When does inspiration strike you?

[Ferret]

In bed, if not randomly throughout the day. There not much to it then that.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

I must say that historically I have been most successful with Black Sabbath from the Dio era--in particular cuts like Children of the Sea.

I have to agree. The entire "Heaven and Hell" LP is one of my favorites, as well as "Mob Rules". I've run adventures based on songs from both of those albums. The very first adventure I ever ran (which sucked in application but was great on paper) was based on Dio's song "Sacred Heart".

And I agree with you on driving in Memphis, as well. I went to college at A-State in Jonesboro, and in my misspent youth was escorted out of many fine drinking establishments in that fair town. After driving there, you WANT to drink.

 

[Scotley]

The very first adventure I ever ran (which sucked in application but was great on paper) was based on Dio's song "Sacred Heart".

And I agree with you on driving in Memphis, as well. I went to college at A-State in Jonesboro, and in my misspent youth was escorted out of many fine drinking establishments in that fair town. After driving there, you WANT to drink.

Dio's lyrics are full of useful imagery. I even have a tape somewhere from a pre-Sabbath group he was with called Elf. I always wondered if he had done some gaming. Rainbow is another good band for D&D thinking.

BTW, small world, I grew up in Jonesboro and got a degree at Hendrix in Conway before moving to Memphis.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Dio's lyrics are full of useful imagery. I even have a tape somewhere from a pre-Sabbath group he was with called Elf. I always wondered if he had done some gaming. Rainbow is another good band for D&D thinking.

BTW, small world, I grew up in Jonesboro and got a degree at Hendrix in Conway before moving to Memphis.

It is a small world. I live in Conway now. I have all the Elf and Rainbow albums (except for a couple released only in Europe, but I'm workin' on getting them).

An old friend and former member of my gaming group lives in Memphis now, as well. He still works in radio, but I can't recall which station or company. Another just moved from Memphis to DC. Heck... we might even know some of the same folks.... lol

 

[Wombat]

I get inspirations in all sorts of ways.

One time I designed a six-game mini-campaign for Over the Edge around Talking Heads songs -- it started with listening to Psycho Killer and just kinda evolved.

Sometimes I read books and go "Ooooh! THAT would make a great session!"

Sometimes I get an idea while driving or taking a bath or walking around.

And sometimes I think "Hmm, how could I turn that movie scene into an adventure?"

I'm all over the board on this one...

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Inspiration usually hits me at inconvieniant times, when I can't get to a pad of paper to write things down. Often while I'm driving, while I'm working out, or in the middle of a big project at work. A few weeks ago I spent an entire swimming class going over NPCs and encounters in my head while doing laps. By the time I was done with the class and back to my locker, I had forgotten most of the ideas I came up with.

I do find that Iron Maiden is a great inspiration for plots and NPCs. I've been listening to them alot recently, and have several things in mind.

 

[Scotley]

It is a small world. I live in Conway now. I have all the Elf and Rainbow albums (except for a couple released only in Europe, but I'm workin' on getting them).

An old friend and former member of my gaming group lives in Memphis now, as well. He still works in radio, but I can't recall which station or company. Another just moved from Memphis to DC. Heck... we might even know some of the same folks.... lol

Strange how these things work out. I still travel to Jonesboro and Little Rock occationally to play with old friends. I don't really have a group here in Memphis, but I do know a few gamers here. I think there is a Memphis DJ who's on ENWorld as well. Could be the same guy. I haven't been back to Conway in nearly 15 years. Back in my day it was a little bitty place, but I know its really grown.

 

[Napftor]

Inspiration can hit while driving or reading. But the common denominator is music with lyrics. It's surprising how many adventures I've based on a few lyric lines. With soundtracks, a particularly moving or exciting passage can inspire a scene which is inserted somehow into the next adventure.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Back in my day it was a little bitty place, but I know its really grown.

I've been here since '94...and it's really grown a lot in that time. Ok... hijacking is over...

Iron Maiden gives me great inspiration. "Still Life" from the Piece of Mind album has been playing in my head recently, so I'm sure a demon-possessed well is coming soon to a gaming table near me.

 

[Scotley]

Ok, no more Hijack. Sorry all. Old home week is over.

I have a confession to make. Sometimes I steal my inspirations from the players. I have even scraped a couple of planned senarios in favor or what the players thought was happening because it was more fun that what I actually planned. One of my fellow DM's often tosses out a few random clues and waits to see how the players put them together and that becomes the adventure.