C.R. Langille's Blog, page 8
January 16, 2018
Author Interview: Angela Hartley
What kind of books/stories do you write?I like to write stories with a paranormal twist. My novel, Copper Reign is Urban Fantasy. It’s Native American folklore mixed with angels and demons. I also have a couple of shorts published. Saltair Fire Waltz is Gothic Horror, and can be found in an anthology, It Came From The Great Salt Lake. Room 517 is a Dark Humor piece published last month in Elphame Realms E-Zine, Something Witchy This Way Comes. Recently, I’ve undergone a career shift and started writing New Age Non-Fiction. Right now I’m working on a guide book, The Awakening: An Empath’s Guide to the 3 Levels of Psychic Abilities.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been told that I am a writer since I was eight-years-old, but didn’t accept it as my path until I was twenty-nine.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
The answer varies from different periods of my life. As a child, A Wrinkle in Time. As a teen, The Talisman, young adult, What Dreams May Come, and later, The Dark Tower Series. Each expanded the way I thought, and resonated in my heart.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I have lots of friends in the author community. So many that I’m afraid to name them in fear of leaving someone out, but all of my friends, writer or not are simply amazing. They encourage me to keep going when I want to quit, and help me become a better writer by reading and critiquing my work. When I release a book they share links, come to events, and leave reviews. Their support is the only reason why I’m still doing this.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
The best advice I can give is to be genuine in both your writing and who you are. My fiction wasn’t as successful as I would have liked because it wasn’t what I was meant to write. Just as soon as I shifted gears to do the work I should be doing then everything changed. I am so excited about my new project that my enthusiasm is contagious. I’m animated when I discuss the subject matter, which creates an eager anticipation for readers to learn more.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
For Copper Reign, I studied belief systems and morphed them into something that worked. The project took over two years to plan and write. It was quite the undertaking for a first novel. My non-fiction isn’t near as extensive because it is in a medium I am rather familiar with. I guess you could say I’ve been researching my entire life for this project. Writing what you know is much easier than learning something new.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Always believe in yourself! Think with your mind and follow your heart. If you allow both to guide you anything is possible. Don’t believe me? Are you aware that 90% of everything you experience is internal? Only 10% of our reality exists within the material plane. There is no reality, only perception. What we ponder and feel determines everything. Believe in yourself. Think with your mind and follow your heart.
Links/promotional things (include any photos you would like)
Sign up for my newsletter at www.angelasattitudeadjustment.com and receive Level 1 of The Awakening for free just as soon as it becomes available.
Angela Hartley spent much of her childhood being shuffled from house to house with only a book for companionship. The magic she found in the written word saved her in many ways, transporting her into worlds far happier than the one she resided in. Literature became her passion and the idea of someday writing carried her through many years of uncertainty.
Long ago, she left the disease of poverty behind. Through all of life’s ups and downs, her desire to write never waned. With a strong support system, she set out to create worlds, and publish books. Along with achieving her lifetime goal, she’s built and managed several writing organizations. She has also entertained and educated at schools, symposiums, and conventions. In her down time, she enjoys studying religion theory, psychic abilities, and psychology to gain a better understanding of the human condition. Angela currently resides in Midway, Utah with her three children and husband.
Blog: www.angelasattitudeadjustment.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/angelahartleyauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoldAngelHart
January 11, 2018
Gamer Interview: Marcello Velazquez
What's your favorite RPG system and why?I have enjoyed many roleplaying game and systems, but I would have to say I have been a fan of Dungeons and Dragons since I was exposed to it in the third grade. I am a fan of most editions to the game, but the 1st Edition D&D was my favorite edition!
What made you want to become a DM/GM?
I wanted to be able to tell a story; I think that D&D adventures are a good medium for me to tell a story, and also give me an opportunity to bring it to life for players to interact in it. I liken the experience to being a director of a film where you guide the players through a scene and allow them to improve their character's actions.
How much prep time do you conduct before a gaming session?
I normally prepare a few days in advance of my sessions. I do not normally DM "on the fly". I feel like you do a disservice to players if you do not put in the effort before the session. It helps cut down on DM stagnation/lag.
What is one of your most memorable moments running a game?
Man, there are too many. But a recent one was when I was DMing at a convention in Wisconsin still moves me. After running a D&D Epic game, all my players at the table asked if I would autograph their Players Handbooks. One of the players came up to me after the game and said, "In the years I have played D&D, I have never had an experience like that. Thank you". It definitely moved me.
Do you do anything to set the mood or atmosphere?
I do. I like to describe what happened at the last session and lead it in to the current session. I also write my lead ins on my private FB page that I create for each game campaign. I also like to write short posts called EPISODICs that help amplify the gaming sessions.
What's one tip you would give to other DM/GM's out there?
Always be willing to improve your DMing. Be receptive to CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Understand that there are many styles of players, but the most rewarding DM xperiences are the ones where you can get everyone involved.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Good Gaming!
January 9, 2018
Author Interview: J.H. Moncrieff
What kind of books/stories do you write? Dark fiction, including supernatural suspense, mystery, and horror.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was five years old, if not earlier. By the time I was five, I was writing simple picture books.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
On Writing, by Stephen King. It got me writing fiction again after a long hiatus where I focused on journalism.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I have so many wonderful writer friends, including Chuck Wendig, Russell R. James, Hunter Shea, J.G. Faherty, Catherine Cavendish, John Palisano, etc. Chuck blurbed one of my books, which was a tremendous boost, and he's always available with advice and encouragement. Some of my friends have beta read my writing or pointed me in the right direction in terms of marketing and retaining rights, etc. They've all helped in some way. The horror-writing community is especially supportive.
What's the best way you've found to market your books?
I go for a scattershot approach, but I always get a boost when I mention my books in my blog posts. I should do that more often. Also, email blasts like BookBub are highly effective, but do your research. There are a lot of companies out there claiming to have big readerships who don't.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It depends on the book, but usually I research while I go, or mark passages that need to be checked in the second-draft phase. For one particular book, which features a West African slave in 1600s Dutch Caribbean, I needed to hire a professional researcher to help me out. Sometimes it's enough for me to have a source read over relevant chapters--like an oil worker for Monsters in Our Wake or an entomologist for Temple of Ghosts. Sources are everything for writers. It's always good to know a few cops and firefighters.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
This is a tough business, but there are as many definitions of success as there are writers. Believe in yourself above all, but not to the point where you refuse constructive criticism. Be willing to do the work--there are so many out there who aren't. Write a lot and read a lot, but you don't have to write every day, and there's no shame in taking a break or putting real life--and the ones you love--first.
Links/promotional things (include any photos you would like)
Website: http://www.jhmoncrieff.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jhmoncrieff/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JH_Moncrieff
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.dk/jhmoncrieff/pins/
January 4, 2018
Hunter Interview: Tyler Hansen
What is it about the outdoors that appeals to you?
When I'm outdoors, I feel the like I am truly free. I don't have to worry about my job or anything back home. I also feel like I am able to reconnect with the earth on a level that I'm not able to while in the city.
When did you first start hunting/fishing?
My first hunting trip was with my dad at the tender age of four. He shot a pretty good four point buck in Idaho and took me along for the hunt. I don't remember much about the hunt but we have an old family video of my dad and grandpa packing the deer out. The best part of the video is my grandpa chewing ass on my dad for not going up the 'right' draw and shooting the deer in an area that was hard to pack a deer out of.
What is one of your most memorable outdoor moments?
2016 Utah Strawberry Ridge CWMU Elk Hunt
Outfitter: Western Skies Outfitters
Operator: Brett Fielding
Dates: 5-9 October
Rifle: Weatherby Vanguard 300 Wby
Optics: Swarovski 20-60x80 ATS Spotting Scope, Vortex HS-LR 4x16x40 Rifle Scope, Vortex Viper 10x42HD Binoculars
This year I was lucky enough to draw a coveted Utah CWMU elk tag on Strawberry Ridge (15 miles east of Woodruff, UT) after 16 years of waiting. Not only was I the lucky recipient of a tag but my sister-in-law drew a mule deer tag as well. I knew when I applied for the hunt this year that I was going to be the high point applicant for the unit, which would guarantee me a tag.
The property is composed of 20,000 plus acres ranging from aspen forest to sagebrush flats and elevation ranging from 6,500 to 8,000 feet. Elk are the main focus of the operation but deer, moose, and antelope are also available.
My elk hunt this year actually started last year when I was able to accompany my dad on his last hunt ever. On the first night of my dad’s hunt last year Brett, who married into our family, told us to sit in a blind overlooking a cattle water trough. He didn’t disappoint. We headed to the blind at 3:30 p.m. and within 15 minutes a good 5x6 walked in and spent 10 minutes around the trough. My dad wanted to shoot the bull right away but I wanted the hunt to last longer than a few minutes so I told him to wait. The bull eventually walked off. Later, a small 6x6 and a small 5x5 came into range but neither was good enough to shoot and we headed back to camp.
My dad suffered from muscular dystrophy and over the course of the night the cold air caused his leg muscles to contract and knot making him violently ill. He only slept a couple hours the first night because of the pain. I felt horrible. He could have taken a great bull but I was selfish and wanted the hunt to last more than just a few minutes.
The next morning he didn’t know if he would be able to hunt but he put on a smile and we went and looked for some bulls. Right away we found a small 5x5 and he wanted to shoot it to end the hunt but luckily Brett stepped in and told us to give it one more night before we left. He promised us an elk.
We went back to camp, got some lunch, took a nap and waited for the night hunt.
That night we walked into a cluster of trees after some bulls that we had heard bugling that morning. For two solid hours we somehow kept ourselves on the edge of the herd as we stalked the elk through the trees. The elk moved south for a while then back to north when a rival bull started to challenge the herd bull that we were after. The roar of the bugle was so close and loud in the dense timber that we could hear bull’s snort at the end of his scream.
Finally, the herd we were chasing walked out of the timber and into a clearing on a side hill but a couple of deer walked in between us and elk. We didn’t dare move for 10 minutes as the doe and her fawns kept a close eye on us. If they broke toward the herd of elk, our hunt was over. We were all grateful when they trotted off the opposite way.
After more than twenty years of hunting with my dad we went into ‘team mode’. He knew that I was a few feet behind him like I had been since I was old enough to follow him into the forest. Twenty years of hunting side-by-side throughout North America built a bond where each of us knew what the other was thinking when the hunt was on.
We silently walked out of the trees keeping a couple of lone pine trees between us and the elk. My dad slipped his left shoulder out from under his pack, then his right, and I was there to grab the pack without losing a step. While Brett was trying to finalize a plan of attack on the bull, he glanced our way and whispered that the herd bull we were chasing was a big 5x6. While Brett was telling us the size of the bull and how to ambush the big 5x6, another 6x6 broke out of the trees 60 yards behind us, hell bent of catching the big 5x6.
The bull bearing down on us from behind was quickly disregarded, and as Brett stepped around the side of the pines to line up a shot, my dad quietly took a step to the opposite side of the tree and took the bull with an off-hand shot at 150 yards. The old bull humped and Dad put another one round into him ending the hunt. Much to our surprise, the old bull was the same one that we had passed up the night before drinking out of the water trough!
Emotions were high and few tears might have been shed but it was well worth the battle.Fast forward a year and Wednesday morning I found myself alone, standing around a group of hunters I didn’t know, talking about what and where we were going to hunt on ‘Strawberry’. Emotionally, it was harder for me than I thought it would be because this was the first big game hunt of my entire life that my dad was not a part of. One by one, the other hunters laid claim to where they were going to hunt and asked me where I was off to. I kind of shrugged and Brett stepped in and told the group that he was going to show me around.
We took a short drive to an area called the ‘Buck Pasture’ and started to glass. We quickly found a good 6x6 but he had weak fronts and we decided to pass him up. While Brett was looking at another group of elk and I was glassing the opposite direction I heard a distinct whisper, “Tyler,” in the familiar voice of my dad. I turned half expecting him to be standing there but I only saw Brett looking at a group of elk. At that moment I knew that my dad was with me on the hunt.
The rest of the morning was a bust for elk but we did find a nice deer for my sister-in-law who drew one of the state deer tags. At the end of the morning hunt Brett told me he wanted to hunt the same patch of trees that we were successful in last year.
On the way back to camp we stopped in and asked the local sheep herder, Zorro, if he had seen any elk. The quick stop ended up being a 45 minute conversation of Zorro’s broken English and Brett’s broken Spanish. Zorro told us where a good 6x6 was but the highlight of the conversation was homemade tortillas fresh off Zorro’s sheep camp stove.
We headed back to camp, ate a couple of cheese burgers, took a nap then geared up to leave in the early afternoon.
At 2:30 p.m. we left camp on foot and started our quiet descent through the aspen forest. Brett was dealing with a bad case of gout in his right foot so we took it very slow. He was worried about my health because of a pacemaker that I had implanted late last year and I was worried that I would have to pack him out because of his gout.
After a couple of hours methodically sneaking through the trees toward a raspy bugle, we stumbled upon a couple of cow elk. We inched closer to them in hopes of seeing their bull only to find that we had snuck into the heart of the herd.
We couldn’t see the bull but he would bugle every couple of minutes and we knew he was close. We spotted a 5x5 eating near a few cows about 50 yards to our left when the bull that was constantly bugling decided to head straight toward us. He too, was a 5x5 but for some reason was one of the most vocal elk that I’ve ever encountered. He was constantly bugling and worked himself to within 60 yards when a bigger 6x6 bull came into view. The 6x6 was not quite what we were looking for but he was looking for a fight. He pushed the vocal 5x5 our way. I thought that they were going to run right into us. Brett said, “Get ready,” but the 5x5 broke to our left at 35 yards.
At this point it was starting to get late and we were still a long way from camp so we backed out quietly and tried to circle the herd we had just ran into. Only a few minutes later we ran into another smaller herd with a decent 5x5 and nine cows. Brett got a little excited which got me a little excited, but we decided to pass on this bull and start our trek back to camp.
At this point the constant barrage of competing bugles was all around us. We silently circled north and headed back to camp. After 30 minutes of creeping through the forest and a couple of bugles coming from the west we broke into a familiar clearing and saw a bunch of elk in the open on the ridge opposite of us. While we were glassing this herd we heard a close bugle directly behind us.
Brett turned and quickly said, “Shooter bull, get ready.”
We both knelt down and dropped our packs as we waited for the big 6x6 to clear a few scrub trees. He pinned us down at 75 yards for a moment but once the bull on the hill behind us bugled, he turned and started to rake some buck brush with his horns. He then headed into the trees that we just came out of and we knew that he was going to pick up our scent. Once he hit the trees and picked up our scent, he started on a quick walk down hill. Brett told me to shoot him when he walked through a small opening in the trees.
A few seconds later the bull was a hundred yards away walking through the opening and I hit him in the left front shoulder. The bull instantly recoiled from the shock of bullet and headed down the hill at a trot on three legs. I missed the second shot but put an insurance round into him and he was down but not out. With darkness quickly descending the last thing we wanted was to leave the bull overnight. I walked down the hill to finish him off but he jumped up and headed out.
I was sick. I thought that I had just lost the bull of my dreams.
Lucky for me, he only went a hundred yards before he piled up again and I anchored him with a final shot. By this time Brett had grabbed our bags and walked down to meet me at the bull. We laughed, high-fived, and even hugged. At this point Brett told me that place where I stood and shot my elk was only 20 yards from where my dad shot his elk last year. My dad shot his elk facing north and I shot mine facing south. The flood of emotions was too much. I was glad that it was dark so Brett couldn’t see me shed a tear in memory of the last hunt we shared with my dad.
While taking pictures the quote from John Bunyan came to me, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” That was a motto that my dad lived by and I could see the reflection of this quote in Brett. I know I’ll never be able to repay Brett for the kindness that he bestowed on my family over the last two years of hunting, because that’s just the type of person he is. What is your favorite animal to hunt?I love to hunt elk up close in the timber.
Why do you think hunting/fishing is important in today's modern age?
Hunting and fishing allows us to reconnect with the earth. Man kind has been hunting for sustenance for millions of years and for the short time that we're out in the wild, we allow our natural predatory instincts to come to the surface and help us harvest game for the dinner table.
What is something you would like to share with non-hunters out there?
A lot of non-hunters view hunting as unethical and cruel. I believe that it is unethical and cruel to allow animals to be raised in a small pen their whole life.
Any final thoughts you would like to share with our readers?
Thanks for putting this all together and trying to reach a different demographic than most outdoor writers.
January 2, 2018
Author Interview: Paul Genesse
What kind of books/stories do you write?I write stories where things happen and there is a lot of tension. Characters make hard choices and endure the consequences. I'm most well known for my bestselling Iron Dragon series, which is high fantasy, but I've sold a lot of short stories and a few novellas in that are sci-fi, horror, alternate history, and steampunk. I like stories that make the reader feel something. Hope. Fear. Horror. Wonder. Sadness. Victory. I used to have the goal of making the reader cry in every short story I wrote, but I don't always do that now. Sometimes I want them to feel horror, or hope, but I always want them to think about the story for a long time after reading it. I never phone in short stories. I obsess over them for weeks.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I was four years old. I told my mom I wanted to be a writer and she encouraged me to create stories with my toys--as writing was not an option, though did color a lot. Never on the walls. The storytelling all went from there. I would create elaborate scenes with my Star Wars toys or my army men, or Medieval soldiers. Eventually that turned into Dungeons & Dragons games with my friends, and finally novels.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
The Hobbit. It changed my world forever in 4th grade. I read it four times in a row. I hope people today have books like The Hobbit that rock their world.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I'm friends with literally hundreds of published authors. I'm close friends with a few dozen. They are my tribe. A few of them are my first readers and they constantly challenge me to improve my craft. Without them, I would never have grown as much as I have. I owe the writers around me a great debt, which is why I help them whenever I can.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
Form solid relationships with fans and readers who then tell their friends about my books and stories. I wish I knew the secret of selling a ton of books now. Ten years ago, I knew the online tricks and my first novel, The Golden Cord, book one in the Iron Dragon Series had seven printing in the first year it was out, but those tactics don't work as well anymore.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It depends on the book or short story. Most short stories require several hours of research, especially the alternate history ones. I often spend 50 hours or more on a short story total. My ghost story set in Heian era Japan, "Onnen" in the Shared Nightmares anthology, was told from the point of view of the ghost. That took me about one hundred hours to research and write. I also went to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto Japan--but that was not required. The story is packed with true events and visiting the palace inspired me to write it.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Find books that you love and read them. Don't waste your time reading books that don't grab you within a chapter or two. Life is too short. If you are a writer, write what you love.
Paul Genesse, Author and Editor
Visit my Amazon.com Author Page
Author of The Iron Dragon Series
The Golden Cord: Book One
The Dragon Hunters: Book Two
The Secret Empire: Book Three
A Walk in the Abyss
"Of the Earth, of the Sky, of the Sea" in
Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters
Editor of:
The Crimson Pact Volume 1
The Crimson Pact Volume 2
The Crimson Pact Volume 3
The Crimson Pact Volume 4
The Crimson Pact Volume 5
Author Website: http://www.paulgenesse.com/
Author Blog: http://paulgenesse.blogspot.com/
Join me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter @Paul_Genesse
Please book me for an event or school visit
by calling me at 801-282-5393 or email me at pgenesse@msn.com
December 28, 2017
Josh Sorensen, the Builder
For the next round of gamer interviews, we meet Josh Sorensen.
What's your favorite RPG system and why?
The HERO (Champions) system. It is the only truly universal gaming system that I have found. While there are other universal gaming systems out there, they usually have some limitation to them. This often shows itself in the ability of either keeping things small or allowing things to go epic. The HERO system is designed so that the entire campaign can be normal people in a detective story, all the way to epic superheroes. It is able to do this because the game is an effects based rules system.
For example, the system doesn't have a "Fireball" spell per se. Rather, it says what does a Fireball do? A fireball creates a Area of Effect Blast of Energy, that is Shot from Range and is made of Fire. In fact, in the HERO system, the fact that it is Fire is almost secondary and only needed if someone have a vulnerability or resistance to Fire. This set-up lends itself to so many possible character options. But this also means that this system is not for beginning GMs. It can take considerable prep work and requires the GM to be not just familiar with the rules, but also have a knowledge of game mechanics. They do have a number of additional source books to simplify this for those new to game system. These are not required. I purchase them because I enjoy seeing how other GMs have set things up mechanically for their own use.
What made you want to become a DM/GM?
My family has a long tradition (going back generations) of interactive storytelling. When Dungeons and Dragons came out in the 1970's, it was quickly adopted into many of my family's social gatherings. I enjoy spinning a tale and so was naturally attracted to the role of DM/GM.
I absolutely love seeing the interaction that the players have with my tale. So much so that I generally only set up a base idea of what I want to see in the campaign, story arc, and session. That way my tale becomes largely Player Driven. After all, each of us has a tale to tell.
How much prep time do you conduct before a gaming session?
So this one is complicated. On average probably 4-5 hours, but that is because I do big projects.
For a normal session, I spend one or two hours. This is mostly just taking care of administrative data, deciding major plot points that I hope to get to in the session, and getting the correct miniatures and terrain prepared. As I mentioned above, I like my campaigns to be heavily Player Driven, so I play fast and loose with the session. It at times forces me to think on the fly, but I've had a great deal of practice. I rarely, if ever, utilize modules or prepared adventures.
For a major story point / plot completion, I have spent dozens of hours. I love epic fight scenes with epic bad guys on epic terrain. I love to create something new for major points in the story. Sometimes this is a cool new bad guy or place to fight.
Here are a few examples:
The Skeleton is part of a collection of three that I scratch built for a buddy's D&D campaign. The first is single skeleton. The second is a ogre sized skeleton made up of 5 regular skeletons. And then this one is constructed from 14 other skeletons, plus bits. The monster grew as the fight progressed.
The Pirate Docks were constructed by that same buddy and me for the same campaign. (and yes, all the cranes are functional)
I built the Dragon Temple for another friend's D&D campaign. He wanted something special for the conclusion of "The Horde of the Dragon King". So instead of a Castle in the Sky, we did a Hanging Gardens theme.
These all took a number of hours to construct. What is one of your most memorable moments running a game?
So there are so many good memories, it gets hard to pick any out of the mix.
But the current D&D campaign that I am running was set up by some friends because they wanted to expose their kids (now teenagers) to the hobby.
Background: In days of yore, a tyrannical Giant empire ruled the lands around the inner sea. They enforced their will with a cadre of 7 Krakens. Through use of a demonic codex, the Krakens were imprisoned a thousand years ago. Now, various factions are attempting to wake the Krakens.
Enter the PC's. They have come into possession of the codex. They stand before the first of the seven imprisoned Krakens, the pages open to the ritual to destroy this weapon of incredible power.
"So this codex was able to control the minds of the Krakens?" YES
"So this codex is what imprisoned the Krakens?" YES
"So this codex has the power to destroy the Krakens?" YES, up close and in their imprisoned state.
Then from across the table: "Can this codex FREE the Krakens and put them under our power?"
And thus a complete plot change for the intended campaign. Instead of fighting baddies and destroying the Krakens to keep such powerful weapons out of the hands of those who would misuse them... They have decided to just put those Krakens into their own hands. They like to believe they are doing it out of good and the best for everyone. They have freed three of them so far and left a path of destruction and death in their wake.
Do you do anything to set the mood or atmosphere?
I recap. Like an old fashion serial. Last week on Dunderheads & Danger, the brave Sir Brown Shorts infiltrated the Goblin Stronghold in order to save the Princess. Captured by the guards, he awaits rescue by his compatriots.... etc...
What's one tip you would give to other DM/GM's out there?
The "Unbeatable Foe" / The "Unwinnable Fight"
DON'T, just DON'T.
If it is absolutely critical to the plot: still DON'T.
Sure, I get it, every Kung Fu movie-Hero wins fight to show he is tough, Epic bad guy enters and beats the Hero, Training montage, Hero comes back to beat the Epic bad guy.
So unless your campaign is a Kung Fu movie... DON'T. And even then, probably DON'T.
Players don't like to be pigeon holed or given NO OPTIONS. So your unwinnable fight can also include the "you've been captured and lost everything"... You will just piss your players off with using this trope over and over and over. So many prepared adventures use this as well.
Also, two other dangers crop up:
1- You always have some powerful NPC that comes in to save the day. It is probably your favorite NPC. He is probably even based on a former PC of yours... You are there to facilitate the world and the play, you are NOT a PC. They are the Protagonists, NOT you. If you want to play that badly, have someone else GM.
2- Or the players will beat your Unbeatable Foe and leave you trying to jump through hoops to save your plot line. My buddy, that I built the Dragon Temple for, likes to run prepared modules. Across multiple systems, every one of these modules has had at least one "Unwinnable Fight". I have NEVER lost this "Unwinnable Fight". Even ones deemed "Unwinnable" for the entire group, over several decades of playing in his games, I have ALWAYS soloed these fights and I have ALWAYS won. A 2nd Level Barbarian in D&D is not supposed to be able to beat a 9th level Fighter... But I did. The dice came up that way. They always do. I slaughtered the villain that was supposed to be the reoccurring villain for multiple sessions on our first meeting. Leaving my buddy to once again scramble to fix a problem I just interjected by slaughtering the primary villain for the campaign.
If you set up this "Unwinnable Fight", your players will either WIN or be so pissed at you that they quit.
So DON'T.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Have fun. Role Playing games can expand your horizons. They can give you problem solving skills. They can make you annoyed at your buddy that always wants to have over elaborate schemes.
But in the end: PLAY FOR FUN. HAVE FUN.
As a GM, it is your job to facilitate that FUN for your players. If you are not having fun doing that, have someone else GM.
But as always: Have Fun.
What's your favorite RPG system and why?
The HERO (Champions) system. It is the only truly universal gaming system that I have found. While there are other universal gaming systems out there, they usually have some limitation to them. This often shows itself in the ability of either keeping things small or allowing things to go epic. The HERO system is designed so that the entire campaign can be normal people in a detective story, all the way to epic superheroes. It is able to do this because the game is an effects based rules system.
For example, the system doesn't have a "Fireball" spell per se. Rather, it says what does a Fireball do? A fireball creates a Area of Effect Blast of Energy, that is Shot from Range and is made of Fire. In fact, in the HERO system, the fact that it is Fire is almost secondary and only needed if someone have a vulnerability or resistance to Fire. This set-up lends itself to so many possible character options. But this also means that this system is not for beginning GMs. It can take considerable prep work and requires the GM to be not just familiar with the rules, but also have a knowledge of game mechanics. They do have a number of additional source books to simplify this for those new to game system. These are not required. I purchase them because I enjoy seeing how other GMs have set things up mechanically for their own use.
What made you want to become a DM/GM?
My family has a long tradition (going back generations) of interactive storytelling. When Dungeons and Dragons came out in the 1970's, it was quickly adopted into many of my family's social gatherings. I enjoy spinning a tale and so was naturally attracted to the role of DM/GM.
I absolutely love seeing the interaction that the players have with my tale. So much so that I generally only set up a base idea of what I want to see in the campaign, story arc, and session. That way my tale becomes largely Player Driven. After all, each of us has a tale to tell.
How much prep time do you conduct before a gaming session?
So this one is complicated. On average probably 4-5 hours, but that is because I do big projects.
For a normal session, I spend one or two hours. This is mostly just taking care of administrative data, deciding major plot points that I hope to get to in the session, and getting the correct miniatures and terrain prepared. As I mentioned above, I like my campaigns to be heavily Player Driven, so I play fast and loose with the session. It at times forces me to think on the fly, but I've had a great deal of practice. I rarely, if ever, utilize modules or prepared adventures.
For a major story point / plot completion, I have spent dozens of hours. I love epic fight scenes with epic bad guys on epic terrain. I love to create something new for major points in the story. Sometimes this is a cool new bad guy or place to fight.
Here are a few examples:
The Skeleton is part of a collection of three that I scratch built for a buddy's D&D campaign. The first is single skeleton. The second is a ogre sized skeleton made up of 5 regular skeletons. And then this one is constructed from 14 other skeletons, plus bits. The monster grew as the fight progressed.
The Pirate Docks were constructed by that same buddy and me for the same campaign. (and yes, all the cranes are functional)
I built the Dragon Temple for another friend's D&D campaign. He wanted something special for the conclusion of "The Horde of the Dragon King". So instead of a Castle in the Sky, we did a Hanging Gardens theme.
These all took a number of hours to construct. What is one of your most memorable moments running a game?
So there are so many good memories, it gets hard to pick any out of the mix.
But the current D&D campaign that I am running was set up by some friends because they wanted to expose their kids (now teenagers) to the hobby.
Background: In days of yore, a tyrannical Giant empire ruled the lands around the inner sea. They enforced their will with a cadre of 7 Krakens. Through use of a demonic codex, the Krakens were imprisoned a thousand years ago. Now, various factions are attempting to wake the Krakens.
Enter the PC's. They have come into possession of the codex. They stand before the first of the seven imprisoned Krakens, the pages open to the ritual to destroy this weapon of incredible power.
"So this codex was able to control the minds of the Krakens?" YES
"So this codex is what imprisoned the Krakens?" YES
"So this codex has the power to destroy the Krakens?" YES, up close and in their imprisoned state.
Then from across the table: "Can this codex FREE the Krakens and put them under our power?"
And thus a complete plot change for the intended campaign. Instead of fighting baddies and destroying the Krakens to keep such powerful weapons out of the hands of those who would misuse them... They have decided to just put those Krakens into their own hands. They like to believe they are doing it out of good and the best for everyone. They have freed three of them so far and left a path of destruction and death in their wake.
Do you do anything to set the mood or atmosphere?
I recap. Like an old fashion serial. Last week on Dunderheads & Danger, the brave Sir Brown Shorts infiltrated the Goblin Stronghold in order to save the Princess. Captured by the guards, he awaits rescue by his compatriots.... etc...
What's one tip you would give to other DM/GM's out there?
The "Unbeatable Foe" / The "Unwinnable Fight"
DON'T, just DON'T.
If it is absolutely critical to the plot: still DON'T.
Sure, I get it, every Kung Fu movie-Hero wins fight to show he is tough, Epic bad guy enters and beats the Hero, Training montage, Hero comes back to beat the Epic bad guy.
So unless your campaign is a Kung Fu movie... DON'T. And even then, probably DON'T.
Players don't like to be pigeon holed or given NO OPTIONS. So your unwinnable fight can also include the "you've been captured and lost everything"... You will just piss your players off with using this trope over and over and over. So many prepared adventures use this as well.
Also, two other dangers crop up:
1- You always have some powerful NPC that comes in to save the day. It is probably your favorite NPC. He is probably even based on a former PC of yours... You are there to facilitate the world and the play, you are NOT a PC. They are the Protagonists, NOT you. If you want to play that badly, have someone else GM.
2- Or the players will beat your Unbeatable Foe and leave you trying to jump through hoops to save your plot line. My buddy, that I built the Dragon Temple for, likes to run prepared modules. Across multiple systems, every one of these modules has had at least one "Unwinnable Fight". I have NEVER lost this "Unwinnable Fight". Even ones deemed "Unwinnable" for the entire group, over several decades of playing in his games, I have ALWAYS soloed these fights and I have ALWAYS won. A 2nd Level Barbarian in D&D is not supposed to be able to beat a 9th level Fighter... But I did. The dice came up that way. They always do. I slaughtered the villain that was supposed to be the reoccurring villain for multiple sessions on our first meeting. Leaving my buddy to once again scramble to fix a problem I just interjected by slaughtering the primary villain for the campaign.
If you set up this "Unwinnable Fight", your players will either WIN or be so pissed at you that they quit.
So DON'T.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Have fun. Role Playing games can expand your horizons. They can give you problem solving skills. They can make you annoyed at your buddy that always wants to have over elaborate schemes.
But in the end: PLAY FOR FUN. HAVE FUN.
As a GM, it is your job to facilitate that FUN for your players. If you are not having fun doing that, have someone else GM.
But as always: Have Fun.
December 26, 2017
D.J. Butler has a Witchy Eye
What kind of books/stories do you write?I write adventure fantasy for readers of all ages. That includes a middle-grade steampunk adventure about a boy trying to rescue his kidnapped father (THE KIDNAP PLOT), a novel about rival secret agents competing over the secrets of airship and raygun technology in Utah on the eve of the Civil War (CITY OF THE SAINTS), a dystopian science fiction story about initiation by murder and control via guilt (CRECHELING), the story of the apocalypse, from the eyes of the rock and roll band that triggered it (ROCK BAND FIGHTS EVIL), and more.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
While I was reading THE LORD OF THE RINGS at age 8. I wrote many things -- short stories, scripts, songs, one terrible novel, lots of legal documents -- and then finally made a run at seriously writing novels at the age of 37.
Who do you consider the most influential authors you've ever read?
Tolkien, of course. Mervin Peake. Patrick O'Brian. Dorothy Dunnett. Fritz Leiber. Among living authors, the writers I think I'm somewhat similar to are Neal Stephenson (idea-rich action-adventure tales) and Tim Powers ("secret history" fantasy stories set in the real world).
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
The list of authors I'm friends with is way too long to put here, and includes big names like Claudia Gray and R.A. Salvatore, up and comers like Quincy J. Allen, Ramón Terrell, L.J. Hachmeister, and Aaron Michael Ritchey, and a large number of people who are still writing their first novel.
It's ironic that so many writers are introverts, because this is an intensely people-oriented endeavor. You undertake the role as a shamanic quest, but your search to find and share meaning only makes sense in light of the community you're sharing with. Other writers help you hone your skills (shout out to my peeps the Storymonkeys, Platte Clark, E.J. Patten, Michael Dalzen, and Erik Holmes), they help you connect with agents and editors, they help you sell and market your book.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
I don't know about "best". I can tell you that what I've done a lot of is in-person appearances at comic cons (12-15 events a year), along with bookstore signings. I'm not trying to find people who will buy a $0.99 ebook and ignore it, but readers who will actually read the books and get excited to buy more from me.
One of the most distinctive things I do is write and play music. My epic fantasy novel WITCHY EYE is full of songs, and therefore exists as an album I recorded (you can buy "The Songs of Witchy Eye" on Amazon). At signings, I sing songs from my books (accompanying myself on guitar) as well as read.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
My whole damn life has been research, what are you talking about? I read constantly, including huge amounts of non-fiction.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
Grow the pie. Turn off your TV, stop watching every stupid movie that comes down the pike, and read more. Convince other people to read more. We're all better for it.
Links/promotional things (include any photos you would like)
Website: www.davidjohnbutler.com
Twitter: @davidjohnbutler
Amazon link for WITCHY EYE: http://amzn.to/2hQi6Y8
December 21, 2017
Hunter Interview: Page and the Morning Encounter
What is it about the outdoors that appeals to you?I grew up in the 70’s before video games and cable television. Being outside was our only form of entertainment. We were always riding bikes and motorcycles, building huts, playing war games… and I’ve never grown out of it. I prefer being away from the rattle and clang of society.
When did you first start hunting/fishing?
I started fishing pretty young, probably 6 or 7, with my Grandma McLelland. She was a strong outdoorswoman that came through the depression with amazing skills for foraging, hunting, and fishing. She might be the best survivalist I’ve ever met, because she actually used those skills daily for many years. I didn’t start actually hunting until 5 or 6 years ago (I’m 44). The interest was always there, but life distractions took me in other directions for a long time.
What is one of your most memorable outdoor moments?
My first year of hunting archery I had always gone out with a partner that was showing me the ropes. He couldn’t make it one day, so I set off alone at zero dark. It was a cloudy moonless night, but the trail was just visible as I crawled up the mountains into the aspen to my favorite meadow. Along the way there was a small lake before the real climb. As I crept along the trail I heard a “WHHHHMMMMMMMPPPPFFFF” that was so loud I felt it in my stomach and the hair on my neck stood straight up. I had never heard this sound before, and immediately thought “Oh Shit. Bigfoot.” I froze, notched an arrow and spun a slow 360 degree turn, but couldn’t see anything. “WHMMPF” again, now I’m panicking because it’s maybe 10 yards away. I started moving up the trail trying to get some sort of vision on whatever monster was telling me to GTFO. Finally, I got far enough away that my instincts settled down and I carried on with the hunt. I called my more experienced buddy later that day and told him what happened, and he explained that the Bull Moose that lives at that lake was rutting and probably thought I was a female moose…. HAHAHAHA
What is your favorite animal to hunt?
Archery Elk. The challenge is immense, and I like the terrain and season. There is nothing in the world like hearing Elk bugles at the break of dawn.
Why do you think hunting/fishing is important in today's modern age?
I think it is incredibly important to connect with the natural world and with our ancestral instincts. In the modern age we don’t face a lot of adversity that is reality based. So much of our fussing and fighting comes from the virtual world. Getting out and pushing your limits physically and mentally is the antidote to all the BS of the modern age. Hunting is about so much more than the harvest.
What is something you would like to share with non-hunters out there?
Give it a chance. There is a lot of anti-hunting perspectives floating around on social media, and unfortunately, a lot of it comes from a genuine place but not an educated place. The biologists and wilderness management agencies are pre-eminent conservationists and should be respected for their knowledge and hard work. Wildlife management isn’t a choice anymore, the explosion of humanity makes it necessary. So if you’re not hunting because you think its cruel, or anti animal, or anti conservation – consider spending your hostility on industrial farming and animal breeding. Hunting is compassionate; without population control many of these big game herds would grow to such a degree that they would end up starved for resources due to the fact that humanity has made such an enormous impact on natural predation. The other issue I see often is that despite the few assholes that get all the attention, the majority of hunters are ethical, intelligent, and greatly concerned about environmental issues.
December 19, 2017
Author Interview: V.M. Burns and Her Story Within a Story
Continuing with author interviews, I'd like to present, V.M. Burns!
What kind of books/stories do you write?
I write mysteries, mostly cozy mysteries
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
This is a hard one. I have always loved to read. At some point, I started mentally revising books and movies and thinking up new ones. Eventually, that desire to change books morphed into wanting to create them.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
This is another hard question. There are several books that influenced me for different reasons. I’d say two books ,The Murder of Roger Akroyd and And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie probably played the biggest role in taking me down my current path as a mystery writer. I read those two books and I was forever hooked on mysteries. Agatha Christie was the queen of the cozy mystery.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I have several friends who are authors; many of whom I met through my MFA program at Seton Hill. I’m blessed to call Victoria Thompson, Barbara Miller, Dr. Lee McClain, Kellye Garrett, Patricia Lillie, Michelle Lane, Lana Ayers, Jessica Barlow, and Tricia Skinner friends. They are all authors (some published and some unpublished) who have helped me to become a better writer. They have provided encouragement, support, critiques and feedback. There is so much more to becoming a better writer that goes beyond the mechanics of writing and grammar. These authors have helped me to find my voice and pushed me to go further than I would have dreamed.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
I’m still figuring this out, but so far I’ve found that word of mouth does wonders. By talking about my books, and letting people know that I have written a book, it’s led to other opportunities. One conversation created an opportunity for me to promote my books on the radio, in newspapers, and through Facebook Groups. It’s been like a chain reaction. One person tells someone else and so forth and so on.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I LOVE research so this can be my downfall. I can (and often do) spend hours researching minute points, some relevant and some not. The Mystery Bookshop Mystery series includes a story within a story which takes place in between WWI and WWII in Great Britain, so I spend a great deal of time on the internet and looking through history books. Even though my books are fiction, I don’t want glaring errors. It’s a bit more challenging to find specifics from the UK. Sometimes there are language differences (i.e. flat vs apartment) between the UK and USA. What cars were available in the UK in 1938? Where was Scotland Yard located in 1938? Research is something I enjoy, but I can easily spend more time researching than writing. So, I have to limit myself.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
I’d just say to follow your dreams. If you want to write, do it. Don’t wait for the planets to be perfectly aligned. Just do it. Get the words on the page and tell your story. You can always revise and edit later. However, you cannot revise a blank page. It’s not easy, but nothing worthwhile is easy.
For information on upcoming books, release dates, etc. go to her website, http://vmburns.com
Mystery Bookshop Mystery Series
Book #1 - The Plot is Murder releases November 28, 2017 - Available from Amazon, Barnes& Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound, and anywhere books are sold.
Book #2 - Read Herring Hunt Release April 24, 2018 – currently available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound. 
RJ Franklin Mystery Series
Travellin’ Shoes release July 1, 2018 –Available for preorder on Amazon.
What kind of books/stories do you write?
I write mysteries, mostly cozy mysteries
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
This is a hard one. I have always loved to read. At some point, I started mentally revising books and movies and thinking up new ones. Eventually, that desire to change books morphed into wanting to create them.
What do you consider the most influential book you've ever read?
This is another hard question. There are several books that influenced me for different reasons. I’d say two books ,The Murder of Roger Akroyd and And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie probably played the biggest role in taking me down my current path as a mystery writer. I read those two books and I was forever hooked on mysteries. Agatha Christie was the queen of the cozy mystery.
What other authors are you friends with, and how have they helped you become a better writer?
I have several friends who are authors; many of whom I met through my MFA program at Seton Hill. I’m blessed to call Victoria Thompson, Barbara Miller, Dr. Lee McClain, Kellye Garrett, Patricia Lillie, Michelle Lane, Lana Ayers, Jessica Barlow, and Tricia Skinner friends. They are all authors (some published and some unpublished) who have helped me to become a better writer. They have provided encouragement, support, critiques and feedback. There is so much more to becoming a better writer that goes beyond the mechanics of writing and grammar. These authors have helped me to find my voice and pushed me to go further than I would have dreamed.
What’s the best way you've found to market your books?
I’m still figuring this out, but so far I’ve found that word of mouth does wonders. By talking about my books, and letting people know that I have written a book, it’s led to other opportunities. One conversation created an opportunity for me to promote my books on the radio, in newspapers, and through Facebook Groups. It’s been like a chain reaction. One person tells someone else and so forth and so on.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I LOVE research so this can be my downfall. I can (and often do) spend hours researching minute points, some relevant and some not. The Mystery Bookshop Mystery series includes a story within a story which takes place in between WWI and WWII in Great Britain, so I spend a great deal of time on the internet and looking through history books. Even though my books are fiction, I don’t want glaring errors. It’s a bit more challenging to find specifics from the UK. Sometimes there are language differences (i.e. flat vs apartment) between the UK and USA. What cars were available in the UK in 1938? Where was Scotland Yard located in 1938? Research is something I enjoy, but I can easily spend more time researching than writing. So, I have to limit myself.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
I’d just say to follow your dreams. If you want to write, do it. Don’t wait for the planets to be perfectly aligned. Just do it. Get the words on the page and tell your story. You can always revise and edit later. However, you cannot revise a blank page. It’s not easy, but nothing worthwhile is easy.
For information on upcoming books, release dates, etc. go to her website, http://vmburns.com
Mystery Bookshop Mystery Series
Book #1 - The Plot is Murder releases November 28, 2017 - Available from Amazon, Barnes& Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound, and anywhere books are sold.
Book #2 - Read Herring Hunt Release April 24, 2018 – currently available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound. RJ Franklin Mystery SeriesTravellin’ Shoes release July 1, 2018 –Available for preorder on Amazon.
December 14, 2017
Gamer Interview: Tim Moore...Pet Velociraptors and Blinding Sicknesses
Moving on to our first gamer interview, let's take a look at Mr. Tim Moore and how he likes to run things.
What's your favorite RPG system and why?
My favorite rpg system is one of the many d20 based games. I'm a fan of Star Wars, Pathfinder and DnD 3.5. I currently run a game that's a mixture of 3.5 and pathfinder. I try to make the game as in depth as possible, so we tend to have more skills and more home brewed rules and magic items. These are most likely my favorites because I grew up on them and have the most experience playing d20 based games.
What made you want to become a DM/GM?
What made me want to be a DM/GM? lol, well, to be honest I prefer to play, sadly, it rarely happens. Nobody wants to run the game. I have years of experience so it's easy for me to just rattle off numbers and rules off the top of my head and I have a pretty good imagination and idea of battlefield tactics which helps me play monsters and npc in their respective mindsets. I first got exposed around the age of 9 with AD&D with older siblings. I loved it and wanted to expose my friends to this newfound world. I spent hours copying stats, rules and items by hand onto notebook paper. I still have that old folder of aged papers!
How much prep time do you conduct before a gaming session?
How much prep time do I spend before a session? Quite a bit. I keep notes on my phone when a thought randomly comes to me. I have various colored composition notebooks designated to various quest or topics. I've currently started making terrain pieces which is very time consuming haha. For low level games I can spend less prep time by just making up simple encounters on the spot. Yet I'm running a higher level campaign that's very time consuming. I go in depth with knowledge of spells cast in anticipation, fortifications, hit points and hardness of walls, doors and locks. At high levels there's countless variables to try to anticipate for. How will the characters react? I try to cover the most likely choices so that when it's game time there's little pause due to looking up rules and such.
What is one of your most memorable moments running a game?
Some of my most memorable moment....hmmmm so many. The best ones are when characters have critical fails or critical successes. If you roll a natural 1 or 20 I have you reroll again to determine how bad or how great you did. Multiple rolls of 1 or 20 can be epic game changers. A couple recent ones that come to mind would be my girlfriend's first character, a druid/ranger. I had a velociraptor charge her. She said I'm going to hug it. A roll for wild empathy was a nat 20. Charisma check; nat 20. I rolled a will save...nat 1. It became her new animal companion named Jasper. At level 18 it's large size and she rides it into battle. Another character in my new low level game was attacked by stirges, big mosquito-like creature. He got bit. Rolled for random chance of disease, yes. Type: blinding sickness. Fortitude save: failed. He lived but the last 3 sessions or so he has been permanently blind. This new world has low money and magic so he hasn't found anyone to cure him yet, maybe next session. Until then it's just plain amusing as his character stumbles around. Balance checks, reflex saves and such. Plus we have a mischievous bard that keeps using ghost sound to fool him into stumbling into other people and causing scenes.
Do you do anything to set the mood or atmosphere?
Setting the mood for the game! I try to cook up a hearty meal. We mostly play in the winter time when our work loads have slowed down so lots of chili or stews and such. We outfitted my buddy's basement into our game room. So we have Halloween decoration skulls and we light scented candles. It makes it feel like we are in a tavern or dungeon at times.
What's one tip you would give to other DM/GM's out there?
One tip for fellow GM/DMs. Organization! I've learned to have a notebook for each thing so I spend less time rummaging around. Also research your skills, feats, spells, combat and rules. The faster you can come up with the answers the smoother the story and game will flow. Nothing kills a session like a long drawn out round of combat that takes an hour researching in multiple books.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
The biggest thing I'd like to address is that it's a game, have fun. Enjoy the time socializing and have some laughs. Also, let loose. Get into character and just have fun with it. Speak like a pirate or in some silly accent or create a personality that is atypical of your nature. It can be an escape from reality, just remember have fun!
What's your favorite RPG system and why?
My favorite rpg system is one of the many d20 based games. I'm a fan of Star Wars, Pathfinder and DnD 3.5. I currently run a game that's a mixture of 3.5 and pathfinder. I try to make the game as in depth as possible, so we tend to have more skills and more home brewed rules and magic items. These are most likely my favorites because I grew up on them and have the most experience playing d20 based games.
What made you want to become a DM/GM?
What made me want to be a DM/GM? lol, well, to be honest I prefer to play, sadly, it rarely happens. Nobody wants to run the game. I have years of experience so it's easy for me to just rattle off numbers and rules off the top of my head and I have a pretty good imagination and idea of battlefield tactics which helps me play monsters and npc in their respective mindsets. I first got exposed around the age of 9 with AD&D with older siblings. I loved it and wanted to expose my friends to this newfound world. I spent hours copying stats, rules and items by hand onto notebook paper. I still have that old folder of aged papers!
How much prep time do you conduct before a gaming session?
How much prep time do I spend before a session? Quite a bit. I keep notes on my phone when a thought randomly comes to me. I have various colored composition notebooks designated to various quest or topics. I've currently started making terrain pieces which is very time consuming haha. For low level games I can spend less prep time by just making up simple encounters on the spot. Yet I'm running a higher level campaign that's very time consuming. I go in depth with knowledge of spells cast in anticipation, fortifications, hit points and hardness of walls, doors and locks. At high levels there's countless variables to try to anticipate for. How will the characters react? I try to cover the most likely choices so that when it's game time there's little pause due to looking up rules and such.
What is one of your most memorable moments running a game?
Some of my most memorable moment....hmmmm so many. The best ones are when characters have critical fails or critical successes. If you roll a natural 1 or 20 I have you reroll again to determine how bad or how great you did. Multiple rolls of 1 or 20 can be epic game changers. A couple recent ones that come to mind would be my girlfriend's first character, a druid/ranger. I had a velociraptor charge her. She said I'm going to hug it. A roll for wild empathy was a nat 20. Charisma check; nat 20. I rolled a will save...nat 1. It became her new animal companion named Jasper. At level 18 it's large size and she rides it into battle. Another character in my new low level game was attacked by stirges, big mosquito-like creature. He got bit. Rolled for random chance of disease, yes. Type: blinding sickness. Fortitude save: failed. He lived but the last 3 sessions or so he has been permanently blind. This new world has low money and magic so he hasn't found anyone to cure him yet, maybe next session. Until then it's just plain amusing as his character stumbles around. Balance checks, reflex saves and such. Plus we have a mischievous bard that keeps using ghost sound to fool him into stumbling into other people and causing scenes.
Do you do anything to set the mood or atmosphere?
Setting the mood for the game! I try to cook up a hearty meal. We mostly play in the winter time when our work loads have slowed down so lots of chili or stews and such. We outfitted my buddy's basement into our game room. So we have Halloween decoration skulls and we light scented candles. It makes it feel like we are in a tavern or dungeon at times.
What's one tip you would give to other DM/GM's out there?
One tip for fellow GM/DMs. Organization! I've learned to have a notebook for each thing so I spend less time rummaging around. Also research your skills, feats, spells, combat and rules. The faster you can come up with the answers the smoother the story and game will flow. Nothing kills a session like a long drawn out round of combat that takes an hour researching in multiple books.
Any last thoughts for our readers?
The biggest thing I'd like to address is that it's a game, have fun. Enjoy the time socializing and have some laughs. Also, let loose. Get into character and just have fun with it. Speak like a pirate or in some silly accent or create a personality that is atypical of your nature. It can be an escape from reality, just remember have fun!
