Splatbook*

Agenda & core loop

Agenda

Always do these three things.

  • Portray a rich, mysterious world
  • Punctuate the PCs' lives with adventure
  • Play to find out what happens

Principles

  • Follow the rules
  • Begin and end with the fiction
  • Address the characters, not the players
  • Ask questions and build on the answers
  • Be a fan of the player characters
  • Embrace the fantastic and the mundane
  • Exploit the setting guide
  • Respect your prep
  • Give your characters life
  • Think offscreen, too
  • Bring it home
  • Let things breathe
  • Let things burn

The core loop

repeat12345

  1. 1. Establish the situation

    • Frame the action
    • Describe the environment
    • Give details & specifics
    • Ask questions, ask for input
    • Portray NPCs and monsters
    • Answer questions, clarify

  2. 2. Make a soft GM move

    Provoke action and/or increase tension.

  3. 3. Ask, "What do you do?"

  4. 4. Resolve their actions

    • If they trigger a player move, do what the move says.
    • If they roll a 6-, make a hard GM move (establish badness).
    • If they ignore trouble, make a hard GM move (establish badness).
    • Otherwise, say what happens.

  5. 5. Repeat

    • Is the situation clear and compelling? Can the PC(s) act? Back to step 3.
    • Is the situation clear, but escalating before the PCs act? Back to step 2.
    • Is the situation clear, but needs a nudge? Back to step 2.
    • Is the situation unclear? Does it need clarification, recapping, or updating? Back to step 1.
    • Is the current scene or situation over? Wrap up, look for the next one. Back to step 1.

Other things to do

  • Take notes
  • Draw maps
  • Leave blanks
  • Keep things moving
  • Involve everyone
  • Engage your players in world-building
  • Sometimes, disclaim decision making