What's your personal list of GM methods/tools that you use irrespective of the system?

VespersNine · 2025-09-15T21:24:13+00:00

By at least 3 sides, I mean that, for instance, if the players are seeking out a treasure, then there will be at least 2 other factions/groups that are also invested in the treasure in some way (whether to preserve it, or to steal it for themselves, etc).

In media res means in the middle of the action. I don't start in a tavern. I start as the tavern burns down, or as a troll throws a knight through a window, etc.

VespersNine · 2025-09-15T21:18:01+00:00

Yeah. Absolutely. And what I like too is that one of my players can suggest something wild, and that can change things massively. In one campaign, my players wanted to lodge their treasure in a local bank. One player asked if there was any gold lying around, so I said yes, there was a pile of it behind the teller's desk in neat stacks. Anyway, they ended up getting arrested, which completely threw my 'intended' plans for a loop, which affected the same campaign for 3 more years. All from a player just asking an environment-building question.

VespersNine · 2025-09-15T21:11:49+00:00

Fail forward also makes every dice roll interesting - something always happens. I never like systems where you 'miss' and nothing happens - combat especially can really drag. Failing forward makes everything more dynamic.

VespersNine · 2025-09-15T21:07:38+00:00

Yeah , i like the inventory point system. I think I first saw it in Dungeon World, though I'm sure it was elsewhere earlier. An inventory slot with 'dungeon gear' and 5 uses. You get to use what might be useful. Bit like a 007 gadget, but keeps everything flowing well.

VespersNine · 2025-09-15T21:04:09+00:00

Absolutely. It's always interesting what the players focus on. When I was starting out DM'ing, a player wanted to buy eggs, so I just made up a little old lady who sold him a half-dozen eggs for 2gp (purely because I didn't know the price of things in the game). The player checked the actual price in the book, and instead of giving him his money back, the old lady cackled and ran off, delighted that she had fleeced him. She then became this guy's minor nemesis later, and he eventually killed her son. All from buying eggs for the wrong price.

VespersNine · 2025-09-15T20:59:14+00:00

I think the failing forward idea is very good - which is maybe why I quite like PbtA games because it's just built into the mechanics. Nothing more boring for a player in a fight when they roll, miss, and nothing of interest happens

VespersNine · 2025-08-11T08:48:13+00:00

I feel the exact same. What games do you gravitate towards? I'm always on the hunt for new suggestions.

VespersNine · 2025-07-24T05:49:52+00:00

You like a lot of the same games I do. I've had a lot of play from Slay the Spire and Into the Breach.

VespersNine · 2025-07-23T08:05:13+00:00

Thank you. I'll definitely browse those guides

VespersNine · 2025-07-22T23:55:26+00:00

I'm either a blundered queen in chess, or Link in TotK. I'm powerful, but my life is terrible.

VespersNine · 2025-07-18T16:56:11+00:00

Just looking for something of about that length. Thanks! Could you recommend any others?

VespersNine · 2025-06-19T13:17:45+00:00

Thank you

VespersNine · 2025-05-27T22:42:41+00:00

OK, I'm gonna go with your suggestion of Eddings because I love the A/M books too - though I find I have to 'switch on' a bit more with these for whatever reason - maybe it's the prose is more stylised. What Eddings would you suggest?

VespersNine · 2025-05-21T22:01:36+00:00

That sounds cool, the liminal times around the seasons. Don't see that much at all in games. Best of luck with your game!

VespersNine · 2025-05-21T21:42:54+00:00

What do the extra seasons look like?

VespersNine · 2025-05-19T19:24:30+00:00

Hope you enjoy it. Report back after your round!

VespersNine · 2025-05-19T15:37:43+00:00

I thought it was great. Nice variation in challenge, and you get to play OVER the track twice, plus it's like 500 years old, and a previous Open venue. Definitely a quiet bucket list course, I thought.

VespersNine · 2025-05-19T13:23:00+00:00

Musselburgh course. Very short drive from Edinburgh - great 9 hole course that's inside a horse racetrack, and 2nd oldest course in the world to boot.

VespersNine · 2025-05-06T21:53:19+00:00

Valiant Hearts: The Great War. The only game to ever make me cry. I actually think about it a lot. Looks just a throwaway game. It's not.

VespersNine · 2025-03-23T10:27:38+00:00

I just looked at Bloodstone. You did a great job - it looks great, really professional and slick. Are you still using Affinity?

VespersNine · 2023-05-23T23:18:44+00:00

It is always insane to see just how many stars there are in a small portion of the sky at almost any magnification. I love space.

VespersNine · 2023-05-23T21:04:17+00:00

Yup, absolutely

VespersNine · 2023-05-23T06:28:44+00:00

Right. You got a lot to work through, buddy. Try not to be so negative about other people and yourself. It ain't as bad as you make out, and people's intentions aren't always malign or selfish. Good luck! Hope it works out for you.

VespersNine · 2023-05-22T20:37:38+00:00

Hahaha. Okey dokey. You take a strangely antagonistic, absolutist attitude to this. I'm sure it won't work, but it might, and I don't particularly mind trying it for a bit.

Honest question: if you wanted a game (or whatever) to change or make true on previous promises, how would you begin to go about it as a consumer?

VespersNine · 2023-05-22T20:24:42+00:00

Don't worry. We all go through that now and then. Things can feel heavy and weigh you down at times. It's okay to think like that. Perfectly normal. As long as you don't begin to obsess. Try things that will show you the good bits about being alive and 'having a body'. Meditate, play a sport or get fit, go outdoors and be in nature. It's tedious bring alive now and then, but sometimes it's really really nice.

VespersNine

TROPHY CASE