Page 107 - Chronicles of Darkness

Black Threads:

Storytelling

The group of people who get together to tell stories set in the Chronicles of
Darkness using this book and others are players. At any time, players can agree to
have one player take on the role of Storyteller to guide the story and take on special
tasks to guide the group. A Storyteller is still a player, though her responsibilities
to the group are different. Some groups find it ideal to stick with one Storyteller
throughout the course of a chronicle, and give up some of their choices as players
to experience more surprises and twists. That’s a great way to play. Some groups
choose to rotate Storyteller responsibilities, keeping most or all of the story se-
crets either on the table for everyone to use, or undefined until they come up in
play, holding on to more of their out-of-character choices and sharing the load of
Storyteller responsibilities. Some groups give certain storylines to specific players,
letting that player hold Storyteller responsibilities for that storyline, but allowing
them to have a character in the game so long as they can only engage with other
storylines. This is tricky, and requires that everyone works together and cooperates,
but is often worth the effort.
When using any of these methods, players can look at Storytelling less as a
special and unique position for one person, and more as a list of things to do that
players can handle singularly, in a group, or by taking turns. But what are those
responsibilities, exactly? Here is a sample list, though your group may need more
For why do you or fewer assignments than those covered here. It will also help if, as a group, you
despise my fear decide on any additional responsibilities you’d like to parcel out to one or more
and curse my pride? players in the group.

But I am she who
exists in all fears Invisible Hands:
and strength in
trembling. Storytelling Responsibilities

I am she who is weak, Provide Space to Play: This is often a Storyteller’s responsibility, but should
and I am well in a it be? This is a good thing to go over with the group to help ease the burden on
pleasant place. any one specific player. Leaving all the details of when and where to play to only

I am senseless one player can lead to burnout, fast.
and I am wise. Food and Drink: If you’re gaming for any real period of time, are players re-
sponsible for their own food and drink? Is everyone pitching in to provide for the
-The Thunder, group? Again, these logistical details shouldn’t be taken for granted, and shouldn’t
Perfect Mind be left entirely to the game’s host or a central Storyteller.
Establishing Setting and Theme: It can be tricky to do this alone, though
traditionally it’s expected that a single Storyteller is totally responsible for this.
However, figuring out the setting and theme for your Chronicles of Darkness
games can be a communal experience, a conversation between players. Try start-
ing with a piece of media, an existential question, or an urban legend you want to
explore. Alternately, start with a strong “what if,” such as, “What if the covered
bridge downtown really was haunted?” or, “What would it look like if Wall Street
was actually home to roaming packs of werewolves?”
Interesting Characters: Within the group, it’s everyone’s in the group respon-
sibility to bring interesting characters to the game that will also suit the settings
and creative themes of the game. Sometimes that means a player has to back off
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