Read on Twitter
There's nothing wrong with a little bit of railroading in #dnd (or any other TTRPG).
The sessions for which I've prepared ahead of time—setting up music/sounds, building terrain, or writing villainous monologues—have been some of the most memorable ones for my players.
The sessions for which I've prepared ahead of time—setting up music/sounds, building terrain, or writing villainous monologues—have been some of the most memorable ones for my players.
Railroads have decision points.
They make stops towns packed with exploration and story potential.
You can always get off the railroad for a bit if you don't like it, or even find a new one.
They make stops towns packed with exploration and story potential.
You can always get off the railroad for a bit if you don't like it, or even find a new one.
Occasionally, I poll my players to stay on top of my DM game and make sure they're having a good time.
Historically, none of my players care for open world experiences. Some of them even want a D&D movie.
The real thing that matters to them? Choices that matter.
Historically, none of my players care for open world experiences. Some of them even want a D&D movie.
The real thing that matters to them? Choices that matter.
You don't have to be a master of improvisation to be a Dungeon Master.
Knowing a little improv helps, but what really matters is that you give your players decisions—problems to solve, moral quandaries, interesting situations—and let them champion the outcomes in their own way.
Knowing a little improv helps, but what really matters is that you give your players decisions—problems to solve, moral quandaries, interesting situations—and let them champion the outcomes in their own way.
I'll leave you with a quote from Chris Perkins:
"Although I think it’s possible to run a campaign that is 100 percent driven by the players, I’m not the kind of Dungeon Master who can relinquish narrative control to the point where I’m simply reacting to the players’ desires...
"Although I think it’s possible to run a campaign that is 100 percent driven by the players, I’m not the kind of Dungeon Master who can relinquish narrative control to the point where I’m simply reacting to the players’ desires...
...and “winging it” week after week. I like coming up with adventure ideas and stringing them together to form a cohesive arc that unfolds over multiple levels. When I plan out an adventure, I usually have a good idea where, when, and how it will end—assuming the heroes don’t...
...get sidetracked or TPK’ed en route. I like to call it my invisible railroad."
— Chris Perkins, The DM Experience (2011)
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/DM_Experience_2011.pdf
— Chris Perkins, The DM Experience (2011)
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/DM_Experience_2011.pdf
Also there's nothing in particular that inspired this thread.
It's just something on my mind this morning as I think about Saturday's session, and I'm guessing another DM somewhere is worried about their improv skills.
It's just something on my mind this morning as I think about Saturday's session, and I'm guessing another DM somewhere is worried about their improv skills.
