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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mordane76" data-source="post: 487027" data-attributes="member: 7172">First, I consider myself to be a good/fair DM; I get LOTS of practice, though, because when a game needs running, I usually get the duty.I have good plot development, nice subplot weavings, and I'm an very good character actor, so my NPCs normally come across as unique and believable.My attention to details and my relaying of details can be a little weak; if a misunderstanding of facts occurs in my games, it's usually because I didn't explain something clearly enough.  We're also a little weak in the maintaining focus department -- we get off-track a good deal.  Unfortunately, my art skills bite... HARD.1) What are you doing now to help overcome your weaknesses as a DM?To overcome my detail weakness, I've started working more on planning BEFORE the game than trying to ad-lib it DURING the game.  I've found that my mind works substantially better when I have something on paper before I get to the table.  For focus, I'm getting ready to institute a change-of-venue for our game to a place with long tables and hard-back chairs (classroom style), so that everyone is eye-to-eye and on the same playing field.  It will also increase our chances to use visual aids like a chalkboard and battlemap.2) What do you reccomend for a DM (say, me or fusangite) that has trouble with female NPCs?Just remember that women and men, though different, don't have to played drastically different.  People are people -- as long as you don't overemphasize the sexuality of the NPC, you shouldn't even have to worry about it.  Men and women can, and often do, have the same motivations -- they just have different anatomy.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />Obviously, these anatomical differences can be used, in a sensual manner, to achieve this motivations, if you're comfortable using sexuality to achieve goals.  But never do anything with a character you aren't comfortable with.3) What do you reccomend to do with trouble players (besides remove them)?It depends on the trouble.  Sometimes, simple counseling OOG can make the difference.  Take the player aside after the game, and lay out your grievances in private.  Be civil, calm, and mature, but firm; realize some players are going to take this as a personal attack, especially if done with any hints of sarcasm, anger, or derision.  However, some problems cannot be solved by talking them out -- some people just need the boot.4) What snacks do you reccomend that don't clutter the table or destract the players (last time I served salsa... it got everywhere)?Pretzels.  Lots and lots of pretzels.  They're tasty, they come in bags (just don't spill or rip), and if they do, they're easy clean up (not gooey, wet, or otherwise messy).  And lots of water -- doesn't make massive stains, easily cleaned up, not sticky or smelly.5) What is your ideal (and feasible) gaming environment?Classroom style with long tables, a center desk, and stacking chairs.  Power outlets for my laptop.  Put the tables together to make a big table against the desk (my seat).  We used to game in a place like that, but now we're gaming in my apartment, and I'm just about at the end of my rope because of it.6) For those with little time to scan the posts: What one sentence can sum up your accumulated DM wisdom?Beware younger players with uberpower complexes; I've seen too many of them who unfortunately NEVER grow out of it, no matter what kind of counseling they're given.</blockquote>

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