1
Before you can start building your campaign, you need to make a decision about what world you are going to play in. If you are new to Game Mastering, then it's recommended that you start within the structure of an existing world, such as The Forgotten Realms, Midgard, or Eberron. This can make it easier to create unique and compelling storylines, as the world already has an established lore, history, and culture.
2
Once you have chosen the world for your tabletop RPG campaign, the next step is to identify the global arcs that will shape the overall story. Global arcs are major events that impact the entire world, such as wars, shifts in the magical weave, or changes in the ruling deities.
3
Once you have identified a global arc for your tabletop RPG campaign, the next step is to drill down into the details of how it will impact the different regions of the world. This is an important step in creating a realistic and engaging campaign that feels like a living, breathing world.
4
Local PC hooks are specific events or situations that are tailored to the PC's background and personal story. These hooks are often used to pull the PC into the larger narrative of the campaign, creating a personal connection between the character and the world they inhabit.
5
Once the memorable encounters have been identified for the players, it is time for the game master to flesh out the protagonists and antagonists that will bring these encounters to life.
6
Creating a memorable encounter involves identifying hooks, tailoring the encounter to the PC's backgrounds and goals, anticipating potential outcomes, outlining the scenes, identifying special requirements, and considering the players' abilities.
7
Session 0 is the first meeting between the Game Master (GM) and the players, where they can discuss the game rules, characters, and set expectations for the campaign. The GM should prepare for this session by creating a detailed agenda, outlining the objectives and topics they want to cover.
8
Preparing for Session 1+ is a crucial step in ensuring a successful and engaging game. As a Game Master, it's important to review and prepare thoroughly to keep the game flowing smoothly and keep the players engaged. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a great session.
9
Taking notes after each session is a crucial step in the game mastering process. It helps you keep track of important details, character backgrounds, storylines, and helps you make necessary adjustments to your game. Continue Reading >>
Tools I Use
