No matter how many bonuses a character possesses, the dice will eventually turn against them. They will fail an important roll at a critical moment. This can be a good thing, because success means nothing without the possibility of failure. Unfortunately, it can also be … read more »
In film, it’s easy startle your audience. Giving an audience the creeps…well, that takes a little more work. What if, as a storyteller, you want to create an atmosphere that will creep out your audience- how do you make it happen without sights and sounds in your toolbox? Read more »
Many storytellers enjoy looking through the lens of more than one character. In speculative fiction, multiple viewpoint characters are often used to show different places in the world, or illustrate a conflict that is epic in scale. Unless the story involves a device that is … read more »
The Mythcreant Podcast dabbles into the depths of worldbuilding. Dash discusses how she starts the process for new stories, and Mike puts some of his military history knowledge to work in spec fic. Plus examples from Star Trek and Discworld, laser catapults, and other short topics. Read more »
When it comes to worldbuilding, one of the first things that comes to mind are maps. Maps can aid worldbuilding as outlines do storytelling, giving us clear lines to work within and something solid to stand on. For most, maps are not just helpful, but … read more »
It’s the chicken and the egg question of spec fic: should you make a world and then plot your story in it, or should you create the story and then build the world it’s in? Most storytellers answer this question by beginning with the part … read more »
In my last post, I talked about dice pool systems and why you might use them. With the basics explained, it’s time to examine a few specific roleplaying systems and see what they did with the idea. Each of these systems exemplify a different way … read more »
The first choice I make when I start a new campaign is which type of world to set it in. Setting a campaign in an open-ended world fills it with mystery and rumors about what lies over the next ridge. It’s ripe for unbound exploration. Building a … read more »
Stereotypes are deeply embedded in our culture. They permeate every aspect of our communication with one another: journalism, lyrics, movies, casual conversation… you name it. It doesn’t take long before they wiggle their way into our minds, and from there they sneak into our stories. Read more »
In this installment of the Mythcreant Podcast, our hosts recall moments of scarring drama, delightful strangers, extreme boredom, and sublime triumph at the gaming table. Read more »
