NarateerForging legends together
A Guide shares a gridded shrine map with two players as the imagined scene takes shape behind them.
On this page

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 presented and how spatial detail is represented. They frame resolution; they do not replace the procedure that resolves an Action, movement, attack, or effect. See Distance & Range for the complete measurement and conversion rules.

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 changes how the Guide describes and tracks the scene, including its spatial detail. The same rules, costs, limits, and outcomes still apply.

The Narateer Guide may shift modes to match the scene's pacing and focus. A shift must preserve the same actor, eligible targets, scale, direction, and established outcome. It cannot grant a second mechanic or erase a restriction.

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 uses concrete fictional relationships instead of measured units or a grid.

  • Track relationships such as adjacent, nearby, separated, clustered, behind cover, or beyond range.
  • Preserve the differences created by Base Movement, weapon Range, Reach, terrain, and specific effects.
  • Resolve Actions through their normal rules; Story Mode changes only how position and distance are expressed.

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 divides the scene into Zones: tactically distinct areas such as a chamber, rooftop, bridge span, or section of a street. It tracks meaningful position without a Space-by-Space map.

  • Track each character's Zone and any important local position inside it.
  • Convert printed metre values through the formal 10 m Zone-snapping rule.
  • Track adjacent Zones separately from the connected Zones that form a legal movement route.
  • Preserve cover, line of sight, line of effect, melee reach, and local separation inside a Zone.

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

"The ledge is 2 connected Zones away. 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 it when every Space, area shape, or terrain feature can affect the outcome.

  • Movement is counted in Spaces (2 m each).
  • Cover, lines, and area effects 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

"The altar is 6 Spaces away: 12 m along this route. Two of those Spaces are Difficult terrain. The four ordinary Spaces use 8 m of movement allowance, and the two Difficult Spaces use another 8 m: 16 m in total."

"Your Base Movement is 12 m, and you have not moved this turn. Walk is not enough. If you have 1 Ready AD, Run gives you 24 m of movement allowance—enough to reach the altar along this route."

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

Shifting Scene Modes

Scenes evolve. So does their focus.

The Narateer Guide can shift modes when pacing, tone, or stakes change. Announce the shift before resolving an affected declaration and establish the converted positions clearly.

Principle

When a scene shifts:

  • Announce the new mode clearly.
  • Record the current actor, targets, positions, barriers, routes, and areas.
  • Convert those facts through the rules in Distance & Range.
  • Preserve the same scale, direction, target eligibility, and established outcomes.
  • Resolve any zero-Zone result through the specific movement or effect rule.

Example: Phase Shift

An effect has already established a 4 m radius and the positions inside it when the scene shifts from Tactical to Cinematic Mode. Preserve those established positions and targets for that effect; changing the representation does not add or remove them.

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 spatial detail while preserving the rules being resolved.
  • Story Mode is for exploration, dialogue, and free-form moments.
  • Cinematic Mode uses Zones for high-stakes sequences with fast spatial resolution.
  • Tactical Mode is for exact positioning, combat, and detailed resolution.
  • A shift preserves the underlying actor, targets, scale, direction, and established outcome.