#gamemastering — Public Fediverse posts

No plan survives first contact

https://newwonkmedia.com/2026/06/15/no-plan-survives-first-contact/

How To Make Failure Interesting In RPGs #gamemastering #gmadvice #rpg

I got this really good idea for villains and their evil plan to take over the less evil current government for an RPG campaign. 😀

But no idea how the players would learn of it while the government doesn't, or why they would think they could do anything about it. 😐

#ttrpg #gamemastering

Me running a collaborative roleplaying game and having to come up with a bizarre otherworldly ecosystem on the fly: “Luckily, the players don’t know I read a book about algae last week!” 🤓

#GameMastering #TTRPG #DicelessRPG

I don't use GM screens because they block my view of the table and are a barrier for talking with the players.

But I think I really should get a clear desk pad for all the common reference and random tables. There's even some that are double layer, so you can just roll them up with all the notes and sheets staying in place.

#ttrpg #gamemastering

The realization that the next session is tomorrow and you still haven't done all your gamemastering homework (xp rewards and other prep). Is there a word or phrase for that?

#ttrpg #ttrpgs #gamemaster #gamemastering #gmlife

On the subject of #Mimics in #Pathfinder1e

Here is a snippet from the bestiary regarding their ability to mimic objects.

Mimic Object (Ex)

A mimic can assume the general shape of any Medium object, such as a massive chest, a stout bed, or a door. The creature cannot substantially alter its size, though. A mimic’s body is hard and has a rough texture, no matter what appearance it might present. A mimic gains a +20 Racial Bonus on Disguise checks when imitating an object in this manner. Disguise is always a class skill for a mimic.

Environment any
Organization solitary

------

Heck it even suggests a Door there! And here I thought it was being a little bit original...

With this said, any GM/DMs out there, let's come up with some fun and effective Mimics with these limitations in mind.

My personal favourite is a privie, an old style toilet, but a Mimic, literally catching adventurers with their pants down.

#TTRPG #GameMastering #PF1e #DungeonMaster

🎭 Elevate your one-shot games in The Yellow King RPG with customized Shock and Injury cards! Create intense, genre-fitting experiences that embrace the horror and unpredictability of the setting. Dive into our article for tips on crafting cards that leave a lasting impact. #YKRPG #Roleplaying #GameMastering 🐙

https://bit.ly/48f4eut

🎲 Master the art of improv in your RPGs with our guide! Learn how to use ability lists as a creative checklist, ensuring diverse and engaging gameplay. Perfect for scenarios like the Dracula Dossier or spontaneous adventures. #RPGTips #GameMastering #Improvisation #PelgranePress
https://bit.ly/41qFb52

Assume you're some minor noble or scholar and discover a note detailing where the lord of a lost barony hid his treasures before his death and his domain became abandoned.

How do you get people to find that stash for you and not simply keep everything for themselves?

#ttrpg #gamemastering

I think the most important thing I learned about RPGs in 20 years of running games is that you're going to have a much better time if you are trying to run the campaign that you can run with your circumstances instead of the game you wish you could run.

#ttrpg #gamemastering

I've realized what kind of GM I am. My "style".
I only run published adventures and modules. I want to play out a story with the Players as characters in that story. I like the pbta style of ,the story will happen regardless but the players effect how it goes.
Players tell a characters role in that story. Not the plot.
If that makes sense.
#gamemastering #ttrpg

Relating to my toot earlier today, I got around to formatting the tables in a spreadsheet instead of just my notebook (lol). The post is open to the public!

To summarize, you can use these 2d6 tables to add additional character and depth to your random encounters. It's completely system agnostic too! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

https://www.patreon.com/posts/88411869

#ttrpg #ttrpgcommunity #GMAdvice #worldbuilding #ttrpgs #RPGcommunity #Gamemastering #TabletopGaming

@LeviKornelsen

Stuff I like, and like to talk about:

#DnD #5e, including #TalesOfTheValiant #ToV
#Pathfinder2e #PF2e
#Fate
#BladesInTheDark #ForgedInTheDark #BitD #FitD
#ShadowOfTheDemonLord #SotDL
#ResistanceSystem #SparkedByTheResistance
#Heart
#Slayers
#TrophyRPG
#Mage
#UnknownArmies
#YearZeroEngine
#Horror games
#UrbanFantasy
#GameDesign
#Worldbuilding
#Monsters
#GMAdvice
#GameMastering
#Genre
#InstructionalDesign #ISD
#LearningGames and #TeachingGames
#Maps and #Art
#DIY

I guess it's time for an #Introduction again.

I like #gamemastering #Pathfinder1e #TTRPG.

I like #FountainPens and looped #cursive. I have a few "entry-level" fountain pens.

I like #MiniaturePainting.

I like #writing fiction sometimes.

I like corded telephones. I own a red Cortelco Kellogg 2500 Desk Telephone.

I recently switched to #Linux (#LinuxMint) from Windows10.

I like #vampires, #werewolves, #fae (#fey), #SpookyStuff, and #Halloween.

#OxfordComma & #TwoSpaces

New Site Post: Forest of High Adventure Hex Map
https://spriggans-den.com/2023/06/25/forest-of-high-adventure-hex-map/

The first version of the wilderness hex map for my Forest of High Adventure #Dragonbane campaign in the latest iteration of #Kaendor.

#ttrpg #gamemastering

New Site Post: Making RPGs live up to their promise
https://spriggans-den.com/2023/05/29/making-rpgs-live-up-to-their-promise/

RPGs are completely unique as a medium of fiction in that they can have stories that are being created by the players as things are playing out, instead of simply being an audience to a story that has already been largely written in its main plot points.

Any campaign should attempt to live up to this promise, but how can we actually apply this in practice?

#ttrpg #gamemastering

New blog post up, inspired by an exchange with @Judd and @e_eric The theme is "The Guilt-Free TPK". Nothing revolutionary, just musings to collect my thoughts on the subject and hopefully give some pointers to others.

https://auguryignored.wordpress.com/2023/02/13/the-guilt-free-tpk/

#rpg #ttrpg #osr #totalpartykill #tpk #gamemastering

The art of GMing is very much administering a junkyard and make it appear as a Rube Goldberg machine. #ttrpg #rpg #gamemastering #osr

Anyone have any great low-prep/collaborative GM tips like Blades in the Dark faction clocks? I don't want to "write a story" but things like faction clocks give me threads to pull on whenever to keep a cohesive story together. Anybody got anything like that?

Asking because I'm starting a new game in 13th age after running Abomination Vaults in #Pathfinder 2e. I enjoy how 13A has a lot of narrative features and seems to even endorse a PBTA-style game where the players and GM work together on the story rather than having the GM do everything.

#TTRPG #DungeonMaster #GameMastering #DMTip #GMTip #DungeonsAndDragons #DND #PBTA #BITD