L
lowkey13
Guest
*Deleted by user*
On Presentation, Performance, and Style- Players and DMs
Oofta
Legend
On a more serious note...
I improvise a lot. I have a general idea of who's who and what the conflicting goals and perspectives are of the different individuals and groups but that's about it. A list of who's who, roughly what they're up to, the general theme for the game.
I use painted minis as well as clay blocks that I've shaped into squares to give a 3-dimensional aspect to my game. So for example, I have a set of 1 inch square blocks, some 2X2, some 3X3 and 1X4.
I also have lists of random details. People names (broken down by race and gender) so if they talk to the bartender I have a name I can check off. Tavern names, shop names, etc.
I also have a wiki site with all sorts of miscellaneous background and details. Stuff like background of deities, how the planes fit together in my campaign, what ArchFey and Sidhe are like, brief overview of regions and world history. I also do quick write-ups of adventures so I can go back six months later and tie back to previous games, even previous campaigns.
I improvise a lot. I have a general idea of who's who and what the conflicting goals and perspectives are of the different individuals and groups but that's about it. A list of who's who, roughly what they're up to, the general theme for the game.
I use painted minis as well as clay blocks that I've shaped into squares to give a 3-dimensional aspect to my game. So for example, I have a set of 1 inch square blocks, some 2X2, some 3X3 and 1X4.
I also have lists of random details. People names (broken down by race and gender) so if they talk to the bartender I have a name I can check off. Tavern names, shop names, etc.
I also have a wiki site with all sorts of miscellaneous background and details. Stuff like background of deities, how the planes fit together in my campaign, what ArchFey and Sidhe are like, brief overview of regions and world history. I also do quick write-ups of adventures so I can go back six months later and tie back to previous games, even previous campaigns.
not-so-newguy
I'm the Straw Man in your argument
For the record, I don’t share all my dice rolls. For example, random encounters are rolled discreetly.
Anyway, word picture.... I speak with my hands and facial expressions to reinforce important details as much as I do with my words and how I phrase things. It’s been a few years since I’ve played, so I can’t recall a specific example at the moment. When I DMed, I found myself getting frustrated with having to maneuver my body around the barrier in order to make my point. I finally just decided to move the barrier to the side which made DMing easier.
Swarmkeeper
Hero
We use a mix of TotM and gridded combat. Players bring their minis and I primarily use chess pieces to represent the enemies. For large creatures, I've used blocks and Skylanders (a good re-use, since we can't seem to get rid of those anymore). For huge creatures, beer cans work really well! I will show the picture of the enemies from the MM or Tome of Beasts or whatever source I'm pulling from - with a conveniently cut thick paper shield that hides the name and statblock from prying eyes.
I also like keeping things moving while getting everyone involved in all pillars. Players are expected to detail quickly what their character is doing by mastering their characters' abilities (with adequate help and patience, of course, for new players). I find a paper character sheet along with a printed, custom spell list (from www.dnd-spells.com for example) works extremely well and minimizes delay and distraction. Likewise, we keep rule lookups at the table to a minimum.
As DM, I try my best to present multiple "choices" for the players - but sometimes prep-time is at a premium and I only really have one quest for them to pursue at a given session. I'm lucky to have players that are cool with that - and I've been trying to get better at a little DM illusionism to make it seem like they were in charge of the choice (even though the ambush was waiting for them regardless of which direction they headed, for example).
I'll intentionally leave some details out of my prep and have the players help create some of the world, from the characteristics of certain places to the names of certain NPCs (although sometimes this is wonderfully regrettable like the guards named "Ben" & "Jerry").
We follow a Goal and Approach style of play, rewarding clever tactics (not flowery speech!) based on PC characteristics with lower DCs, advantage, auto-successes, and/or inspiration. The dice, however, feature prominently and ominously - before I ask for rolls, the players know the odds and the consequences for failure.
Finally, and most importantly, we aim for fun. For our group, that means attempting bold actions, working as a team, celebrating victories, and embracing failures. Voices are encouraged, allusions to pop-culture are lauded, and puns are mandatory, "immersion" be damned! Examples include my terrible attempt at a Christopher Walken voice for the Pact Lich baddy, a bastardization of Hamilton's "I know him" to have a Kobold scribe introduce the players to the Queen of the Bullywugs (really a polymorphed Death Slaad) - "that poor gnome, the Froghemoth's gonna eat him alive!", and a new twist on Lando's Cloud City scene: "I've just made a deal that'll keep the Black Hand out of here forever..."
I also like keeping things moving while getting everyone involved in all pillars. Players are expected to detail quickly what their character is doing by mastering their characters' abilities (with adequate help and patience, of course, for new players). I find a paper character sheet along with a printed, custom spell list (from www.dnd-spells.com for example) works extremely well and minimizes delay and distraction. Likewise, we keep rule lookups at the table to a minimum.
As DM, I try my best to present multiple "choices" for the players - but sometimes prep-time is at a premium and I only really have one quest for them to pursue at a given session. I'm lucky to have players that are cool with that - and I've been trying to get better at a little DM illusionism to make it seem like they were in charge of the choice (even though the ambush was waiting for them regardless of which direction they headed, for example).
I'll intentionally leave some details out of my prep and have the players help create some of the world, from the characteristics of certain places to the names of certain NPCs (although sometimes this is wonderfully regrettable like the guards named "Ben" & "Jerry").
We follow a Goal and Approach style of play, rewarding clever tactics (not flowery speech!) based on PC characteristics with lower DCs, advantage, auto-successes, and/or inspiration. The dice, however, feature prominently and ominously - before I ask for rolls, the players know the odds and the consequences for failure.
Finally, and most importantly, we aim for fun. For our group, that means attempting bold actions, working as a team, celebrating victories, and embracing failures. Voices are encouraged, allusions to pop-culture are lauded, and puns are mandatory, "immersion" be damned! Examples include my terrible attempt at a Christopher Walken voice for the Pact Lich baddy, a bastardization of Hamilton's "I know him" to have a Kobold scribe introduce the players to the Queen of the Bullywugs (really a polymorphed Death Slaad) - "that poor gnome, the Froghemoth's gonna eat him alive!", and a new twist on Lando's Cloud City scene: "I've just made a deal that'll keep the Black Hand out of here forever..."
I find the biggest thing is getting into the minds of the npcs, as many as possible, and playing them from the internal aspect - so they have real motivations goals and personalities. I probably spend more time thinking about the world from the POV of the npcs than any other prep element.
Of course a lot of npcs will inevitably share aspects of my irl personality, but hopefully the noble queen is distinct from the snivelling goblin.
Of course a lot of npcs will inevitably share aspects of my irl personality, but hopefully the noble queen is distinct from the snivelling goblin.
iserith
Magic Wordsmith
Man, I thought my preference for stupid names was well-known at this point. I'm firing my publicist.
But just check out my short-form scenarios for examples of this (plus presentation in general).
I'm 70-30 TotM and scratch maps. I lean heavily on good description and regular action and environment recaps to maintain pace of play and immersion. From a feel standpoint I usually aim for swashbuckling action and DM to encourage that kind of play. I try to make most combats as 3D as possible to facilitate creative and heroic combat role playing. I don't have a preference for in or out of character for me or the players, and switch back and forth as seems appropriate and to match what my players are comfortable with.
On the adventure design side I like to try and balance combat with lots of mystery and intrigue for a couple of reasons. First, mystery and intrigue are awesome, but also to allow players to play more socially based characters without those characters constantly feeling like a liability because they are low rent in combat.
I do use a small DM screen and I never share any of my roles. If the heavy hand of fate is going to swat a player, I want there to be a good reason and the right dramatic moment. I like to fudge roles to keep things flowing when I feel it necessary.
I also use a lot of humour in my games. Partialy because it's just the way I interact with other meat suits and that's hard to turn off, but also because a little humour goes a long way to making for an enjoyable RPG session. I guess my game could be described as Avengers rather than Unforgiven.
On the adventure design side I like to try and balance combat with lots of mystery and intrigue for a couple of reasons. First, mystery and intrigue are awesome, but also to allow players to play more socially based characters without those characters constantly feeling like a liability because they are low rent in combat.
I do use a small DM screen and I never share any of my roles. If the heavy hand of fate is going to swat a player, I want there to be a good reason and the right dramatic moment. I like to fudge roles to keep things flowing when I feel it necessary.
I also use a lot of humour in my games. Partialy because it's just the way I interact with other meat suits and that's hard to turn off, but also because a little humour goes a long way to making for an enjoyable RPG session. I guess my game could be described as Avengers rather than Unforgiven.
I use ambient mixer for background- that's become a regular thing.
Music. I used to use youtube as a goto for classical music (usually quiet and as the mood suits) and travel music, usually stolen from movies like Conan. Less so lately, because nothing wrecks the mood of a game than having to sort through ads! So instead, i've been using Amazon music for the same purpose. though honestly - it's been less lately, and just ambient mixer for background (I need to work up a proper playlist!)
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