfeiteronhercellphoneforupdatesandplanning.Everytimethishappenedafterthefirst

fewcalls,apullwasrequestedbytheGMbecauseTheMarksdateisbeingconstantly
disrupted.
PullrequestsaremadebytheGMandtakeplaceaftertheactionisdeclared.Successor
failureoftheactionisnotdeterminedbythepull,onlytheeffecttheactionhasonTheDream.
WhetheranactionsucceedsorfailsisuptotheGMandtheplayercollaboratingwiththegeneral
ruleofwhateverwouldmakethestorybetterforeveryoneasbeingthebestchoice.Generally
speaking,thevastmajorityoftheactionsshouldsucceed.Ifconsensuscannotbereached,then
theGMshouldquicklyruleintheplayer'sfavortokeepthegamemoving.
II.TheDream
TheframeworkofTheDreamiscreatedandcontrolledbyTheArchitectanduploadedto
theL.U.C.I.Ddevice.ThesedatedMarkandteamarealllinkedintothedeviceviavariouswires
andtubes.Theonlyphysicallyinvasivepartoftheoperationisstickingaverysmallneedleinto
eachparticipantandinturnhookingthatneedle,viaIVtubing,tothemachine.Fromthere,the
machineisactivatedandapowerfuldrugcocktailtailormadebyTheChemistispumpedinto
eachparticipant.Adeviceplacedontheforeheadworksinconjunctionwiththedrugstocreatea
shared,interactiveDreamspace.
TheDreamspaceorframeworkofTheDreamiscreatedandcontrolledbyTheArchitect.
Hecanaltertheweather,thephysics,thelandscapeandthebuildingsduetohisdeep
understandingofwhathehascreated.TheGMdoesnotdescribetheworldofTheDreamtothe
players,TheArchitectdoes.Whenoneoftheplayersasksifthereisabackdooroutofthe
building,theGMdeferstoTheArchitect.Ifitwasestablishedthattherewasnobackdoor,the
nonArchitectplayercannotmakeoneshortofDreamingupsomeexplosivesbutTheArchitect
canmakeapulltohaveadoorbethere.AnychangestotheworldTheArchitecthastomake
aftertheheisthasstartedshouldbeaccompaniedbyapull.Changeisadestabilizingforceto
TheMarkandhisDream.
Thesubconsciousprojections,bothNormalandAgent,willfitthemselvesintothe
frameworkofwhateverTheArchitectcreates.IfhemakesacasinoinMacausetinthe60s,it
willbepeopledbyhighrollers,dealers,andpitbossesincharacterwiththetimes.WorldWarI
willhaveDoughboysfightingtheKaiser'stroops.Alloftheprojectionswillplaytheirpartsuntil
TheDreamstartstodestabilize.EvenifTheArchitectstartsdoingweirdthingslikehavingstairs
thatwraponthemselvesorwholebuildingsthatfloatupintotheskyorstreetsthatfoldbackon
themselves,inhabitantsofTheDream,includingTheMark(aslongashedoesntrealizethathe
isinaDream),willconsiderthisnormalandwillcontinueabouttheiractivitiesasifithappens
everyday.ThisisbecausetheframeworkofTheDreamistheirreality,evenifthatrealityis
changinginwaysthatdontexactlymakealogicalsense.Thesesortsofchangesarea
destabilizingforcewithinTheDreamandcomewithpulls,butevenwhenTheDreamstartsto
destabilize,theyactasifeverythingisnormal.Theyonlystarttobecomemoreaggressiveas
theysenseaforeignelementhasinvadedtheirexistence,andtheirlevelofhostilitygrowswith

thedecreasingstabilitywithinTheDream.
Anyoftheotherplayerscancallintobeinganyobjecttheyknowofinreallife.For
example,onlyTheArchitectcancreatethebackdoortothebuildingbutanyoneontheteamcan
haveacarwaitingfortheminthealley.Also,anyonecansetupanexplosivetraponthenewly
createddoorfortheunsuspectingagentsthatarechasingthem.Thesethingsarejustthere
whennoonenoticedthembefore,asiftheyhavealwaysbeenthere.TheMark,ifproperly
trainedandawareheisinaDream,cancallobjectsinasimilarmanner.
Subtletyiskeytosuccessfullycompletingthemission.Iftheteamdoessomethingthat
completelyandtotallybreaksthelogicofTheDream,suchascreatedacitysizedwallthattraps
allofthehostileprojectionsononesideandjusthasthemandTheMarkontheothersothey
canstartbeatingtheinformationoutofhim,TheDreamwillcollapseandwakeTheMark.The
teamshouldtrytointegratewiththesituationandblendin.Themoretheyblendin,theharderit
isforaggressiveprojectionstofindandexpelthemandtheeasieritistogainTheMarkstrust.If
thepeoplewhohiredtheteamwantedtobeattheinformationoutofTheMark,theywouldnot
havehiredsuchexpensiveandsophisticatedoperatorstogetit.TheTeamhasbeenhired
becausetheyareprofessionalswhocangetthejobdonewithoutleavingatrace.
III.TheFalseAwakening
TheteammayinduceasecondlayerofDreaming,afalseawakeningwhereTheMark
believeshehaswokenupfromadistantlyfadingDream.TheywouldusetheL.U.C.I.D.device
andchemicalsnecessarytosedateandinducetheDreamstateinthemselvesandTheMarkas
theywouldintherealworld.TheArchitectwouldrebuildthetower,TheDream,anddescribethe
newlandscapeanditsframeworktoeveryone.ThishastheadvantageofresettingaDreamthat
hasbecometoounstableor,moreimportantly,beingabletogatherinformationortrustfromThe
MarkinthefirstDreamwiththeintentionofusingthatknowledgeinthesecondDream.Evenif
TheMarkisconvincedthatheisinaDreaminlayerone,hewillnotnecessarilyknowlayertwo
isaconstructedorfalseDream.Conceptsoftrust,betrayal,love,loss,andthelikewillstaywith
TheMarkevenifthespecificsoftheeventsarefuzzy.ThelayertwoDreamisnotfullyinthe
controlofTheArchitect.Iftheteamiswetforsomereasoninlayerone,thenitmightberaining
inlayertwo.Iftheyhavegottendirtybysettingupinanoldbasement,theneverythingmightbe
oldandcoveredindustinthesecondlayerdespiteTheArchitectsbestefforts.Thereisalways
somesortofconceptbleedingoverfromthelayeroneDreamintothelayertwoDreamno
matterwhatTheArchitectdoestopreventit.
IV.TheThirdDreamingState
Iftheteamsochooses,theycangodowntoathirdlayerofDreaminthesamemanner
asgettingtothesecond,DreamingupaL.U.C.I.D.deviceandinducingsleep.Atthislayer,there
isalargeamountofbleedoverfromthefirsttwolayersandtheGMwillstarttoaddinthings
fromtheteamssubconscious.TheArchitectwillbehavingahardtimekeepingthedifferent

aspectsoftheDreamtogether.TheGMshouldmakeuptofivepullsfromthisthirdleveltower
whenitiscreatedtorepresentitsinherentinstability.Also,heisnowabletoreinterprettheworld
thatTheArchitectdescribes.ThirdLayerDreamingisusuallyonlyundertakenbythedesperate
whoseplansdidnotworkinthefirsttwolayers.
TheThirdlayerofDreamingisverydangerousforboththeteamandTheMark.Normally
ifsomeoneiskilledinTheDreamtheysimplywakeupintothepreviouslylevel,freetoinduce
themselvesbackwhentheygetachance.IntheThirdDreamingstatethisisnotso.Ifsomeone
iskilled,theycannotwakeandbecomelostintheirownmind.Ifthetowercollapseswhenthe
teamisinthethirdlayer,itturnseveryoneinthatlayerintovegetables,trappingthemwithina
neverendingDreamwithintheirownminds.
V.CollapseandRecovery
Asmentionedearlier,thetowerrepresentthestabilityofTheDream.Asthetower
becomesunstable,sodoesthesubconsciousofTheMark.Thesubconsciousprojections
becomeagitatedandevenhostile.TheAgentsbeginhominginontheteamtodisrupttheirplans
andevenkillthem.Ifthetowercollapses,TheMarkwakesupandseeshimselfhookedtoa
machine.Theteamwakesupatthesametime.Iftheycanmanagetosedatehimandinduce
himbackintoTheDream,heisgoingtoknowwhatisgoingonandwillbeveryhardifnot
impossibletodealwith.SincemostofthesejobsrequireTheMarktonotknowwhatwasdone
tohiminthefirstplace,thisusuallymeanstheteamhasfailed.
IfeveryoneisinthesecondlayerofTheDream,theyareallkickedintothefirstlayer.The
Marksuspectssomethingitwillbecomeverydifficult,butnotimpossible,fortheteamto
overcomeTheMarkssuspicionsandachievetheirgoals.Onewayofdoingthiswouldbeto
convinceTheMarkthattheteamisreallyhisownmilitarizedprojections,TheAgents,andthat
theyaretryingtohelphim.TheteamcanframetherealAgentsasthebadguysastheyoperate
independentoftheonetheyaretryingtoprotect.
VI.DeathandTaxes
InjurysustainedwhileinaDreamwillnotcarryovertotherealworld.Peoplewillfeelthe
painofinjurybeitapunchoragunshot.Theywillreacttothoseinjuriesinthesamewaythey
wouldintherealworldtwistingananklewillcausethatpersontolimpinTheDream,and
runningcausesfatigueandbreathlessness.Painisaprimalthingandaffectsthesubconscious
evenifthosefeelingsareunwantedinTheDream.
GettingkilledwhileDreamingwillnotactuallykillaplayerorTheMark.DyinginThe
DreamwillshockthepsycheoutofitsDreamingstateandforcethedeadtoawaken.Aftera
fewmomentsofdisorientation,theawokenpersoncaninducesleepandreenterthecurrent
Dreaminglevelwiththerestoftheirteam.SuicidewithinTheDreamisausefulmeansof
escapeorwayofgoingbackintotherealworldtocheckonsomething.IfTheMarkhasproper

trainingandrealizesheisinaDream,hemighttrytokillhimselftowake,buthewouldhaveto
beverysureheisnotintherealworldfirst.
TheNormalProjectionsandAgentsarenotunstoppablekillingmachines.Theywilldie
justlikeanyoneelsewill.Theyarenotoverlyskilledorintuitive.Theteamiscomprisedofskilled
operatorsthatmakealivingoffslippinginamongsttheseanimatedpiecesofTheMarkspsyche
aswellasfightingthemoffwhentheheatstartstogetturnedup.Theirdangercomesfroma
constantlygrowinglevelofaggressionandnumbers.AsTheDreambecomeslessandless
stable,moreAgentsshowup,notnecessarilygunningfortheteambutlookingforsomething
thatiswrongandoutofplaceorupsettingTheMark.SincemanyheistsinvolveupsettingThe
Marktodrawouthisproblemssotheycanbeusedagainsthim,theAgentshaveplentytowork
withastimegoeson.
TheAgentsareheavies,enforcers,bodyguards,mooks,whatevertheDreamneeds
themtobetofilltheroleofprotectorofTheMark.Theydontreallyhaveanythingtosayanddont
representmuchaboutTheMarkbeyondadesireforselfpreservation.NormalProjectionsdonot
haveanyextravigilancelookingforforeigninvaderstoTheDream,butasitdestabilizesthey
becomehostiletowardtheteamasiftheyknowwhotheinvadersareevenifTheMarkandhis
Agentsdontrealizeit.TheNormalProjectionsarethegreatestsourceofinformationonThe
Marksincetheyrepresentdifferentaspectsofhismindtheyarealsothemostdangerous
Dreamelementsintheend.Oncethetowerhasafewpullstakenoutofit,theymightstart
actingmildlyrudeastimemovesonandmorepullsaremade,theywillescalatethrough
variousstagesofhostilityuntiltheybecomeanangrymobhowlingforthebloodoftheteam.This
iswhymostteamstendtostartquestioningthedifferentNormalProjectionsfirstandthentake
thatinformationandputittoworkonTheMark.
VII.TheMinderandWakingUp
TheMinderisatrustedperson(usuallyanNPC)hiredbytheteamthatsitsandwatches
overthesleepingteamandtheirMark.SinceeveryonemustbewithinafewfeetoftheL.U.C.I.D.
deviceforittofunction,usuallyonlyoneMinderisneeded.Theycanhelpsetupthedevice,
makesurethatthenecessarydrugsareadministeredand,mostimportantly,waketheteamup.
ThepowerfulchemicalsusedtofacilitatesteppingintosomeonesDreamgobeyond
simpletranquilizers.Sleepmustbeinducedbutthemindmustbekeptinastatejustoutsideof
fullDreamingsothatitcanremainlucidwithinTheArchitectsDream.Thesedrugcocktails
combinedesignersedativesandpsychotropicchemicalscreatedbytheteamsChemist.This
drugcocktail,nomatterhowwellmade,doesnotlastforever.Theteamneedstoregain
consciousnessandleavethesceneofthecrimesoTheMarksuspectsnothing.TheMinder
monitorsthevitalsofthesleepersandthensendsasignaltotheteamatapredeterminedtime
beforehehastowakethemandgetoutofthere.HedoesthisbyaffectingTheArchitectinsome
wayintherealworld.Hecouldsprinklewateronhisface,causingittoraininTheDream,orplay
somemusicthatwillthenstartplayingacrosstheDreamscape.

TheTravelerswithinTheDream
VIII.MakingTheTeamandTheMark
Thecharactersaremadebyeachplayerpickingarolewithintheteamandfillingouta
questionnaireforthatrole.Thequestionsareopenended,allowingforalotofpersonalization.
Theyarealsoleadingquestions,meaningthattheyaredesignedtogetcertainskindsof
informationfromtheplayer.Theinformationisntsomethingthathasarightorwronganswer,
butinsteadallowstheplayertodefinesomethingabouttheworldthattheGMcanuse.The
questionnaireprovidedintheserulesguidestheplayerstodefineTheMarkfortheGM.Itgives
eachofthemapieceofthepuzzletocreate.GMsareheavilyencouragedtocreatetheirown
questionnaires.Inthisway,theGMcancontrolhowmuchorhowlittletheplayersdefinethe
worldandTheMarkversustheirowncharacters.
ThePointManTheleaderofthegroup.Heistheonewhoassemblestheteamandhasfinal
sayovertheplansthataremade.Heseesamacroviewofthesituationthattheother
charactersmightbeunawareof.ThisviewofthingsallowshimtousehisBurdenofCommand
ability.Anytimeaplayerisaskedtomakeapullofmorethanoneblock,ThePointMancanstep
inandreducethenumberofpullsbyone.Foratwopullorgreateraction,hemaypulloneforthe
otherperson.Tousethisability,hemustsayhowheisalteringtheactionsoftheotherperson,
eitherphysicallyorbycommunicatingwiththem.Whenheusesthisability,heisnotchanging
theoutcomeoftheactionheissuggestingadifferentwaytogoaboutitorhelpingtheother
persontodoitdifferently.
TheArchitectThispersoncreatestheDreamworldandeverythinginit.Thispersondefines
totheGMandtherestoftheteamwhattheworldlookslike,itssize,itsphysics,anditsrules.If
TheDreamisonefilledwithmountainsandNorseGodswherepeoplecanflyaround,itisThe
Architectthatdefinesthat.TheArchitectistheonewhobuildsthetowerandhecanuse
alternativetowerconstructionsifhelikes,withGMapproval.TheArchitectistheonlyonewho
canalterthephysicallandscapeoftheDreamandchangeitsrules.
TheCounterfeiterThisteammateistheonlyonewhocanalterhisappearancetobe
anythinghewants.Heistheonlyonethattheprojectionswillignoreasathreatwhileheis
disguised.HispurposeistotakeontherolesofpeopleTheMarkknowstogaintrustand
influenceoverhim.HehastheabilityofShortTermRisk,LongTermGain.Thisallowshimto
bringstabilitybacktotheDreamwithhisdisguises.Ifhecanconvincetheprojectionsthat
somethingoutoftheordinaryisnormalorgetstheprojectionsawayfromsomethingthatis
destabilizingtheDream,hecantakeablockoffofthetopofthetowerandinsertitanywhere
elsewithin.
TheChemistThechemististhepersonwhomakesthesedativethatputseveryonetosleep.

HeisalsowhocancreateasedativewithintheDreamtoputpeopleasleepagain,thuscreating
aDreamwithinaDream.HehastheabilitytoAffectMorethanConsciousness.IftheGMasks
anyplayertomakeapull,TheChemistcansaythathisdrugwouldpreventthepullandallowthe
action,buthemustgiveareasonwhy.HecandothisonceperDreamlevelanditwillnegateall
theblocksinthatonepull.
TheTouristThisisthenonprofessionaloftheteam.Noteveryteamhasoneastheytendto
getinthewayatworstornotknowhowtohelpatbest.Theycanbethehangeronthatbegs
theirwayintothejoblookingforthatbigbreak,the10%erthatwantstomakesurethejobgoes
wellorthepersonwhosetupthejobinthefirstplacewhosepresencekeepseveryonehonest.
TouristshavenospecialabilitywithintheDreamworld.
TheMarkInaGMlessgame,oneoftheplayersshouldplayTheMark.Heisthetargetthat
teamistryingtoinfiltrate.TheplayersshouldagreeonwhattheyaretryingtogetoutofTheMark
beforethegamestarts,andthepersonplayingTheMarkshouldbasehischaracteronthe
answersgivenbytheotherplayers.Thisplayerdoesnotfilloutanyquestionnairenordoeshe
gettomakeanypullsfromthetower.HeisntallowedtoDreamupanyobjectswithintheDream
untilheisabletorealizethatheisDreaming.
IX.TypesofGames
AnormalgameofL.U.C.I.D.wouldusuallyconsistofaGMand4to5friendsbutthere
aretwovariantsofthegame:GMLight,andGMLess.
InaGMLightgame,aplayertakesontheroleofTheMark.Ifthegroupisusing
questionnairesthatdefineTheMark,thatplayerusesthosetodefinehischaracterormakesup
hisownifnot.Inthisgame,theGMistheretofacilitateactionsandarbitratedisputes.TheGM
andTheMarkshouldhaveaprivatediscussionbeforethegamestartsaboutthedifferent
motivationsofthecharacterandwhatthedifferentapproachestheteamwillhavetotaketo
succeed.TheMarkwillbeplayingalloftheNormalProjectionswhiletheGMplaystheAgents.If
TheMarkrealizesthatheisinaDream,theGMcanrelinquishtheAgentstohim.Also,theGM
canrunanyoftheNormalProjectionsatanytimetoaidTheMark.TheMarknevermakesapull
againstthetower.
ThesecondtypeofgameisonewhereyouhavesomeoneplayingTheMarkandanother
personplayingaTourist.TheTourististheclientwhohirestheteam.Hemightbecheckingon
hisinvestmentorwantingtomakesureheseesthingsthroughtotheend.TheMarkandTourist
playerscollaborativelycreatethecharacterofTheMark.Theyinterweavetheircharactersand
motivationscreatingastoryfortheteamtounravel.Ifthequestionnairesaredesignedtoform
theideaofTheMark,thetwoplayersthentakeandreadovertheanswersandinterpretthe
characterofTheMarkandhismotivations.

X.TheFlowoftheStory
Thebasicflowofthestorycanfollowthefollowingformat:
A.TheMeetGettinghiredtodosomethingveryillegal
i.Ifonepersonhassomethingofvaluethensomeoneelsewillalwayswantit.If
thatpersonwantsitbadenoughandhasenoughmoney,theycanpaysomeonetogetit
forthemevenifthatthingdoesntexistinreality.ThispersoniscalledTheClient.
ii.Ameetingtakesplacebetweenthepotentialemployer/sandThePointman.At
thismeetingthemissiongoalsarelinedoutandthetargetisgiven.Theplan,theteam,
thedetailsareallThePointMan'sproblem.
iii.Thesemeetingstendtobeontheshortsidewithlayersofpeoplebetweenthe
teamandactualpeopleplayingthebills.GetthroughthisRPquicklytogettherestof
playersintothegame.
B.ComingTogetherItsallaboutwhoyouknow
i.ThePointmanknowspeopleashehasputtogetherthesesortsofjobsbefore.
Unfortunately,thetalentpoolforthiskindofhighlyspecialisedworkisextremelylimited.
WhileThePointmanmighthavepromisedthebesttoTheClient,hecanonlyworkwith
whoisavailable.
ii.ThePointmanstartsmakingphonecallstogetallofthepeopleheneedsto
signon.Hegivesthemjustenoughinformationtogettheminterestedandhooksthem
withacutofhisevershrinkingpie.
iii.ThisisagoodopportunityfortheGMstartsettingthemoodforthedifferent
characters.TakeafewminutesforThePointmantocalleachoftheteammembersand
getthemonboardandtogether.Forexample,whenThePointmancallsTheChemist,the
GMcanturntothatplayerandsaysomethingtotheeffectof,YoupauseintheCiro
alleywaylongenoughtocatchyourbreath.Youthinkyougavethosethugstheslipbut
youonlygotoutofthatroomwiththeclothesonyourbackluckily,yourpassportwasin
yourpants.Yourwalletwasnot,notthatthatisanissuesinceyouwereoutoffunds
anyway.Yourphonerings...itsthelastpersonyouexpectedtohearfromtoday.While
youshouldntputeverysinglecharacterintoalifeordeathsituation,keepinmindthese
peoplearehighstakes,globetrottingcriminals.Thechancesofthemsittingarounda
trailerhomewatchingafternoonsoapsinaruralAlabamatrailerparkisfairlylow.
C.ThePlanTheWhoismoreimportantthantheWhat
i.Atthispoint,theteamshouldstartlookingintowhoTheMarkis,whathishabits
are,andwheretheycanhaveunrestrictedaccesstohimforafewhours.
ii.TheMarkshouldbesomeoneofimportancelikeadiplomat,theheadofa

criminalorganization,ortheheadofapowerfulcompany.Theycouldalsobeattachedto
someoneimportant,suchasachildorsecretaryorspouseofoneofthesepeople.
iii.Atthispoint,givetheteamsomemoreinformationtoworkwithsothatthey
canmakeapracticalplanofgrabbingthisperson,learningjustenoughabouthimandhis
problemssothatageneralplanofattackcanbemade.TheArchitectcanthenformthe
frameworkofTheDream.Thissectionofthegameshouldlastlongerthanthefirsttwo
butshouldgoonfortoolong.TheteamshouldonlyhaveavagueunderstandingofThe
Markgoingintothis.
D.TheDreamPeoplearetheirproblems
i.TheteamshouldbegoingintoTheDreamwithonlyasmallamountof
informationonTheMark.Themajorityoftheplayofthegameshouldtakeplaceherewith
theteamusingthecluestheyfoundintherealworldtostartaskingtherightquestionsin
TheDream.
ii.Thewholeplancouldtakeplaceinlayeronebutmostofthetimeitgoeslayer
two.Thetendencyistogaininformationandtrustinlayeroneandthenusethatinlayer
two.Generally,theteamistryingtogetTheMarktodosomethingtheywanthimtodo
thathewouldnotnormallybewillingtodo.
iii.Theteamshouldbequestioningandinteractingwiththedifferentprojections
andinterpretingtheirreactions.TheyshouldalsobemakingdirectcontactwithTheMark,
settingupsituationswherehemightcometotrustthemwhiletheydiscoverhisfears,
passions,obsessions,whatevermakeshimtick.Allthewhile,theymustfendoffan
increasinglyhostilesubconscious.Whentheteamfeelstheyhaveenoughinformationor
haveestablishedenoughtrustorevenintimidationwithinTheMark,theycancarryallof
thatovertolayertwo.Theynowmustsetupasituationtousethatagainsthim,usuallyin
theformofmakinghimfacesomesortoffear,insecurity,ortrauma.Forexample,they
mayengineerTheMarkovercomingthisproblemassomehowgrantingthemtheobject
oftheirmission.TheteamwillusuallyenduphelpingTheMarkinsomestrangewayasa
keytostealingfromhim.ThevastmajorityofthegameshouldtakeplaceinTheDream.
E.EscapeTimetowakeup
i.Tosuccessfullycompletethemissiononcetheobjectivehasbeenmet,allthe
teamhastodoisleaveTheDream,killingthemselvesorwaitinguntiltheappointedtime
whenTheMinderwillwakethemandleavethesceneofthecrimewithoutwakingThe
Mark.
ii.Iftheteamcantgetwhattheyneedinthetimegiven,theywillneedtogetout
ofTheDreambeforeTheMarkwakesup.Ifthetowerdoesntcollapse,TheMinderwill
wakethemandleaveTheMarksleeping.

Allofthisis,ofcourse,opentowideinterpretation.Therecanbeahugevarietyof
Clients,Marks,andobjectivespresentedincountlessdifferentways.
Acknowledgments
ThereareacoupleofpeopleIdliketothankandacknowledgeaswithoutthemthiswould
nothavehappened.
ChuckWillsMyEditorwhomIhavespentmanyhourwithkillingzombies,robbingbanks,and
takingovercivilizations.Onedaywewillshareourcitiesdistinctpizzaswithoneanother.
EpidiahRavacholTheguywhocameupwiththeideaofusingaJengatowerasadiceless
mechanicinanRPGwithhisgameDread.Hesalsomadeseveralotherinterestinggames.
Checkhimoutat:http://dig1000holes.wordpress.com/
Allofthepeoplewhotookachanceandletmerunthisgameforthematvariousconsoverthe
years.Icannotpossiblyrememberallofyournamesbutthankyouall!Ithinkalloftheexamples
intheserulescomefromallofthesegames.
Legal
Allcopyrightsbelongtotheirrespectiveowners.
AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike3.0Unported(CCBYNCSA3.0)

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/byncsa/3.0/deed.en_US

XI.SampleQuestionnaire
Thisisasamplequestionnairedesignedtohaveleadingquestionsthatdrawout
personalitytraitsofeachcharacterandlinkthepartyinsomeway,aswellascreateTheMark.

ThePointMan
1.

Whydidyouleaveyourlegitimatelifebehind?

2.

WhydoyouhavesympathyforTheMark?

3.

WhydidyoubetrayTheCounterfeiteronyourlastjob?

4.

WhoorwhatisMelody?

5.

Whydidyoujuststandthereandwatchyourfatherdie?

6.

Thatthingyoudo,ineveryDream,whydoyoudoit?

TheArchitect
1.

Whyisthisyourlastjob?

2.

Wherewereyoushot?

3.

WhydoyouputthesameclocktowerineveryDreamyoumake?

4.

HowbadlydoyouwishtoembarrassTheChemist?

5.

WhydoesyourDreamprojectionnotlooklikeyou?

6.

Whoownedtheoldlighterbeforeyou?

TheCounterfeiter
1.

WhyareyouworkingwithThePointManafterhebetrayedyou?

2.

WheredoesTheMarkknowyoufrom?

3.

Whenyouengageatargetwhyareyou,eversoslightly,outofcharacter?

4.

Whydoyouloveyourjob?

5.

Whydidyoustealit?

6.

Whatdidyoudowithyourselfafterthedivorce?

TheChemist
1.

WhatdoesTheMarkhaveonyou?

2.

HowdidyoufindoutaboutThePointManknowingyourlie?

3.

Whydoesyourspousesupportyourillegalactivities?

4.

WhyisbeingaChemistyour2ndjobchoice?

5.

Whydidyounameyour1stchildJoann?

6.

Whatmadeyoustopdrinking?