The Beginnings of GM Lichdom
Good evening, traveler.
Let me begin by introducing myself. For the purposes of this blog, I will be the GM - Crypt Keeper. Now, why? Because I thought it would be terribly cute to make a reference to Tales from the Crypt and something to do with GM’s. Or something. I’ve been tabletop roleplaying for about 8 years now (a lich shouldn’t really give his age). Now, for many of you, you may have been in this field for much longer than myself. But for some, you’re burgeoning GMs who might find some of these musings useful. For others, maybe we can discuss topics within the roleplay setting that leave some of us stumped or have different perspectives/approaches. Who am I to say that I’m the authority on any of this?
Why start a blog?
Well, if we’re being honest, tabletop roleplaying has become wildly more popular in recent years and there are a host of people looking to get into it, some of which want to learn how to GM. So, for that end, I want to provide my own mark, my own experience to maybe help someone.
Additionally, this felt like a great idea to discuss topics in GMing, campaign design, group dynamics, etc. Some of you likely have more experience than me and I very much hope you join in this discussion via comments or whatnot. Some of you may be fresh to this but have some very interesting thoughts to add to the discussion. Some of you may, in fact, be the ones asking the questions. My goal is to be a voice to start that conversation, to talk about what has worked for me, what hasn’t, what I can improve on, what I excel at, and to give a view through my lens (and hopefully a more objective one, as well).
Honestly, this is both a resource to any reader who may have questions and a resource for me. How does this work for me? Well, I get to engage people with my ramblings and thoughts, my campaign diaries, etc. to make myself a better GM and player. I get to process things after games or after spending some time thinking about different topics and hopefully get your input, too.
What is the structure, then?
For the most part, at least starting out, I’ll be putting up campaign diaries around my current GMing project. With that said, I’ll be filtering in some topics that I want to put my two cents in for the general discussion. Some of these may be around world building, politics, what unique monster of the whatever (week, month, century, who knows) that you can throw at your party in different and unique ways, party and group dynamics (bringing in some of that good ol’ psychology), and perhaps even topics such as mental health in relation to tabletop roleplaying. Some things I discuss I will literally ask you what you want to hear. I’m not just doing this blog for my health, as I’ve mentioned previously.
So, who are you?
Honestly, traveler, I thought we were passed this. Again, I’m the GM - Crypt Keeper.
Oh, you meant what kind of GM am I and whatnot? Well, I suppose it would be useful to know what my lens is in this. Perhaps it would be of use to discuss what systems I have GM’d, which I have played in, what are my preferences for setting, character preferences, my current projects, and a little background, yes?
So, as I have previously discussed, I’ve been playing for about 8 years now, since part way through my college days. It wasn’t long before I tried my hand at GMing to almost disastrous results but, hey, you live and you learn. (Or you die and come back as a lich because ain’t nothing holding you down). I have been in many more games than I have run but I think that’s probably the case for most people. Maybe.
Systems: Well, there have been many. I’ve explored D&D 3.5, D&D 5e, Pathfinder, 13th Age, Mutants and Masterminds, New World of Darkness (and now the God Machine Chronicle), Scion, Dresden Files and Call of Cthulhu. Now, I have many more on my bookshelf that I’m going to be cracking into such as Through the Breach, Fear Itself, Starfinder, and Shadow of the Demon Lord to name a few. I have actively run settings for D&D 5e, Pathfinder, New World of Darkness, and Scion.
Setting Preferences: I’m kind of eclectic with games. I love different settings. I’m a diehard fan for High Fantasy. I also love modern fantasy/urban fantasy. I love horror. I’ve recently gained a taste for Sci-fi. There are so many wonderful systems and settings, I’ve always wanted to have elements of different things offered to players, which probably informs how I’m building my world/campaign (more on that in a different entry).
Current Projects: Okay, so to give you an overview of how many crypts I am playing in currently: I’m in a Pathfinder game currently in a custom world designed and run by one of my best friends. I’m in a 5th edition game currently in a custom world designed and run by yet another great friend. I’m currently running an adventure path (AP) from Pathfinder that I plan on seeding into my larger story when my world is finally complete. The AP is Strange Aeons, kind of right up my alley. And mentioned at least 100 times, I’m developing my own world and campaign.
Current Restrictions: I think it’s important for us as players and GMs to look at our restrictions. What do I mean by this? Well, I have a mausoleum full of responsibilities. Like I mentioned, I’m in 2 games and running 1 game currently. I’m in my last semester of grad school, in an internship, and part timing at one of the greatest game stores I’ve ever seen. Plus, I’ve decided to write up these simple musings. With that in mind, I should probably do an entry on self-care and knowing your limit, hmmm?
Character Preferences: So, I also think it’s important that when you think of yourself as a GM, think about who you are as a player, too. It honestly informs what things you find interesting to do and informs where you might be spending more time in your design. I encourage everyone to provide a balanced approach, but know where you come from. I love, absolutely love, playing dark characters. Characters that normally have right being heroes but make it work. Do they always succeed? No, some have actually caused more harm down the road than the harm they tried to stop. But I think that they are good tools in a story. I like playing strange characters, with strange backgrounds, and strange powers. I will also almost always play a spellcaster given half of a chance. Now, this mostly applies to fantasy/sci-fi settings. I’m also a very political player. I usually play some kind of social characters because I love intrigue and getting into the background of the campaign. Do I exclusively play these characters? No, but they are definitely my favorite.
Are you always this long winded?
Probably.
Future Directions and Closure
Okay, okay. I think that covers the introductions. I really do hope that this ends up working for me and working for whoever may be reading these. Now, you may not always agree with my decisions or my perspectives, but that’s the beautiful thing, you can disagree with me (and this is my blog, so yeah).
From here, I will be doing my campaign diaries up into the current part of my game, typing up background thoughts, critical decision making on my behalf, etc. The goal isn’t to spoil a lot if you are a player or GM looking to run the AP that I’m currently discussing. The goal is to look at my process. Also, I have to keep in mind that some of my players may be reading this and, even though somethings may be out in the open, I have to save some surprises, right? I’m sure you will all here about that at some point, though.
For now, adieu. Know that I look forward to producing some content on this and look forward to hearing from you, traveler.
GM Crypt Keeper