of Dice and Dragons

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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In issue #370, Random Encounter Tables, Johnn treats us to a guest article by Charles Ciaffone who offers a different spin on random encounters. He leaves the party level out of the equation and instead focuses on using the encounter to further develop the region which then gives more depth to the gaming experience.

For those that are big into browsing gaming information online (like me) check out the reader submitted tip using Stumble Upon more effectively - you might even find of Dice and Dragons on it!

In issue #371, Alternative Dungeon Environments, Johnn gives us another guest article, this time by Garrison Sutton. This article takes the idea of a dungeon and turns it on its end and asks the question, “what could be run like a dungeon but isn’t a dungeon?” There are a lot of ideas tossed out in the article and well worth the read, especially to help get the creative juices flowing.

Enjoy.

Issue #370 - Random Encounter Tables
Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Pre-Roll Encounters
2. Define the Region
3. Craft Side Adventures From Too-Powerful Encounters
4. Character Development
5. Add In Random Plot Devices
6. Encounter Table Generation
7. Regional Tables
8. Political Tables
9. Sample Random Encounter Tables

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Rumours…Or Are They?
2. That’ll Be Cash, Thank You
3. Map-up World Creation
4. Using StumbleUpon Effectively

–> Interesting Game Master Links
1. D&D Villains
2. Free Diagramming Tool
3. Fractal World Map Generator

Read Issue #370, Random Encounter Tables online.

Issue #371 Alternative Dungeon Environments
Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Example Alternative Dungeon - The Swamp
2. Apply The Dungeon Format To Alternative Settings
3. Pick A Location-Based Theme
4. Offer Clear Connectors
5. Other Example Alternative Dungeon Ideas

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Three Levels of NPC Creation
2. Let PCs Set Their Own Traps
3. How To Make Your Players Paranoic
4. Let Rumours Get Misinterpreted
5. World Idea: Spontaneous Genesis
6. Keep Things Interesting: Try Higher Power Levels

Read Issue #371, Alternative Dungeon Environments online.

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

May your dice roll well.

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The latest issue of Role-playing Tips, #369 features a guest article from Kit Reshawn,Four Common Pitfalls for New GMs

In the feature Kit goes over four common issues that we as GMs frequently run up against, the first on in particular I’ve been guilty of - I had an NPC save the party on a couple of occasions and the group began to feel cheated so I faded the NPC into the background over a couple of sessions. I would also suggest taking a good look at Pitfall #4, PC Death, figure it out ahead of time how you’re going to handle it so that everyone is on the same page at the beginning and you’ll save yourself a lot of grief should it happen.

Also take a couple of minutes and check out the reader tips. I found the tip call “Stranger Than Fiction” of particular interest as it show how you can use your day to day life as source material for events in your campaigns. There are also some pictures associated with the 3D props tip which are worth a look to get some ideas on what you can do to pull your game out of the 2D world of “just maps.”

Enjoy.

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
Pitfall 1: Cooler Than Thou Syndrome
Pitfall 2: Let Each Player Shine
Pitfall 3: The Clue Bat
Pitfall 4: Player Character Death

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Stranger Than Fiction
2. Reminder - Give PCs Meaningful Choices
3. Borrow Ideas From Movies
4. Use 3D Props

You can read Issue #369 online here.

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

May your dice roll well.

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In this latest issue of Role-playing Tips, #368, Mapping Tips: Planning Your Map Saves Time Johnn walks us through a time honored tradition that many GMs enjoy, map making.

I know that many are like me and just dive right in but Johnn shows, with a number of examples, the benefits of taking a few minutes and plan out what your going to do. Starting with a bit of brainstorming and then moving through roughing out the design and then into the final drawing phase (including the use of layers - a very good tool) we’re given a very solid approach to this task that is well worth the time to read.

The Readers’ Tips give some interesting pieces of information including some ideas about PC characterization and there’s one about bottom up world building (start small and work your way up). You’ll also want to spend a few minutes looking over the Game Master links, there are links to a D&D NPC database and the Cartographer’s Guild - for you map makers out there.

Enjoy.

Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Make An Inventory List
2. Define Boundaries
3. Sketch Your Maps Out Before Starting A Final Version
4. Use Layers

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Simple PC Characterization
2. Vampire the Masquerade Tips
3. Take An Annual Break To Rejuvenate
4. Bottom-Up World Building

–> Interesting Game Master Links
1. D&D NPC Database
2. VtM Links
3. Mapper’s Haven - The Cartographer’s Guild

You can read Issue #368 online here.

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

May your dice roll well.

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In issue #366, Notes to the GM - What a Player Wants, Johnn departs from his usual format to give an issue which is centered around notes or requests from a player to the GM. Some rather interesting suggestions and ideas in the mix and a nice change of pace overall.

In addition to the main article there are a couple of interesting contributions from readers concerning creating timelines - one even uses sticky notes!

In issue #367, Craft A World Map Prepping A Game World For GMing and Play, Johnn gives us some really good ideas about using maps for prepping. I for one find maps a very useful tool for planning and Johnn hits a number of items I already do and manages to sneak in a few that I’ll have to revisit when I build my next campaign.

The reader tips give a few quick hits including some ideas for supernatural weather, using your iPod for storing gaming information and a like for custom graph paper.

Enjoy.

Issue #366 - Notes to the GM - What a Player Wants
Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Get Started Quickly
2. Black Box What’s Outside My Character’s Perceptions
3. Be Decisive, Not Defensive
4. Come Ready, But Not Necessarily Prepared
5. If It Has No Impact, Be Ready To Skip It
6. I Can’t Handle Much Homework - Let’s Game It Instead

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Post-It Time Travels
2. Timeline Calendar Excel Add-On
3. Plan For Encounters, Not The Encounters
4. Recorded Sessions For Your Listening Pleasure

You can read Issue #366 online here.

Issue #367 Craft A World Map Prepping A Game World For GMing and Play
Contents:
–> A Brief Word From Johnn

–> This Week’s Tips:
1. Four Types Of Maps
2. Game Map Versus Realistic Map
3. Create A Blank Map First
4. Aim To Create Diagrams
5. Create A Physical Map
6. Create A Political Map
7. Track Climates
8. Race Map
9. Track World Events

–> Readers’ Tips Of The Week:
1. Use Your iPod To Store Game Info
2. Free Custom Graph Paper Creator
3. Supernatural Weather Ideas
4. Nothing Like A Little Envy
5. Lay Out The Major Points And Let The PCs
Connect The Dots

Issue #367 can be read online here.

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

May your dice roll well.

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