"Game Master" or "Game Moderator". This is the person who is in charge of running the game, including having final say over how actions are resolved. Also referred to as "Storyteller" (in White Wolf games), "Dungeon Master" (in D&D), and innumerable other names.
16
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8answers
1k views
Roleplaying as a job. Skills and background?
A friend of mine is a great DM, and we always told him that he should be paid for his skills. He smiles and says that it's enough to have fun, but seriously, can you make a living out of role playing ...
15
votes
13answers
1k views
Sunrods, should they be used?
Sunrods, those banishers of darkness, are they a problem or not, I've met a number of DMs that don't want them in their games.
Are they a problem?
15
votes
9answers
524 views
Does GMing diminish or detract from being a player in games?
I started playing RPGs last year with the Pathfinder Beginner Box. I have been GMing and writing a campaign, but have also encouraged members of the party that are interested to run a one-off Beginner ...
15
votes
7answers
479 views
Techniques for skimming through travel (fast travel) without meta-teleportation
In most of my group's campaigns, we spend a lot of time traveling. Unfortunately, this leans one of two ways:
Uninteresting or distracting obstacles. If you want to spend time but keep it fresh, ...
15
votes
10answers
505 views
Strategies for dealing with turtle or roach players?
How should GMs deal with players who turtle or roach?
By turtle I am referring to players who obviously wanted to play because they joined the game, but when they're actually at the table they keep ...
15
votes
4answers
349 views
How would I quickly put together a believable map of an area?
As part of my "Closed Circle" campaign, I'm looking for ways to quickly put together a believable map of a college campus and surrounding area, complete with believable building placement. "Quickly" ...
15
votes
6answers
202 views
How do you maintain a balance between mystery and offering clues?
Giving good clues that offer just enough information can be difficult. I think I tend to not give the players enough information and then to overcompensate with a reveal that comes too easily. ...
15
votes
2answers
219 views
What are the consequences of letting players be characters from a work of fiction?
What are the consequences of letting players be characters from a book, movie, or other pre-existing work of fiction?
For example, how would I handle a campaign based on the X-Files where the PCs are ...
14
votes
16answers
443 views
When GMing a game, how much should you prepare in advance?
Obviously you need to have some high level idea of what's going on in the world around the players, and where you are heading with the story, but in an ongoing game at some point players will be ...
14
votes
9answers
366 views
How to remember all the rules?
Do you have tricks or techniques to remember all the rules to the games you're playing? I would like to run my first game as a gamemaster, but I'm struggling with remembering all the feats and ...
14
votes
6answers
449 views
Where can I find artwork to inspire adventure design?
Often when I find a cool piece of artwork online, I build some scene in my upcoming adventure around it and then show the image to the players during the session. The more cool artwork I have access ...
14
votes
9answers
236 views
How to encourage the GM-curious?
I have a couple of players who might be interested to try GMing, but have so far been reluctant to "take the plunge" and start up their own games. I think this is mostly because they're not sure that ...
14
votes
6answers
1k views
Using the iPad as a GM-tool
Anyone have any experience using the iPad as a GM-ing tool?
If so, how did you use it?
Any apps that are particularly good for GMs?
14
votes
5answers
293 views
Rules for player inventions
To illustrate what I mean, let me give a quick example:
In the-dark-eye, there is a Staff Ritual named Hammer des Magus (No idea what the term is in english). Its effect is that everything ...
13
votes
9answers
376 views
How can I encourage my group to become more well rounded?
My gaming group tends to each go in their own direction for character creation. Sometimes this leads to great games where folks are strongly opposed on dramatic elements and character interaction is ...
13
votes
3answers
461 views
Do marks go away when one of the parties is dead or incapacitated?
While DMing for DnD Encounters, I had an interesting rules concern come up, that I can't see handled in the rules specifically. We always assumed that when a character or monster goes unconscious via ...
13
votes
7answers
335 views
What major differences are there between convention DMing and home DMing?
I've been DMing for a while in 4th edition D&D, but I've only been DMing for Living Forgotten Realms and D&D Encounters. Now I'm thinking of starting to do some home games in various systems. ...
12
votes
5answers
352 views
What are some good sources for combat tactics for a GM to use?
My players are extremely strategic, and they're consistently (and too easily) defeating groups of enemies that I intended to present a real challenge. Probably for the same reason that I suck at ...
12
votes
4answers
299 views
How do DM's avoid burning out? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do I deal with GM burnout?
Currently I am the single DM of a smallish group of irregular players. Although I enjoy DM'ing, I'm beginning to burn out and really wish ...
12
votes
4answers
173 views
What are some tips for writing a novel from a campaign?
I am sure there are many GMs or player groups out there with this same idea of writing a novel out of their campaign, even if jokingly. I have been GMing a campaign for some years now and I am ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
Does anyone have any templates for Scrivener?
I want to start using Scrivener to plan a game and am looking for some templates for characters, locations, encounters, etc.
12
votes
2answers
3k views
Dungeons and Dragons Treasure Parcels
I'm new to D&D and would like to distribute treasure evenly in my dungeon for my level 1 PCs. I've read up briefly on the treasure packages but am still a little fuzzy on how they exactly work and ...
12
votes
1answer
133 views
Are there guidelines for creating & customising MM3-style monsters?
I've heard that Monster Manual 3 came with an improved design philosophy for monsters (particularly solos), and there are questions about updating pre-MM3 monsters for MM3.
I want to create and ...
11
votes
7answers
463 views
Could a “Fog of war” prop break a game in any way?
I'm going to run the Pathfinder's Beginners Box scripted adventure that has a dungeon map printed.
This is not only the first time GMing, it's my first time playing an RPG. All of the party are new ...
11
votes
6answers
531 views
Out-Of-Control Characters
As I review the suggestions the DMG (pg32) has I wonder what other suggestions that realistic.
I know that if a player is out of control (ie: killing masses for no reason) a DM would send Imperial ...
11
votes
8answers
2k views
How do I select background music for my fantasy RPG campaign?
Music is an essential component of my games. When running games set in the Star Wars universe, the music of John Williams adds a new dimension to the experience, both for me and for my players. Now ...
11
votes
4answers
436 views
Help turning my NPC Druid Undead
I have an upper level NPC druid that I plan on killing and then making undead, along with his animal companion.
1) Do the rules allow the undead animal companion in this situation? (If so does it ...
11
votes
9answers
800 views
Best way to use a GM Screen nowadays?
This may just be me but I like the feel of having an old school GM/DM screen up. However, between laptops, mountains of books, and more frequently having to see the battle layout, I find that within ...
11
votes
3answers
403 views
Cheating on rolls as a DM to adjust the difficulty on the fly (or other means to adjust difficulty)
I was a DM for the first time yesterday.
It was a lot of fun, and all things considered, I think I've made a pretty darn good first session. It was, however, too difficult. I've based the various ...
11
votes
8answers
439 views
How much plot guidance is too much?
I've played in many games that were extremely railroaded. There was basically only one feasible course of action and we, as players, were expected to take that route. (The GM would get very upset if ...
11
votes
4answers
452 views
How to challenge legendary characters?
As characters get to Legendary in Savage World (Fantasy) they abilities soon seem to out class the Powers the creatures have. For example, most powers are saved with a attribute, say Agility, if you ...
11
votes
4answers
190 views
Megadungeon or modules for a weekend of play?
I've been having gaming/camping weekends with some friends and we've only played Call of Cthulhu so far, using modules. This time I plan on running an OSRIC/1e game, and would like to run the ...
11
votes
3answers
248 views
Writing new campaign, is it fine to “make it up as we go along”?
Making new fantasy Dungeons and Dragons third edition game. Wrote out the entire first situation with most general situations in mind. Should I try and just "ole" the whole creative process and have ...
11
votes
5answers
182 views
Overcoming realism and uniqueness block
Whenever I am developing a plot-line, location or an NPC, there are two primary factors I take into account:
Realism - Locations should be believable (no redundant corridors, random unfitting ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
Good Star Wars game resources?
I'm working on a Star Wars Saga Edition game, and I was wandering if anyone has any good encounter or adventure sized resources? Particularly, I am looking for interesting locations (such as a droid ...
10
votes
6answers
729 views
My fifth level PC has a +2 longsword but that's about all
How much can any single possession take up a character's wealth? For this question, I'd like answers that operate under the presumption that wealth-by-level isn't a minimum but instead a target.
I've ...
10
votes
4answers
197 views
Introducing Guest-Stars in Ongoing Campaigns
I've got a situation I'm dealing with tonight and that I've dealt with before, but I've never had rpg.se to ask about it. So here goes:
Are there any tried-and-true methods for dealing with ...
10
votes
2answers
214 views
Memories of undeath once resurrected?
Related to my other question: Undead NPC Druid
If an NPC has been turned undead and later destroyed/resurrected does he retain the memory of being undead? Specifically the actions he took part in ...
10
votes
2answers
422 views
How do you calculate damage for MM1 and MM2 monsters?
I realize this may be a subjective question, but I'd really like to know what the consensus is.
I know that WotC changed the way they calculate monster damage from MM3 and onwards, but there's isn't ...
10
votes
5answers
4k views
Calculating encounter level with mixed CR enemies?
In D&D 3.5 how do you calculate the Encounter Level of an encounter when the encounter involves elements (usually enemies) of multiple CRs?
For example an encounter involves
4 Zombies (CR1/2)
...
10
votes
1answer
225 views
How do I handle difficulty in Apocalypse World?
How do I design a peripheral move that essentially says "This regular move is more difficult under this situation"? My normal instincts say to apply a -2 modifier to the roll or something, but that ...
9
votes
4answers
225 views
What to do in Labyrinth Lord when both PCs and Foes are surprised?
In Labyrinth Lord, when there is a possibility of surprise for both PCs and foes, both sides roll 1d6. A 1-2 indicates that side is surprised for the first round. If both sides roll a 1-2, both ...
9
votes
2answers
429 views
Where can I find a horror adventure/campaign writing guide?
I seem to remember an old (ebook format?) book I read, with instructions on how to write a quality adventure based in the Ravenloft universe. The book was distinguished by writing in a general style, ...
9
votes
5answers
407 views
Good ways to handle presenting information to one or some members of the group?
What are some good methods for presenting information to a limited number of players in a gaming group so as to allow them to control when and how that information gets released to the rest of the ...
9
votes
3answers
242 views
New GM to a Laundry RPG game [closed]
What should a new (and not so experienced) GM watch out for when starting to run a game set in Charles Stross's Laundry universe? Note that all this could be applied to a Call Of Cthulhu game as well ...
9
votes
1answer
184 views
As a DM, what is the best way to create custom weapons and armor for your PCs?
After quests have been completed, or during the course of completing them, your Player Characters might pick up new armor or weapons that you have put placeholders in for. What is the best way to ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
What is a good starting point for GMing Pathfinder Society Games?
So I am considering GMing a few Pathfinder Society (PFS) modules (probably home games at first, the PFS group that plays at our local gaming store doesn't meet more than once a month), and I was ...
9
votes
3answers
261 views
What setting changes need to be addressed in order to convert Golarion to the E6 variant system?
For those who are confused what E6 is, please go here: E6: The Game Inside D&D
I will be running an E6 game in Golarion in a few weeks. Two main assumptions I have made in the E6 version I am ...
8
votes
2answers
193 views
What essentials do I need on the site of my LARP?
I am planning on holding a 20-50 person LARP. I would like to know other than notifying the Emergency services (police/ambulance) that I'm holding the event and where it is, what facilities should I ...
8
votes
3answers
183 views
How can I resolve dangerous journeys without playing out every battle in detail?
Here's the situation: The PCs are investigating a mystery far from town, in the dangerous wilderness. Against my expectations, they decide to go back to town, recruit some help, and return to continue ...
