The finale is upon you. The heroes are approaching the end game, readying themselves to face the final villain. Use these guiding principles to make the most of the last few sessions in your epic roleplaying campaign. Read more »
We all love swords and armor and magic,* but sometimes we want a game that’s a little closer to home. Your players can only send so many messages by raven before they start to crave email. Maybe you’ve got some socio-political commentary to make, or … read more »
A few months ago, I wrote an article about some of the more problematic elements inherent to roleplaying games.* There was a lot of philosophy in that post, which is all well and good, but what about practical solutions? Most of us would like our … read more »
Oren, Chris, and Mike discuss how GMs can keep their players on track. They describe railroading and why it’s harmful, warn against plots that are inflexible, and explain why players are all just cats. Read more »
The epic story that you’ve always wanted to play has taken off. It might feel like you can now turn off the part of your brain that has been planning all this time and hit the cruise control, but don’t give into the temptation. Even … read more »
Your campaign is lined up and ready to play. World and plot notes are organized. Calendar dates are reserved for the coming months. Players are fidgeting, waiting to roll dice. Now it feels like everything is riding on that first session. Here’s how to give your game … read more »
Oren, Chris, and Mike discuss making NPCs that are helpful to the game. They share tips on how to save time making them, how to use them to better develop the PCs, and what not to do if you want players to like them. Read more »
It’s time. You’ve been on the player side of the table for long enough. You’re ready to take the plunge and GM your own game for the very first time. The traditional wisdom, if there is such a thing for roleplaying games, is to run a few one-shots first, but I don’t hold with that. Read more »
You’re ready to sit down and write the plot for your masterpiece, but writing a campaign isn’t the same as writing a one-shot adventure. You have the time to build the stakes at a relaxed pace, explore the expansive campaign world, and cultivate relationships with the cast of … read more »
Oren, Mike, and Chris discuss how to handle misbehavior during a roleplaying session, particularly when removing troublemakers isn’t an option. They provide tips for dealing with players that bully, argue, or cheat, and preventing problems before they happen. Read more »
