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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Halivar" data-source="post: 6238763" data-attributes="member: 9327">Welcome to EnWorld!A game only lasts as long as it is interesting. This is more important than having an overarching story. If the game is interesting, the players will want to dwell in your game world for as long as possible.Random suggestions, not in order of importance:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Do not get married to your story; the players will just ruin it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Embrace tangents.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Learn how to spin expository tales.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If you always say 'yes', you can't railroad; this is better.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Know your world. Keep a moleskin notebook around with you at all times and jot down the most inane details. The players may never see it, but they will sense that it's real if it's real to you.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Have a map. Don't stop drawing on it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Give each BBEG one defining trait that is not repulsive to the players. Extra points if you give them a laudable trait. An anti-paladin with an overriding sense of Honor, a lich-lord who, being a tyrant, still sees to his subjects' every need, etc.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Revisit your NPC's, towns, and orgs often, and keep adding new things.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Look for pictures on Deviant Art that inspire you. Maybe even use them as illustrations; print them out and show them to players.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If a player gives you a cool backstory; use it. Reward creativity. This goes for in-game roleplay.</li> </ul>That's all I could come up with in 5 minutes. Probably more ideas later.</blockquote>

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