you know i’ve gotten a lot of (mostly loving) teasing from fans about how much i check in with my players during the course of our AP but i still maintain that it only feels weird because not enough people are doing it.

i don’t care if it ruins the narrative tension, or if you’re worried your players won’t be shocked and awed by your masterful plot twists. that’s part of play. you gotta do it.

if your actual play doesn’t include the work that has to happen at the table to make those games fun and safe to play, it’s not an actual play. it’s an improv show, and a bad one. communication is part of the game.

it’s not a secret how many people get into ttrpgs BECAUSE of ap podcasts and not the other way around. they learn by listening, and that learning experience HAS to include safety talk. it has to.