How to Guide

As a Guide in Mems of Cascadia, you take on the role of the main storyteller. Your words set the scenes, narrate the events, act as the non-playable characters, and prompt the Trackers towards their own self-organized activities.

That’s a lot of responsibility, but don’t worry-- we like to have fun here! The following chapter is full of resources to aid your adventures in Guiding!

Game Database

Each Story Guide suggests when to insert games into the day’s activities. There may also be a specific game to play, but frequently, the Guide will be able to choose from any game with the qualifying Game Tags.

Safety

Each game has a few basic safety considerations. Make sure to review these every time you plan a gaming session.

Preparation

Much of the Guide’s work is done on the fly. However, there are a few ways to prepare for running a game that will make things smoother and more fun for everyone! As a best practice, read over the daily events, practice your NPCs, and decide on your games the night before.
Every day includes 3-4 games. Some of these games are fixed in the story, but most can be chosen from the database with minimal prep work.

Throughout the story guides, there are areas of quoted italicized text. Consider these suggestions, not exact scripts! Whenever possible, incorporate your environmental context into the description.

Storytelling

Steering Skills

Steering is when you make an action or comment designed to direct players to in-game elements. The more subtle the steering, the more immersive the gameplay experience. However, it will always be necessary in some form to keep players on track! Here are some suggestions for keeping a light touch:

Read the Room

Different groups will have different interests and limits in roleplay. Continuously assess how your group id doing, and steer towards the best representation of the Tracker's Compass as possible.

Situation	Suggestions
Trackers are freaked out.	Tone down the stakes for younger Trackers
Trackers want to choose violence.	Remind players of the Trackers Compass to curb wanton punchiness. If they insist on fighting, consider allowing it with appropriate consequences (for the characters, not the Trackers themselves). Possibilities include getting captured, additional obstacles in games, or losing an NPCs' cooperation or friendship.
Trackers are hung up on something specific.	Make note of it, and make a plan to use it. Even if it's ridiculous and unfeasible, there is some way to bring it in, if only as a cameo. In the meantime, tell the Trackers to forget about it! That is absolutely not happening.
Trackers are struggling with roleplay.	If a second Guide is available, play off them to let interesting or secret information slip. You may also restructure a conversation into an improv game.

Social Engineering

Share Secrets

Give People What They Want