Narrative Development Surrender of Toledo
The narrative overview of a RTTP game in-development about the Surrender of Toledo (1085)
1. Prehistory
2. al-Mamun and al-Qadir are seen as outsiders
3. Outside Toledo, that armies of Alfonso VI have cut off major access points to the city/kingdom. Inside the city, a tense stalemate has been achieved. Al-Qadir remains in power but his rule is contested. Will he be able to cement his rule, or will he be overthrown as the Toledans organize against him?
4. With each round of negotiation, Toledo weakens
5. Rumours are another game mechanic to consider. How to spread false information or true information? Some character must discern true information while others can be rewarded for spreading believable lies... **#GameMechanic**
6. If negotiations fail, then the only outcome is attack.
7. **Pregame** - Does Alfonso help Al-Qadir return to power? **Debate:** Can we ally with Alfonso, yes or no? What concessions can he extract? How are the rebels subdued (or bought off)? This can be used to help players learn geography/ important camps/ sites/ fortifications/ allies ...
7.1. Alfonso wins concessions from al-Qadir
7.1.1. February 1085 Alfonso drafts and reads a declaration of war (at the start). The kingdom of Leon faction then debates the war and votes on strategy to go to war.
7.1.1.1. Alfonso wishes to secure surrender of Toledo
7.1.1.1.1. Negotiation Round 1
7.1.1.2. Alfonso wishes to capture Toledo
7.1.1.2.1. Fakes negotiations amidst preparations for attack
7.1.2. Al-Qadir receives declaration of war and debates strategy. Vote on strategy.
7.1.2.1. Toledans decide to negotiate surrender with Alfonso
7.1.2.2. Toledans and Leonese must elect representatives to be sent to negotiations (bonus to influence)
7.1.2.3. Toledans decide to resist and must seek assistance from elsewhere
7.1.2.3.1. Get assistance
7.1.2.3.2. Don't get assistance
7.2. Alfonso does not win concessions from al-Qadir
8. **Action Rounds** - Should debates be followed by a class where other game mechanics can be employed - players attempt non-argumentative strategies to gain advantages (military, honour, faith?) A sort of board game/ wargame supplemental activity? What other resources do we need to play the game? Dice, maps, etc? What kind of print material - money? Seals?
9. Each round of negotiations must revolve around a central debate: 1. Guarantee of religious freedom 2. Guarantee of customs/ traditions 3. Guarantee of property 4. Something else?
10. By 1085 al-Qadir knows his position is lost. So he wants to hold onto power long enough to convince Alfonso to help him attack and win Valencia. #SecretGoal If al-Qadir is sufficiently weakened at this stage, however he can be overthrown and his crown dangled as a prize for outside help. This needs a game mechanic of some sort **#GameMechanic**
11. Endgame
12. Scenario 5
13. How does Voting Work? Is there weighted vote (some people have more influence?) **#GameMechanic** Perhaps your voting power is based on your "honour" (which can be altered by performance in class and by taking actions)
14. Scenario 4
15. Scenario 1
16. Scenario 3
17. This initial role-play is a"pregame" set up meant to introduce students to how the RTTP system works. Toledo vs Leon factions must agree to conditions for securing Alfonso's help in some simplified fashion - i.e. they are all members of al-Qadir's court and are simply pro and anti- Alfonso. Add some kind of game mechanic after negotiation to determine what advantage is won. Two rounds to represent two rebellions. If Alfonso wins X and Y in negotiation, then his military rating increases, and if al-Qadir wins negotiations, then his power does. If Alfonso helps does this mean rebellion is immediately put down? Or can he or al-Qadir take casualties, that affect future balance of forces? Is there some dice rolling? #GameMechanic
18. What is the game mechanic for assistance? Are these outside sources of aid, NPCs? **#GameMechanic**
19. The degree of unanimity in faction voting might confer some advantage to mustering troops. Gaining votes of all bishops, for example, might confer more faith points and particians more troops and burghers more wealth.
20. Scenario 2
21. If Alfonso wins concessions in the pregame, then his military power is strengthened in future rounds. And the *pariahs* start getting paid, increasing his wealth. al-Qadir, however, is weakened no matter what to extract support from someone (more costly to get aid from fellow taifa kings?)
22. Love in the Time of Conquest (alternate narrative)
22.1. Locations
22.1.1. Al-Qadir's court
22.1.2. Quarters
22.1.3. Toledo the City
22.1.4. Land outside Toledo
22.2. Factions
22.2.1. Royal Court
22.2.1.1. Luis
22.2.1.1.1. Tamid
22.2.1.2. Bontany
22.2.1.2.1. Ridwān
22.2.1.3. Helena
22.2.1.3.1. Courtier/Poet
22.2.1.4. Al-Qadir
22.2.1.4.1. King of Toledo
22.2.2. Mozarab Community
22.2.2.1. Emily
22.2.2.1.1. Jalid
22.2.2.2. Jesse
22.2.2.2.1. Ildaria
22.2.3. Jewish Community
22.2.3.1. Hailey
22.2.3.1.1. Dr. Isaak
22.2.4. Muslim Community
22.2.4.1. Patricians
22.2.4.2. Intellectuals
22.2.4.3. Artisans
22.2.5. Diplomatic Envoys
22.2.5.1. Sisnando Davidez
22.2.5.2. Lily
22.2.5.2.1. the Cid
22.2.5.3. Neilena
22.2.5.3.1. Urraca
22.2.5.4. Trinity
22.2.5.4.1. Josefina*
22.3. Narrative Progression
22.3.1. 1. **Faction Meetings** to decide whether to negotiate surrender or resist (if Toledo) or to negotiate or capture (if Leon-Castille).
22.3.1.1. The faction meetings will give players a chance to have their first chance to speak with other players and negotiate their strategy as a faction.
22.3.1.1.1. Toledans - Negotiate
22.3.1.1.2. Toledans - Resist
22.3.1.1.3. Leonese - Negotiations
22.3.1.1.4. Leonese - Capture
22.3.2. **Negotiations:** Urracca alone will know the minimum conditions which Alfonso will accept, though she is free to lie about this to her own faction and to everyone else. If the minimum conditions are not met in the negotations, then Alfonso will be forced to capture Toledo. Whether or not players wish to negotiate for their victory, the negotiations must take place (even if they are just sham, while trying to raise support from outside NPCs.
22.3.2.1. 2. **Maintenance of Religion**. Players will debate about how religious life will change after the surrender of Toledo. - will mosques/synagogues become churches -will Visigothic rite continue -can Muslims continue to practice -can Jews continue to practice -are there any new limits placed on religious observances -do the Muslim religious taxes still get collected or forgiven?
22.3.2.1.1. 3. **Maintenance of customary laws** Players will debate the new legal codes that will be followed under Alfonso. This will involve discussing the *fueros* of Leon-Castille and how Toledans might want to accept/modify them.
22.3.2.2. Each player will get some VP if the negotiations go their way. Thus, some characters will need to have extreme views (that really pay off if successful); but most will share ideas that give a middling amount of VP
22.3.2.2.1. Major negotiation rounds will be followed by actions rounds where players are able to conduct other forms of interaction - accusations, investigations, murders, etc.
22.3.3. Mystery: Among US Toledo
22.3.3.1. If the overarching game is about surrender negotiations, the underlying game is about discovering and evaluating information (like a historian). Players are meant to evaluate how they can discern fact from rumour or propoganda.
22.3.3.1.1. Characters will need to have secrets and rumours about them.
22.3.3.1.2. Other characters will need to know the secrets to spread them
22.3.3.2. There will be a spy, who knows things, is a chaos agent.
22.3.3.2.1. Ridwan's victory objective is to find the traiter
22.3.3.2.2. Josefina's victory objective is to make contact with the spy to learn secrets and potentially use the spy to open the gates
22.3.3.2.3. Spy's purpose is to murder, lie, cheat, blackmail, sabotage, gaslight, disrupt voting, create pro-Alfonso alliance
22.3.3.3. The more players there will be proportionally more spies/imposters
22.3.3.4. Tension Mechanic
22.3.3.4.1. As each turn passes, Alfonso's army comes closer and options in Toledo decrease.
22.3.3.4.2. As negotiator, Urrraca becomes less flexible in what she is willing to accept; as Alfonso's military position is strengthened.
22.3.3.5. Need a good Map of the city
22.4. Player Actions
22.4.1. Assassination
22.4.1.1. Only certain characters can kill
22.4.1.1.1. Ridwān
22.4.1.1.2. someone unexpected
22.4.1.1.3. El-Cid
22.4.1.2. Some characters can heal
22.4.1.2.1. Jewish Dr.
22.4.1.2.2. Josephina (miracles?)
22.4.1.3. Anyone can hire bodyguards but it will cost something
22.4.1.4. Nobody should kill El-Cid's dog or else .... the consequences...
22.4.1.5. If a character dies, what does the player do?
22.4.1.5.1. Who would be a natural replacement for the character
22.4.2. Investigation
22.4.2.1. How would investigation work if conducted by Mozarab judge
22.4.2.1.1. How can we use investigation as a way to showcase how History sifts reality from rumour
22.4.2.1.2. How can investigation teach players the historian's task - i.e. how to be logical, how to criticize source information, how to distinguish truth from rumour ...
22.4.2.2. What are punishments if successful?
22.4.2.3. Gradual Release of information propels game forward. In each new round (after each debate/action round) more information is released by GM. Secrets/ Rumours.
22.4.2.3.1. This needs to be structured to slowly reveal the underlying secrets.
22.4.2.3.2. A faction letter (showing updated objectives) and a personal letters (some are formulaic)
22.4.3. Accusation
22.4.3.1. A formal accusation against another player of sin/ secret (launches Investigation)
22.4.3.1.1. NPC Priests could excommunicate
22.4.3.1.2. Others could call for shunning/ exile (= end of character)
22.4.3.1.3. False accusations need to have consequences (loss of honour?)
22.4.4. Praise/Humiliate
22.4.4.1. Use presentation/ circulation of literature (poem, etc) to increase/decrease the honour of another player
22.4.5. Marriage
22.4.5.1. Is this a subcategory of exchange?
22.4.5.1.1. Judaism permitted divorce but prohibited interfaith marriages, whilst Islam permitted polygyny, divorce, male interfaith marriages, and concubinage including with slaves (jawa ̄ r ̄ ı) (many of whom were Christians). Umayyad rulers in Al-Andalus took Christian concubines.
22.4.6. Exchange
22.4.6.1. All characters have wealth, information etc. that can be exchanged.
22.4.6.1.1. **Trade:** X traded for Y; immediate transaction
22.4.6.1.2. **Gift:** X given in expectation of return gift; undefined (i.e. owed a favour)
22.4.6.1.3. **Seizure:** Take X from someone under threat of violence
22.4.6.2. Manumission (being freed from slave status) is something that needs to be bought or given
22.4.6.3. Marriage can be considered a form of exchange....
22.4.6.4. Promises can be real or false
22.4.6.4.1. relics to ensure oaths for Xians
22.4.6.4.2. equivalent for Jews or Muslims?
22.4.7. Counter-Insurgency
22.4.7.1. Find the traiter?
22.4.7.2. Uprising - Can spy foment revolution among the NPC populace if gathers enough support from other players?
22.4.8. Communication/ Knowledge Sharing
22.4.8.1. In class discussion
22.4.8.2. Discord for plotting
22.4.8.3. Mechanisms needed to slow down communication between people who don't speak same language.
23. Alfonso and al-Qadir might have limited number of military points (or some exchangeable form of military, court or faith tokens) in the game as a whole. If Alfsonso or al-Qadir expends them here they can't be used later. Once al-Qadir drops below a certain number of these he can be deposed by Toledans (simplifying their negotiations with Alfonso, but weakening their military). If Alfonso chooses not to help al-Qadir, then his tokens might be sent to another taifa king and he would lose some form of honour/faith for not keeping to his pledge to al-Mamun.
24. The outcome of seeking aid must be kept secret as this outcome would aid/hinder al-Qadir's position and Toledo's ability to defend itself. The siege will still take place but this strategy simply changes the odds of victory. What form does assistance come in? Is this military a boost to military ranking or does it mean that military secrets might be spilled?
25. Capturing Toledo requires creating a siege **#GameMechanic**
26. WHAT IS THE MYSTERY TO BE DISCOVERED?!
27. **Prisoner's Dilemma?** Is this a mechanic we want to incorporate into our game which is mostly a co-op game with some traitor mechanics. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/184522/dead-last - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/483/diplomacy
28. Toledans want/ are used to independence/autonomy
28.1. They have a long history of using violence for political goals
29. Game Mechanics
29.1. Victory points determines who wins
29.1.1. Faction victories
29.1.1.1. Leonese win by extracting most concessions above minimum
29.1.1.2. Toledans win by?
29.1.2. Individual victories
29.2. Players earn VPs for accomplishing goals in negotiations
29.2.1. policy mattersspecific
29.2.2. whether x among of people vote for the proposal
29.2.3. whether vote fails
29.3. Wealth/ Property
29.3.1. Converts to VP at end of game
29.3.2. Can be exchanged
29.3.2.1. bought
29.3.2.2. sold
29.3.2.3. traded
29.3.2.4. gifted
29.4. Status
29.4.1. Honour/Influence
29.4.1.1. Impact on voting strength?
29.4.1.1.1. Rejected. One person one vote.
29.4.1.2. What is the impact of honour increasing or decreasing? Is raising honour a precursor to getting titles (e.g. minimum honour needed to be X position or to make an accusation against another character?
29.5. Information
29.5.1. Everyone has secrets
29.5.2. Everyone needs to ferret out real vs rumours (practices historical method)
29.5.3. Control of information is key to game
29.5.3.1. Translation? Some people can't speak to each other if don't speak same language
29.5.3.2. Some players control information (only Urracca knows Alfonso's real demands).
29.5.3.3. Some secrets can be used for blackmail/ coercing; other secrets can be used to figure out mystery of what is going on in Toledo.
29.5.3.3.1. i.e. understanding faction goals
29.5.3.3.2. understanding secret objectives
29.5.3.3.3. understanding why people are revolting against al-Qadir
29.5.3.4. How are secrets elicted?
29.5.3.4.1. Is there a formal mechanism for this or is it purely the player's manipulation of another?
29.6. Betrayal
29.6.1. NPC will open the gates if identified by Leonese in time
29.6.2. Toledans need to track down traitor before can betray the city
29.6.2.1. How do the game mechanics work for this? Are there clues about who the traitor is (if PC).
29.6.2.2. A *Battleship* style discovery mechanism involving map of Toledo
29.6.2.2.1. Replaced with Among Us as Model
29.6.3. Maybe not a NPC traitor, merely information (location of secret gate, or weakened wall ...) which confers advantage/disadvantage
29.7. Count down clock
29.7.1. The longer negotiations go on for, the more influence the Leonese have.
29.7.1.1. How would this mechanic work?
29.7.1.2. Leonese figure have increasing honour/ voting strength?
29.8. Voting
29.8.1. How does voting work?