Last session, one of the players in my current campaign said, "We need to kill that guy." He was talking about an NPC who has gone from a benefactor and source of information to a probable enemy but, it's not entirely clear. This is one of the ways I know I am on the right …
Category: game mastering advice
What Do They Want?
When a writer is writing a story, no matter the form or genre, there is a critical element to the story. The writer must know what her characters want. The writer must convey those desires to the reader clearly and as early in the story as possible. If it is a murder mystery, the detective …
If You are a Game Master, Read Steven Pressfield’s Blog
It is a bit of a paradox. In order for an RPG to be a good to great experience, must be treated like a game. There are situations, you present them to the players, the players make choices, you roll dice, consequences happen and you present the next situation. However, utilizing the tools of story …
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Characteristics of Good Game Masters: Humility
A humble game master will be aware of and embrace the fact that her players know things that she doesn't. The humble game master is aware that they make mistakes. When players point out a mistake, the humble game master accepts and admits the error and makes an adjustment if necessary. When the humble game …
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Embedded Stories and How I Use Them
Games, role playing games in particular, have stories embedded inside of them. Why is the dungeon here? Why is there a ruin of a tower with a set of stairs going down into the dungeon? Who built the tower? Who or what dug out these tunnels? These questions lead me to a story that gives …
Keep It At the Table
I discourage character backgrounds of more than a few sentences. I like watching the player reveal the character in play. I think the results are more interesting that way. When you are sitting around thinking about what kind of character you would like to play; You think about what that character looks like, what they …
It’s About the Play
In my younger days, I would write a full on campaign history and back ground information. What was worse, I expected players to read that stuff. I learned that they weren't interested in reading my pile of made up history about a made up place. Game masters, I'm talking to you. I do not want …
Grumpy Wizard 
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