There's a phrase that'scliche in old school D&D circles. "Rulings not rules." The basic idea is that role playing games cannot contain a rule for every possible situation and it is better for the game master to simply make a common sense ruling and keeping the game running than to look up an esoteric rule. …
Category: game mastering advice
Virtues of the Good Game Master: Organization
I struggle with this one. I’m putting it down as a virtue as much to remind myself as to recommend it to others. I think good game masters are organized. They use folders, binders, tabs, dividers and they keep their stuff categorized in a way that they can find it when they need it. You …
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Why Investigative Modules/Games Are Not Railroad Adventures
Because they are a puzzle. Some players dislike investigation games/adventures. They feel like they are railroady. This isn't true. Investigations are a series of nested puzzles that your players have to figure out in order to get a reward. The first set of puzzles is the where to look for the clues. If you are …
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A Metric of Game Mastering Success
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 …
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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