in the Shadow of Greatness

IMC :: Do you Theme?

I'm not sure I do. I think it is a darn good idea, but I'd be hard pressed in this second to say what Theme I'm presenting in Eternal City. Furthermore, the Players and I have never talked about this, except at game start, where I promised an Amber game that would NOT be about betrayal, backstabbing, and psychopaths.

Except as I think about it, we certainly have had those things as big plot drivers... the game just isn't about those things.

There is WISH 82 which might be kernel themes. I can only conclude that in wanting to present a good unfolding tale, I present those Themes that define my own bias and enjoyment in stories.

The list might be:

• Good versus evil
• Power magnifies your mistakes
• Love
• Moral ambivalence
• Friendship is power, isolation is weakness
• Presumption, Assumption, and Perspective
• Destiny vs. free-choice
• Corruption, Greed, and Complacency are Cowardly and Self-Destructive
• High technology and High sorcery are Highly Dangerous
• Pain Shared is Halved, Joy Shared is Doubled
• Vengeance does not make the Pain go away
• Every small Destruction is part of the Larger Destruction
• Sex is the second best medicine
• Laughter is the best medicine
• Reality is an Onion
• Heroism just might be the third best medicine
• The needs of the many vs the needs of the few
• With great power comes great accountability
• Exploration
• It takes a long time to Grow Up (when you are immortal)