I wait on baited breath for the game that makes a distinction in their systems between an Event and a Social Gathering.
Speed dating, a day at the boardwalk, a wedding, the reception, a dinner, a family picnic, an art show, a new museum exhibit, a trip to the aquarium on coupon day, midnight mass, Changeling crownings, Praxis changeovers, meet-n-greets, girl's night out, strip shows, paintball, rally, summer music festivals in the park, faire, farmer's markets.
All of the above, and more, are fine expressions of what you can choose to do with your time. And every single bit of it should be categorized, advertised, and coded so that like-minded people, who want to express their time in what's essentially a social gathering, be it 3 people, or 300, can do it without:
- Lying about what it is to the people who are not interested in the social gathering or spending their time on them.
- Falsely advertising about the danger when the only real danger is catty conversation or people storming out in a huff.
- Really just want people to watch them, and can't think of any other way to get them other than making it seem something more.
- Anyone who is a diceless storyteller should automatically be forced to categorize everything they do as social gathering.
(Ok that's just a preference.)
In the meantime, an entire other board, system, etc, should be in place for the Event that involves:
Real danger, real use of dice, real consequences, has subject or material that may have been vetted by Staff through their rules on such Events, involves a desire to see everyone have an impact, be they important people (high Status) or not (no Status).. Of greater importance still, there should be a rating for each one that is adhered to strictly, is contained in the advertising, and which cannot be abused:
- The danger is very small, and mostly inconvenient. Citations by the police for your public behavior, for example. Having to pay to have a window repaired, in another. People talking about you later when the Event hits the rumor mill.
- A good place for non-voluntary Conditions to be working on you even after the Event, trips to the hospital to get a cast for a broken bone, and so forth.
- The danger is about as dangerous as starting a Supernatural is. Hunting gone bad, a walk through the Hedge on the path, a visit to the Underworld or the Shadow, treating with a Spirit or a Ghost, Tussles with powers that may break the Oath or the Masquerade or a Cover, but not irreparably.
- Lasting danger or damage. Aggravated wounds. Seriously getting lost for an extended period, or extended hospital stays, extended incarceration at the local jail, real court dates, real reprimands by superiors, lasting damage to the Masquerade, the loss of Territory, or the destruction of a Cover.
- Gross possibility of Death.
People's time is precious. Don't waste it. Figure out what you're looking to provide, then advertise it correctly. Don't lie, cheat people, or steal their time. The same holds true in reverse. If the people putting the event on are absolutely not looking for 'drama', then be sure to advertise correctly, and to accept that people who want the 2nd type of Events are not necessarily the people who want the 1st type of Events. But if all the game is providing, is the 1st, and none of the 2nd, maybe start addressing that too.