How To Develop A Compelling Voice

From Johnn Four

Roleplaying Tips Newsletter #0003

+1 GM Charisma With A Stronger Voice

There are things we can do as GMs to be better storytellers. There’s story structure, like the 5 Room Dungeon, story content like dynamic CombatScapes and 3-Line NPCs, and story presentation like how you deliver your descriptions or answer player questions.

The story presentation layer is what I call GM Charisma. It’s how we come across to the group as we move and speak.

Think about the best on-stage performers and speakers you’ve experienced. They’ve learned to do things we can emulate to become magnetic speakers and keep players leaning in.

One simple way we can immediately garner a bonus to our GM Charisma at the table is through a stronger, more compelling voice. We accomplish this by speaking from the diaphragm.

Breathing and speaking from the diaphragm will give you a more captivating, authoritative, and powerful voice, a definite plus when roleplaying. It also provides greater self-confidence behind the screen, which generates additional GMing boons. Try it and you’ll know what I mean.

Here’s how to speak from the diaphragm:

  1. Take d6 deep breaths. Breathe in deeply through your nose and let your stomach expand outward, like a balloon filling with air. Keep your shoulders and upper chest still.

    Put your hand on your stomach as you practice to anchor the feeling of your abdomen doing the work. The diaphragm sits below your lungs. When it moves downward, it draws air deep into your body, and that’s what pushes your stomach out. If your chest rises, you’re breathing shallowly, causing a weaker voice or higher pitch.
  2. Read something out loud while keeping steady pressure in your abdomen to control air outflow as you speak. Don’t clench your abdomen like you’re bracing for a punch. Be firm but more relaxed than that.

You might feel a bit of discomfort at first as you use muscles you aren’t used to flexing. Keep at it, and the area will strengthen over time. You’re developing your core, which has many life benefits, such as better posture and an easier time lifting and carrying boxes of game books.

The Gamemaster’s Hall Of Shame: Monty Haul’s Top Ten Cousins

From Peter Maranci

10. Minnie Haul

  • Alias: That Cheap Bastard.
  • Quote: “Okay. After twenty-seven sessions you have finally slain the Three Giant Dragons of Chaos. In the treasure vault you find–12 copper pieces and a rusty fork. Who gets the fork?”
  • Pros: You’ll never be over-encumbered.
  • Cons: Majority of characters killed by starvation, plus risk of lockjaw from rusty fork.

9. Mr. Softee

  • Alias:Pathetic Guy; The Amazing Mushman.
  • Quote:“You’re down 3 hit points? Uh…suddenly the troll falls over and spontaneously combusts! Magically, the smoke heals you.”
  • Pros: Characters never die. Ever. No matter what.
  • Cons: Who cares?

8. Anger Man

  • Alias: The Master; It Wasn’t Me.
  • Quote: “What? You don’t bow to the King? Your limbs fall off.”
  • Pros: Order and discipline.
  • Cons: Discipline und Order!

7. Das KillMeister

  • Alias: Dr. Death; Why Do I Keep Playing?
  • Quote: “Better roll up six characters each. That should last the first session. Maybe. [chortle]”
  • Pros: The thrill of danger.
  • Cons: The boredom of constant defeat.

6. Mr. Railroad (Focuses on loss of player agency)

  • Alias: The Conductor; Choo-Choo Charlie.
  • Quote: “You want to explore the forest? The trees are too thick. And it’s a wall of mountains on the other side of the road. The glowing neon arrow points to the dungeon. You try to turn around? An invisible wall of force pushes you back onto the path. All aboard!”
  • Pros: You don’t have to worry about making tough decisions, getting lost, or planning for contingencies.
  • Cons: Fake player choices, mounting group frustration.

5. Das PunMeister

  • Alias: Stop; Please, I Beg of You, Kill Him.
  • Quote: “A killer Tree-man! Woodn’t you know. I’d leaf him alone. Bet his bark is worse than his bite!”
  • Pros: A wacky, funny, laugh-a-minute guy.
  • Cons: Will not stop.

4. Monotone Man

  • Alias: ZZZZzzzzzzzz….
  • Quote: “Hi. I’m the King.” “Hi. I’m the peasant.” “Hi. I’m the wizard.” “Hi. I’m the knight.” “Hi. I’m the Dragon.”
  • Pros: Will never cancel due to laryngitis.
  • Cons: Save vs. Paralyzation or die.

3. The Drunk

  • Alias: What’s That Smell?; Not Again!
  • Quote: “H’lo. BLEUUEUERGGHH!!! G’bye…”
  • Pros: Vivid descriptions of strange, bizarre creatures.
  • Cons: Rarely coherent. Will probably die soon.

2. The Insane Plotter

  • Alias: Machiavelli; Mr. Myxylplyxx.
  • Quote: “But the twelfth arbitrary conundrum signifies nascent ursinoids rising. Any idiot can see that!”
  • Pros: Dazzling, intricate plots, sub-plots, and sub-sub-plots.
  • Cons: Makes you feel really stupid.

1. The Great Actor

  • Alias: The Bard; Mr. Shakespere.
  • Quote:“Alas, poor Baldrick; I knew him well. ‘Twas but the bare bodkin of our discontent that ravelled his sleeve of care! And now all is lost, forever lost!” (sobs loudly) Player: “Uhhhhh…does that mean I can order a drink now, Mr. Innkeeper?”
  • Pros: Deep drama, and colorful NPCs.
  • Cons: You may die of embarrassment–and when he’s on a roll, you’ll wish that you could.
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