The Märchin Engine — GM Guide to the Web Plot Library

A complete three‑layer plot library with scene clocks, thresholds, episode arcs, meta hooks, seeds for seven genres, and scores.

The Märchin Engine — GM Guide to the Web Plot Library
Example or Play The Gala Heist — Three Layers in Action

How to run three‑layer clocks at your table with adaptation rules for D\&D, Traveller, GURPS, and BRP

0) What this webpage is (and why it’s useful)

The page at The Märchin Engine is an interactive library of clock‑driven plots built for a three‑layer structure. It lets you:

Browse plots that each include: the Scene clocks you’ll use at the table, the Episode beats for tonight, and the Meta hooks that move factions/season/campaign forward.
Search by keyword and highlight seeds by genre (Vaesen, Gamma World, High Fantasy, Cyberpunk, Space Opera, Superhero, Modern Investigation).
Jump from a table of contents to any plot; each plot page shows scene clocks, 25/50/75% thresholds, episode arc beats, meta‑link rules, and genre seeds. ([Ted Tschopp’s Homepage][1])

1) Glossary (all terms you’ll see on the page)

Clock — A segmented progress track you fill (tick) or reduce (erase). Common sizes: 4 / 6 / 8 / 10 / 12 segments.

Tick / Erase — Add or remove filled segments on a clock.

Layer — The engine runs in three tempos at once:

Scene Layer (≈30 minutes): Interlocked clocks for the immediate situation (e.g., Objective 8, Alarm 6, Hazard 6, Exit 4).
Episode Layer (8–10): Tonight’s mission throughline (e.g., The Job, Name the Truth).
Meta Layer (8–16): Always‑on background clocks: Faction clocks (one per major faction), a Campaign Goal clock (the party’s long arc), and a Seasonal Throughline (festival/ritual/weather calendar). ([Ted Tschopp’s Homepage][1])

Threshold (25% / 50% / 75%) — Predetermined beats on a clock that change the situation (new guard route, ritual unlock, last‑stand choice).

Threshold Tap — When a Scene clock crosses 25/50/75%, you tick the Episode clock; at 50% or 75% you may also tick a relevant Meta clock (a faction notices, the season stirs).

Outcome Tap — At the end of a scene, success/failure/mixed results tick a Meta clock (e.g., success → Campaign/Ally +1, failure → Opposition/Season +1).

Echo Action — A player‑initiated conversion: spend table currency (Intel, Favor, Lore, Rep, Salvage, Faith, Clout—use what fits your game) to tick or erase a chosen Meta clock by 1.

Time Drift — At the end of each 30‑minute scene, tick Seasonal +1 and one reactive Faction +1 (pause this during a climax).

Finisher — A finale move unlocked near 75% (e.g., Showdown, Seal the Breach, Stabilize).

Pushback — A listed way for players to erase enemy/faction progress (e.g., “cleanup job erases 2 Heat”).

Seeds — Short, setting‑flavored prompts for Vaesen, Gamma World, High Fantasy, Cyberpunk, Space Opera, Superhero, Modern Investigation.

2) How to navigate the page (quick UI tour)

Search box — Type any keyword: plot name, clock, threshold effect, or seed text; the list narrows live. ([Ted Tschopp’s Homepage][1])
“Highlight seeds for” menu — Choose a genre to highlight those seeds in each plot (helps re‑skin fast). ([Ted Tschopp’s Homepage][1])
TOC tiles — Click a plot to jump to its section (each tile shows its overall score).
Inside a plot:
- Scene Layer — Clocks: Names, segment counts, and concise descriptions.
- Thresholds: 25/50/75% effects—copy these onto your paper/virtual cards.
- Episode Arc (8–10): Tonight’s beats in order.
- Meta Hooks: Exactly when and which meta clocks tick, plus Echo and Pushback hooks.
- Genre Seeds: Ready reskins.

To print physical aids, follow the page’s links to Clock Cards and GM Procedure One‑Pager. ([Ted Tschopp’s Homepage][1])

3) Session prep in 12 minutes (for any ruleset)

A) Pick tonight’s Episode

From the page, choose a plot that fits your goal (e.g., Heist, Investigation, Ritual). Note the Episode Arc (8–10) beats.

B) Choose 3–4 Scene clocks for the first scene

Typical set: Objective 8, Alarm 6, Hazard 6, Exit 4 (swap to fit the plot).
Write 25/50/75% thresholds as shown on the page (modify to taste).

C) Select Meta clocks to keep visible this session

Campaign Goal (12–16), Seasonal (8 or 12), and 2–3 Faction clocks (Influence/Project/Legitimacy).
Jot what ticks them (from each plot’s Meta Hooks).

D) Currency

Decide which currencies exist in your setting (e.g., Intel, Favors, Lore). Tell players they can Echo to move Meta.

E) Safety & difficulty

Decide your tick sizes (see §5), and set difficulty bands for your system (DCs, Target Numbers, etc.).

4) Running play at the table — the loop

During a scene (≈30 minutes)

Frame it: Stakes and which Scene clocks are in play.
Play to the first threshold: Ask “What do you do?”; call for rolls; on results tick/erase the relevant clock(s).
Announce threshold effects at 25/50/75% (new guard route, public move, finale unlock).
Offer Echo: Once per scene, remind players they can spend currency to tick/erase a Meta.
Close the scene: Resolve the immediate objective or escalate naturally.

Between scenes

Apply Outcome Taps (success/failure/mixed → Meta ticks).
Apply Time Drift: Seasonal +1, and one reactive Faction +1.
If the Episode Arc is ≈ 75%, pause Time Drift and run the Finisher in the next scene.

End of session

If any Meta clock fills, end with a stinger and log “permission to schedule” a finale built around that meta (don’t auto‑run it).
Award currency; reveal how factions reacted in downtime.

5) Tick sizing and difficulty (system‑agnostic core)

Use these tick magnitudes as defaults:

+2 ticks: big swing, critical success, brilliant plan, or heavy resource spend.
+1 tick: clear success; time passes under pressure.
0 / +1 trade: success with a cost (progress and a small enemy/hazard tick).
Enemy +1: clear failure; time lost; you’re noisy.
Enemy +2: fumble, botch, or a hard consequence lands.
Erase 1: clever mitigation, perfect cover, or “clean up the scene” action.

Apply ticks to the clock that makes the most sense (Objective, Alarm, Hazard, etc.). Keep Episode/Meta taps as described in the plot’s Meta Hooks.

6) System adapters (D\&D, Traveller, GURPS, BRP)

Use your native resolution mechanics; map the result quality to ticks. The tables below keep pacing consistent.

6.1 D\&D / d20 (5e or similar)

Use normal ability checks / tool checks / attack rolls vs. a DC. Suggested DC bands (tune per tier): 10 easy • 13–15 standard • 16–18 hard • 20+ extreme.

d20 outcome	Tick guidance
Natural 20 or beat DC by 10+	+2 to the target clock or erase 1 on a threat (GM’s call).
Success (meet/exceed DC)	+1 to the target clock.
Success at a cost (use 5e’s optional rule)	+1 to target and enemy/hazard +1.
Fail by ≤5	Enemy/hazard +1.
Fail by ≥6 or natural 1	Enemy/hazard +2 (and possibly trigger a threshold effect early).

Advantage/Disadvantage: On Advantage, you may upgrade one step (e.g., success→+1 plus erase 1 on Alarm or push a small clock). On Disadvantage, downgrade one step (success→success‑with‑cost).

6.2 Traveller (2d6 + skill + DM; “Effect” = total − 8)

Traveller Effect	Tick guidance
+6 or more	+2 to target or erase 1 on opposition; narrate a decisive technical edge.
+3 to +5	+1 to target.
+1 to +2	+1 to target and minor enemy/hazard +1 (you rushed, left traces).
0 to −2	Enemy/hazard +1 (you stall or attract notice).
−3 or worse	Enemy/hazard +2 (bad jam, loud signature, collateral).

Boon/Bane: Upgrade/downgrade one row. Effect can also erase 1 on a related threat when it’s +6 or higher.

6.3 GURPS (3d6 roll under Skill; Margin of Success/Failure)

GURPS result	Tick guidance
Critical success or MoS ≥ 10	+2 to target or erase 1 on threat.
MoS 5–9	+1 to target.
MoS 1–4	+1 to target and minor enemy/hazard +1 (time or noise cost).
MoF 1–4	Enemy/hazard +1.
MoF ≥ 5 or critical failure	Enemy/hazard +2.

Task difficulty modifiers apply as normal. Use Time Use rules to justify Time Drift between scenes.

6.4 BRP / d100 (Regular/Hard/Extreme/Critical; Fumbles)

BRP degree	Tick guidance
Critical or Extreme (≤ skill/5; edition‑specific)	+2 to target or erase 1 on threat.
Hard (≤ skill/2)	+1 to target.
Regular (≤ skill)	+1 to target and minor enemy/hazard +1.
Failure	Enemy/hazard +1.
Fumble (per edition, e.g., 00 or 96–00 at low skill)	Enemy/hazard +2.

Opposed tests: Compare degrees; the winner applies their tick row; a tie → success at a cost for the acting side.

7) End‑to‑end example (10 minutes to read, 90 minutes to run)

Plot: Heist / Infiltration → Episode: “The Job” Scene clocks: Objective 8, Alarm 6, Hazard 6, Exit 4 Meta active: Campaign Goal 12, Seasonal 8, Emerald Court Influence 10, City Watch Legitimacy 8

Scene 1 (Casing, 30 min)

Players gather intel (D\&D Investigation vs DC 15): success → Objective +1.
25% Alarm threshold triggers: new patrol path (add a complication).
Player spends Intel (Echo) to erase 1 on City Watch Legitimacy (they plant a story).
End scene: Outcome = success (they have a plan) → Campaign Goal +1. Time Drift: Seasonal +1, Emerald Court +1.

Scene 2 (Breach, 30 min)

A failure on stealth (Traveller Effect −3) → Alarm +2; triggers 50% Alarm (lockdown of a wing).
Great tool use (GURPS critical) to bypass a ward → Objective +2 and erase 1 on Hazard.
End scene: mixed (they got in but left traces) → Campaign +1 and Opposition +1. Drift: Seasonal +1, reactive City Watch +1.

Scene 3 (Extraction, 30 min; Episode ≈75%)

Pause Time Drift for the climax.
Finisher unlocked (from thresholds): Exit Window 4 races to close.
BRP Hard success on the carry → Objective +1; Exit hits 3/4; a last push (D\&D success at cost) Objective +1 and Alarm +1.
End episode: Success → Ally Faction +1 and a stinger: Emerald Court announces a gala next week (permission to schedule a finale).

8) Using the Meta layer well (factions, campaign, seasons)

Keep 2–3 Faction clocks visible (even if their thresholds are veiled) so players feel the world moving.
Use Outcome Taps to ensure every scene advances something. Success should grow Campaign/Allies; failure should fuel Opposition/Season.
Offer Echo Actions every scene so players can steer the campaign tempo (spend Intel to accelerate your Campaign Goal, or burn Favor to erase Doom).
Treat Seasonal Throughline as your metronome: it ticks at scene end, surfaces omens, and unlocks a seasonal set‑piece around 50%. (Pause drift during climaxes.)

9) Printing aids from the page

Click the links on the page to get the Clock Cards (4 per letter page) and the GM Procedure One‑Pager. Use pencil so you can reuse cards. ([Ted Tschopp’s Homepage][1])
Keep the Episode Arc card in the middle of your table; rotate Scene cards in/out every 30 minutes; park Meta cards at the top edge so everyone sees the slow drum.

10) Troubleshooting (common issues → quick fixes)

“Alarms always spike too fast.” Lower Alarm to 4 segments but soften its thresholds; or make critical stealth erase 1 Alarm.
“Players don’t touch Echo Actions.” Hand out visible currency tokens. Prompt once per scene: “Anyone want to spend Intel/Favor?”
“Meta clocks race past the Episode.” Use the Climax Pause: no Time Drift during the final scene; limit outcome taps to one Meta on the finale.
“Too many clocks on the table.” Cap to 3–4 Scene clocks at a time; keep Meta at Campaign + Seasonal + two Factions.
“D\&D doesn’t do success‑with‑cost.” Use DMG’s optional rule (or simply narrate a minor cost: time, noise, position).

11) Quick reference (laminate this)

Scene (≈30m)

Put down 3–4 clocks with written 25/50/75 thresholds.
Roll → Tick/Erase the right clock(s); call the threshold effects.
Offer Echo; end scene → Outcome Tap → Time Drift (Seasonal +1; one Faction +1).

Episode (8–10)

25%: the plan becomes clear • 50%: momentum • 75%: Finisher unlocked • Full: credits (then stinger).

Meta (8–16)

Keep Campaign Goal, Seasonal, and 2–3 Factions visible.
Use Pushback missions to erase faction progress; use Echo to steer Hope/Doom.

Example or Play The Gala Heist — Three Layers in Action

An example session you can emulate at your own table (D\&D / Traveller / GURPS / BRP friendly)

What you’ll see: a full table read with GM + players, three layers running at once (Scene → Episode → Meta), clocks ticking on‑screen, and choices that feel like TV. I’ll use clean, high‑energy table language in the style of top Actual Play GMs—clear stakes, fast rulings, and celebratory beats.

Cast & Setup

Players & PCs

Sam as Rook, an unflappable infiltrator (stealth, sleight, parkour)
Jules as Vera, the face (forged invites, pressure reads, improv lies)
Mason as Patch, the tech (sensors, locks, “it’s already hacked” energy)
Priya as Ash, the scout (roof access, spotters, contingency planning)

System‑agnostic resolution When I call for a roll, I’ll say the result quality we care about at the table:

Strong Success (treat like crit / Effect +3 / MoS 5+ / Hard+ / Extreme)
Success
Success with Cost (you progress, and a threat ticks)
Fail (threat ticks)
Hard Fail (threat ticks big)

Use your system’s native mechanics to hit those bands—see the quick mapping in the GM guide. The point here is the tick (filling a segment) or erase (clearing a segment) on a clock.

The Three Layers we’ll run

Layer 3 — Meta (always on)

Campaign Goal (12): “Break the Syndicate’s Grip” → 3/12
Faction A — Syndicate Influence (10) → 4/10
Faction B — City Watch Legitimacy (8) → 3/8
Seasonal Throughline (8): “Festival Week” → 2/8 (Each end‑of‑scene, Seasonal +1 and one reactive Faction +1; pause this during a climax.)

Layer 2 — Episode Arc (8): “Steal the Starling”

(The Starling is a world‑famous micro‑sculpture; you’ve all seen the movie.) 0/8 → Beats: Casing → Breach → Extraction → Handoff

Layer 1 — Scene 1 Clocks (first 30 minutes)

Objective (8): Case the museum floor and ID the swap point → 0/8
Alarm (6): Suspicion, patrols, warded glass → 0/6
Hazard (6): Crowd density, laser grid calibration → 0/6
Exit Window (4): The cleanest egress route closes at full → 0/4

Thresholds: at 25/50/75% on any scene clock, something changes. Also, each threshold taps the Episode Arc +1; at 50/75% on certain threats, the Meta may tick, too.

Actual Example

Scene 1 — Red Carpets & Warded Glass (Casing)

GM (brisk, warm): Floodlights rake the museum facade. Inside, a string quartet bows something expensive. The Starling spins in a glass plinth under a sleepwalking web of red lasers. Waiters orbit. Security wears smiles and shoelace earpieces. What do you do?

Vera (Jules): I glide in on the gala guest list I forged last downtime. Target a curator for small talk—fishing for schedule and guard cadence.

Roll → Success. Tick: Objective +1 → 1/8 (Episode +1 → 1/8) Note: The curator mentions, “After the speech, they recalibrate the grid.”

GM (to table): That’s a clue which arms you against the Hazard later.

Patch (Mason): While Vera distracts, I peel off to the service corridor. I want the laser grid diagnostic—network sniff, no alarms.

Roll → Success with Cost. Tick: Objective +1 → 2/8 (Episode +1 → 2/8) Cost: Alarm +1 → 1/6 (a camera blinks awake)

Rook (Sam): I ghost behind a moving waiter, slip through a staff door, and test the maintenance catwalk above the exhibit—looking for a drop point.

Roll → Strong Success. Tick: Objective +2 → 4/8 (Episode +1 → 3/8) Erase: Alarm −1 → 0/6 (you kill the blinking camera with a felt sticker)

Ash (Priya): I post on the roof with binoculars, counting patrols and marking the safest exit window—preferably a service elevator that opens onto an alley.

Roll → Success. Tick: Exit Window +1 → 1/4 (Episode +1 → 4/8) GM Threshold (Exit 25%): The Service Elevator is perfect now, but… the caterer’s truck will block it after the speech.

GM: You’ve got the layout. The speech is in fifteen. End of Scene 1. Outcome Tap (success) → Campaign Goal +1 (4/12) Time Drift → Seasonal +1 (3/8) & Syndicate Influence +1 (5/10) (they notice you casing)

Echo Action (player‑driven conversion) Vera: I’ll spend 1 Favor to smooth over our camera blip—call in a journalist I know to pull a friendly Watch supervisor away. GM: Love it. Erase City Watch Legitimacy −1 (your vibe lowers public pressure) → 2/8 (pushback on the wrong faction would be weird; you opted to ease heat)

Scene 2 — Breach Under a Toast

Reframe Layer 1 Clocks for the breach:

Objective (8): Swap the Starling → 4/8 (from last scene)

Alarm (6) → 0/6

Hazard (6) → 0/6

Exit Window (4) → 1/4

GM: The director taps the mic. As crystal chimes, the laser grid shifts—higher intensity, faster sweep. The crowd tightens around the plinth. What do you do?

Patch: Exploit the recalibration window I learned. I mirror‑spike the grid to open a 3‑second blind arc.

Roll → Success. Tick: Objective +1 → 5/8 (Episode +1 → 5/8)

Rook (quiet grin): Three seconds is a lifetime. I drop from the catwalk, swap the Starling with our weight‑matched duplicate, and vanish behind a curtain.

Roll → Success with Cost. Tick: Objective +1 → 6/8 (Episode +1 → 6/8) Cost: Alarm +1 → 1/6 (a server *almost sees you; champagne splashes)*

GM Threshold (Objective 75%): Hitting 6/8 unlocks the Finisher: “Ghost Walk”—if you can keep Alarm ≤ 3 and Exit < full, the swap holds without a manual glass reset.

Ash: I cut power to one of the lobby spotlights to steer a guard’s gaze the wrong way.

Roll → Success. Tick: Alarm −1 → 0/6 (clean)

Vera (performer voice): I clink my glass, launch into a heartfelt impromptu donor mini‑toast that ends right as the music swells, drawing every eye.

Roll → Strong Success. Tick: Alarm −1 (floor stays cool) → stays 0/6 Tick: Objective +1 (cover is perfect) → 7/8 (Episode +1 → 7/8)

GM (smiling): You are one tick from the swap being locked. The music ends; the service elevator hums—Exit Window 2/4 as staff move trays.

End of Scene 2 Outcome Tap (mixed) → Campaign Goal +1 (5/12) and Syndicate Influence +1 (6/10) (rumors: “someone’s pulling a move at the gala”) Time Drift pauses next scene if we hit a climax. We’re at Episode 7/8—climax next.

Echo Action Patch: Spend 1 Intel from earlier casing to erase 1 on Syndicate Influence—we seed a tip blaming a rival. GM: Perfect. Syndicate Influence 5/10 (pushback lands; they glare at each other, not you)

Scene 3 — Extraction (Climax)

Climax Rule: We’re at Episode 7/8; pause Time Drift. Only Outcome Taps affect Meta.

Layer 1 Clocks now:

Objective (8) → 7/8 (secure the swap)
Alarm (6) → 0/6
Hazard (6) → 0/6 (but watch the recalibration tail)
Exit Window (4) → 2/4

GM: The director unveils the Starling to polite awe. The grid purrs—a final micro‑sweep threatens to notice the mass difference unless you walk out right now.

Ash: I radio, “All green. Move.”

Rook: I drift with a cluster of guests, carrying a covered tray with the real Starling cushioned inside. Timing the sweep, I Ghost Walk toward the service elevator.

Roll → Success. Tick: Objective +1 → 8/8 (FULL) Episode Arc +1 → 8/8 (FULL) Finisher resolves: The swap holds; no glass reset needed.

GM (snapping fingers, playful): The elevator doors start to close… a guard’s hand reaches. “Hey! You can’t—”

Vera (without missing a beat): “Oh, perfect timing—kitchen needs you on the spill by the director’s shoes.” I flash the most earnest smile.

Roll → Success with Cost. Alarm +1 → 1/6 (the guard hesitates but buys it) Exit Window +1 → 3/4 (doors nearly shut; any stall closes the clean route)

Patch: I jam the elevator panel for a fraction longer—keeps it open for Rook, then auto‑sends to service level.

Roll → Strong Success. Erase: Exit Window −1 → 2/4 (you reopen the breathing room)

GM: The car descends. Basement corridor, rubber mats, humming compressors. Loading dock door rolls up to the alley—that’s the handoff.

Ash: Roof to alley zipline. I’m already there to receive the package into the flower van.

Roll → Success. Episode resolved; we cut on the van fading into festival traffic.

End of Scene 3 (Climax) — End of Session

Outcome Tap (success) → Campaign Goal +1 (6/12)
Stinger: An invite arrives tomorrow—Syndicate gala, “prove your innocence.” Permission to schedule a faction‑heavy follow‑up.
Rewards: You earn 2 Intel and 1 Favor (currency for future Echo Actions).

Post‑Game Board (how the layers moved)

Scene layer created moment‑to‑moment pressure and changed the room at 25/50/75%. Episode layer gave the night a satisfying arc with a Finisher. Meta layer made your actions matter across sessions.

Final clocks:

Campaign Goal 6/12 (you’re halfway to breaking their grip)
Syndicate Influence 5/10 (you pushed back via Echo; expect retaliation)
City Watch Legitimacy 2/8 (Vera’s media favor cooled heat tonight)
Seasonal 3/8 (Festival Week is gathering speed—expect a set‑piece at ~4/8 or 5/8)

GM Aside (what I did behind the screen)

I called out thresholds to telegraph danger and opportunity.
Every scene advanced something—even when you succeeded, a faction or the season reacted.
I offered a once‑per‑scene Echo so you could steer the meta.
At Episode 75%, I paused Time Drift so the climax got all the oxygen.
I made sure the finale had a cheer point (doors closing, last‑second save) and a stinger to propel the campaign.

“Make It Look Easy” — How to run this tonight

Pick the Episode (e.g., Heist — The Job). Put out an Episode Arc (8–10) card.
Start Scene 1 with Objective 8, Alarm 6, Hazard 6, Exit 4. Write 25/50/75% effects.
Name the Meta: Campaign (12–16), Season (8 or 12), two Factions (8–12). Put their cards at the top edge.
Say the loop out loud: “Cross a threshold → Episode +1. End a scene → Meta ticks. Spend currency → Echo.”
Celebrate wins (Strong Success = +2 ticks or erase on threats). Price progress (Success with Cost = +1 and an enemy tick).
At Episode 75%: pause Time Drift, unlock a Finisher, and go cinematic.
End with a stinger if any Meta filled or crossed a big threshold.

Quick Reskins (same scene beats, new skin)

Fantasy: Royal masquerade, swapping a dragon‑bone cameo blessed by the High Priest. Hazard: sanctified wards. Faction: Night Market vs. Inquisition.
Cyberpunk: Corporate unveiling; swap an AI seed crystal. Hazard: ICE‑nailed smartglass. Faction: Rival megacorps; Seasonal: citywide blackout drill.
Space Opera: Orbital museum gala; swap a quantum reliquary. Hazard: grav‑mesh oscillation. Faction: Sector Authority; Seasonal: migration festival.
Superhero: Charity gala; disable a mind‑control broadcast node. Hazard: meta‑detectors. Faction: Vigilante Trust vs. City Hall PR.
Modern Investigation: Sting operation; plant a lawful sniffer to catch insider trades. Hazard: RF‑shielded server room. Faction: DA’s Office vs. Private Security.

What made this session sing (for your table, too)

Clear, tempting choices (steal now or wait for the speech?)
Visible pressure (Exit Window climbing, Alarm creeping)
Table agency (Echo spends moved Factions/campaign)
A real finale (Finisher unlocked, breath‑holding exit)
A lasting world change (Meta clocks shifted; a new gala invites a showdown)

You can drop this exact scaffolding into D\&D, Traveller, GURPS, or BRP without rewriting core rules. The clocks carry the drama; your system supplies the texture.

Want the table kit?

Use the Clock Cards and the GM One‑Pager you’ve already got. Put Episode in the middle, Scene clocks near player hands, Meta at the top edge. Tell your players, “If you make noise, the Alarm ticks. If you’re brilliant, erase something. Spend Intel/Favor/Lore to steer the big story.”

Now go steal the Starling.