The Crusty Old Gnome: Tips for New Game Masters
Face to face, out in the heat, hanging tough,...
Read MorePosted by Walt Ciechanowski | Apr 3, 2024 | Game Mastering, General, GMing Advice, Intro to Game Mastering
Face to face, out in the heat, hanging tough,...
Read MorePosted by Phil Vecchione | Mar 29, 2024 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice
Planning in RPGs has always been a problem. On...
Read MorePosted by Josh Storey | Mar 22, 2024 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice
As the GM, you are your players’ eyes, ears, and other senses. The choices you make when describing your game literally build the way they perceive their characters’ world, and their perceptions of the world will determine their actions. When they latch onto the wrong thing, be it the goblin barkeep instead of the mysterious figure in the corner or the stale corner of bread instead of the bloody murder weapon, nine times out of 10, it’s a failure of description.
Read MorePosted by J.T. Evans | Mar 20, 2024 | Game Making, Game Mastering, GMing Advice
Welcome to a series of adventure design articles...
Read MorePosted by George PR | Mar 18, 2024 | Game Mastering
An Infinite Digital Bookcase I can still...
Read MorePosted by Robert Adducci | Mar 1, 2024 | Game Mastering
The purpose of this article is to guide you through the process of making a published RPG setting your own. We’ll explore strategies for understanding the essence of the original setting, identifying areas ripe for customization, and seamlessly integrating your personal touches.
Read MorePosted by Phil Vecchione | Feb 23, 2024 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice
My gaming group decided to end our most recent...
Read MorePosted by Walt Ciechanowski | Feb 16, 2024 | Game Mastering, General
In the shadow of night, I see the full moon...
Read MorePosted by Josh Storey | Feb 9, 2024 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Tools for GMs
Do you want to center your player characters’ backstories without making it seem like the whole world revolves around them? Do you want to create emotional bonds as strong as adamantine between not just the PCs and the NPCs but the players, too? Do you want to pull off an enemies-to-allies (or lovers if that’s your story of the game) arc without ham-fisting the heel-face turn? Well then, my friend, allow me to introduce you to a little trick in my toolbox…
Read MorePosted by J.T. Evans | Feb 5, 2024 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice
Last month, I talked about giving your character...
Read MorePosted by Phil Vecchione | Jan 26, 2024 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice
Years ago when I was coding, I used to have this...
Read MorePosted by Josh Storey | Jan 10, 2024 | Game Mastering, Tools for GMs
Leveling up isn’t just for PCs. Game masters can level up their GMing skills and abilities. To do that, we’re going to take a journey that begins with identifying our problem areas and ends with a plan to min/max the heck out of our GM-fu.
Read MorePosted by Walt Ciechanowski | Jan 8, 2024 | Game Mastering, General
You know in some way you’re a lot like me You’re...
Read MorePosted by Phil Vecchione | Dec 29, 2023 | Game Mastering, General, GMing Advice
As the year winds to a close, I took some time...
Read MorePosted by Josh Storey | Dec 22, 2023 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice
There are a lot of similarities between hosting a dinner party and running a TTRPG session. I’m not just talking about the fact that both usually involve a shared meal between friends. There are other subtle social aspects, and examining one can tell us a lot about the other.
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