Monitoring Spotlight and You: How to roleplay inclusively
Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:01 pm
Spotlight is a concept that is commonly used in Pen and Paper games, whereby the Dungeon Master facilitates roleplayers allowing each of them an opportunity to influence the 'story' or contribute to the 'roleplay.' On Arelith since it's more of a mass player-world setting, it is necessary to allow the players to handle this themselves.
What is Spotlight:
Spotlight is a term that simply refers to which character currently has the 'spotlight' or attention of the other players at this time.
Why is Spotlight monitoring important?
Spotlight monitoring is important because it is necessary to be inclusive. Everyone is here to be a part of the game and enjoy themselves. Those who are not included are often left disenfranchised or no longer interested in the activity. Everyone rolls a character to receive attention in some manner.
An example of Spotlight being shared:
Our party has entered an argument over treasure! Some has gone mysteriously missing. Enter characters:
Freddy the Fighter raises his sword and demands single combat with Robby the Rogue. Penny the Paladin and Wally Wizard watch nearby. The spotlight is currently on Freddy, and with his challenge, he passes the spotlight to Robby the Rogue, who must respond accordingly. Robby seems worried by his chances, and raises his hands wondeirng at the accusation, appealing to Penny the Paladin. Penny the Paladin begins negotiating while Wally the Wizard wrings his hands in social awkwardness.
In that example, 3/4 of the characters have had a 'spotlight' moment. Freddy he Fighter, Robby the Rogue, and Penny Paladin have all had a role and been involved in this interaction. Wally the Wizard has done nothing at this time. While he may not want to do anything (After all, he may just enjoy watching) the other players should attempt to be conscious of Wally the Wizard's need for inclusion.
However, Freddy the Fighter notices Wally's handwringing and declares 'Wally, Enspell me so I might strike down this rogue!' Now Wally has been included, and the spotlight shifts to him...
This is a good example of party spotlight shifting. All players have been interacted with, they've all had an opportunity to 'do their part' even if their part was to do nothing. Some players may desire more spotlight, and some less spotlight, but it's important to be conscious of this OOC mechanic.
An example of spotlight not being shared:
Mandy the Multiclasser goes into a dungeon with Norman Newbie, Quentin the Quiet, and Fanny Fencesitter. She proceeds to kill all the monsters, unlocks all the chests when able, and buffs her self. The other players when attempting to interact are told to 'sit still, I will handle this!' As a result, no one is invested in the scene except Mandy.
At one point, Norman Newbie starts fighting a kobold and appears to be succeeding, but Mandy quickly intervenes, slaying it and claiming it's magical sword, saying 'Hah, look how I killed them all!'
Norman Newbie was completely invalidated by this action. Perhaps the player will be okay with this, but they probably won't be.
Letting a player have their 'moment:
There are important moments in a character's arc where they have accomplished something grand, or are having a 'moment' of success. It is important not to take spotlight too fast in this circumstance, or at least permit them to have that period of Cartharsis.
When that Catharsis is stolen, it creates bad feelings.
Example:
Two swordsmen engage in a duel, a build up of many moons and months. Upon successfully defeating the Victrus the Vile, Bertram the Bold is promptly incinerated by a hiding mage who kidnaps him for their evil plans!
While this is a stricly in character thing to do, it's very poor judgement in terms of OOC spotlighting. The evil wizard, who may desire Betram for their own ends should at least give him the 'acknowledgement' of victory and let him have 'his moment first.' Then they can show up and commit their dastardly act!
Example #2:
A paladin of Torm, Adam finally captures the vile Cyricist Matty. He parades the Cyricist through the streets towards the guillotine, proclaiming his victory for the light. Suddenly, a player, Lemmy Lame that was entirely uninvolved in the plot shows up and starts screeching obscenities at the Cyricist, and then tries to kill him by stabbing him to death! After all, A Cyricist killed his father!
Why this is lame: Nobody like it when their plot is suddenly stolen from them. Yes, Lemmy Lame had reasons to kill the Cyricist. But he could have simply watched, and proclaimed Adam a hero, letting Adam have his moment. Lemmy will find his own heroics to attend to eventually.
More examples in future, but spotlight is a fairly important part of roleplay that is often unexplained.
What is Spotlight:
Spotlight is a term that simply refers to which character currently has the 'spotlight' or attention of the other players at this time.
Why is Spotlight monitoring important?
Spotlight monitoring is important because it is necessary to be inclusive. Everyone is here to be a part of the game and enjoy themselves. Those who are not included are often left disenfranchised or no longer interested in the activity. Everyone rolls a character to receive attention in some manner.
An example of Spotlight being shared:
Our party has entered an argument over treasure! Some has gone mysteriously missing. Enter characters:
Freddy the Fighter raises his sword and demands single combat with Robby the Rogue. Penny the Paladin and Wally Wizard watch nearby. The spotlight is currently on Freddy, and with his challenge, he passes the spotlight to Robby the Rogue, who must respond accordingly. Robby seems worried by his chances, and raises his hands wondeirng at the accusation, appealing to Penny the Paladin. Penny the Paladin begins negotiating while Wally the Wizard wrings his hands in social awkwardness.
In that example, 3/4 of the characters have had a 'spotlight' moment. Freddy he Fighter, Robby the Rogue, and Penny Paladin have all had a role and been involved in this interaction. Wally the Wizard has done nothing at this time. While he may not want to do anything (After all, he may just enjoy watching) the other players should attempt to be conscious of Wally the Wizard's need for inclusion.
However, Freddy the Fighter notices Wally's handwringing and declares 'Wally, Enspell me so I might strike down this rogue!' Now Wally has been included, and the spotlight shifts to him...
This is a good example of party spotlight shifting. All players have been interacted with, they've all had an opportunity to 'do their part' even if their part was to do nothing. Some players may desire more spotlight, and some less spotlight, but it's important to be conscious of this OOC mechanic.
An example of spotlight not being shared:
Mandy the Multiclasser goes into a dungeon with Norman Newbie, Quentin the Quiet, and Fanny Fencesitter. She proceeds to kill all the monsters, unlocks all the chests when able, and buffs her self. The other players when attempting to interact are told to 'sit still, I will handle this!' As a result, no one is invested in the scene except Mandy.
At one point, Norman Newbie starts fighting a kobold and appears to be succeeding, but Mandy quickly intervenes, slaying it and claiming it's magical sword, saying 'Hah, look how I killed them all!'
Norman Newbie was completely invalidated by this action. Perhaps the player will be okay with this, but they probably won't be.
Letting a player have their 'moment:
There are important moments in a character's arc where they have accomplished something grand, or are having a 'moment' of success. It is important not to take spotlight too fast in this circumstance, or at least permit them to have that period of Cartharsis.
When that Catharsis is stolen, it creates bad feelings.
Example:
Two swordsmen engage in a duel, a build up of many moons and months. Upon successfully defeating the Victrus the Vile, Bertram the Bold is promptly incinerated by a hiding mage who kidnaps him for their evil plans!
While this is a stricly in character thing to do, it's very poor judgement in terms of OOC spotlighting. The evil wizard, who may desire Betram for their own ends should at least give him the 'acknowledgement' of victory and let him have 'his moment first.' Then they can show up and commit their dastardly act!
Example #2:
A paladin of Torm, Adam finally captures the vile Cyricist Matty. He parades the Cyricist through the streets towards the guillotine, proclaiming his victory for the light. Suddenly, a player, Lemmy Lame that was entirely uninvolved in the plot shows up and starts screeching obscenities at the Cyricist, and then tries to kill him by stabbing him to death! After all, A Cyricist killed his father!
Why this is lame: Nobody like it when their plot is suddenly stolen from them. Yes, Lemmy Lame had reasons to kill the Cyricist. But he could have simply watched, and proclaimed Adam a hero, letting Adam have his moment. Lemmy will find his own heroics to attend to eventually.
More examples in future, but spotlight is a fairly important part of roleplay that is often unexplained.