of Dice and Dragons

It’s sometimes surprising just how often you read something and you say to yourself “hey, that’s me!” I had one of those moments as I was catching up on all the reading I’ve been neglecting over the last week or so.

In his blog posting Using TT to Prep for a Game: A Case Study Martin Ralya mentions a number of things that I could personally relate to:

1. He ended his previous stint as GM about the same time he started Treasure Tables
2. His group has a number of players that will also GM
3. He’s set to start up again as a GM for his group

As for myself, my last campaign came to a close about the time I started up blogging, my group has a number of capable GMs (okay everyone in the group has been a GM at one time or another) and I’m getting ready to start up again as GM (sometime at the beginning of 2008).

So why bring this up? First off, Martin’s posting is an interesting read and it shows a number of resources on his site that he has found helpful in getting prepped for his new game and it leads me into what I hope to be able to do over the next several months - share my process.

Like many others online I want to share what I go through as a means to help you by showing you how someone else does things and at the same time I hope you’ll be willing to share your thoughts and opinions so I can learn from you as well.

The place I’m going to start this time is by going back to my last campaign, The Realms of Rylon which ended a while ago. Why start there and not with a new map, plot or idea? Simple, it’s best to learn from our mistakes and I’m going to start by taking a look at what I think I did right and what I could have done better - after all, if you don’t know what’s broke you can’t fix it.

May your dice roll well.

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I’ve mentioned a few different ideas on how you can use index cards to help better organize your game and wanted to pass along another quick tip, use them for treasure items.

When the party comes across an item hand them a card with just the physical description on it such as a bottle, a sword, or a silver box. This not only gives them a tangible item to show that they found something it’s also something that can be passed among party members to show who is actually carrying the item and you can take the card back should it be lost, stolen or sold.

While that alone is a great tool you can take it a step further, have the group write on the card any special characteristics or abilities as they discover them. For example, you hand them a card that says “Long sword” on it. Now as they continue their travels they discover that it’s magical, a +2 to hit and damage to be exact, it was once called the “Orc Slayer,” as it was often used to great effect during the orc wars by Sir Reginald Ashen, knighted for his valor during those same wars.

Now the party has something they can refer to not just for the mechanics part of the item but also for some of the story around it, which of course you as the GM can use for further adventure and plot hooks.

May your dice roll well!

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In issue #372 of Role-playing Tips, 5 Room Dungeons + Contest Johnn introduces us to his concept of laying out a dungeon with just five rooms. Even for those of you who do not play in a system that uses dungeons the concept is valid, just replace dungeon with building, spacecraft or your venue of choice.

Also be sure to check out the contest he’s running for those that would like to come up with five room dungeon ideas and share them with the readership.

There’s also a couple of reader tips, in particular I would recommend checking out the second one Easy Method For Creating Objectives.

Enjoy.

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Why Do I Like 5 Room Dungeons?
2. Room One: Entrance and Guardian
3. Room Two: Puzzle or Roleplaying Challenge
4. Room Three: Trick or Setback
5. Room Four: Climax, Big Battle, or Conflict
6. Room Five: Reward, Revelation, Plot Twist
7. Example 5 Room Dungeon - Library of the Ancients

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Cyberpunk Resources
2. Easy Method For Creating Objectives

You can read Issue #372 online here.

If you don’t already subscribe I would recommend it, you can do that at http://www.roleplayingtips.com/subscribe.php.

May your dice roll well.

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