jebnotjib
Initiate Douchebag
Posts: 30
Preferred Game Systems: GURPS, baby!
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Post by jebnotjib on Feb 27, 2018 10:57:30 GMT -8
Here's a question for you GMs out there: As a GM, what are your favorite performance techniques? How do you bring your world, your foes, your NPCs to life? What sources do you draw from to immerse your players, in the moment?
As a young GM, I drew heavily from the language of the Conan stories by Robert E. Howard to make my players feel like they were awesome, "cleaving skulls to the breastbone" and "moving with pantherish grace." I still like to play with language.
As an older GM, I find that improvisation is key, since I never know what my players will say or do next.
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sockjack
Apprentice Douchebag
Another Successful Oneshot!
Posts: 56
Preferred Game Systems: DRYH, Fate, Mazerats, PbTa
Currently Running: SI'Sah Stories (The Sprawl Campaign), & Random Oneshots
Favorite Species of Monkey: Bad Monkeys
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Post by sockjack on Feb 27, 2018 14:52:19 GMT -8
Never underestimate the power of smells.
Describing the scene in the 5 senses is important to create verisimilitude, but smells seems to always help set the mood the best. Its a subtle thing that takes just a quick thought, but can be greatly alter the mood of the scene.
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Post by uselesstriviaman on Feb 28, 2018 7:02:35 GMT -8
I've taken heed of this podcast's advice to improve my GMing skills. I have a post-it note on my side of the GM screen that simply says, "SIGHT, SOUND, SCENT" as a reminder for my scene descriptions.
I LOVE physical handouts to give the players - especially maps. I've gone all-out with that for this campaign; since they're members of the Delver's Guild they have access to the guild's map library, and my players have had a blast using the humongous map handouts I've created to explore that region of the megadungeon under the city.
As for NPCs, I assign each important NPC a voice and/or mannerism. I usually try to mimic some celebrity or TV/movie character; favorites have been Fargo's Marge Gunderson (Delver's Guild office manager) and Steve Irwin (the city's expert but eccentric ratcatcher).
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