How do you set 'the mood'

[Voadam]

1. Fnord.

2. Putting up the DM screen screen and opening books. When ready I say "OK . . ."

I've always wanted to start a game sometime with "Roll init" or "Everbody make a will save and tell me what you get." though.

 

[Nightchilde-2]

Well, I like to dim the lights, light some scented candles, put on a little Al Green. It was just too good to pass up sorry.

CURSE YOU! You stole my smarty-pants response!

 

[Arnwyn]

1) Do you eat mustard?

2) How do you set 'the mood' in your games? Do you even bother?

1) Yes, but not too much.

2) Music. Music, music, music. This has by far been my most successful way of setting the mood for the game - and not just for the game, but for each scene (when it warrants it). I have a rather vast selection of usable music, so I pretty much have a track that'll suit just about every occurance.

 

[Sidereal Knight]

So, last night we were playing a "one-shot" (which will end up being a two-shot) of Cthulhu, The Crack'd and Crook'd Manse. About 2 hours into game, one of my players mentions she's getting kinda freaked out. So, we did the obvious thing, and brought the lights down, and did things right.

It sounds like things went pretty well, then... I'm glad you had a good time with that scenario.

With regard to the questions at hand:

1) Frequently, but not to excess. Yellow or brown, but PLEASE no dijon!

2) As others have said, music and lighting can do great things to set a mood (and not just for gaming, either! ) Tone of voice and body language can also add a lot... even subtle changes.

For example, if your group sits around a table in an open area (family room, great room, etc.), sit so that you are looking out into the area. If possible, keep the outer area darker than the gaming area. Occasionally during the game, glance out into the open area as if you are noticing something. If done right, this can unnerve people on an almost subliminal level... "What's he looking at behind me?"

 

[Lu Wei Fong]

1) Bleh, I hate mustard (as well as most other condiments), but I've got nothing wrong with those who do like it
2) My number one mood-setting method thus far has been music. Everything from Lord of the Rings and Anime themes to up-beat techno (for some battles). We usually play at night, so that already adds something. I'm a relatively new DM (this is my first campaign DMing), so I'm working enthusiastically on other aspects like description, voices, pacing, and soon props. We'll see how it turns out
P.S: Too bad the group (myself included sometimes) has a tendancy to insert bad jokes/puns at every oppotunity. I'm trying to put the habit on hold for the sessions to keep the mood going, but after the PCs crack a few, it's hard to resist...

 

[WayneLigon]

1. Yes, I love mustard; esp. brown spicy mustard. Grey Poupon is good, but generally give me Guldens (sp). I should try some of the weird sounding mustards I see at Fresh Market.

2. Verbally. At least one of my players has vision problems, so turning the lights down on is not an option. So I do it verbally. I describe and give general setting info from time to time.