[MUD-Dev] FAQ for gm-types?

[Mik Clarke]

Charles Hughes wrote:
> 
> I've been a pen & paper RPG GM since 1980.  (Yeah, pretty
> much continuously, with a few short breaks now and then.)
> 
> On Tuesday, November 23, 1999 2:52 PM, Dundee
> [SMTP:SkeptAck at antisocial.com] wrote:
> > I'm looking for some sort of resource that I could direct our GMs to,
> > where they could get an idea what it is they are supposed to
> > be doing.
>
> I don't think there are any "How to be a good GM" resources really.
> There are some articles, a few posts, and maybe even a website
> or two. You'd be able to find those by using a search engine.
> But there is nothing like a book on how to be a good GM or how
> to design a good adventure. I'd say the closest thing would be
> articles on writing stories.

I can remember a lot of articles from the old AD&D magazines, but I dont
know if any of them are online.  Try searching on White Dwarf.

My basic rules are to keep it intersting, to keep it moving, to keep the
players thinking they have a chance, to ensure they do actually have a
chance.  I write the plot, supporting characters and background then
edit/improvise/patch as needed during play to 'tune' the scenario to the
parties actions and keep them on track.  Sometimes they will do the
darndest things (like killing the NPC they were meant to get the next
clue from)
and the improv to patch around it and not let it spoil the evening is
one of the harder skills to learn.  

Sometimes you also have to keep them from killing themselves.  One guy
(in a COC game) wandered off alone through some caves.  Found the big
bear at the end and killed it.  Hid in the woods when the big nasty came
past.  Wandered off into the woods int he falling snow and then the dice
turned.  Walked off a cliff, snow cushioned his fall, spilling him onto
the ice over the lake, which broke, he went though, and finally managed
to pass a luck roll to haul himself out and get back to shelter before
the chill got him.  With players like this, who needs monsters...

Mik



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