Everyone plays RPGs differently, and these principles don’t necessarily apply to all play styles. With that said, they make a good starting point and will likely enhance your game if kept in mind.
- Make the world feel alive:
- Picture the world and describe it. Transport the players there by including all senses.
- Build fantastical and memorable locations.
- Build up a coherent mythology as you go. You don’t need to prepare all the details up front.
- Ask what their actions look like to help the players describe their actions.
- Be a fan of the characters:
- You want them to win, but you want the victory to be earned.
- You want them to overcome difficult challenges with their own skills.
- Let them show how awesome they are.
- Play to find out what happens:
- Create the premise and the situation, not the whole story. The end will be written by the players.
- Things won’t always work out the way you expected. That’s part of the fun, never prepare a specific outcome.
- Keep the game moving:
- Vary the pacing to keep things fun. Alternate between slow and fast scenes.
- If they get stuck, don’t let them stay that way.
- Set the tone and communicate it:
- The game is best when everyone is in agreement on what the game should be. The players should know when to get serious.
- Give everyone a chance to shine:
- Not everyone wants to be in the spotlight, but they should be given the opportunity.
- Be fair and consistent in your rulings.
- Listen to the players and their feedback.
- Never make them roll if there’s no risk of failure, or if failure doesn’t meaningfully change the situation.
- Remember: it’s really about the characters, not the adventure itself.