Two Years After Starting this Blog i have finally decided to use it . So a brief History , Of how i like to GM , I like to have a module and then ad-lib it , in away that makes it unique , unto itself , constables are sheriffs , and have a southern drawl . A pompous Drow with a drinking problem and a secret desire to be a hero . Things like this bring flavor to the game .
What also brings flavor to the game is using this technique hand in hand with what i liek to call the "sure" method . Its not saying yes , its sure tell me what you want .
Now why dont i just say yes ? the easiest answer is , argument management . I didnt say you could have the diamond encrust crown of flame swords , i said you could put ti in your pack , or lift it . Now i ask what do they do with the other stuff they found . they respond , and again i say sure . Now unknown to them the ring is an anti magic ring and the crown is a fake , i make a new game of give them a reasonable reward , and see if they figure it out .This is a place where proper roleplaying and thinking in theatrical cinematic action or intrigue is rewarded in a different way .
now he has the crown , and he and the party are leaving with it . They encounter bandits with it . I ask where the crown is again , i do not mention the ring or the other loot . i make sure bandits get into hand to hand , and make sure one bandit escapes . i continue to ask about the crown .
when they get to town If they figured out i was getting the bandits to take the ring , they get to keep it . if not , someone in town recognizes the fake crown , remembers some fable about a wizard or something that used to keep a decoy , his eyes widen and he asks about a ring , describing it to perfection , and the party realizes they have been duped .
Why do all of this , because the goblins they were sent to stop , weren't enough they wanted more , and i need to be honest , Im playing here too . I don't like to play kill the party , i do however love , riddle the party.
The sure method i dont agree to anything but i dont tell them no unless its outrageous and game breaking . Also behind that dm screen i can roll ones all day and calll them 20s to get an npc out of the picture , because it progresses the story line . Now i only ever do this in combat and even then only if i need them to kill a guy quickly , or if i need to get the guy free because they are wasting time on him .
now sure this is dishonest gming , and sure this is also abusable , sure your right about that ....and sure its not for every one .
i love story telling and as long as the players are having fun , thats all that maters because its a game .
Now let me show you the seemingly simpler but way more complicated version .
Before engaging with an NPC , the Rouge forgery thief in the group whips out a document , and shouts out he is the cave inspector , and with his already high rolled forgery , He wants to get a bonus to his deception check , this is a sure , the down side is its only going to give him advantage on anyone who can read , so i check if the goblin who had to speak common can read he gets a good roll so he does , and then i check to see if i can catch him in a lie , and he fails ...... so the cave inspection team moves on into the cave .
another instance , someone wanted to bring his dead love back from the grave , the are low level , and he finds a fey on a quest they are doing for the adventure , and just abruptly asks if they can do it . I say sure , this character they bring back will be a one shot thing and to get this level of magic item from the fey they need a favor first . And so the favor of killing an evil rival is undertaken , fits nicely into the adventure , and we have a separate scene tying this Characters Backstory into the current adventure . another tiefling adventurer decides he will make a request too to change his pact from demonic to fey , to which i respond , Sure , when they return for their favors they do get what they ask for , however the returned friends alignment and rock solid , and his features are now elven , the warlock , finishes his pact with his demon , and begins anew with the fey pact , but his horns fall off and are replaced by antlers .
Saying sure , almost all of the time is a fun way to keep your game adlibed and unexpected for all of you .
Gming is a living thing and to be good at it its best to enjoy it . I love the challenge of them tossing curve balls at me , and derailing the adventure . sure it takes a little longer to get places but its a roleplaying game with a combat system in it , not a combat system game , with roleplaying in it . Your need laughter and sorrow , action , and tragedy , you need defeat for victory to be so much sweeter .
Im Charlie Brown , and maybe thats just me .
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
introduction to why i am here , or you are for that matter =)
HI , I am Charlie Brown , or CB , or Charlie , or a handful of other names i have gathered through my life of gaming . Be it video games , rpgs , Magic the gathering , or miniature warfare , But you can call me CB , its easy to type and to remember because my real name , is Charlie Brown .
I am a Game master , but i have not mastered game mastering but i sometimes feel i am close . When i watch alot of groups play , or read about them , on reddit , i see variations in technique thats sometimes the largest contribute to the problems they are having . so i decided i would put down ideas on changes i made in a forum id have control over , because , i dont wanna fight with , or be insulted by a pack of morons who may have never even sat down to play one of these table top games .
Currently and most likely my biggest love is Savage worlds , the system that if you accomplish your goal good , if you over accomplish it great and here are some extra rewards for that . It also Adds to my favorite technique of gameplay , "ad-libing" . PLayer dont always follow the clues , sometimes they go off on tangents , sometimes they finish the puzzle instantly , and are ready to go on to the next part and remove half of your game . Sometimes they get obsessed with an npc and dont want to move on but insist on incorperating this random face into your game . and so storytelling is what i do the best .
I am not a skilled writer but i am a talented story teller . i love the movement and organic growth of adventure , failure , loss , and heroics . so i have decided to share a few of those moment here . if its a one sheet adventure i will write it down here and explain what my group did and how i dealt with sudden rail jumps .
or i can talk about how a character looks great on paper but will seem unskilled in the scenario , because the player is unhappy with him .
the truth is as the game master there are 2 things that always are on you .
1) Getting the game started and people rounded up to play .
This is always your job to "heard cats" , because as the leader of the group you have to get the ball rolling , and you will find that if you keep your head and calmly move forward , people fall in and get on board. Be the leader , and they will follow you .
This doesn't mean be a bully , or make threats or ultimatums . I see that alot under the , im the leader tag , and that has the opposite effect . People are here to enjoy your company and have fun in a gripping story that you lead the conversation in not drag them through . If you feel like this is your only choice step down .
2) You can help it , you are the universe , they are in your world .
splitting the group need to be rare , and quickly resolved
when you do this , or let them do it , it means some people arent playing anymore and are also supposed to not act on somethings they werent privy to . and the longer that goes on the less they want to play , leading too , moving over to the other group and , the first group now has the same problem .
They kill a key npc un expectedly , add a new twist .
I call this the drop a golem technique .
" player 1 - i shoot him in the head
GM- roll
player 1 - 27
GM- yeah roll for damage
player 1 - 30
GM - he is dead , the mist breaks , and the girl awakens to look at you all confused , and afraid . she focuses behind you at somethign and shrieks .
PLayer 1 - i spin around
PLayer 2 - i roll notice - 14
GM - the mist is being pulled into a manhole behind you as a large shape crawl out , a mass of tentcles teeth and muscles stretches upright into the night . as you all stare at him , you hear laughter behind you , as the girl float above the ground , eyes green and glowing illuminating the madness and evil i her face " thank you , that old fool almost ended my plot to return my love to this plane , you will now have the honor of feeding us so we may rule your simple race , and take you as cattle , "
PLayer 1 - i shoot her in the head - 12
GM - she was ready for you , she has a sheild you need a 16 on a called shot to the head , you miss , her turn , everyone else draw initiative .
and instead of the game being over cause they just killed the guy , you now have your end , a plot twist and you players have a whole new set of worries .... except they dont , see
the npcs stats move over to the girl , the golem is the only knew thing , and the story only moves slightly with a better twist . its not impossible for them to win now .
also rolling a 27 and a 30 , doesnt mean your cheating , but if you do it every time it probably does . you will get these guys occasionally , and if you play against them and call them out , everyone looses , so you just play against them , make npcs focus on the make your rolls against him in secret , if he misses dont explain why , dont give him target numbers , as what he rolled , and if you cant see ask him to roll in the open , it should make things smoothe out , without feeling getting hurt . in someways even this can add to the fun of the game for people because these guys change where to story was going very suddenly . just roll the story with it , and have fun. you will be suprised at how exciting , this can make a game when you drop a golem in , and how it can let you deal with a problem player without punishing the group.
Keep in mind the golem is a metaphor , for a distraction NPC , the golem can be anythign thing from a dragon , to a goblin who doesn't stand a chance . as long as they look away long enough to get you room to repair the game with another trick .
thats it for this post , and i am glad i have that out of my system lol . look for another post soon of my knight errant one sheet adventure , cult of the wolf .
I am a Game master , but i have not mastered game mastering but i sometimes feel i am close . When i watch alot of groups play , or read about them , on reddit , i see variations in technique thats sometimes the largest contribute to the problems they are having . so i decided i would put down ideas on changes i made in a forum id have control over , because , i dont wanna fight with , or be insulted by a pack of morons who may have never even sat down to play one of these table top games .
Currently and most likely my biggest love is Savage worlds , the system that if you accomplish your goal good , if you over accomplish it great and here are some extra rewards for that . It also Adds to my favorite technique of gameplay , "ad-libing" . PLayer dont always follow the clues , sometimes they go off on tangents , sometimes they finish the puzzle instantly , and are ready to go on to the next part and remove half of your game . Sometimes they get obsessed with an npc and dont want to move on but insist on incorperating this random face into your game . and so storytelling is what i do the best .
I am not a skilled writer but i am a talented story teller . i love the movement and organic growth of adventure , failure , loss , and heroics . so i have decided to share a few of those moment here . if its a one sheet adventure i will write it down here and explain what my group did and how i dealt with sudden rail jumps .
or i can talk about how a character looks great on paper but will seem unskilled in the scenario , because the player is unhappy with him .
the truth is as the game master there are 2 things that always are on you .
1) Getting the game started and people rounded up to play .
This is always your job to "heard cats" , because as the leader of the group you have to get the ball rolling , and you will find that if you keep your head and calmly move forward , people fall in and get on board. Be the leader , and they will follow you .
This doesn't mean be a bully , or make threats or ultimatums . I see that alot under the , im the leader tag , and that has the opposite effect . People are here to enjoy your company and have fun in a gripping story that you lead the conversation in not drag them through . If you feel like this is your only choice step down .
2) You can help it , you are the universe , they are in your world .
splitting the group need to be rare , and quickly resolved
when you do this , or let them do it , it means some people arent playing anymore and are also supposed to not act on somethings they werent privy to . and the longer that goes on the less they want to play , leading too , moving over to the other group and , the first group now has the same problem .
They kill a key npc un expectedly , add a new twist .
I call this the drop a golem technique .
" player 1 - i shoot him in the head
GM- roll
player 1 - 27
GM- yeah roll for damage
player 1 - 30
GM - he is dead , the mist breaks , and the girl awakens to look at you all confused , and afraid . she focuses behind you at somethign and shrieks .
PLayer 1 - i spin around
PLayer 2 - i roll notice - 14
GM - the mist is being pulled into a manhole behind you as a large shape crawl out , a mass of tentcles teeth and muscles stretches upright into the night . as you all stare at him , you hear laughter behind you , as the girl float above the ground , eyes green and glowing illuminating the madness and evil i her face " thank you , that old fool almost ended my plot to return my love to this plane , you will now have the honor of feeding us so we may rule your simple race , and take you as cattle , "
PLayer 1 - i shoot her in the head - 12
GM - she was ready for you , she has a sheild you need a 16 on a called shot to the head , you miss , her turn , everyone else draw initiative .
and instead of the game being over cause they just killed the guy , you now have your end , a plot twist and you players have a whole new set of worries .... except they dont , see
the npcs stats move over to the girl , the golem is the only knew thing , and the story only moves slightly with a better twist . its not impossible for them to win now .
also rolling a 27 and a 30 , doesnt mean your cheating , but if you do it every time it probably does . you will get these guys occasionally , and if you play against them and call them out , everyone looses , so you just play against them , make npcs focus on the make your rolls against him in secret , if he misses dont explain why , dont give him target numbers , as what he rolled , and if you cant see ask him to roll in the open , it should make things smoothe out , without feeling getting hurt . in someways even this can add to the fun of the game for people because these guys change where to story was going very suddenly . just roll the story with it , and have fun. you will be suprised at how exciting , this can make a game when you drop a golem in , and how it can let you deal with a problem player without punishing the group.
Keep in mind the golem is a metaphor , for a distraction NPC , the golem can be anythign thing from a dragon , to a goblin who doesn't stand a chance . as long as they look away long enough to get you room to repair the game with another trick .
thats it for this post , and i am glad i have that out of my system lol . look for another post soon of my knight errant one sheet adventure , cult of the wolf .
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