For today’s #worldbuildingMonday post, we’re discussing how to set the stage for your world in a pre-session. Many downstream issues can be avoided here with some simple expectation setting exercises. Get everyone to the table. Your goal in a pre-session should be to play a one-off story – perhaps a prequel – using the system…
It’s release day for StoryTogether and we’re thrilled to announce that Episode 5 of Temple of Kings is now live! The group enters the ruined temple in search of the first of the four artifacts, heralds of the world’s destruction. What mysteries of the past will they find inside? And what tests await them in…
Today’s #GMAdvice post is all about listening. Listening is a skill like any other and one that can certainly be improved. Applying that skill as a GM toward your players both individually and as a group is a critically important part of being a storyteller (or, more accurately, a story facilitator). In my experience, the…
Continuing from last week’s #tbtRPG, Isaiah, staring off into the depths of his monitor terminal, has a hand is placed on his shoulder and “It’s time.” whispered behind him. A massive jolt of an almost electrical type feeling courses through Isaiah’s body, mind, and soul. Isaiah calmly stands and turns: a man stands before him,…
Today’s #newbieTuesday post is all about the various systems that can be used to play a story. Think of systems as a set of rules and guidelines you leverage in order to play stories similar to how Monopoly & Gloomhaven have different rules but are both popular board games.There are far too many RPG systems…
We’re incredibly proud to announce the release of Episode 5 of The Couriers! Episode 5 marks a huge shift in both how the players approach their cursed dilemma as well as how the forces arrayed against them pivot as challengers. Episode 5 in an intense and serious affair with an even more serious conclusion &…
Today’s #GMAdvice centers on how GMs can manage their player characters’ backstory. Backstory is history, baggage, and major experiences a character has had before the game/story begins. It’s oftentimes a incredibly fun and engaging process for the players to undertake prior to playing the game. Some players banter and discuss their options, others are more…
Continuing from last week’s #tbtRPG, Isaiah, living in the painful “not quite dead, not quite alive” drudgery of the Coruscant lower class, is at his switchboard when all of a sudden “Tomorrow” in red text flashes on his screen. It’s gone in an instant and Isaiah wonders if he’s finally starting to lose it. Later…
Today’s #newbieTuesday post surrounds the critical choice of one’s Class/Role in the role playing game story. Your Class/Role determines what part you’re going to play in the party of other players throughout the role playing game campaign. An obvious example is the movie Ocean’s 11 where each member of the team has an obvious role…
We talked about character death a lot on last week’s #worldbuildingMondaypost. Today’s in some ways will be the opposite: taking the peaceful/diplomatic route to solve conflicts. RPGs have traditionally almost incentivized combat and violence by making those components fun & exciting. They add a wonderful thrill to many stories, justified violence or not. But worldbuilders…