How often does your GG "break" modules?

[Thurbane]

Number one question asked by my group that is often not in the module "Do the doors open inwards or outwards?". Always. Without fail. Every room.

(When I write my own adventures, I make sure that each and evey door is noted with which way it opens).

 

[Thurbane]

QFT

Published modules won't run themselves. A good GM will still adapt them for his group. And if you have a group of at least semi-creative players they will go off the path of the module at least somewhere along the line. A good GM will roll with this. A bad one will beat them back onto the "correct" path. Personally, I'm still learning how to be a good GM. It's not as easy as it first looks!

Olaf the Stout

While I completely agree with all of this, it is worthy to note that some modules do a MUCH better job of anticipating these things than others do. I'll almost always take a module that has too much superfluous info than one that has too little.

Sure, a good DM can wing it, but as a DM I often use prepublished material when my creative juices are running a little low. I don't mind it when a player comes up with a clever strategem not anticipated by the module's authors, but when a module is lacking some basic info that really should be there it irks me somewhat.

 

[hammerlily]

Number one question asked by my group that is often not in the module "Do the doors open inwards or outwards?". Always. Without fail. Every room.

(When I write my own adventures, I make sure that each and evey door is noted with which way it opens).

So do you play with folks that are ex-military or architects????

 

[pogre]

I run moduels all the time and I've never seen it happen. Running modules is an art and takes more work then some people realize or want to put it.

I totally agree with this assessment. Knowing the module well can allow a DM to run the game more on the "fly." Creative solutions and cool ideas from PCs are always welcome in my game. If the PCs skip a major plot element - if the DM knows the module well he can bring them around again without railroading.

 

[Crothian]

If the PCs skip a major plot element - if the DM knows the module well he can bring them around again without railroading.

Also, if the players skip something it doesn't always need to be addressed right then. If they choose to go another direction just let the plot skipped continue on advancing and growing. It will still be there but more powerful and more of a pain for the PCs.

 

[QuaziquestGM]

One aside:

If the players know that you have gone to the expence of buying a published module and refuse to "play along", then they are being inexcusible j@(+@$$e$ . Beating the poor module to death though tactics, spells, and intellignece is perfectly acceptible as the "game" was actually played and the GM got his moneys worth, but ducking the adventure or purposly train wrecking it is not.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

One aside:

If the players know that you have gone to the expence of buying a published module and refuse to "play along", then they are being inexcusible j@(+@$$e$ . Beating the poor module to death though tactics, spells, and intellignece is perfectly acceptible as the "game" was actually played and the GM got his moneys worth, but ducking the adventure or purposly train wrecking it is not.

I agree with this in principle. My players will go along with the module in general since they know that I have paid good money for it. However some of their actions, especially in ones that are less dungeon-crawly, can stray reasonably far from what is detailed covered in the module. This just means that I have to stay on my toes and think quickly. It's part of the fun of GM'ing in my opinion.

Olaf the Stout

 

[hammerlily]

To summarize... tips for running "unbreakable modules" so far include:

- GM/DM prep (plan on a module cutting prep time in half, not eliminating it.)
- ability to keep characters on a loose leash, allowing them to find their own way thru
- customizing module to current campaign needs
- willingness of players to "get in the spirit" of the game
- giving players flexibility to "write their own action" to fill any gaps in the module
- GM/DM creativity in guiding characters "in character" vs. railroading the action
- use modules as a story framework only... not a must-follow script
- ensure PC actions have repercussions... especially when they abandon plot items
- find a module that matches the play style of your gaming group
- rewrite pre-scripted intro's if necessary to avoid railroading players from the beginning
- As a GM, be prepared to wing it



So what are the marks of quality, well-written unbreakable modules?

So far, we have very few items on this list...
- avoid writing scripts that avoid putting actions/word in PC's mouths
- include important details (including which way doors open/close?)
- modules anticipate PC actions & include possible consequences for various possibilities
- do not limit PCs to only one path through the adventure

Any others????

 

[hammerlily]

....I do treat it (a pre-written module) as a skeleton to which I can add fleshy bits...story, additional monsters, ties to the ongoing campaign, etc. I guess I "make it my own" so to speak.

So when adding fleshy bits... do you routinely drop in decoy stuff, so that players don't always think the things they encounter have significance in the storyline?

When you add in fleshy bits, how do you handle time management in running the module to fit the time that your group has available to play?

 

[Olaf the Stout]

To summarize... tips for running "unbreakable modules" so far include:

- GM/DM prep (plan on a module cutting prep time in half, not eliminating it.)
- ability to keep characters on a loose leash, allowing them to find their own way thru
- customizing module to current campaign needs
- willingness of players to "get in the spirit" of the game
- giving players flexibility to "write their own action" to fill any gaps in the module
- GM/DM creativity in guiding characters "in character" vs. railroading the action
- use modules as a story framework only... not a must-follow script
- ensure PC actions have repercussions... especially when they abandon plot items
- find a module that matches the play style of your gaming group
- rewrite pre-scripted intro's if necessary to avoid railroading players from the beginning
- As a GM, be prepared to wing it



So what are the marks of quality, well-written unbreakable modules?

So far, we have very few items on this list...
- avoid writing scripts that avoid putting actions/word in PC's mouths
- include important details (including which way doors open/close?)
- modules anticipate PC actions & include possible consequences for various possibilities
- do not limit PCs to only one path through the adventure

Any others????

Section A pretty much covers what a DM should expect when he is running a module. The more that you customise an adventure for your campaign, the more it will seem like just another part of the storyline and less like the next module that you've decided to run. In my opinion, a really well DM'ed module doesn't seem like one at all.

Olaf the Stout