tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post8212897173060843900..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: Missed OpportunitiesAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-10706401918897608542016-10-21T15:21:44.406-06:002016-10-21T15:21:44.406-06:00"I am not a cruise director."
I literal..."I am not a cruise director."<br /><br />I literally (not figuratively) laughed out loud when I read this. I worked as a cruise ship musician for about 3 years, most of which I spent with a Certain Cruise Line (CCL). The culture and marketing is such that the word "fun" appears about twice per sentence. (Clocking into work hours was done through "fun time".)<br /><br />Cruise directors range from genuinely decent, upbeat people to the guy in middle school who really, really wanted everyone to like him. I don't relate to the "entertainer" model of DMing because it's exhausting and leads to predictable outcomes. "Succeed now or I'll create a way for you to succeed later." has two major flaws. For me, knowing what's eventually going to happen is pretty boring. For players, the stakes are small or illusory. They know this deep down. The interaction with the Djinn is not a stepping stone to "the good part". It's where the game lies.<br /><br />I'll add that cruise directors have their shtick well planned, sometimes word by word. ("Groundhog Day" for the band.) One of them hadn't changed his for decades. I suppose "They will eventually defeat 'the campaign villain'." has similar appeal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-25760977942432647482016-10-19T10:52:34.849-06:002016-10-19T10:52:34.849-06:00Totally agree. I'm only a few sessions ahead o...Totally agree. I'm only a few sessions ahead of my players and I try and run NPCs with motivations. If the players do nothing, the world keeps moving.Aradothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00973432648267759150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-51308305795809266112016-10-19T07:52:38.847-06:002016-10-19T07:52:38.847-06:00Your party may never find out, but you will tell u...Your party may never find out, but you will tell us where the crown jewels are, right? (wink, wink).<br /><br />I have come up against something like this in the past. A few years ago, my players figured out all they had to do is remain silent for a few moments after I described someone or something and I would jump in to fill the dead-air with additional details about the subject. Often giving away details or twists I had in mind for latter sessions. I had very weak stuff--player servicing at its worst. What a difference practice and a little confidence makes. <br /><br />From you, I learned to shut up and rebuff pointed questions, feelers for the freebie details I used to divulge. I have much more fun now, letting the stew come up to a simmer and watching the tension creep to the surface. LTWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14280926541054573911noreply@blogger.com