Efficiently Preparing to Run RPG Games - SK1-04

At Spiel Knights we are really in favor of making games more fun, and we think one way to make roleplaying games more fun is to help dungeon masters cut down on preparation time.

Some issues with over-preparation:

-stress on the dungeon master

-players never visit the locations you worked so hard on

-risk of railroading

-harder to give leeway to player decisions

But there is a better way. We picked up a lot of useful tips from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master, by Michael Shea.  So we want to give you 4 tips that you can use to make your preparation easier, which will result in a more enjoyable game for everyone.

1. Focus only on the forces that are affecting the players in the here and now. (Prepare what benefits your game)
2. Use an adventure outline, and keep it to one page. (You can also use these to plan and inspire future adventures)
3. Put secrets and clues on index cards to reward players and move the story (ambiguous to how the secret is found, write 10 of them, discard old ones)
4. Use campaign fronts to keep games simpler but fun (large villains and forces keep moving towards their goals, and the players have to figure out the mystery and stop them)

 

Arenas: Rules to Help Establish Arenas in Any Game World, by Ody.

Overview: This short book gives you some rules and guidelines when you want to run a colosseum or fighting arena in your city. The book provides rules for spectating, placing bets, and of course, entering the tournament yourself. There are also suggestions for gladiators, gladiator teams, and a sample adventure you can run using an arena.

 

Adventure Hook - The Kidnapped Kingpin

 

Tavern Banter

Queen's Gambit

The House of Staunton The Burnt Grandmaster Chess Pieces