Here is a system I use when stuck for an idea for the next adventure to write. It doesn't do all the work for you, but it prompts your imagination. Give it a try and see what you come up with.
Title: Scenario Generator
1 -2
11 Bar
12 Hotel
13 Casino
14 Office
15 Elevator
16 Museum
21 Art gallery
22 Hospital
23 Factory
24 Private home
25 Fortress
26 Mansion
31 Gymnasium
32 Retail shop
33 Laboratory
34 Bomb shelter
35 Theatre
36 Prison
41 Restaurant
42 Library
43 Embassy
44 Circus
45 Top of skyscaper
46 Cave
51 Catacombs
52 Cemetery
53 Park
54 Street corner
55 Stadium
56 Beach
61 Tunnel
62 Woods/jungle
63 At sea
64 Aircraft
65 Aquarium/zoo
66 Other resort
3 – 4
11 Mountaintop
12 Satellite
13 Spacecraft
14 Alien
15 Unique item
16 Religious cult
21 Art
22 Kidnap
23 Asteroid belt
24 Robbery
25 Assassination
26 Underwater
31 Mercenaries
32 Corporation
33 Foreign power
34 Radiation
35 Head of State
36 Ambassador
41 Negotiation
42 Information
43 Organised crime
44 Senator
45 Politician
46 Agent
51 Weapon - common
52 Weapon -Unusual
53 Transportation
54 Drugs
55 Rare specimens
56 Island
61 Invention
62 Skyjack
63 Starship
64 Organisation - secret
65 Starship
66 Swamp
5 - 6
11 Destroy
12 Android
13 Psionic Institute
14 Hostage
15 Rebellion
16 Previous adversary
21 Escape
22 Fate
23 Revenge
24 Experiment
25 Prove something
26 Imperium
31 Zhodani Consulate
32 Alien Empire
33 The Ancients
34 Creature
35 Creature
36 Vehicle
41 Tourist
42 Scientist
43 Reporter
44 Crime*
45 Explorer
46 Criminal organisation
51 Minor planet
52 Moon
53 Past history
54 Past history
55 PC Disadavantage
56 NPC disadvantage
61 DNPC
62 Death
63 Deathtrap
64 Immigration
65 Explosion
66 Normal street
Title: * CRIMES
11 Assassination
12 Murder
13 Espionage
14 Smuggling
15 Arson
16 Terrorism
21 Forgery
22 Hijacking
23 Vandalism
24 Organlegging
25 Cargo theft
26 Armed assault
31 Extortion
32 Holdup
33 Kidnap
34 Bank robbery
35 Skyjack
36 Property theft
41 Piracy
42 Destruction
43 Protection racket
44 Space hijack
45 Chump Dumping
46 Illegal drugs
51
52
53
54
55
56
61
62
63
64
65
66
Roll dice, and slot into the following diagram:-
------------------------------ -------------------------
-----------------------------
----------------------------- ---------------------------
This is a bit of a hard concept to explain (I’ve never really tried to before.) The centre word is the main ‘theme’. The top two words are what led to this theme, or caused it. The bottom left word will be affected by this theme. The bottom right word is how the theme will interact with everything else. Also, every other word can interact with each other (or even with itself!)
Lets try an example:-
------Mercenaries------------ -------Casino-------
--------Top of skyscraper-
---------Cemetery------ ----------Skyjack----
er, right. (this was just rolled as I write this.)
OK. A flying casino, (large luxury dirigible perhaps.) A band of mercs launch an assault from a skyscraper roof as it passes. The ship is flown to a cemetery. Are they all going to be murdered? No, one VIP is head of the PDF for the world, the cemetery hides the entrance to the command bunker. This is the mercs real target, to plant demo charges. PC’s could be innocent guests, guards, the mercs etc.
Keep me apprised.
