36 Questy Middles

I guess this is part three of my plot beat patterns analysis in a way. After creating a d20 list of Disruptions(aka inciting incidents / DSRs), I started thinking more about the “middles”. Middles is where after the DSR, the PROT has to actually do something, the “quest” so to speak. The DSR upsets the STS, which forces the PROT to react with a “quest” in the most broadest of terms. You could just call it a job, task, assignment too I suppose. The doing of this quest is the PROT’s attempt to solve the problem caused by the DSR.

Milieu

• Go get something (steal/fetch/ask/buy/win/invent)
• Go ask (persuade/beg/seduce/intimidate/negotiate) someone for something
• Go rescue someone (save/extract/free)
• Go deliver (or get rid of) something/someone to a place
• Escape from a place
• Explore and adapt to (or get burnt by) new place
• Explore and climb ladder of new place
• Go to new place(s) to avoid or b/c of life stage
• Flee or run away from ANTG chasing/hunting you

Inquiry

• Figure out how to save ally’s life
• Figure out the new stranger in town
• Figure out what new gift/job does
• Figure out why we do X (ritual, rite, routine)
• Figure out all the hidden costs of a deal
• Figure out how to find X (person, place, thing)
• Figure out who committed the crime (what really happened)

Character

Usually combined with an external (M/I/E) plot. Otherwise, pure navel gazing story.

• Have a crisis of faith
• Get sucked into spiral of temptation, excess, addiction, power, etc.
• Learn the game/rules and climb ladder
• Get burnt by the game/rules and leave after loss
• Learn to let go or accept
• Realize what could’ve been (nostalgia/reminisce)
• Understand the stranger
• Seek forgiveness for crime done
• Drop the Act or Put on Mask to get something done
• Build up enough courage for sacrifice (of past life or literally)

Event

• Seek vengeance for wrongs
• Go challenge or destroy something/someone (solo/team/rebellion)
• Have contest with rival to prove superiority (achieve/win/compete)
• Train/haze new guy and eventually accept/deny them
• Reveal secrets to hurt each other
• Use new gift/job for good or evil
• Fuck around and find out with new gift, job, new place
• Resist (or face persecution for) new life stage
• Prepare defense for incoming ANTG
• Confront, blackmail, or expose secret