Think Between Panels

In comics terminology, a “gutter” is that space between any two panels. Thinking in the gutters between panels means thinking about what happens between the things you talk about during the game’s conversation. Halcyon City lives and breathes; the villains make plans, the heroes keep thwarting the villains, and life continues.

The key to making your Halcyon City feel alive is to make sure things keep happening, whether or not you see them firsthand in your game. Don’t just make moves and say what happens based only on what’s narrated directly in the course of play. Make moves and say what happens based on what would’ve happened between the panels.

If it makes sense that the Protégé’s mentor would’ve made their own attempt to take down the Magus, then make your moves and say what happens. If it makes sense that the Dread Queen would’ve worked on a way to neutralize the Legacy’s dangerous powers, then make moves and say what happens then too.