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| user:restless:dming_style [2022/06/24 22:38] – restless | user:restless:dming_style [2025/06/06 17:23] (current) – restless |
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| | FIXME |
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| | I might want to look at rewriting this for tone and also separating bits of it out and including it directly |
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| ====== DMing style ====== | ====== DMing style ====== |
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| ==== Let's get this out of the way first ==== | ==== Let’s get this out of the way first ==== |
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| == Don't be a jerk == | == Don't be a jerk == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:asshole.png?nolink&50 |Don't be an asshole, either.}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:asshole.png?direct&50 |Don't be an asshole, either.}} |
| A table rule that I want to throw out there, and it might as well be first. | A table rule that I want to throw out there, and it might as well be first. |
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| I've gamed with enough jerks that there's actually a [[gameinfo:table_ettiquette|document for table etiquette]] for games. | I've gamed with enough jerks that there's actually a [[gameinfo:table_ettiquette|document for table etiquette]] for games. |
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| | ==== Okay, now, back to the DMing-style thing ==== |
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| == This is a beer and pretzels game == | == This is a beer and pretzels game == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_beerandpretzels.jpg?nolink&50 |This is a beer and pretzels game}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_beerandpretzels.jpg?direct&50 |This is a beer and pretzels game}} |
| Most people play the game to have fun. We're here to have a good time and keep it lighthearted, but we all know the gamer that took the game Way Too Seriously™. Please, don't be [[dict>stereotypes_gamer|that guy]]. | Most people play the game to have fun. We're here to have a good time and keep it lighthearted, but we all know the gamer that took the game Way Too Seriously™. Please, don't be [[dict>stereotypes_gamer|that person]]. |
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| == The DM is in charge == | == The DM is in charge == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_gmincharge.jpg?nolink&50 |The DM is in charge}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_gmincharge.jpg?direct&50 |The DM is in charge}} |
| [[dict>rule_zero|Rule zero]] is in effect: the DM is the final arbiter in the game. I want to keep it fun, keep it light and keep it fair, so it's my goal to be equitable and unbiased. It's also my goal to have fun and have a good game. | [[dict>rule_zero|Rule zero]] is in effect: the DM is the final arbiter in the game. I want to keep it fun, keep it light and keep it fair, so it's my goal to be equitable and unbiased. It's also my goal to have fun and have a good game. |
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| == I like to tinker == | == I like to tinker == |
| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_tinker.jpg?nolink&50 |I like to tinker}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_tinker.jpg?direct&50 |I like to tinker}} |
| I am an inveterate rules tinkerer. I love making new rules, monsters, spells, etc, and changing the old ones. Don't expect everything to be like you know it from the published book. | I am an inveterate rules tinkerer. I love making new rules, monsters, spells, etc, and changing the old ones. Don't expect everything to be like you know it from the published book. |
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| == Player skill is often a deciding factor == | == Player skill is often a deciding factor == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_playerskill.jpg?nolink&50 |Player skill is often a deciding factor}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_playerskill.jpg?direct&50 |Player skill is often a deciding factor}} |
| Players should bring their brains to the table. Instead of relying solely on dice rolls to find traps and secret doors, expect to actively look for their signs. Want to defeat a really difficult monster? Use some interesting tactics. Also, sometimes I put something in the game I just don't think anyone can get by, but your creativity might just get you past it and into an area that's never been explored. | Players should bring their brains to the table. Instead of relying solely on dice rolls to find traps and secret doors, expect to actively look for their signs. Want to defeat a really difficult monster? Use some interesting tactics. Also, sometimes I put something in the game I just don't think anyone can get by, but your creativity might just get you past it and into an area that's never been explored. |
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| == Death lurks around every corner == | == Death lurks around every corner == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_pcdeath.jpg?nolink&50 |Death lurks around every corner}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_pcdeath.jpg?direct&50 |Death lurks around every corner}} |
| Character death is a real possibility. Plot immunity __does__ __not__ __happen__ for PCs or NPCs. Your [[gameinfo:faq_prospective_players#backstories_dramastics_natural_larpers_and_barfing_on_the_table|precious snowflake character concept]] might not make it past the first room of the dungeon, but know that if he does you did it on your own! Your characters are operating without a safety net. | Character death is a real possibility. Plot immunity __does__ __not__ __happen__ for PCs or NPCs. Your [[gameinfo:faq_prospective_players#backstories_dramastics_natural_larpers_and_barfing_on_the_table|precious snowflake character concept]] might not make it past the first room of the dungeon, but know that if he does you did it on your own! Your characters are operating without a safety net. |
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| == Be prepared to run! == | == Be prepared to run! == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_run.jpg?nolink&50 |Be prepared to run!}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_run.jpg?direct&50 |Be prepared to run!}} |
| Sometimes you have to be ready to cut bait and fight another day! Not every monster can be defeated, and not everything is "level appropriate." If you live by the phrase "death before dishonor," be ready to roll up a lot of [[gameinfo:rules:part_2_player_character_information:character_death#hi_i_m_the_new_party_member|fresh first-level characters]]... I think a more apt phrase may be "live by the sword, die by the sword." | Sometimes you have to be ready to cut bait and fight another day! Not every monster can be defeated, and not everything is "level appropriate." If you live by the phrase "death before dishonor," be ready to roll up a lot of [[gameinfo:rules:part_2_player_character_information:character_death#hi_i_m_the_new_party_member|fresh first-level characters]]... I think a more apt phrase may be "live by the sword, die by the sword." |
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| == Exploration and mystery == | == Exploration and mystery == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_explorationandmystery.jpg?nolink&50 |Exploration and mystery}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_explorationandmystery.jpg?direct&50 |Exploration and mystery}} |
| This game is similar in concept to the fabled [[http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/78/grand-experiments-west-marches/|"West Marches"]] game where players are presented with a wide-open area to explore and uncover its secrets to find fame and fortune. However, as you get further out into the unexplored things may get a little wilder and woolier than you expect... | This game is similar in concept to the fabled [[http://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/78/grand-experiments-west-marches/|"West Marches"]] game where players are presented with a wide-open area to explore and uncover its secrets to find fame and fortune. However, as you get further out into the unexplored things may get a little wilder and woolier than you expect... |
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| Also, like old computer RPGs from the '80s, town is somewhat abstracted in that there's not really adventure to be had there. Rather, it's just a place to rest and resupply. Adventure is //out there// and not in town, so let's agree to find adventure out there.((As a side note: I like [[dict>sandbox|sandboxy]] games where players explore and find their own adventure; however, I don't like the "let's wander around town and start shit" game where the players burn down the tavern and kill the locals just to make stuff happen. That drives me //batshit crazy,// not to mention it's the perfect way to make sure you don't get invited back. | Also, like old computer RPGs from the '80s, town is somewhat abstracted in that there's not really adventure to be had there. Rather, it's just a place to rest, resupply, get rumors and spend your loot. Adventure is //out there// and not in town, so let's agree to find adventure out there.((As a side note: I like [[dict>sandbox|sandboxy]] games where players explore and find their own adventure; however, I don't like the “let's wander around town and start shit” game where the players burn down the tavern and kill the locals just to make stuff happen. That drives me //batshit crazy,// not to mention it's the perfect way to make sure you don't get invited back. |
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| \\ \\ | \\ \\ |
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| {{anchor:gonzo}} | {{anchor:gonzo}} |
| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_gonzo.jpg?nolink&50 |I love me some wacky}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_gonzo.jpg?direct&50 |I love me some wacky}} |
| Gonzo is awesome! | Gonzo is awesome! |
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| == Content may be disturbing, player discretion advised == | == Content may be disturbing, player discretion advised == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_disturbingcontent.jpg?nolink&50 |Content may be disturbing to some players; player discretion advised}} [[gameinfo:game_content|I covered this in its own page]], but I'll include it here: | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_disturbingcontent.jpg?direct&50 |Content may be disturbing to some players; player discretion advised}} [[gameinfo:game_content|I covered this in its own page]], but I'll include it here: |
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| <WRAP indent><WRAP indent><WRAP parchment>{{page>:gameinfo:game_content&inline&noheader&nofooter}}</WRAP></WRAP></WRAP> | <WRAP indent><WRAP indent><WRAP parchment>{{page>:gameinfo:game_content&inline&noheader&nofooter}}</WRAP></WRAP></WRAP> |
| == Rule of the dice, baby! == | == Rule of the dice, baby! == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_dice.jpg?nolink&50 |Rule of the dice, baby!}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_dice.jpg?direct&50 |Rule of the dice, baby!}} |
| Normally this DM merit badge is for dice, meaning that the dice are rolled in the open and there is no fudging. I'm not so much on the rolling //all// dice in the open because I think it lends some tension to the game when the DM's dice are rolled in secret for things the characters could not know (or know whether they are succeeding or not), but I definitely won't be fudging results. Most rolls that can be in the open will be in the open. | Normally this DM merit badge is for dice, meaning that the dice are rolled in the open and there is no fudging. I'm not so much on the rolling //all// dice in the open because I think it lends some tension to the game when the DM's dice are rolled in secret for things the characters could not know (or know whether they are succeeding or not), but I definitely won't be fudging results. Most rolls that can be in the open will be in the open. |
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| == I like to riff and improvise at the table == | == I like to riff and improvise at the table == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_improvisation.jpg?nolink&50 |I like to riff and improvise at the table}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_improvisation.jpg?direct&50 |I like to riff and improvise at the table}} |
| I can't think of everything. I mean, really, we all have limits to our creativity and we often fall back on a small number of tried-and-true ideas. This means that with the amount of content that has to be made for a [[dict>sandbox|sandbox]] game there may be a bit of a rut that develops. Often times during games I will likely try to make some things up on the spot (for good or ill). | I can't think of everything. I mean, really, we all have limits to our creativity and we often fall back on a small number of tried-and-true ideas. This means that with the amount of content that has to be made for a [[dict>sandbox|sandbox]] game there may be a bit of a rut that develops. Often times during games I will likely try to make some things up on the spot (for good or ill). |
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| == I mirror back good player ideas == | == I mirror back good player ideas == |
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| {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_mirror.jpg?nolink&50 |I mirror back good player ideas}} | {{:user:gmmeritbadges:meritbadge_mirror.jpg?direct&50 |I mirror back good player ideas}} |
| Hand-in-hand with improvisation, as the game goes forward the players will often push things in interesting ways or an idea will float across the table that's just too good to pass up. Often, I will grab it and run with it (although perhaps not at that session), especially with any twists I come up with for it. | Hand-in-hand with improvisation, as the game goes forward the players will often push things in interesting ways or an idea will float across the table that's just too good to pass up. Often, I will grab it and run with it (although perhaps not at that session), especially with any twists I come up with for it. |
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