Lorebook — GM Utility Pack (Structured Play Loop) (GOLD, Complete)

1. #1GMU: The Session Loop (One Page)selective

   Keys: STRUCTURED PLAY LOOP, RUN LOOP, SESSION LOOP, GMU, GM UTILITY · Secondary: brief, debrief, downtime, scene cycle

   SESSION LOOP

   1. Cold Open (30–90 seconds)
   2. Brief (Objective + Constraints + Clocks)
   3. Scene Cycle (2–5 scenes)
   4. Climax (Choice Under Pressure)
   5. Debrief (Truth vs Record)
   6. Headline + Blowback Thread
   7. Downtime (2–4 actions)
   8. Next Hook (new tasking)

   RULE If time is short: do 1 scene + climax + debrief + headline.

2. #2GMU: The Scene Cycle (Repeatable Engine)selective

   Keys: HOW TO RUN SCENES, REPEATABLE ENGINE, SCENE CYCLE, SCENE LOOP · Secondary: frame, pressure, fallout, choice

   SCENE CYCLE (REPEAT) A) Pick Scene Frame (Pressure Box / Moral Knife / Truth Hunt / Relationship Burn / Edge Deal) B) Set 1–2 Clocks + What They Mean Here C) Ask: FLOW, FRICTION, PIVOT, or EDGE? D) Resolve → apply consequence lever E) Cut forward

   RULE Never run a scene without a clock or a clear lever.

3. #3GMU: When You’re Stuck (5 Fast Breakers)selective

   Keys: GM STUCK, STUCK, PACE BREAKERS, WHAT NEXT · Secondary: reveal, arrive, cut, tick, deal

   IF YOU'RE STUCK, DO ONE:

   1. HARD CUT to consequence.
   2. TICK a clock (announce it).
   3. REVEAL a truth (small but sharp).
   4. OFFER an EDGE deal (solve-now, pay-later).
   5. ARRIVE a pressure actor (oversight/media/jurisdiction).

   RULE The table will forgive anything except hesitation.

4. #4GMU: Consequence Routing (What to Hit, When)selective

   Keys: CONSEQUENCE ROUTING, ROUTING TABLE, WHAT CONSEQUENCE · Secondary: heat, stress, intel, time, position, wounds, relationship

   CONSEQUENCE ROUTING Use this to keep consequences consistent.

   IF THEY GO LOUD → HEAT and/or MEDIA IF THEY GO SLOW → TIME (enemy plan advances) IF THEY GO MESSY → POSITION (trapped angles) IF THEY GO CRUEL → STRESS/RELATIONSHIP IF THEY GO PUBLIC → CAMERAS/IDENTIFY IF THEY GO CLEAN BUT LIE → PARANOIA later

   CONVERT RULE Let players convert consequences via:

   • spend a tag
   • mark asset stress
   • accept a relationship scar

   RULE Consequences should create the next mission, not end the current one.

5. #5GMU: Spotlight & Table Rhythm (Multi-PC)selective

   Keys: SPOTLIGHT, ROTATION, MULTI PC PACING, TABLE RHYTHM · Secondary: moments, intercut

   SPOTLIGHT RHYTHM

   • Rotate focus every 3–7 minutes or every major decision.
   • Give each PC one 'Moment' per episode:
     • a competence flex
     • a moral choice
     • a relationship beat

   TOOLS

   • INTERCUT two scenes to keep everyone engaged.
   • When one player dominates, cut to someone under pressure.

   RULE Rhythm beats realism. Keep it moving.

6. #6GMU: The HUD Commands (Type These to Force Outputs)selective

   Keys: SYSTEM COMMANDS, PROMPTS, HUD COMMANDS, GM COMMANDS · Secondary: inject twist, advance clock, create headline, generate mission

   HUD COMMANDS (GM INPUT)

   MISSION

   • Generate Mission (Objective=__ / Location=__ / Driver=__)
   • Generate Mission (Random)
   • Inject Twist (type=__)
   • Add Faces (2)

   SCENES

   • Frame Scene (Pressure Box / Moral Knife / Truth Hunt / Relationship Burn / Edge Deal)
   • Start Clock (ALARM/LOCKDOWN/CAMERAS/IDENTIFY/HUNT/MEDIA/EVIDENCE/QRF/RETALIATION/PARANOIA)
   • Advance Clock (+1, reason=__)
   • Offer Edge Deal (reward=__ / cost=__)
   • Reveal Truth (size=small/medium/big)
   • Hard Cut To (scene=__)

   CONSEQUENCES

   • Convert Consequence (from=__ to=__)
   • Burn Asset (asset=__)
   • Degrade Tag (tag=__ / state=__)

   EPISODE END

   • Run Debrief (Truth vs Record)
   • Create Headline (tone=__)
   • Start Blowback Thread (name=__ / linked faction=__)

   DOWNTIME

   • Run Downtime (actions=2–4)
   • Offer Upgrade (type=__ / hook=__)

   RULE Commands are for you, not the players. Use them to keep outputs consistent.

7. #7GMU: The GM Checklist (Before/After Session)selective

   Keys: POST SESSION CHECKLIST, PREP CHECKLIST, GM CHECKLIST · Secondary: prep, wrap

   PREP (3 MIN)

   • Pick Objective + Location + 2 Threats
   • Pick 1–2 Clocks
   • Pick 1 Twist
   • Pick 2 Faces
   • Decide 1 likely Cost

   WRAP (3 MIN)

   • Run Debrief
   • Write 1 Headline
   • Add/Advance 1 Thread
   • Run 2–4 Downtime Actions
   • Tease next mission hook

   RULE If you do only these steps, the campaign will feel coherent.

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