of Dice and Dragons

I’m sure you seen and read a number of articles on how much time a GM should spend getting ready for a gaming session but the question needs to be asked of players too.

Are you ready to go when you show up?

I’m not just talking about bringing your favorite snack with you along with your dice (you did remember them right?) and character sheet either - have you prepared for the session?

Did you take the time to update your character sheet and notes from the last session?

Maybe the characters attained a new level, did you do all your “leveling up” work yet?

Did you create that new “cheat card” you need so that you’re not always looking up all your modifiers in the middle of a combat?

Did you update your spell list? Your ammo count? Your hit points, health or karma?

Did you make a “shopping list” of the things your character needs?

The above is just a short list of things that as a player you should think about during the downtime between sessions. Anything you can do to make the work of the GM easier WILL be appreciated and help the actual gaming sessions get started on time and run that much smoother.

So, what things do you do to make sure you’re prepared ahead of time?

May your dice roll well.

Wars are fought, nations rise and fall, fortunes are won and lost and through it all stands the individual that protects the land and people on behalf of the government - the soldier.

Before introducing this individual to your role-playing group spend a few minutes to think about his appearance (armor, weaponry, unit insignia and so on) and whether he is a career man or simply serving the minimum tour required.

In addtion to thinking about those things you should also think about how the public in general views the military, are the supportive, afraid or indifferent? Do they consider it an honor to serve or is it required of the state or maybe both?

So how can you use this in your campaign?

- The soldier is a recruiter and approaches the party about enlisting. Of course if they don’t enlist a press gang (encounter idea #10) may show up in the area.
- The soldier is retired and is telling tales of campaigns from long ago. This is a good way to pass along historical information to the party.
- The soldier is newly enlisted and is showing off his shiny new uniform trying to impress those around him.

Remember that the soldier does not have to be a male figher type either - mix it up with female soldiers, non-warrior types such as mages, rogues, mechanics or medical individuals.

May your dice roll well.

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

The latest issue of Role-playing Tips in now online - Putting The Gods Back In Their Place.

The issue covers some really good ideas about the creation of a pantheon and things to look at when creating it. There’s also some good information in the reader tips about railroading (not the one with locomotives and tracks), character generation and a link to a javascript combat tracker.

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Creation
2. Scope
3. Culture And Religion
4. Mortal Immortals
5. History
6. Naming
7. Description
8. Portfolio And Deity Relations
9. Role In Society
10. Duty
11. Knights, Crusaders, And Templars

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Railroading Due To Genre Or Play Style Commitment
From: Kenneth Gauck
2. Free Homemade Firefox Combat Tracker
From: Ian Toltz
3. Character Generation Breakdown
From: Kit Reshawn

You can read it online here.

If you don’t already subscribe I would recommend it, you can do that here.