Do you get GM Writer's Block? When you sit down to prepare and just stare at the page? Here's a discussion of some techniques which helped me prepare for my TTRPG game, with thanks to @SlyFlourish, @ubiquitousrat, @roleplayingtips and @HeroicMaps
Category: Preparation and Gamesmastering
Are your players having fun?
Are all your players having fun? Roleplaying games can be challenging, frustrating (particularly when the dice go against you), thrilling, exasperating. But they are a social pastime, and everyone should leave most sessions thinking “well, I’m glad I took part.” I recently made a big mistake. I forgot to think about that extra word “all” … Continue reading Are your players having fun?
Interesting Combats from Unusual Monster Characteristics
How often do your combats turn out very similar? Attack, batter, dodge, fire bolt, try to flank, bash, slice, (stay in their faces because otherwise opportunity attack), batter, ouch!, heal, crunch, “oh they’re dead”. Even if you bring in terrain changes and cover to add interest, I’ve still been getting the feeling of things being … Continue reading Interesting Combats from Unusual Monster Characteristics
RPGaDay week 1
RPGaDay 2022 prompts RPGaDay is back for the 9th year. After the previous couple of years being fairly abstract prompts, this year they have returned to very directed questions. You can see them all in the graphic. I’m not sure how relevant some of the questions later are to me, but I’ll make a start … Continue reading RPGaDay week 1
How do the monsters react?
Last week, DM David wrote about the problems caused in D&D with monsters who run or surrender, given that you then have to account for them and what will happen as a result, and characters will tend to give chase, or start interrogating/torturing the captives, and so it’s just simpler if you let the fight … Continue reading How do the monsters react?
Coping without equipment
Have you considered how your characters would cope without their equipment? What would they do? Suddenly both exploration and combat become rather different. Now think about it as a GM - you've set up a scenario where the players' characters have had their equipment taken away. How do you make it feel like an interesting … Continue reading Coping without equipment
Level Up (A5E) is here!
The Level Up Kickstarter concluded successfully last night, and I've already been sent my links to the PDFs on DriveThruRPG - look at this gorgeous artwork on the front covers. I've had a quick look in both the Adventurer's Guide (Player's Handbook) and Trials and Treasures (DMG), and I already like what I'm seeing. Trials … Continue reading Level Up (A5E) is here!
Two more Kickstarters
It seems to be Kickstarter season. Hardly a day passes without an invitation to invest in yet another Kickstarter. I'd like to highlight another couple of Kickstarters I think really worthwhile. Extraordinary Expeditions Kickstarter page here I have always been keen to run my own campaign with its own storyline - part of the fun … Continue reading Two more Kickstarters
World Anvil Summer Camp 2021
“Summer ca..a..amp, and the writing is easy…” That’s how World Anvil’s Janet started the introductory stream which kicked off World Anvil Summer Camp 2021. Well, she was a professional opera singer before she and Dimitris started World Anvil… But I’m getting ahead of myself. I can see you have questions. What is World Anvil? World … Continue reading World Anvil Summer Camp 2021
The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse – a rethinking of module layout
We're working through The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse by Kelsey Dionne of The Arcane Library right now. It's an interesting take, trying to set things up more easily for GMs to run. Or as it says in the introduction: This adventure is meant to be run at a glance with minimal preparation and a natural … Continue reading The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse – a rethinking of module layout
