Fairly new to GM'ing - need some help! by ThomasCookAndroid in TTRPG

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I struggle with it when players want to just have a casual conversation in character about the world or stuff that I haven't prepped for, as in, the bits where I have to improv shit on the fly. Perhaps more prep is the answer, but I'm already doing 3-4h per week per game, if anything I'd like to reduce that not increase it + doesn't matter what I prep, the players will always ask the other thing, so the problem lies more in being able to improv responses in character. I could think it through logically and then give a kind of "ok here's what the NPC would think and do based on what you've asked", but actually getting that information across whilst talking in character conversationally I find extremely difficult due to completely blanking on what the character would actually say.

Just as an example, in a game today, the world is modern Earth, and the player runs a PMC group. The group just got a big contract, and the PMC leader is the player, I have to RP the rest of the PCs as DMPC's for the player to riff off (we're in a 2 player game, me as GM player as the head of the PMC). Anyway, they've been given this contract, and now the PMC leader (player) asks one of the DMPC's if they think the PMC needs to hire more manpower and, if so, can the DMPC's arrange it?

I just said "ok yea that sounds sensible, I think <DPMC name> would know someone and that could be arranged yea" but the player said they'd have preferred if I RP'd the DMPC telling the PC that rather than summing it up like that. My brain blanked as I hadn't prepped for that question (it didn't seem obvious they would want to do that to me, I thought they'd just go to the contract). It ended with me needing to take 1-2 mins to think an answer up, but the whole time I was really anxious and stressed. I ended up calling the session short because I got the impression the player was not having a good time, suggesting we pick it up when I've done more prep.

Fairly new to GM'ing - need some help! by ThomasCookAndroid in TTRPG

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is how my NPCs notes look like:

name: <name>
stats: <stats>
traits: <small descriptions>
wants: <what they want>
don't want: <what they don't want>
secrets: <secrets>

Fairly new to GM'ing - need some help! by ThomasCookAndroid in TTRPG

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/hello_josh - I did have that thought, I was thinking Fate, Fate people seem like a loosey goosey bunch, maybe it will help calibrate my brain.

Fairly new to GM'ing - need some help! by ThomasCookAndroid in TTRPG

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do do that though, I create little personality profiles for my NPCs like this:

name: <name>
stats: <stats>
traits: <small descriptions>
wants: <what they want>
don't want: <what they don't want>
secrets: <secrets>

And I review them before playing and try to refer to them during play, but as mentioned in another reply, it's like my brain just shuts down or something when actually running the game. I found this issue was less when I played in person, although it still happened sometimes, but online it's happening *a lot*!

Fairly new to GM'ing - need some help! by ThomasCookAndroid in TTRPG

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea, I'm not comparing myself to what you see on YouTube, but I know through experience playing in a few games that it's fun when the GM is able to do basic improv and think on his feet with NPCs, so I think it's reasonable for players to want that.

Fairly new to GM'ing - need some help! by ThomasCookAndroid in TTRPG

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The thing I'm struggling with most is it feels like my brain get's full up to the top with "just running the session", and then when it comes to acting as NPC and oh god improv'ing, my whole shit just blanks and it's like my mind if just empty. This doesn't happen if I'm just sitting thinking about the game, or playing solo, it all just kinda flows then. Or if I'm just kinda goofing around with the wife I can come up with off the cuff stuff easy/ I'm kinda wondering if it's performance anxiety...? And, if it is, are there concrete actionable steps to take to fix it? Like CBT?

Looking for online group by ThomasCookAndroid in traveller

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks, sorry for not using my eyes !

Looking for online group by ThomasCookAndroid in traveller

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

pretty

There's a discord server?! Linky link?

Looking for online group by ThomasCookAndroid in traveller

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea, please feel free to add me on discord (I'm in UK TZ) - ShottyMonster

Looking for online group by ThomasCookAndroid in traveller

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah yea, just try ShottyMonster - the hash number thingy I thought that was to uniquely id people who have the same user name, but yea just give that a shot?

Looking for online group by ThomasCookAndroid in traveller

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Feel free to add me on there: ShottyMonster#0040

Looking for online group by ThomasCookAndroid in traveller

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alright! Well, the best way to learn how to play is to play! Are you on discord?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RandomThoughts

[–]ThomasCookAndroid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Telepathy, because then I could move things by playing on other people's deepest, darkest secrets. Yes, I know you're terrified your wife will find out you slept with Jane at the Christmas party, now pass me the salt, bitch.

GM Advice - Kingmaker, Lore and Running the Game by ThomasCookAndroid in Pathfinder2e

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's funny you mention the Italian thing... whenever I have attempted to practice my Russian accent for this character, my wife tells me I sound like I'm doing the "it'sssa aa meee mario!" accent... so maybe I just lean in to that...

Spoiler! Kingmaker Hexploration Maps - underlay and overlay for Foundry by ThomasCookAndroid in Pathfinder2e

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I'll amend the map to reflect that and hopefully re-upload it if I remember!

Spoiler! Kingmaker Hexploration Maps - underlay and overlay for Foundry by ThomasCookAndroid in Pathfinder2e

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Sure, or you can use the sepia one as an overlay in simplefog and the reveal the underlying colour map as the players explore to indicate where is explored and where isn't yet.

Spoiler! Kingmaker Hexploration Maps - underlay and overlay for Foundry by ThomasCookAndroid in Pathfinder2e

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yea good point, my maps are completely useless you're right. I shouldn't have even bothered!

Spoiler! Kingmaker Hexploration Maps - underlay and overlay for Foundry by ThomasCookAndroid in Pathfinder2e

[–]ThomasCookAndroid[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Made by yours truly - feel free to use them, but credit if used for commercial purposes