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Stepping Stones: Telling More Interesting Lies

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive…” –Sir Walter Scott Lying to someone in roleplaying games often goes something like this: “I want to convince the guy these are not the droids he’s looking for.” “Okay, roll.” >roll roll roll< "I win!" It's simple: you have a goal and […]

Ben Robbins | December 26th, 2008 | | 6 comments

Play Constructively: Pass the Ball

You’re a good player. You’ve got all the basics down pat: you understand your character, when it’s your turn you make decisions (even bad ones) rather than hold up the game, and when you sit down at the table you are ready and eager to play. You’re definitely holding up your end, but as you’ve […]

Ben Robbins | September 16th, 2006 | , | 2 comments

Ask Questions

A good GM asks questions. A good GM doesn't say “this is what happens” unless they follow it up with “what do you do?” A good player asks questions. A good player asks how high is the wall, how far is it to the shore, does the innkeeper seem irritated or just busy? A GM […]

Ben Robbins | June 18th, 2006 | , , | 1 comment

Three Sins of Players

Gaming is a social contract. Everyone has agreed to show up and spend their time participating to the best of their abilities. Just as the GM has agreed to not (intentionally) create a situation which automatically wipes out the party, or precipitously violate the framework of the imaginary world by having German tanks roll out […]

Ben Robbins | May 14th, 2006 | , | 2 comments