Running Noir Mysteries, Lowell-style
I just finished listening to the Dresden Accelerated game run by Lowell Francis . Everyone was on point, system seemed to run efficiently, and overall it was a great listen.
But my main takeaway was Lowell’s masterful conception and execution of a Noir style mystery.
For a guy who says he’s only read a couple or three Dresden novels, this game was the Dresdeniest Dresden thing I’ve ever come across outside the books themselves (of which I have read all several times).
Why? Because it was a real Noir setup and story.
Kudos for the incredible worldbuilding thing with the “I’ve lost a Hell” and the associated lore, which was simply brilliant, and felt like something Jim Butcher would have written in a novel. Where did you come up with that? Is it those Detective Chen books you posted about today? Simply Brilliant.
I think that perhaps discussing the GM’s thought process/preparation methods and techniques during the sessions would be a great teaching tool for us detectively-challenged GMs (I’m looking at you, Richard Rogers 😉 )
How much work/outside of game prep went into developing the mystery? Did you have the whole thing sketched out before hand? How much was improvised along the way? How long did it take you to set up?
The flow from clue to clue was spot-on hardboiled/noir fiction, with some of the ‘clue-piñata’ aspects that Jason Cordova has discussed in early Gauntlet episodes, but also had unexpected developments in scenes, which is also a very Noir thing. Again, was that a clue flowchart, a la Gumshoe?
I’d love to pick Lowell’s brain on this, though I realize you’re busy juggling a bunch of things. If you’ve the time. I’d love a short video/podcast episode discussing this, if possible.
Fantastic job, everyone. My first time seeing Christo Meid and David LaFreniere and Jason playing. (Didn’t catch Steve’s full name, but first time seeing him too! 🙂 )
Oh, and related to this: I am in AWE of Lowell’s ability to pick up on player prompts and develop NPCs. At one point, Steve creates an NPC on the fly and directs the GM: “He knows about the subject, but he’s like a conspiracy nut.” Without missing a beat, Lowell immediately drops into an accent and references some paranoid things. It was really impressive. That and the fairy hookah palace thing where he took it an ran flawlessly.
Anyway, great series. Really grateful for the opportunity to listen and see it.
Glad you liked it! I agree, I’d like to know how Lowell set up that mystery, but that might be his secret sauce…
The game was a lot of fun, even the almost-torture scenes where we played Bad Cop, Worse Cop. Mantles worked well, providing us with out of the box Stunts. Adding steven watkins​, the remaining player.
Glad you liked it! I agree, I’d like to know how Lowell set up that mystery, but that might be his secret sauce…
The game was a lot of fun, even the almost-torture scenes where we played Bad Cop, Worse Cop. Mantles worked well, providing us with out of the box Stunts. Adding steven watkins​, the remaining player.
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Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you dug it. I’ll find my prep sheets from between session 2 & 3 and post those.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you dug it. I’ll find my prep sheets from between session 2 & 3 and post those.
Q: Is there a link for others to watch?
Q: Is there a link for others to watch?
David Miessler-Kubanek Lowell’s YouTube channel. Here’s the link to the first session youtube.com – TGIT: Dresden Files Accelerated (1 of 3)
David Miessler-Kubanek Lowell’s YouTube channel. Here’s the link to the first session youtube.com – TGIT: Dresden Files Accelerated (1 of 3)
I hope accelerated is easier to run than the regular fate version. Playing seems fun but running it was too much work for me. Perhaps I am just lazy.
I hope accelerated is easier to run than the regular fate version. Playing seems fun but running it was too much work for me. Perhaps I am just lazy.
Much easier imho.
Much easier imho.
“…this game was the Dresdeniest Dresden thing I’ve ever come across outside the books…”
This sounds great. Cheers for putting this on my radar!
“…this game was the Dresdeniest Dresden thing I’ve ever come across outside the books…”
This sounds great. Cheers for putting this on my radar!
Well, if it gets enough views, maybe we can do a sequel, right Lowell Francis​? nudge nudge wink wink
Well, if it gets enough views, maybe we can do a sequel, right Lowell Francis​? nudge nudge wink wink
Seconded Eloy Cintron. I can always use more help GMing noir and mysteries.
Seconded Eloy Cintron. I can always use more help GMing noir and mysteries.
Thank you, Eloy Cintron.
Thank you, Eloy Cintron.
Lowell Francis, you ran a great session and it helped me, as someone who’s not interested in reading the books to still be interested in playing in the setting.
Lowell Francis, you ran a great session and it helped me, as someone who’s not interested in reading the books to still be interested in playing in the setting.