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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Grogg of the North" data-source="post: 9773692" data-attributes="member: 6682960">I used to ad lib. I think that was more from a lack of time to do much prep other than "Sexy goblins?". I'm not sure I was ever really good at it. I guess I was passable as my friends kept showing up to play. Nowadays, I like to plan. Then I consider "What if". What if this NPC dies, what if the PCs go a different direction, what if.... Most of that never sees the light of day, but it's there for me so I don't panic. (The very first game I ever ran years and years ago, I introduced a villain to the party. The party decided she was way too scary and ran off to hunt pirates instead. I think that taught me some good lessons and I kinda think that its something all GMs should experience to some degree.)I think part of my shift from ad lib to planning focused is when I started playing and running games that were more stationary. When the party wasn't cavorting about the map visiting new locations constantly. I really like it when the game is set in one locale. Which means I want to have a good framework for what is there. Who is in charge, who runs the general store, what's the priest's name? Leaving the framework loose enough allows the other players to add their own ideas to it, too. Thankfully(?), these days my group seems to be down with following whatever the GM has planned. We all have jobs, families, and responsibilities. So we're more than happy to follow the plot hooks whomever is GMing has placed for us. Kobolds in a spooky cave? You got it, dude!</blockquote>

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