Creating a Plot Database using Zoho.com

Steve Hatherley

I’ve created a simple freeform plot database consisting of three linked tables to help check that all the characters are sufficiently interwoven and have enough to do.

I’ve used Zoho Creator (creator.zoho.com) a free online database that’s really easy to use (and particularly good if you’re collaborating or you haven’t got your own database set up at home). I’m sure someone with some proper software could do a better job, but for a few minutes work it’s hard to beat.

Anyway, I’ve set up the following tables:

Table 1 – Characters

Character Name
Character Summary - a short description of the character and why they are present
Cast List Description - the public information about the character (ie, how they are described in the cast list)

Table 2 - Plots

Plot Name
Plot Summary - a brief overview

Table 3 - Roles

Plot name - select the name of the plot that you're working on from the drop-down menu (the plot must have been entered into the plots table first).
Character - select the name of the character who is involved in the plot from the drop-down menu (the character must have been entered into the characters table first).
Role in plot
Involvement in plot - a number from 1 (information only) to 5 (fully involved, a major part of that character's game).
Added to character sheet – either yes or no (get a sense of how far you are through a game.)

It would be easy to add more information, but for the stuff I’m doing with Freeform Games at the moment, a summary level is perfect.

Analysis

By using the filters, it’s possible to filter on each character to ensure that they have enough to do. I’ve also used it to make sure that plots are more robust – logical errors in plots (for example where one person knows something about another person, but the other person doesn’t know it themselves) quickly become obvious.

It’s also easy to bring other characters into the plot.

Example

I’ve set up a partly-populated and purely-for-fun example based on Lord of the Rings here: http://creator.zoho.com/steveh888/

Article by Steve Hatherley. Steve is an active freeformer in the UK and has written a number of freeforms. For more information about UK freeforms, please visit uk-freeforms.wikidot.com. Steve is also a partner of Freeform Games LLP and has a website dedicated to freeform-style murder mystery games: http://www.great-murder-mystery-games.com