Mastering the Depths: Enhancing RPG Mines Sometimes, a couple of extra details makes all the difference in helping players imagine our encounters and take interesting actions. RPT GM Chris N. sent me some great insights into the complexities of running a medieval or fantasy RPG mine. We can use these fantastic details to flesh out […]
Continue readingA GM had this tip request: Any ideas of emulating/tracking a robust economy in osr style sandboxes? Good question. Here are a few tips and then I’ll end with some resources. Create a Treasure Budget I call this Treasure Crawl in my sandbox creation checklist. Forecast at each level or tier, to the projected end […]
Continue readingRoleplaying Tips Newsletter #1183 Sandbox games often challenge you to fabricate encounters on the spot. I take a simple approach for this. It’s kind of cheap, when you think about it. lol. But it works. When RPT GM Scott K. emailed me, he said something that made me think about this aspect of sandbox games […]
Continue readingFrom Jochen Linnemann Roleplaying Tips Newsletter #1147 Starting a West Marches Campaign (Part 1) Some time ago, I decided to start a West Marches type campaign with the idea of an episodic, easy-to-prep game for a group changing players in mind. So, I started to research the topic. Reading Tips Google was a good jump […]
Continue readingRoleplaying Tips Newsletter #1000 Adventure Workshop GM Jeff B asked me this thorny question about how to finish a great campaign: If the adventure is not linear and the PCs aren’t railroaded, how can I get all the roads to lead to the big finale and tie up the loose ends? I like to have […]
Continue readingRoleplaying Tips Newsletter #0891 Creating A Sandbox Campaign Here’s a quick recipe for building a sandbox campaign. The point is to not do a whole lot of plot prep in advance. Be an Agile GM. Only plan deeper once players have chosen a hex, path, or entrance. Step 1: Sandbox Campaign Structure First thing I’d do is […]
Continue readingRoleplaying Tips Newsletter #0842 I got my first taste of sandbox play in B2: Keep on the Borderlands. The PCs based themselves in The Keep and forayed into the Wild. A crazy hermit shared the location of several caves nearby, confirmed dangerous, rumoured with riches. As the party crested a hill, a horseshoe valley stretched […]
Continue readingStop what you’re doing and out giant worms on your wandering monster tables.
Continue readingSo I’m building a world.Because I’m so busy with work and projects these days, I’m letting the world come to me.
Continue readingAwhile ago I mused on how to measure sandbox campaign progress and use that to incentivize players. When we game just for the XP it becomes a grind, a job.
Continue readingRPT Game Master Mark A shared with me some great ideas after reading my Musing on sandbox campaigns.
Continue readingHere’s where I’m at currently with how I build and run adventures in my games. It’s the core design approach for my Demonplague campaign and for my Murder Hobos Season III game.
Continue readingThe Special Table will be kept secret.Special will contain surprises, clues, and mysteries.
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