#gmlife — Public Fediverse posts

I figure I have two or three sessions left of my current #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords adventure path, then it's off to the original #Ravenloft module using #LightFantasyRPG with some updates to the adventure. I'm also really looking forward to getting my little brother into the group.

#TTRPG #GMLife

Had a great time running #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords yesterday.

The party had to do some exploration in an enormous colosseum. Instead of just having them make search rolls for their quarry, I turned it into a series of luck rolls. I think it was:

1-6, they ran into roving bands of enemies
7-12, nothing
13+, they closed the distance

They needed 5 successes to find the boss. Each throw took about an hour.

I did this to help them wear down their resources to make the final fight more interesting and let me describe the progress of exploring this frigid, collapsing arena as the day wore on and to help simulate the scale of that huge place.

They ran into one band of enemies before finding the big bad. Funny enough, it was the ranger who had the most successes.

It felt like a very successful experiment. I wouldn't have though of it if it wasn't for listening to #NADDPOD and hearing Murph's encounters.

#TTRPG #GMLife

Going to give this whole #TTRPG weekend sessions another go. I should have #MasksANewGeneration tonight and #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords on Sunday, as long as things don't go sideways on us again.

#GMLife

Sunday, I got to run another session of my #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign for my party. I got to run a full haunted house section that felt like it had the players really invested in the horror of it all. That was a trick, considering it was a sunny Sunday afternoon when we hit that part of the session and the birds were singing out in the yard.

I really love the haunt rules and mechanics in Pathfinder. I'll look to see if there are ways to integrate something like that into the original #Ravenloft module, when I finally get to run it.

It had a very Evil Dead feel for me. I really enjoy getting to really get into the descriptions of all the creepy things and getting to do some eerie voices.

#TTRPG #GMLife

Assuming there are no surprise hiccups tomorrow, I will be starting the last module of my #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign. I have players who are invested in the story and game, which is fantastic.

But...

my players are also DEEPLY focused on all the mechanical bits, baubles, and toys in the system. All the parts I deeply dislike. I really dislike tons of crunch in my #TTRPG experience.

The campaign was a gift for my wife. She likes high skill rogues. And I have enjoyed running for everyone. I never thought I would ever get this far along.

But all the optimization and research my players love so much means that I'm constantly having to recalibrate encounters to keep them from becoming trivial and boring. It's also a pain to have to remember all the new player powers. One character has a permanent 60' Detect Magic ability up. Another senses traps. Another senses undead.

It can kill the surprise and it's a drain on my motivation, even though we're so close.

Next campaign will be a low magic adventure at lower level for my sanity's sake.

#GMLife

We finished the fifth module in my #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords game yesterday. I had thought the party would take two weeks to get finished, but instead of fighting their way through the Iron Cages of Lust, they bargained their way through and sent the succubus and her daughters back to the abyss where they belonged... and wanted to go anyway.

That means that next week will be #SessionZero for the original #Ravenloft module using #LightFantasy that emulates #DnD Basic/BX. We'll also be introducing new players to the group as a trial.

It'll be a nice break from dealing with feats and lengthy stat blocks in Pathfinder and act as a tryout for expanding the group for games after we finish our Pathfinder adventure path.

#GMLife #TTRPG

I just finished another #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords session with the gang. It was hella fun. The players finished exploring the Festering Maze of Sloth and I really got to pull out all the stops about how disgusting it was down in the bathhouse turned sewer. I also managed to get some good rolls in landing damage against my players, which I almost never get to do.

The only thing I don't like about Pathfinder is that there is so much going on with the NPC character sheets that it's easy to miss things. All the extra powers and feats bore me to tears. I'm really looking forward to running a lighter game again. I'm definitely not a fan of crunch. It gets in the way of running a fast, smooth combat as I have to flip between multiple pages of creatures, spells, and the PHB for rules.

It doesn't look like we'll get to #Ravenloft before Halloween this year, which is disappointing but fine. With luck, my players will be okay with an #OSR game, but at this point, I'd settle for #13thAge since it's lighter than Pathfinder and the monster descriptions are tight and powers are well described in easy to find places. It's a much easier game for me to run.

#TTRPG #GMLife

I've been running through #RiseOfTheRunelords with my #Pathfinder group. I feel like they really made a mistake in not giving bosses and sub-bosses more minions to aid them in combat. I've had to learn to make adjustments because my players keep whomping my villains.

Also, the whole ogre module was just... pretty awful. I think someone was working through some things with that one.

I've also reinforced that I prefer lighter, less crunchy systems. It's hard to keep track of all of the feats, powers, and whatnot that players and NPCs have. It makes things a real chore.

Oh, what I wouldn't do for a good #OSR campaign next time.

#TTRPG #GMLife

Another fun #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords #TTRPG session today. We're making progress running through the dungeons in the Runeforge.

I think we'll be taking a brief break after this to make characters for some #OSR fun with the original #Ravenloft game using #Gurbintroll Games #LightFantasyRPG.

I think we'll have a couple of new players who have only played a little (if any!) TTRPGs. Should be a ton of fun!

#GMLife

Weekend #TTRPG report: we had another great #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords session. The party found a creative use for the Carrion Compass spell that I let them use as a floating mummy hand that operated like a quest pointer, so they speed ran through yet another dungeon section.

At least they're good about going back through and cleaning up the dregs.

#GMLife

I just finished running my #Pathfinder #TTRPG session. It was a pretty straight forward combat with a dozen relatively low level minions and took pretty much the entire session, around 3 hours or so.

And it was one of the most enjoyable sessions for everyone across the board.

Things were tactically more interesting with more pieces in play. I was able to actually damage everyone and I got to use some spells and I didn't get whomped in 2 rounds, like usual.

The lesson to take is that #RiseOfTheRunelords may have some interesting moments, but I really need to give bosses (more) minions instead of having one big battle against the BBEG. Too often, the module only has you fight one big enemy at the end, and my players work so well together and have such good equipment (most of which they made), they can run roughshod over the adventure. Everyone agreed that this was more challenging and more satisfying for being tougher.

Good lesson to learn.

#GMLife

At the end of the last session of my first ed. #Pathfinder game, the players had rolled initiative and were about to face an ancient white dragon in combat.

The #RiseOfTheRunelords adventure path is designed for 4 players and we have a party of 5, so I'm tempted to use an upgraded version. There's a thread on the Paizo message board where someone scaled up the encounters for larger groups.

I told my players they can plan out of game until the next session. The players even set up a separate chat room on Element to talk in secret. My wife told me the conversation has been going several hundred messages at this point and a few of the players seem deadset on fighting.

I hinted that violence isn't necessarily the only option. My wife has the next move on initiative and plans to try to persuade the dragon.

If it comes to a battle, I have warned them that this foe has really high stats and defense and that I will go all out.

I'm afraid it could lead to a TPK. I don't want to, but I feel I have no other choice if it comes to it. They've been smart and lucky so far. I hope it lasts, for their sake.

#GMLife #TTRPG

I'm super excited to get to run #ADnD2e again, even if it's just a backup game for our #Pathfinder group.

I'm hoping that everyone is interested enough in that game that I can run some classic modules when we finish the #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign.

It'll be nice to finally get to run #AlQadim. I've had the boxed set and campaign book for a while now, and I haven't gotten to use it. Looking forward to some tomb raiding, djin wishing, carpet flying adventures!

I think I'll make a few quality of life improvements to the old system and work out ascending instead of descending AC to make it easier on the players though.

#GMLife #TTPRG

I'm going to work on a backup #TTRPG game for our Sunday #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign for when we can't all make a session.

I'm leaning towards the #AlQadim #ArabianNights setting. I've had the boxed set for years, and I haven't had the chance to use it yet.

It'll probably be #ADnD2e but I'm not above trying to make it work for #CastlesAndCrusades. If it's AD&D, I'll probably convert AC to ascending instead of descending, for the ease of the players (and for me!).

#GMLife

Tomorrow, we're starting module 5 of 6 of my #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign. I never imagined I'd get this far through it when we started.

It's got me thinking about my gaming white whales.

I'd love to get to play #VampireTheMasquerade again at some point, but more likely, I'll be running #VampireTheRequiem

I'd love to go back and run some #AdvancedDungeonsAndDragons modules like the #Dragonlance #WarOfTheLance or the original #Ravenloft or things like that using #ADD2e or #CastlesAndCrusades.

#TTRPG #GMLife

As I run my players through the #Pathfinder adventure path #RiseOfTheRunelords, I've reinforced my dislike of extensive numbers of feats and systems with higher amounts of crunch and my preference towards more #OSR type games.

I've all but gotten rid of battle maps. I largely ignore the lists of feats on enemy NPC entries. Unless they're built-in to the forms, I mostly ignore them. It might be different if the information was listed on the entries, but as it is, I'd have to cross-reference across at least one other book, possibly more. That just slows down the session.

A side effect of getting rid of the battle map, I fudge distances, ignore strict rules about flanking for sneak attacks in favor of a more *shudder* #DND5e approach. If an enemy is engaged, the rogue can sneak attack. It's simple, and I don't have to worry about drawing maps or, now that we have one player remoting in, screw around with a VTT.

If I had my druthers, I'd be running #CastlesAndCrusades or #ADND2e. I really don't care a whit about character optimizing, skill points, or feat chains. Let me describe the action and let the GM adjudicate the results with a roll.

But I'm glad my players are happy and that they're happy to let me drop some annoying rules here and there to streamline the experience. /1

#GMLife #TTRPG

Mentally preparing for my first #Pathfinder session of the year. We successfully remoted in one of the players in my Friday #Masks game. We even got a die rolling script in the Discord channel.

With luck, we'll complete book 4 of the #RiseOfTheRunelords adventure path and I'll start preparing for book 5 of 6.

#TTRPG #GMLife

Really looking forward to getting back to the #Pathfinder game. Just had one member of my group move, so we're waiting until they're settled and then we can figure out the best way to do mixed in-person and virtual group. Thinking Discord for voice at the moment and a mix of Discord and Element for sharing pictures. I'd like to avoid VTT if possible.

Also looking forward to completing the adventure path (AP) which would be a huge accomplishment for me as a #GM. We're about to wrap up the 4th book in the #RiseOfTheRunelords AP and I'm looking forward to the the next campaign after that. I'm strongly considering #13thAge since everyone seems to enjoy that game.

#TTRPG #GMLife

Last night's #Masks game didn't happen. One of my players witnessed an accident and wasn't in a good mindset to RP. We still all met and talked, she needed company.

Tomorrow should still be #Pathfinder though. We're closing in on module 4 of 6 in #RiseOfTheRunelords. When we finally finish this adventure path, it'll be the longest published campaign I've ever run.

#ADHD can really make being a #GM a challenge. Having awesome players who are engaged and energized really helps me power through those moments where I start to doubt or lose interest.

I used to flame out campaigns after a few sessions. This time, I'm running two years long campaigns in two different game systems and I'm already looking forward to the next set of challenges with different games.

GMing has become my creative outlet and I'm lucky to have players who are willing to let me lead them through stories and trust me enough to let me try new things.

#GMLife #TTRPG

Do you have a favorite campaign that you played in or ran for players?

Favorite campaign I played in was the #Dragonlance #WarOfTheLance 3.5 #DnD campaign we played a few years back. We had some amazing characters fighting against a tide of evil.

For campaigns I've run, I can't decide between the two I'm currently working on.

The #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign I'm running is a Christmas gift for my wife from a few years back. I've got #ADHD and I'm super proud of myself for making it half way through a 400+ campaign book. And I feel like everyone is having a good time.

The #MasksANewGeneration #PBTA game I'm running is all me. I've got a crew of absolutely awesome players and I feel fortunate that my sessions have risen to their levels. The stories have had some twists that the players didn't see coming and it's all mine. This isn't a published campaign but I've been running for... maybe a year or so now, with some breaks here and there. I'm on hiatus at the moment but I've been plotting the next trade/campaign.

#TTRPG #TTRPGQuestionOfTheDay #GMLife

Sunday, I ran my #Pathfinder players through the final boss battle in the Hook Mountain Massacre in the #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign and it was epic.

I tried to kick up the difficulty a bit and shocked the heck out of the players with a surprise fireball spell, back at the casters. One player moved into position and one-shotted a stone giant.

The battle ended with a flying stone giant, a dispel magic casting, a 60 foot drop, and a supercharged lightning blast from the druid.

I don't even mind that the players blew through the encounter, it was epic!

#TTRPG #GMLife

My Sunday #Pathfinder group did not find the skylight entrance into the boss' lair in Hook Mountain. I'm a little surprised, they're usually a little more diligent about that. They came close to losing the Ranger near the entrance, after she dove into a mob of ogres to try and keep them from retreating into the cave for more reinforcements.

It's been a while since I've been able to do some serious damage to the crew.

#TTRPG #RiseOfTheRunelords #GMLife

On Sunday, my #Pathfinder players are almost certain to complete the third module in the #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign.

On Sunday, my Pathfinder players are almost certain to find the one back door into the BBEG's lair and unalive him first.

Because that's what these heroes do.

#TTRPG #GMLife #HelpMeMyPlayersAreTacticalGeniusManiacs

My #Pathfiner 1e group is rapidly approaching the half way point of #RiseOfTheRunelords. Recently, they slew the Black Magga after one player made a successful intimidation roll against it (technically it lasted a round too long, but the players were having fun and the rogue was managing to hit a 28 AC), saved a pit fiend used as a battery to run the dam, made a bargain with a tribe of trolls, and are on their way to deal with an fae ghost.

Gotta love running a #ttrpg

#GMLife

Our #Pathfinder campaign meets later today, where the party continues their fight against the #RiseOfTheRunelords. Today, they should fight more ogres, trolls, and an etin.

Also, everyone is excited for our potluck salad bar, just as grand as the ones in restaurants during the 80s and 90s!

#GMLife

Finally, after a few months break, I get to run my players in our #RiseOfTheRunelords #Pathfinder game this weekend. Real life just kept finding a way to barge in and interfere, but the stars and planets have finally aligned!

Now to remember where it was exactly we left off. I remember ogres and a watch tower...

#GMLife