Reader Tip Request: How do you handle split parties? Today, I’d like your advice and tips on how to handle split parties. Daniel S. writes: “How can I make everyone happy when groups are split in their decisions for destinations and plans?” One tip I have is to go around the table and give each [...]
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Reader Tip Request: Fantasy Chase Scenes
RPT Reader Devon Creamer asks: I was wondering how I could do a chase scene in one of my campaigns. My dilemma is that chase scenes are supposed to be fast and action packed, no dull parts or slow parts. But with Pathfinder’s usual movement rules, it’s too boring and my players lose interest. Thanks [...]
How to Think Faster On Your Feet While You GM
A couple weeks ago I sent out a Reader Tip Request for the spouse of a GM in need. The game master was having problems reacting to in-game events. He needed to think faster – or different – on his feet so he could handle unexpected player decisions and actions better. Here’s the request from [...]
Top 5 Soul-Draining Mistakes of Game Prep
Martin Ralya at Engine Publishing sent me a preview of his latest book, Never Unprepared: The Complete Game Master’s Guide to Session Prep. (Thanks Martin – the book looks great!) Written by Phil Vecchione, the 127 page book is carved into three main sections: Understanding Prep Prep Toolbox Evolving Your Style There are also meta [...]
D&D GMs: How to Solve Problem Players Once And For All – Without Messy Confrontations
One of the most frequent help requests I get is from GMs frustrated with problem players. If there is conflict in your group, your games will suck. And that’s a shame because role-playing games can be so rich and enjoyable when everyone is working together, on the same wavelength, creating amazing moments. Danny Iny of [...]
Remedies For GM Burn-Out
by The Roleplaying Tips Community Lots of great tips from subscribers in this Flash Back Friday submission,covering everything from being sick of gaming to having writer’s block. I hope the cure for you lies herein! Note on Navigation: To quickly move between readers’ emails, use your application’s Find or Search feature and look for @@@@@@. I have purposely [...]
Preparation of Material for a Roleplaying Adventure
by Heather Grove When you create your own campaign there’s so much you could spend your time on. Should you write up non-player characters (NPCs) with rich backgrounds? What about scenes you expect will take place in game, and speeches spoken by NPCs? Should you detail the background of a plot, or the things you think [...]
150 Benign Urban Fantasy Encounters
by Chris Buono Chris polled members of the GMMastery Yahoo group for benign urban encounter ideas and then added a few of his own to come up with this awesome list you might find useful for your own campaigns. Editor Isaac and I added a few more as well. Thanks Chris, Telas, and GMMastery contributors! [...]
How to Create a Bureaucracy
By Gareth Hodges The Aaargh factor Technically, a bureaucracy is designed to help a government or large group deliver services in a timely, efficient and effective manner. Traditionally however, they are viewed as mockeries that frustrate, delay and ultimately fail to produce results. The first step in creating a bureaucratic system for your gaming world [...]
Drama Doubloons
by Lord Skudley Drama Doubloons {DD} will be awarded to any Character who commits a selfless act or brave deed that can only be called Heroic. Likewise Drama Doubloons can be offered to an evil aligned character that performs a particularly vile act. They can be used at the player’s discretion to perform amazing, often [...]