#GMLife when you’ve planned to run a “low-prep” game but it runs away from you: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKwv8zRJIV6/?igsh=MTljYTE4ZDM3anFtMA==

A week or so ago, I was watching a video on older versions of #DnD and #THAC0 finally really clicked hard with me. Once life settles down a bit, I'm going to work with members of my #Pathfinder group to develop an #ADnD2e game loosely based in #AlQadim as a backup for when we are missing one or more players.

I'm dying to get back to AD&D2e. That was the game I started with and that's the version that still really excites me.

I'd happily play some version of Basic D&D or one of the retro-clones, but I think if it's going to happen at all, I'll have to be the one to run it. But that's fine, I love the freedom of the earlier editions to tell a really fun, engaging story for my players.

#TTRPG #GMLife

Update! I've narrowed it down to #Kingmaker or #QuestfortheFrozenFlame for the kiddo’s #Pathfinder1E game. First session’s in a few days, so I’m noodling and prepping until go time. Thanks for all the advice, I'm leaning toward Kingmaker (since I know the NPCs from the video game. 🌿🐾 #GMLife #TTRPG

Game prep for my #ICRPG Altered State session "Neon in the Darkness" is today's coffee shop happening.

I've grabbed almost all of my cyberpunk tools and am full steam ahead!

#GameAtCRIT #ttRPG #cyberpunk #GMlife

Decision time! The kiddo’s solo #Pathfinder1E campaign kicks off this week, and her Druid is ready. I’ve narrowed it down to three Adventure Paths: Rise of the Runelords, Kingmaker, or Quest for the Frozen Flame. I'm debating the best character and kiddo fit. What do y'all think?🌲🐺 #TTRPG #GMLife

It’s been an epically long workday, and I’m trying to reset before round 2 of #Rifts character creation kicks off in an hour. Thinking a solid imperial stout (Ten Fidy) and 30 mins of #OblivionRemaster might do the trick. 🍻🎮🛠️ #TTRPG #GMlife

Deep in the digital trenches converting all the #Rifts characters into #Roll20 before tomorrow’s makeup session—three players missed the first one. Next week… GAME ON! 💥📖🎲 #TTRPG #GMlife #PalladiumSystem

Weekend gaming was a bust. Too many players not in the right headspace. I feel bad for my friends. Maybe next week we'll be able to have a session.

We're already planning a backup session for Sunday, but I'm tempted to have a backup backup.

I'm looking forward to diving into #ChromaticDungeons. I think it might be a good replacement for #AdvancedDungeonsAndDragons2e.

#TTRPG #GMLife

At the end of the last session of my first ed. #Pathfinder game, the players had rolled initiative and were about to face an ancient white dragon in combat.

The #RiseOfTheRunelords adventure path is designed for 4 players and we have a party of 5, so I'm tempted to use an upgraded version. There's a thread on the Paizo message board where someone scaled up the encounters for larger groups.

I told my players they can plan out of game until the next session. The players even set up a separate chat room on Element to talk in secret. My wife told me the conversation has been going several hundred messages at this point and a few of the players seem deadset on fighting.

I hinted that violence isn't necessarily the only option. My wife has the next move on initiative and plans to try to persuade the dragon.

If it comes to a battle, I have warned them that this foe has really high stats and defense and that I will go all out.

I'm afraid it could lead to a TPK. I don't want to, but I feel I have no other choice if it comes to it. They've been smart and lucky so far. I hope it lasts, for their sake.

#GMLife #TTRPG

#TTRPGQuestionOfTheDay

Is there anything keeping you from becoming a Game Master? Any fears or concerns that keep you from stepping behind the screen? Need any advice or to talk to anyone about setting up a game and running it?

#GMLife

I've been listening to a lot of actual play #TTRPG podcasts and I think I've learned some valuable lessons.

The main thing I think I've gained is a better feel for pacing during sessions. I know they tend to cut and edit their sessions to make for the best possible audio, but the gist I got from them is not to get hung up on a scene that's not moving. Instead, it's better to move forward. I try and feel the flow of the action and watch the players to see if they feel engaged or if they're getting fidgety and antsy. If they start stacking dice or playing more on their phones, it's time to move ahead.

I've also learned to ask my players directly whether they want me to hand wave things or if they want to play through a scene. I don't want to take way parts that they're enjoying, but I also don't want to have a session drag because a combat that should be over, by all rights, but bad rolls or low energy are just draining things. If a fight is a foregone conclusion, I'll ask them if they want to move on and if they say yes, it's settled.

I try not to get hung up on finding the exact rule for things. I feel comfortable enough to make rulings and if they're wrong, I amend them right then or agree to make changes in the future. I consult with my players.

I think this makes my sessions more enjoyable.

#GMLife

I really miss playing or running #ADnD2e. That's the game I started playing, and I love the overall feel, weird rolls aside. I can't wait to get to have players start working on characters for a backup game I'm working on for when not all of my Sunday players can make game.

#TTRPG #GMLife

Decisions, decisions… With some incredible #HauntedWest games already lined up by the Balladeers at #GameHoleCon, I’m tempted to mix things up. Maybe it’s time to unveil something from the #OuroborosSystem —a Darker Hue original. New worlds to explore, new stories to tell. 🔥 #TTRPGs #GMLife

The mini-campaign setting search is down to a three-way tie! 🎲 The finalists? #NightsBlackAgents, #Rifts, & #MechWarrior. I've got just over a month before Session 0, it’s time to roll up my sleeves and get to plotting. Conspiracies, mechs, or dimensional terrors —what’s it gonna be? #GMLife #TTRPGs

Hey #TTRPG folks, have any projects or games you want to talk up? Any questions about how to work things out in your current games? Want to workshop any ideas?

#GMLife

I really wish I had more #TTRPG things to post here. At this point, I've got a primary and backup #MasksANewGeneration (#Masks) games, a primary #Pathfinder game, and we're working on getting a time to make characters for a backup #ADnD2e game at some point, but we've been reliably unreliable in meeting.

I've been spending a lot of time reading up on news and politics, because as an American, I'm in the thick of it all and I'm less likely to panic if I know what's going on. However, I don't want to turn my account into a highly politicized one.

I do miss RPG shop talk though. I keep my eyes on the hashtags. I just haven't had any burning questions I wanted to ask folks.

#GMLife

Savoring my last #DragonMilk Triple Mash with my snuggly pup by my side while prepping eight #7thSea1E pregens for next week’s one-shot. 🍻⚔️ A balanced mix of sword schools, sorcery, and societies for a devious scenario I’ve got brewing! #GMLife #Stout

I'm super excited to get to run #ADnD2e again, even if it's just a backup game for our #Pathfinder group.

I'm hoping that everyone is interested enough in that game that I can run some classic modules when we finish the #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign.

It'll be nice to finally get to run #AlQadim. I've had the boxed set and campaign book for a while now, and I haven't gotten to use it. Looking forward to some tomb raiding, djin wishing, carpet flying adventures!

I think I'll make a few quality of life improvements to the old system and work out ascending instead of descending AC to make it easier on the players though.

#GMLife #TTPRG

I'm going to work on a backup #TTRPG game for our Sunday #Pathfinder #RiseOfTheRunelords campaign for when we can't all make a session.

I'm leaning towards the #AlQadim #ArabianNights setting. I've had the boxed set for years, and I haven't had the chance to use it yet.

It'll probably be #ADnD2e but I'm not above trying to make it work for #CastlesAndCrusades. If it's AD&D, I'll probably convert AC to ascending instead of descending, for the ease of the players (and for me!).

#GMLife

Looks like I'm running a backup game for our #Masks group. The players are okay with another #MasksANewGeneration game but with a lighter tone. I'm thinking about a mix of #QuantumLeap, #Sliders, and the #CrossTimeCaper run of #Excalibur, one of the series that really got me into collecting comics.

The overall idea will be a team of heroes who are forced to hop through different dimensions, probably heavily influenced by movies, TV shows, or books that I'm into. Everyone seems to want something lighter in tone and I can certainly do that for them!

#TTRPG #GMLife