Narateer

Scene Modes

Three ways to frame a moment. One seamless system.

The rhythm of story shifts like the wind—sometimes whispered, sometimes screamed. Whether it's soft steps in a ruin, a leap through flame, or blades drawn in the rain, every scene carries a tone—and Narateer meets it with clarity.

Scene Modes define how the world is viewed, paced, and played. They don’t change what characters can do—they change how play unfolds, how decisions are made, and how detail is handled. Each mode focuses attention: on feeling, on momentum, or on precision.

Before you strike, speak, or stand your ground—know how the moment is framed.

What Are Scene Modes?

Every tale demands its own lens.

Definition

Scene Modes are Narateer’s three distinct approaches to framing a scene: Story Mode, Cinematic Mode, and Tactical Mode. Each mode governs the level of narrative control, mechanical resolution, and spatial clarity used in a given moment.

Scene Modes do not restrict action—but they determine how the Guide presents the world and how players engage with it. The Narrative Guide may shift between modes at any time to match the pacing and focus of the scene.

Scene Modes help answer:

  • How free or structured is this moment?
  • Are we acting for drama, for clarity, or for outcome?
  • Do spatial or mechanical details matter right now?

Story Mode

Theatre of the mind—fluid, fast, and collaborative.

Mode Overview

Story Mode is loose and expressive. No measurements. No grids. Just shared imagination and dramatic momentum.

  • Movement and time are interpreted.
  • Actions are resolved through narrative intent.
  • The Guide may loosely reference Base Movement (BM) if needed.

Use Story Mode when:

  • Characters are exploring, socializing, or planning.
  • The moment thrives on emotional tone, not logistics.
  • Freedom and ambiguity enrich the scene.

Example: Shrine Approach

"You reach the ridge easily—your ranger’s quick and unburdened."

Tip: Let players lead with intent. If it’s plausible, it flows.

Cinematic Mode

Quick positioning for high-stakes action without full tactical overhead.

Mode Overview

Cinematic Mode adds urgency and structure while staying abstract. Position matters—just not precisely. This mode thrives on pacing and spotlight.

  • Distances are descriptive, not measured.
  • Groupings, threats, and action beats are tracked.
  • Range and positioning affect choices, not math.

Use Cinematic Mode when:

  • Spells, chases, or chaos enter the scene.
  • Relative positions matter, but exact geometry doesn’t.
  • You want fast flow without battle maps.

Example: Ledge Leap

"You’re two moves from the ledge. Sprint now, or it collapses."

Tip: Emphasize intent and pacing. Keep tension high, and resolution sharp.

Tactical Mode

Exact geometry. Precise decision-making. Rules-first resolution.

Mode Overview

Tactical Mode is detail-rich and procedural. Use when precision matters—where every meter, AoE shape, or terrain feature affects outcome.

  • Movement is counted in Spaces (2 m each).
  • Cover, flanking, and AoEs are tracked.
  • Turn order and actions follow core resolution rules.

Use Tactical Mode when:

  • Combat depends on exact positioning.
  • Terrain or area effects are decisive.
  • A battle map or puzzle grid is in use.

Example: Altar Dash

"You’re 6 Spaces from the altar, but two are rough terrain. That’s 10 m total—you’ll need to Run."

Tip: Tactical Mode demands clarity. Ensure all elements are visible and unambiguous.

Shifting Scene Modes

Scenes evolve. So does their focus.

The Narrative Guide can shift modes at any time, based on pacing, tone, or stakes. Scene transitions should be clearly signaled—and never break player intent.

Principle

When a scene shifts:

  • Announce the new mode clearly.
  • Lock key positions before zooming out.
  • Snap relative distances to logical groupings.
  • Preserve mechanical outcomes across modes.

Example: Phase Shift

A fireblast covers 4 × 4 Spaces in Tactical. When zoomed to Cinematic, it hits all enemies in that cluster—but not adjacent groups.

Tip: Transitions work best when you treat the shift like a camera cut: sharp, clear, and focused.

Summary

  • Scene Modes define how the Guide frames each scene.
  • There are three: Story (narrative), Cinematic (dynamic), and Tactical (precise).
  • Modes affect pacing, description, and how rules are applied.
  • Story Mode is for exploration, dialogue, and free-form moments.
  • Cinematic Mode is for high-stakes sequences with fast resolution.
  • Tactical Mode is for exact positioning, combat, and detailed resolution.
  • The Guide may shift between modes anytime—but must preserve clarity and intent.