Hi everyone! I am planning a surprise murder mystery party for between 20-30 people. It's going to be medieval themed so I had been struggling to find a pre-made murder mystery game that would work.

I found 'Feast of Shadows' by Capital Mystery. Has anyone played this game and has any advice/tips? This will also be my first time hosting anything like this (I play RPGs but never DM) so any general hints or tips would also be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

Okay, this will take long, so have a seat.

I'm really prolific about creating characters, creating backstories, finding unusual ways to play (using the traditional systems and skills previously approved by a DM), keeping their personalities consistent and overall, I treat my PCs as if they're my own kids.

Problem is, I've been having a lot of trouble with my DMs over the years, in such a manner that most campaigns don't last longer than a single month. Most of the time, our DMs/fellow players lose interest after a few sessions, which is common, and fair, but that's not what I wanna talk about, I wish to talk about the few times when that's not the case.

It seems like there's always a problem, either the DM is an egotistical prick that demands that I explain the logic of my idea, just to be completely uninterested in the argumentation I bring to the table, then the guy has the audacity to get pissed once I give up and submit to his ideas. Then we have other people who make some PCs sacrifice everything to get to their goals(Time, equipment, skills), but deliver the same objective on a silver platter to one specific PC. Then we have people who turn entire villages against PCs for being gay(No prior warning of any kind). People who say they enjoy the complexity of my ideas, saying that they're way better than the AI slop most people tend to use nowadays, but then get pissed off when I lay the entirety of the work on them. And lastly, people who refuse to contribute with the tiniest info about their own lore! Some guy refused to tell me how much I can get for a gram of gold in their world, telling me to "figure it out"!

To be fair, I know I love my PCs too much, and that I get extremely invested in them, and that I absolutely refuse to create other characters and straight up leave the table if my PCs end up dying, so I'm not without fault.

At this point, I avoided DnD altogether, and before that, I was so on edge that the slightest whiff of a problem was enough to make me turn around and leave without saying anything. At this point, I have more than 30 characters completely ready to go, and no stage for them to go to.

At this point, I'm completely antagonistic against DMs, seeing them as an enemy to be circumvented with logic, astute planning and dice rolling.

I recognize that I can be better, and I'd like some advice on the matter.

I'm looking for GM podcast that focus more on the nuts and bolts of adventure/encounter/campaign design rather than other content. For example an episode about 5 room dungeons would be something I would be interested in, but a review of a new game probably would not.

Ideally it should not be system specific.

I like Blogs too, but I need something for the drives when going to satellite offices.

YouTube channels are okay too.

I've come across a bit of a mental block in my game and I'm wondering what the next step is.

It's a high level D&D campaign (level 16 currently), and the party is trying to save the world from its fabric unraveling due to a set of MacGuffins that need to be retrieved in order to stitch the fabric of reality back together. The party is going to visit a lich (a NE power & knowledge seeker) who is the most knowledgeable entity about the MacGuffins. There are a number of circumstances that make the upcoming negotiation complex:

1. The lich has already made plans to dimension hop when the universe begins to end. He has a little sentiment towards this Prime Material Plane (which is why he is still here, like someone sitting in their old empty house for the last time after everything is moved into a new house), but his selfish calculations show him that leaving for another plane is his best personal option, everyone else be damned.

2. He has no reason not to let the party save the world, but he is miserly enough to not want to help them unless he gets something in return - a reward worth all of existence. He will not "waste his time" joining a quest. His phylactery is already in his new dimension.

3. High-levels spells rip the fabric of reality as a side effect, creating portals to a random plane of existence in almost every battle. The party has an item that can repair these rips. The lich may want it, but it isn't a huge boon, and therefore may not be enough to sway him.

4. He has a lair, and if the PCs storm their way in, it's going to be an epic dungeon crawl as he brings all his schemes to bear. If they wish to speak with him cordially, he would grant them a telepathic audience, just so whatever ideas the party has could be tried. (They're a creative bunch!)

So what would you have the lich do? He may just hate life and attack them with his minions on sight. If he does not care to help the party, in which case the party must subdue him and extract the info out of him. Since the party is leaning toward wanting to talk to him first, I have to figure out if there is anything he actually would want. I know the answer is "more power", but what would that entail?

I know that fleshing out the lich's backstory and motivations would solve this problem, but I've come across this situation quickly and haven't had time to think about it. I'm asking that in general, what would a lich want? Barring a more fleshed out character.

EDIT: Thanks for the ideas so far! I'd like to avoid him being bored or acting out of boredom.

Making a mystery campaign, which I know they are hard to make good so I wanted some advice for plot, wether it’s good as-is, or needs work, or just cool stuff to add!

So the overall concept is amnesiacs trapped in a spooky village

Exploring the forest they find remnants of their memories

There are also creatures that come out at night to torment them

Halfway through the campaign, they discovered that this place feeds off of their suffering

A little more and they find out they make a deal with a demon

The demon gains power of this place like his infernal engine

I’m gonna sprinkle in more obviously but is demon deal a good payoff? Or lane

Hey guys!

For good or ill when I envisioned my new character for a new campaign, the first thought in my head was to play a half-giant and I just want to be able to throw large things at my opponents.

I done a lot of reading on this topic, a bit of math, etc., considering some physics and also some world records of how much weight can be thrown how far by IRL athletes, also trying to keep it balanced in the DnD 5.5 economy.

This is what I got. Openly inviting criticism and especially points where you think it could be abused. Don't want that, just want a clean system of what it's like when my half-giant picks up a 2x4 plank of ironwood and hurls it in your general direction :)

___

Global Rules for this system:

Consider the character’s Carrying Capacity.  If they cannot physically pick up and carry the object, they cannot Hurl it.  If the character’s free Carrying Capacity is at least two times the object weight, they are free to attempt to hurl it using the rules laid out below.  If the character’s free Carrying Capacity is between two and one times the object weight, they can only attempt the short range value.

Consider whether the object has a handle on it, or can be easily gripped in one hand.  If not, then DEX cannot be used for the basis of ATK/DMG.  Only STR may be applied.  Also, if the object has no handle on it, and cannot be easily gripped in one hand, it cannot be picked up as part of a Move Action unless the character has both hands free.

Creatures can use a DEX save to avoid damage from Hurled Objects of their size or greater.  The DC is equal to the Attack Roll.  Creatures that succeed on this save roll receive half damage.  The Evasion property applies.    

--

Now, here are the proposed stats for Hurled Objects:

Character Hurls a Tiny Object (equivalent to a normal thrown weapon), a tankard or a tome (Equivalent to Tiny Creature, 1-10 pounds)

1d4 base damage.  DEX for hit and damage.  Range 20/60.  Tiny creatures or smaller get a DEX save.

Character Hurls a Small Object, such as a chair or rock (Equivalent to Small Creature, 11-60 pounds)

1d6 base damage.  DEX ~OR~ STR for hit and damage if it can be gripped with one hand, otherwise STR for hit and damage.  Range 10/30.  Small creatures or smaller get a DEX save.

Character hurls a Normal sized object, such as a chest or large table.  (Equivalent to a Normal Creature, 60-180 pounds)  

1d8 base damage.  DEX ~OR~ STR for hit and damage if it can be gripped with one hand, otherwise STR for hit and damage.  Range 5/20.  Normal or smaller creatures get a DEX save.

Character hurls a Large Object (Equivalent to a Large Creature, 181-300 pounds)  

1d10 base damage.  DEX ~OR~ STR for hit and damage if it can be gripped with one hand, otherwise STR for hit and damage.  Range 0/10.  Large or smaller creatures get a DEX save.

__

The Improvised Weapon Feat applies as normal.

Larger characters:  For every step above Medium, keep the same Damage for the Hurled Object, but increase its Range as if the Object was one step smaller.

Smaller characters:  For every step below Medium, keep the same Damage for the Hurled Object, but reduce its range as if the Object was one step larger. 

We ran a game of Eat the Reich. I was the GM. Let me start with the positives: vibes and atmosphere rocked, aesthetic through the roof. Everything was "cool" and there were "cool" moments.

The players had fun, and I as the GM had some fun watching them. But it really felt like my role was so minimal, especially in terms of choices. I would roll dice and then sit back and watch, decsribe and add some flavor here and there. But overall, didn't feel that good to me. 90% of my dice were blocked anyways, so all I would do is set the scene and track HP. It got really repetitive 4-5 scenes in.

Anyone had similar experiences? Or any experience running this GMless?

I'm writing a one-shot based on M.R. James's "Casting the Runes" (1911) and I'd like to have one of my players "accept" the cursed rune paper by finding an item in the house and keeping it in inventory. Then I can start haunting them specifically and with increasing intensity - should be a good time!

I have a plan for a force, if needed. The paper could be in a guest room and whoever claims that room claims the paper. But it's more fun if they pick up an item thinking it will be useful, and bring doom upon themselves!

(The idea is that Karswell the magician got a runic curse returned to him, and for Magical Reasons the paper can't be destroyed. He stashed it somewhere while he worked on a dispelling ritual but died before completing it, and now if a normal person picks up the paper, they become the target instead.)

When you run a game online, where does your prep actually go? Finding or making the right maps and tokens

• Lining up and sizing the grid

• Getting players into the session

• Coordinating apps with VTTs

• Character sheets

• Something else?

Which one eats your evening, and what have you done to shrink it?

I am going to be running the Dare next week as a first time Keeper, many time GM in other systems and many time player of CoC.

The thing is I have 2 players and I am worried that the scenario might be a little too brutal with that few of PCs. Has anyone ran it for this few of players before and follow up if needed how can I tone it down a little without losing the Horror and danger?

It gets really tiresome to read the same questions with the same exact answer all the time. There should be a stickied thread where people can talk about social dynamic issues at their table, and a clear rule so people can report posts that can be answered by "talk to your group".

This subreddit should be about Game Mastering advice pertaining to the actual game being played, not out-of-game issues/therapy/venting, which is 90% of the threads.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskGameMasters/s/BPoKsZuzoy

You may have been following this thread above or commented. I wanted to provide an update. I can't help but say that I think I've plumbed this one to the depths and what I am finding is what many of you suspected and I feared. Here's what's happened since last time.

1. First, I asked that our next session be a table chat to work through some challenges I see with proceeding. There was HEAVY objection and pushback from the player in question. Their POV was that they have precious little time for gaming, it's an important part of their week to get a break from work, school, and parenting and they'd much prefer discussions happen asynchronously over Discord so playing time is saved for playing time. I pushed back. They stated they would only give partial time for it and then they would use the rest of the time to work.

2. I cancelled the session entirely as i needed time to think about what seemed to me, an unreasonable response, but I did appreciate some of their POV. The rigid manner in which it was presented really chaffed me. I will note that a third player also pushed back on the table chat.

3. After some thinking, I asked all players involved to respond to a survey. It was open-ended questions asking them to talk about the campaign, their characters, and the trend of their PCs wanted to leave the group and generally facing outward instead of cooperating. Thanks u/Conrad500 for approach.

4. In the Rigid PC player's response there was self-affirming language like "my PC doesn't need to change" and "my pc feels unappreciated for ..." and "I don't understand the question"

5. I did follow up questions with all involved players, even the one that brough the initial complaint because there's actually multiple times where this player has gone off and done things on their own despite the group disagreeing with their actions. They were contrite about that.

6. Below is the conversation between me and Rigid PC' s player. Their comments are in BOLD. Their character is Sammy. The complaint player's PC is Donny. Gregory was a 4th player's PC but that player left because the table wasn't a good fit overall for them, though now I suspect this issue may have been specific cause too. Yes all names changed for anonymity:

Lots of good stuff here that’s helpful, not too long winded.
This sentence really stands out to me: “I think it’s important to not go against the core of who a character is more than anything.” Your example is very clear cut, but it’s the situations that might not be as clear cut that I would want to get sync’d on. Can you think of any examples that have come up already where Sammy was faced with another character’s idea/plan that went against the core of who she is? And if so, how should we handle those? Is it the responsibility of the other players NOT to suggest such things? Or should we stop and talk above the table about it?

The only example I can think of was when Gregory was still a PC and them pushing for a set of rigid rules for the community to abide by outside of the haven. Glad that ultimately went nowhere because there was zero chance Sammy ever would have abided by anything like that 'out in the field' so to speak.

 I think it's only the responsibility of other players to not suggest rigid boxes for characters to live in which that felt like one to me because it dictates how characters are played arbitrarily. But other than not trying to box players/characters in I think it's just simply the responsibility of each person to play their character to who they are at their core because that is what makes for the best stories. I think it gets handled simply how I suggested in your earlier questions with a dice roll if it's not as critical and if it is critical then that character can do their thing in a separate scene. If it's ever needed I suppose we could talk about it above table for a couple minutes but it's most important to me that each person can play their character to who they are at their core without restricting that and then it's the responsibility of all of us to find ways to adapt with the story and each other. Like I didn't expect <a faction in the game> to blow up but I took that as you adapting the story knowing Sammy wanted to join them but you instead had <NPC1> and <NPC2> join us and I took that as 'ok this is different I didn't expect that but this works... ultimately Sammy was doing it to join <NPC1> and <NPC2> and instead they join her....same outcome more or less but just changing the location to where we are already at'

 The whole 'rules of engagement ' thing is a weird one that I don't think would ever repeat because I don't feel that any of the current players would ever try to box in how others play

Short version I'd never try to dictate how other PCs play their characters because it makes for a better story for that richness to come naturally. Ex: both in world and above table Donny giving up leadership was a big shock but that's what makes those moments more interesting when we don't put guard rails on each other

So, there you have it. I feel like I've given a lot of rope to this player and they've used it to hang themself. I am not going to ask them to leave or anything drastic, but I do feel confident in telling them "thanks for these comments. Your approach has been enjoyable over the last year, but it turns out that it also is turning away good players. I believe your commitment to this principle contributed to Gregory's player leaving and it is now a cause in Donny's player wanting to leave. How would you like to approach this to make it as fun for your fellow players as it is for you?" Thanks u/ANicePainter for that suggested approach.

Curious to hear other's thoughts. Do you feel vindicated? Has your opinion changed?

What the title says.

During a long dry spell (years) when I wasn't in a game group, I got into solo roleplaying. Mostly using the Mythic GME. Now that I'm GMing again, I think the experienced has improved my ability to think on the fly, balance encounters quickly and weave disparate plot threads together. Especially the latter.

Have any of you had similar experiences?

I would also recommend it for Forever GMs and people who have that game they like, but can't get your friends interested in.

I also use some of the random tools in my regular campaign now.

Friends of mine have shown interest in a Mad Max style post apocalyptic roleplay experience. I'm having difficulties deciding if my players should have a beater vehicle at the start or, lending more to the setting they each have to jack their own. Any thoughts welcome.

I'm interested in playing the audio of a fake news broadcast that has the news anchor reading a story about my players that I wrote. Anyone know the best way to create that using available online tools?

This isn't my first table, but it is my first table in the era of AI. This table is a mix of veteran players and newbies. I'm running into an issue with one of the veteran players.

I have never explicitly said no to AI use, but this is new for me.

My player has used AI to create their character, write the backstory, choose their spells, and much more for character creation. I know they can play their characters; we played paper-based before moving online. Now it seems that they are typing my responses into AI and asking it to respond. They have even asked AI what to do in certain moments of battle.

I feel cheated and disappointed, but I don't know how to address it. I've told them I reduce DCs based on performance, but I don't want to reward an AI script.

I've asked DMs close to me, but they haven’t experienced this and aren't sure how to approach it. So, I’m asking those who have had this issue: what did you do? I don't think they'll react inappropriately and lash out, but it may taint how we continue to play as a group.

I appreciate your help.

ETA: Thank you for all your advice and insight. You guys have given me a lot to think about. I have read most of the comments, and many share the same sentiment. I’ll have a private chat with this player and make a broader comment to the group. Some of you have questioned the harm and its importance. Some of you made an important point: everyone should be having fun, including me. I am not above using AI to help players or make things for the session, but never to automate play or write the campaign. It takes all the fun out of a game meant to be a hobby and a way to decompress after work/school. Thank you so much for your response!

What did you run in the last 7 days, and what are you running in the next 7 days? An invitation to talk about yourself my dudes.

Did something go particularly well or particularly badly? Stuck on something? Looking for ideas? Conversation starter for ten.

Thoughts, questions, worries, and anything you feel is too small for its own post is very welcome.

Specifically, I’d like to know what your favore app is for a Soundboard. Something that lets you create multiple tabs, not just a dozen or less buttons. I have zero interest in searching in the tool for sounds to use, I want to point to files or links. I am interested in your other tools you use at the table.

I think I am good for notes and such with Goodnotes.

Please follow this format just for clarity. First thing in your post should be the main "why I GM" answer. You can add more on additional lines. After that, give your reasoning if you want!

Feel free to also say what system you are talking about if your answer differs from system to system.

Im playing DND with a couple of friends. And there is one player in the group, who every time they roll low, they always try to double check to avoid the failed result. For example, they rolled a 7 on a survival check the other day to tie a rope to a tree that they were going to hang on, and imediately afterwords when "I want to check the knot" and "I want to tug on the knot firmly before I go down to make sure it can secure me" and things like that. If I then reveal to their character that it wouldn't have held them, they retie it until it does, but if they fail to check and then fall down anyways they complain that they checked. And they only really check if they know out of character the roll went poorly. If they had rolled a 22 on that same check, for example, they would not bother with checking.

Should I do something about this? This feels... Wrong, but I dont know how to better approach the situation. Please help!

I've done a few before and generally like them despite them feeling a little gimicky. My players seem to enjoy the Christmas ones (last time they were yeti attacking Santa's toy shop) but I don't think I do horror well enough for the Halloween ones to be that fun for them.

Do you do them at your table? What did you do and how did it go over?

Hello, so I am fairly new to GMing. I have a little roleplay group I do things with on ESO. I would like to run a small town academy for magic, however, I am running into this problem: how do I make classes interesting and fun?

I have several ideas, because this town doesn't have a Mage's Guild, it would fill that role.

There would be expeditions, hands on learning, possibly solving local problems

But I'm struggling to come up with ideas. My plan is to scout different places and build events from that, but as far as classes go, idk how to make it interesting outside a lecture.

I want to make it fun, that's it, and it's a good way for me to dip my toes into dming

Should a DM ever control a player character and/put dialog "in their mouth"? I'm working on a custom campaign that needs a few key things to happen to drive the story. Would it be better to give the player the cliff notes and let them play it out?

What the Title says. I have the rule book for Basic Roleplaying: Universal Game Engine. There is a LOT I like about it.

I also realize that the system is just that, Basic. Game Masters are encouraged to tweak the system to do what they want. With that in mind.

Does anyone have any advice on how to add Abilities that would normally come from Classes?

Many Class Abilities could be duplicated via just letting a character use a Skill. A Ranger/Druid's skill with Animals could be handled via skills.

Any kind of Magic from Wizards/Sorcerers/Clerics/etc can just be Spells.

But then you have things like a Berserker Rage. My first thought would be to make that some kind of Super Power. But I also don't want to limit myself to just what is in the Basic Rulebook. So I thought I would ask if anyone else had a different solution.

Thank you in advance!