Skull RPG: Game Masters Tell Your Story

Hey Storytellers,

Today we answer the question about what is the easiest way to get into being a Game Master.

 Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

We have found that starting off with a one-off adventure in a system you know somewhat decently well is the easiest way to start. 

Hey Storytellers,

In today's episode, we cover what to do if your players kill your plot hook or just decide they don't want to do the adventure and want to do something else.

 Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

There are many ways to recover from this but if your players kill your hook because they are untrusting you can pivot the hook from being a good character to an evil one and leave the clue on their person.

Or as the adventures are walking around you can bring the hook to them in a moment of action. Getting revenge is a great motivator for an adventure.

Listen for more.

Hey Storytellers,

In today's episode, we will cover how to create a backstory for your good NPC's in your stories.

 Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

There are no heroes without flaws. There are no rulers without secrets. There is no one in a position of power that hasn't done something they regret.

Secrets may be a driving force for a good NPC. They may be trying to cover those up, or doing things to keep the secret buried. Everyone has something they are ashamed of and that is what I build into my backstory for every notable NPC that can affect the players' lives. Knowing that secret can lead to some really fun impromptu (or planned) adventures for your players.

Hey Storytellers,

In today's episode, we talk about how to create a memorable villain.

 Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

Villains should be the hero of their own story. So Thanos from Marvel is trying to save the universe from overpopulation.

We discuss how to give your villain a backstory so that they believe that their actions (no matter how evil) are justified because their end goal is just.

Hey Storytellers,

This isn't a plug for our course "Just Enough Planning" (https://skullrpg.com/just-enough-planning-course/). Instead, we are covering how much planning you may feel comfortable with as a game master.

Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

In today's episode, we cover how you know if you are under planning, overplanning, and what to do about it.

Hey Storyteller,

Many times you try out a storyline and one or more of your players (or worse even you as the game master) is bored with it. Instead, there is a better way and you can do it at the start.

 Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

We have covered the lexicon game before. This should be played with your gaming group when you have a very vague concept of what you want to do. Then let the players help you refine what they want to do, see and play and also the things they don't want to see for a while. 

Check out the rules here: http://skullrpg.com/resources/#t-1608175211406

Hey Storytellers,

Our group has two main game masters, as well as, others that are learning or haven't GM'd in a while. If you have a group like this you might have some issues if the old GM just hasn't gotten used to being a player yet.

Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

Hey Storytellers,

Many of our games start with jokes as we ease into the game. That isn't an issue, but the issue is about 30 minutes in if you have one or more players still cracking jokes in a serious game.

Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

There are several techniques to use to get your game back on track:
1) Ignore it a couple of times
2) Redirect the player back to the game
3) Remind them that we are doing a serious game (after the game to start with)
4) Set some ground rules to get the game back on track

Hey Storytellers,

Sometimes your players are distracted and some distractions are totally understandable. Those aren't the ones I am talking about, but rather if they aren't engaged in your RPG what are some of the ways to help bring them back to your game.

 Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

Hey Storytellers,

A rules lawyer is one who will correct the game master most of the time about the specific rules (and errata buried on the internet) for the game you are playing.

 Check out our newest book - Human NPC's: 84 Complete NPC's for 5th edition to use in your RPG in minutes:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TCKRZTM/

Check out our first book - 19 RPG Adventures for Game Masters to Run in any TTRPG: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ38H2K

Rules lawyers can be used to help you shore up your understanding of the game. If you are unclear on how something would work, then ask the rules lawyer for their opinion of the situation.

I also like to think about rules from a physics point of view (yes even in magic). So if the rule is just dumb and I have the rules lawyer trying to drive a train through the loophole. I will call it out and talk to them about that. 

We talk about other ways to work with the rules lawyer in this episode.