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Message: <blockquote data-quote="NewLifeForm" data-source="post: 2354297" data-attributes="member: 7811">This is one for the GMs:How much of your game is ad-lib?Do you meticulously work out the tacticals of every encounter? Are you an "off the top of your head" type GM, making everything up as you go along? Something in between? Tell us about it...As for me, most people don't believe me but I ad-lib about 75% of all my campaigns and adventures. I have a loose-leaf binder with creatures, characters, maps, names and ideas and then then reference them as needed. I usually have a general story idea going in, and then I just go where the PCs take me.I developed this style over a very long period of time (though I always believe I'm still working on it), with the majority of my practice coming from my high school and college days.One time we were playing a SF RPG and the PCs were pinned down by laser gun fire. The objective of the adventure had not yet been completed. One of the player's decides his PC is going to call back to his ship and have it pick up the party. After a really big, exciting battle, the spaceship zooms into space. The party decides to leave the planet.GM(Me): Er...but...you didn't find the proof you needed to stop the bad guy.Player 1: We were out numbered and out gunned. We're leaving.GM: Ok...where are you going?Player 1: Doesn't matter. Anywhere. Other side of the Galaxy.GM: I see...and then lay low and plan what to do next. That kind of thing.Whole Party: Right. Yes. Exactly.GM: Good idea. No problem. Head out!Long, quite pause...Player 1: So...where do we go?Whole party:Umm. Don't know. Er...Player 1: Let me see a star map or a list of planets the computer can generate. Whatever is the furthest we can go on the fuel we have.GM: Here you go. Knock yourself out.Player 1: (Picks one at random or because he likes the name) Here! This one!GM: Your sure. You need to plot a hyperspace jump route.Player 2: I check with the computer and make sure it's habitable. If so, we jump.GM: Looks A-OK.Player 1: (Smiles an evil grin and looks at me) You have no idea what to do next do you?GM: (No expression at all). Of course I do. Do you?Whole Party: Gulps and looks of terror. <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":]" title="Devious    :]" data-shortname=":]" /> NewLifeForm"Mostly harmless"</blockquote>

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