Everything from 1. onwards is thoughts in game not pre prepped I may have few descriptions of locations and monster but I try to improv as much as possible. 0. INSPIRATION right now im writing a scenario on a train murder on the orient express but far enough away that its not obvious. If using a prewritten I speed read and remove stuff I hate put my own spin. Im going to make up a I have no prep time idea for sake example 0.1 NPC's Names, temperament, quirks. 0.2 HISTORY: Before the players arrive what has happened that will provoke them to get involved and help with any improv I may require 0.3 PRIMARY/SECONDARY conflicts: Primary is to do with the main threats secondary could be anything else the smithy is cheating on his wife so he's been seen skulking around at night (secondary) players may think he's involved in primary but then suddenly he's the next victim of the goblin assassin attacking the villagers at night as revenge for the hunter killing his family (primary). 0.4 NECESSITIES stats and maps I avoid but some will always come up and handy incase players go faster than anticipated 1. PROLOGUE: If necessary, each player character gets a scene from their daily life 2. INVITATION: The event is introduced, giving the characters a reason to visit the location or get involved. The local hunters daughter was murdered on her way home from the tavern. 3. PREPARATIONS: The characters get a chance to prepare decide what they're going to do 4. JOURNEY: If required good place too pull out the random encounters book 5. ARRIVAL: The characters arrive at a location of importance (village or finding the goblins cave etc...). 6. PLACES: The characters investigate a number of places, often three, in search of clues (most of my games are mysteries this could be different encounters, traps, riddles if that's what you run) Goblin has set up traps and giant wolves in cave to protect himself from the hunter secret wall that's got a riddle for a magic item the Goblin isn't here but you find the graves and a badly drawn picture of the grieving hunter. (good place too pull out book) 6.5 ESCALATION: Players taking too long the goblin will claim more victims until he finally kills the Hunter and in turn the goblin is burned at stake by a mob players fail I always have timers nobody is going to stand about doing nothing and villagers will become more angry and even more likely to be confrontational. 7. PLAN: Time to think and discuss perhaps walking back to the village or campfire at night etc.. 8. CONFRONTATION: The characters confront the creature or the humans behind the conflict perhaps hunter or Goblin 9. AFTERMATH: I usually have the players actions help some folk and ruin others leaving them a chance to ponder if they did the right thing sometimes I don't they need a straight up win occasionally
If you dislke it don't run it this way my players are very RP and thinky players there are some folk who would rather run or play a straight up clear the Goblin cave get a magic item and focus on interesting combat encounters etc half the battle of a new DM is finding your style.
Congratulations on topping the 1K mark, that is absolutely fantastic!! 🥰🥰 For my part, any particular method that works for a DM and helps things run better for them is a winner. 🥰🥰
Coach, you got this. Whatever way you are prepping, if it works for you, is the right way. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the encouraging words ☺️!!!!
Thanks Coach Key! Don’t let ‘em shame you into prepping more than one session at a time!
Thank you ☺️!!!!
A DM who successfully ended their first campaign is no longer a new DM in my opinion. Congratulations Coach!
Thank you so much ☺️!!!!! I’m pretty proud of myself for stepping out & finishing my 1st campaign ☺️!!
My current way of running games is based off Vaesen's Ill go through it in comments as gonna be tad long incase its helpful too all new DM's
Everything from 1. onwards is thoughts in game not pre prepped I may have few descriptions of locations and monster but I try to improv as much as possible.
0. INSPIRATION right now im writing a scenario on a train murder on the orient express but far enough away that its not obvious. If using a prewritten I speed read and remove stuff I hate put my own spin. Im going to make up a I have no prep time idea for sake example
0.1 NPC's Names, temperament, quirks.
0.2 HISTORY: Before the players arrive what has happened that will provoke them to get involved and help with any improv I may require
0.3 PRIMARY/SECONDARY conflicts: Primary is to do with the main threats secondary could be anything else the smithy is cheating on his wife so he's been seen skulking around at night (secondary) players may think he's involved in primary but then suddenly he's the next victim of the goblin assassin attacking the villagers at night as revenge for the hunter killing his family (primary).
0.4 NECESSITIES stats and maps I avoid but some will always come up and handy incase players go faster than anticipated
1. PROLOGUE: If necessary, each player character gets a scene from their daily life
2. INVITATION: The event is introduced, giving the characters a reason to visit the location or get involved. The local hunters daughter was murdered on her way home from the tavern.
3. PREPARATIONS: The characters get a chance to prepare decide what they're going to do
4. JOURNEY: If required good place too pull out the random encounters book
5. ARRIVAL: The characters arrive at a location of importance (village or finding the goblins cave etc...).
6. PLACES: The characters investigate a number of places, often three, in search of clues (most of my games are mysteries this could be different encounters, traps, riddles if that's what you run) Goblin has set up traps and giant wolves in cave to protect himself from the hunter secret wall that's got a riddle for a magic item the Goblin isn't here but you find the graves and a badly drawn picture of the grieving hunter. (good place too pull out book)
6.5 ESCALATION: Players taking too long the goblin will claim more victims until he finally kills the Hunter and in turn the goblin is burned at stake by a mob players fail I always have timers nobody is going to stand about doing nothing and villagers will become more angry and even more likely to be confrontational.
7. PLAN: Time to think and discuss perhaps walking back to the village or campfire at night etc..
8. CONFRONTATION: The characters confront the creature or the humans behind the conflict perhaps hunter or Goblin
9. AFTERMATH: I usually have the players actions help some folk and ruin others leaving them a chance to ponder if they did the right thing sometimes I don't they need a straight up win occasionally
If you dislke it don't run it this way my players are very RP and thinky players there are some folk who would rather run or play a straight up clear the Goblin cave get a magic item and focus on interesting combat encounters etc half the battle of a new DM is finding your style.
Dont let folk shame ya for your style if every movie, song or book was the same itd be a very dull world indeed.
Thank you.
Wow great info, thank you for sharing.
Congratulations on topping the 1K mark, that is absolutely fantastic!! 🥰🥰 For my part, any particular method that works for a DM and helps things run better for them is a winner. 🥰🥰
Thank you ☺️!!!! 1k is super cool & AMAZING😎. It’s been an awesome journey starting from lol 1 subscriber & watching it grow from there ☺️.
Congrats on the 1k subs! Great video, and thanks for your thoughts. Also the approach seems like a great way to grow your skills and confidence!
Thank you so much friend ☺️!!!!!!
I REALLY like your channel. Congrats on 1k subs!!
Wow ☺️ thank you so much!!! I really appreciate the support!!!!