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That’s the absurd part. I’ve probably put more into working on the system instead of prep. On the other hand, I like it, and I probably would have burnt myself on the prep, which was becoming a problem in our previous campaign. Because the system is always playable (yay, MVP), we can (usually)...

I’ve shared a number of examples where I’ve found his advice useful (see posts #135, #147, #154, and #160). It’d be great if people could share even more of stuff like that.

The point of seeking agreement is because it facilitates communication and understanding. We don’t have to like the same things or play the same way, but if we at least understand what the other means, we can hold a conversation and share our experiences. I started with a hybrid of OSE and WWN...

I’m not concerned about terms so much reaching an agreement on the following. Terms can be hashed out later. plot - GM-scripted sequences. PCs play through them with limited/no flexibility. story outline - GM-provided story beats. PCs have flexibility on how to get there. play type 3 - Neither...

I think it can be done and done in a way that is binding (on NPCs and PCs) without feeling bad, but I don’t think D&D is generally set up for or trying to be that game. Most social mechanics are ways to make your checks easier (such as improving disposition in 3e to reeuce the DC or the social...

I mentioned a few other things in post #147. @AbdulAlhazred also mentioned one in post #134. They seem to have gotten lost in the discussion. Campaign Status Documents Universal NPC Roleplaying Templates I use an according file for my status ‘document’ and a binder for my setting stuff. My...

He defines it as a “sequence of events that tell a story”. If even with the absence of the PCs’ involvement, it still tells a story, then I’d agree it’s a plot. (So now I see how the distinction of PC involvement I made in post #213 does not hold up.) That’s the bit of work it needs. The events...

I am replying twice because I failed to address your second question. I apologize for that. I am doing this in a separate post instead of editing post #220 in case there are replies in the meantime. Justin defines what he means by plot in his “Don’t Prep Plots” essay as the following: First, a...

I would call a plot a series of events that the GM wants to happen. There can be different (or even unplanned) paths between them, but the key element is that the events are planned out by the GM. An example of this is the scenario I described in post #135 and outlined in post #160. When I ran...

The setting for my homebrew system effectively treats all ancestries as monsters. You will encounter various peoples (and creatures such as dragons) pursuing their interests, and you will have to decide how to interact with them. There are a number of different playable ancestries, but there are...

The distinction I would make is whether and how the PCs are expected to get involved. If I structure the adventure such that the PCs will go to the Temple to confront the villains, then I feel I’d have made a plot. Otherwise, the sequence seems similar to the grim portents format used by dangers...

I wanted to thank you for writing this. It helps clarify the differences between us and answer the question I poses in post #151 without needing to do a bunch of tedious back and forths. (That is: We have different conceptions of “plot”, but I can understand your meaning.)

It’s been six or seven years, so my memory is a bit fuzzy of the exact specifics. I tried pinging him about it on our group’s Discord, but he doesn’t remember either. All I remember is he was doing stuff in town, one thing lead to another, and he ended up talking with town leadership about some...

This conversation got started in post #21 when you said that, “Any adventure has clues that point towards other situations, even an open sandbox does that.” I responded with a contrasting example assuming you were talking about Justin’s techniques (three clue rule, node-based design, etc). If...

Talking about Justin as a person is off topic for this thread, so if there’s something good from his book, I see no reason not to share it (especially if it builds or expands upon what he’s posted on his site).

It seems fine. My homebrew system has a detailed setting¹. I also have my own template for NPCs that evolved out of Justin’s Universal NPC Roleplaying Template. This is Eric, as mentioned in commentary post #294. Eric the Dangerous [male yuma] — ambitious, deceitful, manipulative Tall (1.8m)...

One time I prepped a scenario that was a whole bunch of different situations. I hadn’t (or didn’t think I had) prescribed any particular path through the scenario. There were various groups trying to do things, and if the PCs wanted to leave, there was an exit from the area they could take. (It...

The baseline assumption seems to be that the GM will be preparing a scenario, and the players will play through it. His advice typically focuses on how to improve your prep and do a better job at it (according to his particular tastes).

I can’t believe I forgot about that one. I’m a big fan of Jacquaysing the dungeon. Even if his other advice isn’t really applicable to what I’m doing in my campaign with my homebrew system, I still make sure I have nicely Jaquaysed dungeon maps. (Though they aren’t always nice looking.) The...