Today we’ve got a new probability matrix for you, generating B-plots for your Star Trek Adventures and Captain’s Log stories. If you’re unfamiliar, a “B-plot” is something happening alongside the main arc of an episode. While the crew tackles the big thing, someone might be figuring out their love life or struggling with a command decision. Sometimes it’s humorous and adds a bit of levity, sometimes it comes back to be related in the end, but really it’s whatever you want it to be.
This matrix comes to us from Dave Dyson, fan of the show and intrepid roleplayer. The original Star Trek in syndication was one of Dave’s favorite tv shows when he was growing up in the 70’s. His love of RPGs started in those days as well, dipping his feet into the original D&D “but really getting into AD&D 1e and Traveller once I was in junior high. D&D of various editions was my go-to game through college (when TNG kept us glued to my roommate’s modest color tv), but following that I fell into a long drought until I found a D&D 5e group via Meetup and a Traveller group via a local game shop’s drop-in rpg day.” Both of these provided near-weekly games for Dave for several years. He also started attending game conventions in-person and online and tried out some new games — including Star Trek Adventures, “which so wonderfully captures the ST universe.” Although he’s only played and run it a limited number of times, he loves the game and the larger Star Trek community. “TOS and DS9 may be my favorite series,” Dave says, “but I’m finally catching up with the newer shows and looking forward to more opportunities to play and contribute to this game!”
Probability Matrix: B-Plot Generator
A list of seeds to inspire minor plot developments that can be inserted into adventures, as a way to provide opportunities for roleplaying and getting to know the characters better.
- Annoying malfunction: Probably won’t affect major operations, until it’s important.
- Annoying visitor: Diplomat, relative, fleet officer, old enemy, old flame, child, etc.
- Artistic performance: Music, drama, comedy, visual arts, dance, etc.
- Crew conflict or culture clash: Cultural differences (inter- or intraspecies) cause a dispute.
- Leadership Conflict: Someone’s having issues with a supervisor or subordinate.
- Difference of Philosophy: Two otherwise competent people have different views on something.
- Rivalry Heats Up: Competing for the same job or attention.
- Romantic Drama: Breakup, love triangle, relationship on the rocks.
- Unexpected Crew Death: Someone dies unexpectedly (or did in a previous mission). There are consequences.
- Love Blossoms: A “meet-cute”, fling, or deepened relationship
- Crew Shenanigans: Pranks, “entrepreneurs”, surprise party, new pet, new obsession, etc.
- Game Night: Friendly competition – chess, poker, martial arts, etc.
- Historical Reference: Something reminds someone of some ancient culture (Earth, or otherwise).
- Holodeck Adventure: LARPing. Pick a genre, any genre.
- Holodeck Issue: Safety interlocks aren’t working, or someone’s using it… improperly.
- Message from Home: Good news, bad news, big news – a family or political development.
- Unusual Disease: Annoyance or dangerous; physical or psychological symptoms.
- Old Trauma Resurfacing: They’d tried to put it behind them, but something comes back.
- Resource Shortage: Something important (food, fuel, spare parts, air, etc) has run out, leaked everywhere, spoiled, or been sabotaged.
- A Story Told in Flashbacks: A formative experience for one or more characters is told amidst the main plot.
That’s a really clever addition to the list of probability matrices! I’m going to start using this in my Captain’s Log campaign, thanks Dave 🙂
Maybe we could all add further options to it, to make it into a 2d20 or 3d20 table? That way we can make sure we don’t repeat a B-plot during a season of our game sessions…