of Dice and Dragons

It doesn’t matter which side of the GM screen you play on anything you can do to save time with paperwork it more time you can spend gaming.

If you’re a player take an extra minute or two when you’re updating your character sheet to include the book and page number for that new feat, skill or spell. Doing so will make finding the write up on it that much easier when it comes time to use it.

If you’re a GM include them for the creatures the characters encounter, magic item descriptions and the feats, skills and spells your NPCs are using.

May your dice roll well.

Comments(1)

Nobility has its rank and privledges even in a role-playing game. In many campaigns (especially fantasy based ones) encountering a member of nobility more often than not seems to be a “run of the mill” type event but it should really be much more.

First off make it hard for the characters to meet with the noble. Nobles are busy people and they have personal assistants who schedule every available moment, they are the gatekeepers. Have the characters work through the system of pay-offs, bribes and waiting, these minor functionaries can be a wealth of information to them in the future. Be sure to have names for them and minor character traits to make them memorable.

Any member of nobility would have bodyguards to keep the “mere peasants” at bay, use them. Have the party stopped and searched, “no weapons allowed,” should be a standard policy. Think of the role-playing opportunities presented when the characters have to surrender their favorite items.

When a noble takes to the street the bodyguards take to clearing the way. Have the party be moved back for “the Baron to make his way through.” Maybe in your world everyone bows to a member of nobility, be sure the characters follow suit or pay the consequences.

Also be sure to take avantage of the noble’s power as well. A summons that leaves no doubt that the characters’ presence is required always makes for a good role-playing session.

I’m always interested in what you think, feel free to share your ideas for using a noble.

May your dice roll well.

Be sure to check out these additional encounter ideas

Comments(0)

The latest issue of Role-playing Tips in now online - Lessons from the LARP.

The main article goes into ideas that can be taken from LARP (Live Action Role Play) and applied to your gaming table, well worth the read.

There are a number of reader tips as well this week and include ones on using the media to inspire games, hidden die rolls and a topic I discuss here on occasion, index cards.

CONTENTS:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Use Props Or Prop Cards
2. Changing Perspective, Player vs. GM
3. Secrets
4. Puzzle Them
5. Make Them Tick
6. The Foil
7. Get An Assistant GM Or NPC

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Media Based Games
From: Leslie Holm
2. More On Hidden Rolls
3. Gamer Podcasts
From: Buzz
4. People Generator
From: Janis Maggs
5. Make Gods Individual
From: Sam Radjabi
6. Index Card Tip
From: Ian Toltz
7. Moving From Socialise To Play
From: Shane Hyde

You can read it online here.

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

May your dice roll well.

Comments(0)