Roleplaying Tips 2.0

Issue 401 - Keep The Peace Part 1: Tips to bring the party back together and keep it that way

Tue, 06 May 2008 20:51:49 -0700

This Weeks' Tips: Player Backgrounds Concerning Gaming Experience
Player Backgrounds Concerning Genre Experience
Player Personalities and Party Roles
Player Experience and Party Dynamics
Monthly Musing of the Chatty DM: Photograph Your Dungeon Tiles Layout
A Great Court Etiquette Resource
NPC Descriptions Trick

Issue 400 - Mystery Game Tips

Sat, 03 May 2008 18:20:57 -0700

This Weeks' Tips: Begin At The End
Drop Many, Many Clues
Use Real Pictures
Use Props
Let PCs Use Their Abilities
Keep Hot Trails Hot And Cold Trails Cold
Engage All Senses
The 5 Item Witness Formula
Give Players A Tangible Time Limit
Allow Good Luck
Let Each Player And PC Shine
Monthly Musing of the Chatty DM: How To Start A Gaming Group At School
Four More Ways To Be A Better GM
Weather Magic

Issue 399 - The Rule To Making Good Rules And Other Useful Tips

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:49:30 -0700

This Weeks' Tips: Be Realistic
Respect And Be Respected
Admit Your Mistakes Even When You Are Wrong
Keep Combat Simple, Understandable And Orderly
Special Situations Require Special Rules
Be Prepared
Fudge The Die
Add A Little Humor
Know How To Keep A Secret
Monthly Musing of the Chatty DM: When You Have GMs As Players

Issue 398 - Why Use Inns, Taverns, and Restaurants?

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:22:46 -0700

This Weeks' Tips: A Place To Meet
A Place To Eat
A Place To Work
A Place To Gossip
A Place To Entertain
A Place To Game And Gamble
A Place To Stay
A Place To Start Adventures
A Place To Continue Adventures
A Place To End Adventures
Reader's Tips: Ways To Slow Down Plot Progression
Language In Fantasy Roleplaying
Google Parchment For Props
Craft "What You Know" Handouts

Issue 397 - The Spiral Method of World Building

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:15:05 -0700

This Weeks' Tips: Basic Principles
World Background
Mapping And Plot
Planning Encounters
Expanding The Storyline
Reader's Tips: Make Your Campaign Beatable
Use Real Estate Brochures For Mapping
100 Statue Rooms

Issue 396 - Start Campaigns With Unrelated One-Shot Adventures

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:40:50 -0700

This Weeks' Tips: Creating A One-Shot
Same Rules, Different Setting
Same Setting, Different Plot
Same Plot, Different Angle
Extra Twists
Reader's Tips: Create Relationship Diagrams To Manage NPCs Better
There And Back Again: Give Players Inaccurate Maps
Use ReBoot TV Show For Inspiration
Use Post-Its For Quick Referencing
Rationale For Trap Clues

Issue 395 - Mapping Tips For Inns, Taverns, And Restaurants

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:26:52 -0700

This Weeks' Tips: Basic Layout Features
Lines of Sight
Entrances and Exits
Lighting
Details and Variations
Reader's Tips: Session Debriefing Template
Planet Builder Spreadsheet
Considerations For Designing A Stronghold

Issue 394 - Court Etiquette: Do's and Don'ts

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:03:09 -0700

This Weeks' Tips: The Rules Of Rank
Addressing NPCs Of Rank
Rules Of Fealty
Rules Of Behavior
Getting Heard In Court
Reader's Tips: You Are Not Mel Blanc
Use Props As Clues
Call of Cthulhu - Tips For New Players

Issue 393 - Have Fun With Factions

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:24:44 -0800

This Weeks' Tips: Public "Shell" Information
Connections And Agendas
Faction Details
Secret Information
Hooks And Inspiration
Blob Chart Finishing Touches
Use Your Factions
Reader's Tips: Indoor Mapping Tips
Create The Appearance Of Choice
Another Chess Game Idea
Player Handout Ideas And Tip Request

Issue 392 - Assembling The Party - Reconciling Diverse Backgrounds

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:00:21 -0800

This Weeks' Tips: Establish Common Ground Before PC Creation
What Do All The PCs Have In Common?
Create Character Cross-Hooks
Provide A Mandatory Hook
Deal With The Fluff Before The Crunch
Hold A Conference Call
Reader's Tips: Mapping Hamlet, Town, And City
Use Sound As A Narration Tool
Create A Character Gallery And Name Tags