There is a perception that all RPGs lie somewhere on a spectrum. At one end there are games which attempt to simulate a world and the player is bound by the rules of that simulation – e.g. the character starts with certain amount of gold, a fixed number of spells.
A critical component of good game design is how the game’s mechanics mesh with the game’s narrative. If the these elements do not align the player’s ability to suspend disbelief is challenged. For example, most games have mechanics which allow a character to attack at a range but the narrative,
The Last Spell Ingredient The trouble with magic is it that it is unexplainable and inexplicable. Diligent research wizards may find cheap and common alternatives for some spells but there is no guarantee all ingredients can be replaced. A healing potion might just need that very specific breed of moth
Fate True prophecies involve predetermination, a fixed time-line or gods of fate ensuring things happen. Which means the prophecy will be fulfilled regardless of what the characters do. As railroading the players this much is something most GMs avoid, adventures focus not on stopping the prophecy but on making sure
There is an almost universal trope in tabletop RPGs that a player (other the GM) only has narrative control of their own character. That is, they have very little ability to create and define parts of the world – the narrative – the character exists in. When creating a new
A Christmas present from 6d6 to tabletop gamers everywhere Our gift to you is a free download of our blood-soaked Christmas whodunit mystery – Mince Pies & Murder. Because nothing says Christmas like a spot of murder. Six famous detectives are invited to spend Christmas with a notorious but dying
A quick round-up of interesting links to historical sewer systems of use to RPG GMs and world builders for the RPG Blog Carnival. The History of Sewers is exactly what it says and a great resources for understanding the history of sewers and how sewers they work. The death of
A quick round up of free OSR /D&D adventures in sewers part of this month’s sewer & waste themed RPG Blog Carnival The Lair has a random sewer encounter table for you Two page sewer map and descriptions from Dyson Logos Also from Dyson this crypts & sewers map, our
Continuing our exploration of the dirtier side of RPG world building (see part 1). Whose job is it? There is always a prejudice against those who work in waste disposal. It is a dirty, smelly job and one which often involves anti-social hours which can lead to an “untouchable” social
Where Do Character’s Go To The Toilet? The point of world building in role-playing games is to give the players the sense their characters exist in a living, breathing world. If GMs and world builders ignore questions about toilets and waste disposal they are missing out on a wealth of
