Tomes of Wisdom


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The First Time

Taking that step and becoming the storyteller, grasping the responsibility for setting an intriguing scene and running a lively game is, well, nerve-wracking. There's nothing worse than beginning a scenario that inflames your imagination, only to find that it leaves the players flat. Recently someone on alt.games.whitewolf asked for suggestions to get past the pitfalls of a novice STer. Jon Rowe of Valkyrie Magazine gave sound advice:

  • Watch the troupe's character creation carefully to be sure that the PCs work with the chronicle you want to run and that they work well with each other's concepts.

  • Run preludes to give the players a feel for what the "normal" life of their character is like. Use these preludes to forge links between the characters.

  • Take advantage of NPCs by using them as experienced members of the gameworld that guide the PCs, offering a helping hand when needed.

  • Don't try to use all elements of a gameworld in a single chronicle. Pick one to showcase and save the others for another story.

  • Keep the main idea of the chronicle simple. Chances are the players will take it in a direction you never thought of, so stay flexible. Use the standard archetypes of a treasure hunt, a rescue mission, the rebirth of an ancient rivalry to form the framework of the chronicle. Then let the players' actions fill in the details.

    SURVEY

    Here we go again. : ) Stubborn, aren1t I? Post your replies using the discussion groups here or e-mail me. Please take the time to answer; your feedback is the only way this column can get better. Thanks, and RP On!

    1. What types of RP games do you play?

    2. What's your best RP experience? Your worst? Funniest?

    3. What would you like to see in this column?

    4. What's your background as far as running a game?

    5. What's the most useful part of this page for you? Least?

    6. Would you be interested in an archive of MU* reviews? If so, what sort of ranking system would you use?

    7. * This question left intentionally blank for any other comments you have*
    The copyright of the article Tomes of Wisdom in Online Role Playing is owned by Sandy Brundage. Permission to republish Tomes of Wisdom in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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