Storytelling Archives - Roleplaying Tips

The First 15 Minutes – How to Kickoff Great Game Sessions

From Johnn Four Roleplaying Tips Newsletter #0581 The First 15 Minutes – How to Kickoff Great Game Sessions RPT GM Juaquine Silveira offers this great tip and tip request: I am a fairly new GM, and while I have some skill I still have a lot of questions. We all know people have short attention […]

Crimson Dawn Adventure Synopsis #22

by Silveressa It’s been almost 2 months now since I last updated Crimson Dawn, due in part to the hectic schedules of the holidays making time to sit down and write a synopsis (or even run a game) hard to come by. These real life obligations combined with a nasty case of food poisoning; conspired […]

Hierarchy of Evil

by Malcolm E. Hays Introduction Many GMs have a tough time working out some of the details in a campaign. To be honest, designing a campaign can be a lot of work, especially when you have other things that also occupy your time like school and work. GMs like to put as much detail into […]

Crimson Dawn Adventure Synopsis #21

by Silveressa “In light of this whole zombie plague I’m thinking they’re going to have to redefine R.I.P to Rise in Putrescence.” –Riley, recalling the usual gravestone markings. “How about Rot In Pieces?” –Jessy, proving acronyms can mean whatever the reader intends. Adventure #21 A cold wind buffets the vehicles as the hiss of static […]

Colourful Combat Descriptions

By Rana Loreus 1. Bring the Combatants to Life The barbarian berserker let loose with a cry of savage wildness, and throws himself at his opponent, a swordsman dressed in midnight black. Even as the berserker let loose a torrent of blows at the swordsman, the swordsman’s composure remains calm, and with a smug smile […]

Crimson Dawn Adventure Synopsis #20

by Silveressa “I can’t help but wonder if this whole undead business is restricted to humans or if it affects animals too.” –Riley, pondering the effects of “the wave.” “You do know humans are just another animal in the grand scheme of evolution right? –Renee, showing off her intellect yet again. “Ssh! Not so loud, […]

Crimson Dawn Adventure Synopsis #19

by Silveressa “Thomas Baker? An interesting name for a Bakery store owner.” –Heather, musing over their new acquaintances name. “Back in the day it was common for people to have last names based on their profession. Smith would be a blacksmith, Carpenter a woodworker, and so forth. –Renee, showing off her intellect. “If that’s true, […]

Crimson Dawn Adventure Synopsis #18

by Silveressa “What made you think all these naked dummies were zombies?” –Renee, still amazed at Jessy’s lack of control. “Because normal people don’t stand around naked in the rain? –Jessy, displaying his “common sense.” Adventure #18 At the back of the clothing store Renee spends a good 5 minutes furiously trying to kick in […]

Crimson Dawn Adventure Synopsis #17

by Silveressa While later then planned due to Hurricane Irene laying waste to Vermont, and slightly shorter due to a lot of the session time taken up by the characters trying to formulate plans in game on how to deal with a few situations, I present you with the next installment of: Crimson Dawn “Do ya […]

Crimson Dawn Adventure Synopsis #16

by Silveressa This synopsis is the beginning of the second installment of my Darkest of Winters campaign, under the new name “Crimson Dawn.” Now summer is drawing to a close and free time is more abundant I’ll be resuming my campaign synopsis updates on bi-weekly basis, and will return to a weekly basis as fall […]

Fear in RPGs

by Delphine T. Lynx Fear. One of our strongest emotions, and yet one very difficult to conjure up unless it’s genuine. It can be fleeting or eternal, gentle or monstrous. But how does Fear apply to RPGs? It is important to note that not every roleplaying game would benefit from a sense of impending doom, […]

Overused Standards of Fantasy Literature

by R.D. Throughout my life I have read many fantasy novels and played many fantasy role-playing games. I have read the stories of Elric of Melnibone, The Lord of the Rings, and the many works of Piers Anthony. Other books I have read include the Deathgate Cycle, Dragonlance, the Icewind Dale Trilogy, The Wheel of Time, A Song of Fire and Ice, The […]

How to Create Blockbuster Box Office Hits with Your Players – Every Adventure

From Brad Allen Roleplaying Tips Newsletter #0523 A Brief Word from Johnn Welcome New Advertiser: The Book Trailer Darcy Pattison coaches’ fiction writers. That’s us, right? GMs need to write backgrounds, histories, plots, NPCs and more. And while we do not follow all the conventions of a fiction book – rumor has it that players […]

Writing the Effective Villain

by Ruth D. Kerce A lot has been written about how to develop the hero and heroine in a story. An often overlooked, but equally important character, is the villain. He/She must also be developed properly to make the plot believable. Many of the techniques used to develop other characters will also work in developing […]

How to Make Your Games More Cinematic

by Travis W. Herring Many role-players enjoy evenings with their friends, sitting around the table or living room, eating pizza and drinking soda. For most, this is enough. For others, however, a traditional evening about the table isn’t. They want MORE. For those people, this article is the answer you have been looking for. How many […]

How to Determine Campaign Length

By Jeremy Brown I was inspired to write this article by a problem my wife had when she first started trying her hand at GMing. She didn’t feel she had a good enough story. She wanted to run a long, intricate, and interesting campaign. Many novice GMs, especially ones who have played in experienced groups, […]

Running Adventures with Little Preparation

by Brennan O’Brien Johnn asked me to write on a topic dear to my own heart. Between career, family, and too many hobbies, I often find I don’t have a lot of time to come up with adventures for my characters. When game time comes, I tend to make it up as I go. The […]

Darkest of Winters Adventure Synopsis #12

By Silveressa “I’d Kiss you Jessy, but after everything that’s wound up in your beard of the past few weeks I’d probably catch the plague and become a zombie.” -Heather Wilks, grateful for Jessy’s brilliant landing location. “That might jus be an improvement to both yer looks and yer attitude.”-Jessy Hannaford, being his sarcastic self. […]

Darkest of Winters Adventure Synopsis #8

by Silveressa “I can’t imagine anything more disgusting then throwing up in a gas mask”. –Riley Setson, commenting on the fate of an unlucky pilot. “Really? How about crapping yer drawers in a hazmat suit” –Jessy Hannaford, proving yet again things can always be worse. The rest of the journey towards the air field proceeded […]

Darkest of Winters Adventure Synopsis #7

by Silveressa “What the hell’s wrong with that girl? She got some kinda death wish or somethin?” –Jessy Hannaford, commenting on Heather’s daring acrobatics.” “I think she’s trying to avoid the stench of your cigars uncle.” –Tommy Booths, repulsed by the smell of his uncles’ sewage dipped tobacco products. The bullet riddled truck continues its […]

Darkest of Winters Adventure Synopsis #6

by Silveressa “Fly? Anyone can fly a plane, it’s easy. Landing it in one piece, now that’s a might bit trickier.” –Renee Black, clarifying her piloting skills. “That reminds me why they tell you to put your head between your knees when assuming a crash position, it’s so you can kiss your ass goodbye.” –Jessy […]

Darkest of Winters Adventure Synopsis #5

by Silveressa “And to think this time last year, my biggest worry was keeping my bowels move’n on a regular schedule.” -Jessy Hannaford reminiscing about the good o’l days. “Hey, that’s one upside of a zombie apocalypse; you’re never constipated for very long.” -Riley Stetson, proving there’s a positive side to every situation. Riley is […]

Darkest of Winters Adventure Synopsis #4

by Silveressa Don’t think for a minute just because you’re “go’in commando” it’s going to improve your gun skills or our chances of gettin out of this alive.” -Jessy Hannaford, commenting on Heather’s lack of undergarments. “Cheap talk from the guy wearing *my* panties on his leg.” -Heather Wilks, pointing to her makeshift bandage adorning […]

Darkest of Winters Adventure Synopsis #3

by Silveressa “On second thought I might just get ‘mself a preachers collar and a rabbi cap, jus in case.” -Jessy Hannaford discussing the “spray and pray” method of full auto fire with Riley. “You’d better bring a bible for your last rites as well, and shovel, ’cause if your “friendly fire” comes within spitting […]

Darkest of Winters Adventure Synopsis #2

by Silveressa “Whooeee Uncle! you smell like the inside of a cows butt hole!” -Tommy Booths, commenting on his uncles new “cologne.” “So does his breath.” -Renee Black, quietly stating the obvious. With our adventurers now on horse back and heading in a northerly direction, leaving the now Not-so-Happy Trails Ranch behind them, they wisely […]

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