Story Phase Pace and Tension Scene Types Your Scenes

Introduction Slow pace with very little Several exposition

Introduce the setting tension. scenes. Maybe some
and characters. other scene types
included just for color.
Call to Adventure Slow pace. The tension is Exposition and
Incomplete explanation about the dubious call to opportunity. Usually
of why the protagonists adventure. only one or two scenes.
should accept the call.
First Act Twist The tension ramps up A major revelation in the
Suddenly raise the quickly with an abrupt form of a threat or
stakes so that the rise in stakes. The pace opportunity scene. This
protagonists feel the call accelerates. tends to be brief.
strongly.
Rising Action The pace increases. Several scenes with
The antagonists raise Every few scenes, threats growing in
the stakes. Occurs along introduce some new frequency and exposition
with Gather Resources, unresolved tension. declining.
below.
Gather Resources The rising tension is Offer higher and higher
The protagonists collect offset by increasingly stakes opportunity
resources, evidence, impressive victories as scenes for the
allies, etc. This happens the protagonists protagonists to gather
along with Rising Action, assemble resources. their resources.
above.
Second Act Twist The tension is suddenly Extremely high stakes
Offer higher and higher raised so high the threats and exposition
stakes opportunity protagonists are shocked. that introduces new
scenes for the PCs to This is the peak of the tension make up the
gather their resources. stakes in the story. twist. Sometimes the
twist is a defeat.
Darkest Hour These scenes are fast Threat after threat,
A few scenes where paced, but putting the protagonists
things seem hopeless. disempowering and on the defensive.
overwhelming.
Revelation Still fast pace, but a slight One big, empowering
A single scene to give relief in tension. opportunity.
hope.
Climax The antagonists dont go Follow the revelation
Protagonists confront down without a fight. with a big threat,
the antagonists and High stakes, fast pace. opening the enemy up
triumph. for an opportunity scene
and defeat.
Wrap-Up Relieve tension by tying Opportunity scenes with
Return to the familiar up loose ends and some exposition.
and see evidence of the lowering the stakes.
heroes triumph.
Transition Use the unresolved Exposition, or maybe a
Remind the audience of tension of the larger threat. Should not be an
the lingering conflicts of campaign. opportunity.
the larger story.
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