Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Part 2 of Improving Random Encoutners
2. Add Reason To Your Madness -- Provide Random Encounters
With An Ulterior Motive
==========================================================
The "Divide Game Content Into Two Layers" tip is a set-up
for this one. Traditional random encounters involve tables
of monsters, NPCs, and foes, and possibly their stats.
What type of game content is this? Flesh.
Because random encounter tables are usually static, there is
no Skeleton element. Therefore, the tip is, you can
dramatically improve any random encounter by adding a
Skeleton layer to it. Add some purpose, context, and
campaign value to transform random encounters into useful GM
tools.
You can often make the biggest impact on a random encounter
by answering the question "why?"
For example, you roll a 19, consult Wilderness Encounters
Chart 1C - Temperate, and announce to the group that three
wild boars erupt out of the bush. The beasts charge the PCs
and an hour long battle (in real time) begins.
Some players will eat this up and cry for more. Many will
sigh and pray the combat goes quickly. Some will get
frustrated or angry and check their watches because the
story has stalled and the encounter seems boring (pun
intended). A rare few will stand up on their chairs and
loudly declare their discontent for existential reasons.
If you decide to check the Skeleton layer and ask why, a few
ideas might pop into your head and player dissatisfaction
might dissolve, your campaign integrity will remain intact:),
and your story can continue moving forward.
"Hmmmm, why would three boars charge the PCs out of the
blue? Why are boars there at that time and place?"
Possible answers that spring to mind:
* It's a cool trap. The players might see a foe on horse in
the shadows who salutes the PCs before riding away.
* It's an accident. Just before the boars attack, the PCs
find empty cages lying beside an overturned wagon. An
unconscious NPC is sprawled nearby with a fourth boar
standing over him!
* It's a lead-in to a more interesting event. Just ahead of
the boars runs a desperate person screaming for help.
* Because you're stuck for ideas and stalling for time. So,
you say "It's weird how three boars suddenly appear like
this. It's almost as if they knew you were coming." Then
you sit patiently behind your screen and note any good
ideas the players come up with in the ensuing
conversation.
Here are some more questions to help add a Skeleton layer
quickly while on the fly:
* Why should the characters care about this encounter?
* Why should the players care about this encounter?
* How can you tie this encounter into the plot?
* What kind of twist could you add to make it more
interesting?
* How can you use this encounter to affect the mood,
atmosphere, or pace of the game session?
2. Add Reason To Your Madness -- Provide Random Encounters
With An Ulterior Motive
==========================================================
The "Divide Game Content Into Two Layers" tip is a set-up
for this one. Traditional random encounters involve tables
of monsters, NPCs, and foes, and possibly their stats.
What type of game content is this? Flesh.
Because random encounter tables are usually static, there is
no Skeleton element. Therefore, the tip is, you can
dramatically improve any random encounter by adding a
Skeleton layer to it. Add some purpose, context, and
campaign value to transform random encounters into useful GM
tools.
You can often make the biggest impact on a random encounter
by answering the question "why?"
For example, you roll a 19, consult Wilderness Encounters
Chart 1C - Temperate, and announce to the group that three
wild boars erupt out of the bush. The beasts charge the PCs
and an hour long battle (in real time) begins.
Some players will eat this up and cry for more. Many will
sigh and pray the combat goes quickly. Some will get
frustrated or angry and check their watches because the
story has stalled and the encounter seems boring (pun
intended). A rare few will stand up on their chairs and
loudly declare their discontent for existential reasons.
If you decide to check the Skeleton layer and ask why, a few
ideas might pop into your head and player dissatisfaction
might dissolve, your campaign integrity will remain intact:),
and your story can continue moving forward.
"Hmmmm, why would three boars charge the PCs out of the
blue? Why are boars there at that time and place?"
Possible answers that spring to mind:
* It's a cool trap. The players might see a foe on horse in
the shadows who salutes the PCs before riding away.
* It's an accident. Just before the boars attack, the PCs
find empty cages lying beside an overturned wagon. An
unconscious NPC is sprawled nearby with a fourth boar
standing over him!
* It's a lead-in to a more interesting event. Just ahead of
the boars runs a desperate person screaming for help.
* Because you're stuck for ideas and stalling for time. So,
you say "It's weird how three boars suddenly appear like
this. It's almost as if they knew you were coming." Then
you sit patiently behind your screen and note any good
ideas the players come up with in the ensuing
conversation.
Here are some more questions to help add a Skeleton layer
quickly while on the fly:
* Why should the characters care about this encounter?
* Why should the players care about this encounter?
* How can you tie this encounter into the plot?
* What kind of twist could you add to make it more
interesting?
* How can you use this encounter to affect the mood,
atmosphere, or pace of the game session?
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Hey guys, I thought I would put this article up here, but it is kind of long. So I thought I would break it up. So here's the into and part one of eight. Enjoy
By Johnn Four
I'm biased. No doubt about it. I love random and wandering
monster encounters and have been using them since I started
GMing in 19. I run very few sessions without them.
Below are a few tips for game masters who want to improve
their random encounters.
1. Divide Game Content Into Two Layers
======================================
I tend to classify my planning, gaming notes, and gaming
content into two groups:
1) Flesh (In-Character)
2) Skeleton (Meta Game)
The Flesh content includes tangible things, such as:
* NPC statistics and personalities
* Maps
* Treasure
* Location descriptions and rules effects
It's the stuff the PCs interact with and the things the
players can visually imagine. If the content could be
perceived in-character by a PC using any of his senses then
I'd lump it in the Flesh category.
The Skeleton content is the invisible stuff that forms the
structure of a game session or encounter. It's the glue that
puts it all together, the puppet strings, or the trail of
bread crumbs, depending on your GMing style. Some examples
are:
* Plot lines
* Player typing (deciding what types of players you have and
tweaking your games to suit)
* Character typing
* Pacing
* Description techniques
* Techniques for steering, guiding, influencing, or
manipulating the PCs
It's the secret reasons and purposes you have for choosing
and involving Flesh content and how that content manifests
itself in-game. It's the stuff you do as a GM either through
planning or in-game decision making. The players might be
able to perceive this content if they're experienced or if
you have a poor poker face, but the characters can't until
it morphs into some form of Flesh content.
For example, let's say your plot involves saving the
campaign region from a powerful demon who's been mistakenly
released by the PCs. You plan an encounter where the PCs
save a visiting gnomish ambassador from an attack in a rough
neighbourhood. After the encounter, regardless of whether
the ambassador survives, the PCs should find her satchel of
notes that focus on demonic information. You want to provide
the players with this info to further drive the plot, plant
a few clues, and educate the PCs about battling demons.
Here's how I'd break down the content of above encounter:
Flesh:
* Gnomish ambassador, guards, related NPCs (names, stats,
personality, etc.)
* Foes who attack (names, stats, personality, etc.)
* Notes about demons (as read-aloud text, or perhaps as
player handouts or props)
* Rough neighbourhood location, encounter location,
description, and game effects
* A set-up description, lead-in, or hook
Skeleton:
* Why do we want to provide the PCs with notes?
* Why do we have a gnomish ambassador who needs saving? Is
there a different NPC who would be a better choice?
* Why have we placed the encounter in a rough neighbourhood?
Is there a spot that's more useful or meaningful?
* When does this encounter take place in terms of plot line?
Should the PCs already know they've unleashed a demon or
should we set things up by giving them this info ahead of
time?
* What should we use as a lead-in or hook and why?
The gnomish ambassador is a tangible thing the PCs can
interact with and the players can visualize, so it's Flesh.
The reason why we've chosen a gnomish ambassador should not
be apparent to the players or their characters, so it's
Skeleton.
Thinking of all your game content in this way can take
practice but it's worthwhile. It's a useful GM technique and
the Skeleton stuff should usually be dissected and tweaked
first.
For example, if you choose a gnomish ambassador for the
encounter, spend an hour on her game stats and bio, and
*then* ask yourself why you've chosen that NPC and if
there's not a better non-player character for the job, you
risk losing valuable planning time and planning momentum.
Also, when you're in the middle of planning or in mid-game,
asking the Skeleton question itself might never occur to you
and you lose an opportunity to tweak your encounter for the
better. For example, perhaps a minor villain or rival of the
PCs ends up being the best choice as that NPC hasn't made an
appearance recently and will hook the PCs in immediately.
8 TIPS FOR IMPROVING RANDOM ENCOUNTERS
By Johnn Four
I'm biased. No doubt about it. I love random and wandering
monster encounters and have been using them since I started
GMing in 19
Below are a few tips for game masters who want to improve
their random encounters.
1. Divide Game Content Into Two Layers
======================================
I tend to classify my planning, gaming notes, and gaming
content into two groups:
1) Flesh (In-Character)
2) Skeleton (Meta Game)
The Flesh content includes tangible things, such as:
* NPC statistics and personalities
* Maps
* Treasure
* Location descriptions and rules effects
It's the stuff the PCs interact with and the things the
players can visually imagine. If the content could be
perceived in-character by a PC using any of his senses then
I'd lump it in the Flesh category.
The Skeleton content is the invisible stuff that forms the
structure of a game session or encounter. It's the glue that
puts it all together, the puppet strings, or the trail of
bread crumbs, depending on your GMing style. Some examples
are:
* Plot lines
* Player typing (deciding what types of players you have and
tweaking your games to suit)
* Character typing
* Pacing
* Description techniques
* Techniques for steering, guiding, influencing, or
manipulating the PCs
It's the secret reasons and purposes you have for choosing
and involving Flesh content and how that content manifests
itself in-game. It's the stuff you do as a GM either through
planning or in-game decision making. The players might be
able to perceive this content if they're experienced or if
you have a poor poker face, but the characters can't until
it morphs into some form of Flesh content.
For example, let's say your plot involves saving the
campaign region from a powerful demon who's been mistakenly
released by the PCs. You plan an encounter where the PCs
save a visiting gnomish ambassador from an attack in a rough
neighbourhood. After the encounter, regardless of whether
the ambassador survives, the PCs should find her satchel of
notes that focus on demonic information. You want to provide
the players with this info to further drive the plot, plant
a few clues, and educate the PCs about battling demons.
Here's how I'd break down the content of above encounter:
Flesh:
* Gnomish ambassador, guards, related NPCs (names, stats,
personality, etc.)
* Foes who attack (names, stats, personality, etc.)
* Notes about demons (as read-aloud text, or perhaps as
player handouts or props)
* Rough neighbourhood location, encounter location,
description, and game effects
* A set-up description, lead-in, or hook
Skeleton:
* Why do we want to provide the PCs with notes?
* Why do we have a gnomish ambassador who needs saving? Is
there a different NPC who would be a better choice?
* Why have we placed the encounter in a rough neighbourhood?
Is there a spot that's more useful or meaningful?
* When does this encounter take place in terms of plot line?
Should the PCs already know they've unleashed a demon or
should we set things up by giving them this info ahead of
time?
* What should we use as a lead-in or hook and why?
The gnomish ambassador is a tangible thing the PCs can
interact with and the players can visualize, so it's Flesh.
The reason why we've chosen a gnomish ambassador should not
be apparent to the players or their characters, so it's
Skeleton.
Thinking of all your game content in this way can take
practice but it's worthwhile. It's a useful GM technique and
the Skeleton stuff should usually be dissected and tweaked
first.
For example, if you choose a gnomish ambassador for the
encounter, spend an hour on her game stats and bio, and
*then* ask yourself why you've chosen that NPC and if
there's not a better non-player character for the job, you
risk losing valuable planning time and planning momentum.
Also, when you're in the middle of planning or in mid-game,
asking the Skeleton question itself might never occur to you
and you lose an opportunity to tweak your encounter for the
better. For example, perhaps a minor villain or rival of the
PCs ends up being the best choice as that NPC hasn't made an
appearance recently and will hook the PCs in immediately.
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Roleplaying Tips
I thought I would share some tips I have seen lately. Enjoy!
Create Equipment Packages
This classic tip is another great time-saver. Prepare
equipment packages so PCs can buy many items in a single
transaction. During the game, players can refer to the
package list instead of having to record each item on their
character sheets.
Sample mundane equipment package ideas:
* Personal effects. Needle and thread, dishes and cutlery,
money pouch, comb, and any other personal items a person
would carry with them.
* Camping gear. Sets of clothes, tent, sleeping blankets,
and other equipment required for comfort, safety, and
survival in the wilds.
* Dungeon gear. 10' pole--just kidding!
* Class/professional gear.
* Social "gear". Clothing sets broken down into detailed
inventories and accessories.
Generous GMs can allow bartering on package prices if that's
important to the PCs.
In the past, I've found creating packages to be a bit of
work--time I'd rather have spent on NPC or encounter
creation. So, a good idea is to ask your players to whip up
various packages for you. They make good bonus EXP
assignments, favour requests, and boredom killers.
Keep in mind that packages aren't necessarily presented as
such by a single merchant. They represent a period of
shopping at a number of locations. Therefore, you might also
assign a time cost for each package and let PCs whittle that
down through skill use as well.
Packages are ideal for fast NPC creation too!
Tip On Tracking Hit Points Faster (I'm going to try this one) :)
This is just a very quick tip for tracking the hit points of
large groups of monsters in a big battle:
Add, don't subtract.
When you have a half-dozen ogres or so, each with 20 hit
points, what you do is keep a tally of the damage dealt, not
the total hit points remaining. Once the tally crosses the
total they're dead. I do this because addition is much
faster than subtraction.
This one change can easily cut half the time off taking care
of monster hit points, which helps your battle flow more
smoothly.
Make A Campaign Journal (The Easy Way) we're oh, so close to this one.
Get a subscription to an online journal or diary of some
kind, like www.livejournal.com. (Livejournal is invite or
pay only, so you may have to dig somewhere to find it.) From
then on, you've got an excellent place to put out campaign
rumors, hints and tips, or just post adventure summaries.
The great thing is that you can comment on the different
entries, which gives the players opportunity for feedback.
All without you having to lift a finger in the webdesign
department...
I thought I would share some tips I have seen lately. Enjoy!
Create Equipment Packages
This classic tip is another great time-saver. Prepare
equipment packages so PCs can buy many items in a single
transaction. During the game, players can refer to the
package list instead of having to record each item on their
character sheets.
Sample mundane equipment package ideas:
* Personal effects. Needle and thread, dishes and cutlery,
money pouch, comb, and any other personal items a person
would carry with them.
* Camping gear. Sets of clothes, tent, sleeping blankets,
and other equipment required for comfort, safety, and
survival in the wilds.
* Dungeon gear. 10' pole--just kidding!
* Class/professional gear.
* Social "gear". Clothing sets broken down into detailed
inventories and accessories.
Generous GMs can allow bartering on package prices if that's
important to the PCs.
In the past, I've found creating packages to be a bit of
work--time I'd rather have spent on NPC or encounter
creation. So, a good idea is to ask your players to whip up
various packages for you. They make good bonus EXP
assignments, favour requests, and boredom killers.
Keep in mind that packages aren't necessarily presented as
such by a single merchant. They represent a period of
shopping at a number of locations. Therefore, you might also
assign a time cost for each package and let PCs whittle that
down through skill use as well.
Packages are ideal for fast NPC creation too!
Tip On Tracking Hit Points Faster (I'm going to try this one) :)
This is just a very quick tip for tracking the hit points of
large groups of monsters in a big battle:
Add, don't subtract.
When you have a half-dozen ogres or so, each with 20 hit
points, what you do is keep a tally of the damage dealt, not
the total hit points remaining. Once the tally crosses the
total they're dead. I do this because addition is much
faster than subtraction.
This one change can easily cut half the time off taking care
of monster hit points, which helps your battle flow more
smoothly.
Make A Campaign Journal (The Easy Way) we're oh, so close to this one.
Get a subscription to an online journal or diary of some
kind, like www.livejournal.com. (Livejournal is invite or
pay only, so you may have to dig somewhere to find it.) From
then on, you've got an excellent place to put out campaign
rumors, hints and tips, or just post adventure summaries.
The great thing is that you can comment on the different
entries, which gives the players opportunity for feedback.
All without you having to lift a finger in the webdesign
department...
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Josh what do you mean by character summaries? where are they posted?
Mad
Mad
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Ok, due to recently explained features (ie, you're not in the right spot Mad!) I now see the announcements section. If the paid accounts come back and you feel like putting in the time to it go ahead I'll support you in whatever you want to do. Cheers. Mad
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Hmmm, what exactly is involved in a paid account? Do we need new features?
Mad
Mad
I'm also not finding the announcements section...Hmmmm, here announcements.....
Active Games I'm running:
Epic (last played around finals...)
Final Fantasy (last played last saturday *grin*)
Jericho/Syvan/Miaso/Helmut (Monty Haul, house game, last played this summer, on hold for new rules)
I think that's all of mine.
Mad
Active Games I'm running:
Epic (last played around finals...)
Final Fantasy (last played last saturday *grin*)
Jericho/Syvan/Miaso/Helmut (Monty Haul, house game, last played this summer, on hold for new rules)
I think that's all of mine.
Mad
Monday, July 07, 2003
So, I went ahead and played with the code a little and now right across from the Title you should see an annoucements section. I'll post short updates here. Mostly reminders and such.
Also, I'm polling for opinions. For a pretty reasonable amount of money I can make this a paid account, get some cool features and some bandwidth to put up pictures. Thoughts/ideas/metaphysical anxieties?
Also, I'm polling for opinions. For a pretty reasonable amount of money I can make this a paid account, get some cool features and some bandwidth to put up pictures. Thoughts/ideas/metaphysical anxieties?
I think an announcement's section would be a good idea. It will keep messages about gaming schedules from getting lost in the discussions.
Mad
Mad
Friday, July 04, 2003
Oh hey,
If possible I would also like to see an open forum discussion of "Things that have been revealed" for the epic? You know stuff about the big bad or overarcing storylines that seem to not be finished.
Thanks, Mad
If possible I would also like to see an open forum discussion of "Things that have been revealed" for the epic? You know stuff about the big bad or overarcing storylines that seem to not be finished.
Thanks, Mad
Hello, all confusion solved I have successfully made it here.
I was wondering if folks would mind posting some thoughts about the Final Fantasy game, what works for you what doesn't work, what would you like to see more of or less. If you need a summary let me know. (It will take a while though, we've done a lot)
Mad
I was wondering if folks would mind posting some thoughts about the Final Fantasy game, what works for you what doesn't work, what would you like to see more of or less. If you need a summary let me know. (It will take a while though, we've done a lot)
Mad
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Wizard's 3E revision spotlight has new Table of Contents up
Here's an interesting article on Prestige Classes it really raised some great questions like "When did prestige classes stop looking like our characters' dreams and start looking like a standard part of progression? When did they stop being so prestigious?" Something to think about.
Here's an interesting article on Prestige Classes it really raised some great questions like "When did prestige classes stop looking like our characters' dreams and start looking like a standard part of progression? When did they stop being so prestigious?" Something to think about.
Monday, June 30, 2003
No gaming Wednesday
We will game on Saturday as scheduled, but no gaming this Wednesday.
Sorry.
We will game on Saturday as scheduled, but no gaming this Wednesday.
Sorry.
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Excellent Kim!
This is a closed Blog (meaning no one not invited can come in and play) so I am going to use names (first only).
We are playing Saturday. Most likely it will be the Rashemi game, so please have your character leveled. If not it will be Final Fantasy (Elvan Druid, Grod, etc). Josh is not sure he will have enough time to prepare this week... so be prepared for either case. We should know more later in the week.
Pictures this link will take you to the web site I found most of the pictures I use on.
3rd Edition.Org is a great site for 3rd Edition D&D. I use alot of the comics from this page, but the incredible gruff Agimimnon really knows his stuff well. The forums here are full of great people and I love the Resources section. Which is where we got our current Character Sheet.
Wizard's of the Coast is the publishing company that puts out the D&D materials.
Well, that should give you something to do today. :) Glad you got the email and made it onto the Blog!
S
This is a closed Blog (meaning no one not invited can come in and play) so I am going to use names (first only).
We are playing Saturday. Most likely it will be the Rashemi game, so please have your character leveled. If not it will be Final Fantasy (Elvan Druid, Grod, etc). Josh is not sure he will have enough time to prepare this week... so be prepared for either case. We should know more later in the week.
Pictures this link will take you to the web site I found most of the pictures I use on.
3rd Edition.Org is a great site for 3rd Edition D&D. I use alot of the comics from this page, but the incredible gruff Agimimnon really knows his stuff well. The forums here are full of great people and I love the Resources section. Which is where we got our current Character Sheet.
Wizard's of the Coast is the publishing company that puts out the D&D materials.
Well, that should give you something to do today. :) Glad you got the email and made it onto the Blog!
S
Hello all!!! I actually didn't delete you this time and I am now in Blogger. Are we supposed to game this coming SAT? Can you all believe that I am actually up at this hour? Amazing. Talk to you all soon.
Kim
Kim
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Black Dragons:
I thought I would post a summary of the game so far. If you have any questions please let me know.
Characters:
Abdullah: Josh's little lost Calamshite merchant. The story of how A. came to Cormry is really quite fascinating. It seems he was crossing the desert with his camel (sorry I have forgotten her name) and he stumbled across a hidden door to a genie's ancient treasure filled palace. A. filled his pockets with whatever he could carry and then his eye fell upon the most beautiful and unusual of gems (as big as his fist too) but when he went to pick it up he found himself transported to a foul and smelly bog, and when her turned around a monster was bearing down upon him. This was enough to send the Calimshite running. And so A. found himself in a foreign country with no camel. Luckily his goods were upon his person in a magical hole, unluckily all his money was on the camel (the camel was still in the desert you see). So, poor A. trying to make his way in the world began to ply his merchanting skills. But his luck still running sour saw him humiliate a proud nobel. A. was then tossed in a prison cell.
Su-Lan: Mad's acedemically inclined Wu-Jen. S. has journeyed from the far east to learn what she can of the exotic magics of the western lands. Some cultural confusion about certain terms led her to not declare herself to the authorities of Cormyr as a magic user and when they observed her working some spell they could not recoginize they threw her in jail.
Kerri Greatgaunt: Kim's wide eyed innocent cleric of Chauntea is a bit lost in the world. Sent to Huthduth at the beginning of the recent troubles K. has spent most of her life in safe environs, but when the leaders at Huthduth gave her a mission to help with the rebuilding in the sacked town of Eveningstar where many of the worshippers of Chauntea would be having a hard time she had no thought to her personal safety and set out at once. She made her way there easily, but found a depressed and angry town in ruins. The people were not very welcoming and when K. awoke one morning to find a dead man in her bed they people of Eveningstar where not very supportive. The Purple Dragon Knights took her into custody and brought her to a prison in Suzail for trial.
Well I'm tired of typing now. I'll recap the sessions later.
I thought I would post a summary of the game so far. If you have any questions please let me know.
Characters:
Abdullah: Josh's little lost Calamshite merchant. The story of how A. came to Cormry is really quite fascinating. It seems he was crossing the desert with his camel (sorry I have forgotten her name) and he stumbled across a hidden door to a genie's ancient treasure filled palace. A. filled his pockets with whatever he could carry and then his eye fell upon the most beautiful and unusual of gems (as big as his fist too) but when he went to pick it up he found himself transported to a foul and smelly bog, and when her turned around a monster was bearing down upon him. This was enough to send the Calimshite running. And so A. found himself in a foreign country with no camel. Luckily his goods were upon his person in a magical hole, unluckily all his money was on the camel (the camel was still in the desert you see). So, poor A. trying to make his way in the world began to ply his merchanting skills. But his luck still running sour saw him humiliate a proud nobel. A. was then tossed in a prison cell.
Su-Lan: Mad's acedemically inclined Wu-Jen. S. has journeyed from the far east to learn what she can of the exotic magics of the western lands. Some cultural confusion about certain terms led her to not declare herself to the authorities of Cormyr as a magic user and when they observed her working some spell they could not recoginize they threw her in jail.
Kerri Greatgaunt: Kim's wide eyed innocent cleric of Chauntea is a bit lost in the world. Sent to Huthduth at the beginning of the recent troubles K. has spent most of her life in safe environs, but when the leaders at Huthduth gave her a mission to help with the rebuilding in the sacked town of Eveningstar where many of the worshippers of Chauntea would be having a hard time she had no thought to her personal safety and set out at once. She made her way there easily, but found a depressed and angry town in ruins. The people were not very welcoming and when K. awoke one morning to find a dead man in her bed they people of Eveningstar where not very supportive. The Purple Dragon Knights took her into custody and brought her to a prison in Suzail for trial.
Well I'm tired of typing now. I'll recap the sessions later.
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