To GMPC or to Allied NPC?
Does the word GMPC even mean anything anymore?...
Read MorePosted by Chris Sniezak | Aug 20, 2025 | Game Mastering, General, GMing Advice, Tools for GMs
Does the word GMPC even mean anything anymore?...
Read MorePosted by Peter Martin | Apr 28, 2025 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Tools for GMs
Whether it’s Aragorn showing up with his army of...
Read MorePosted by Josh Storey | Apr 26, 2024 | Game Mastering, Tools for GMs
I love foisting eldritch artifacts or ancient magics onto their shoulders. I take glee in giving them influence within an important organization and seeing what they’ll do. It allows me to ask tough questions about how and when they use their great power responsibly (thanks, Uncle Ben). Plus, it gives my players the power to enact real change in the game – something all of us can sometimes feel powerless to do in our real lives. (My group’s go-to power fantasy is making the world a better place.)
Read MorePosted by Chris Sniezak | Apr 22, 2024 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Player Advice, Tools for GMs
One of my gaming groups plays a mashed up game...
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 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 Chris Sniezak | Dec 1, 2023 | Game Making, Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Tools for GMs
I Love Me A Good Redcap I like the lore, the...
Read MorePosted by Chris Sniezak | Aug 23, 2023 | Game Mastering, Tools for GMs
The first time I came across phases of play in a...
Read MorePosted by Poddy Gnomington | Aug 16, 2023 | Game Mastering, General, GMing Advice, Gnomecast, Tools for GMs
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Read MorePosted by Chris Sniezak | Aug 9, 2023 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Tools for GMs
I’m not a trained actor. I’ve never taken an...
Read MorePosted by Poddy Gnomington | Aug 2, 2023 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Gnomecast, Tools for GMs
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Read MorePosted by Pod! | Jul 12, 2023 | Tools for GMs
A short chat about using oneshots for worldbuilding!
Read MorePosted by Poddy Gnomington | Jul 5, 2023 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Gnomecast, Tools for GMs
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Read MorePosted by Poddy Gnomington | Jun 21, 2023 | Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Gnomecast, Tools for GMs
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Read MorePosted by Matthew J. Neagley | Jun 19, 2023 | Tools for GMs
A decade-ish ago, I wrote an article entitled...
Read MoreHey you. Yeah, you. Do you know about Gnomecast 21? Why isn’t it in the archives? What are they hiding? If you value your safety… don’t go searching for Gnomecast 21…
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