GLOGtoberfest 5th - Maps

MAPS

GLOGtoberfest the 5th is maps. I'm sure lots of people will be posting big fancy geographical maps for the 5th, so I'm going to post something else: an r-map, or relationship map.

This is a concept cribbed from Paul Riddle's Undying, which is probably cribbed from some other early PbtA hack that I don't know about.

An r-map, as the name implies, is a map of relationships: it's meant to show the landscape not of physical structures but of social structures.

Here's an example that I made for my earlier Rules for Rulers:

Click this to see a larger version

That map doesn't include barons (+0 rulers), religious or other non-political leaders, any family members other than the crown princess, or any important household members beyond royal protector. You can imagine how, as you add these things, it gets increasingly complicated—but also more fun!

R-maps are a way for you and your players to track the complexity and nuance of a political game, both for ease of understanding and for players to use to their own benefits. They let players quickly get to grips with complicated social and political situations, which gets you into the fun part of the game—politicking and drama—more quickly.

Honestly, there've been games where a physical map matters far less than a relationship map, even in situations much simpler than this. Anytime there's a political hierarchy—be it a noble court, election map, high school clique, or military rank—I'd recommend drawing an r-map, even a simple one. They work wonders in communicating to your players how the game operates, and how they can engage with it.

You're free to steal or modify that map I just made, if you want.

Maps, done.