Monday, December 5, 2016

Can't Seem to Make Gaming Happen.

Been down lately. Real down. My main stress release is gaming but that does not seem to ever happen. I also seem to be the only Game master for Fantasy Gaming. Tried to collect a few other Fantasy Game Masters but they have failed to produce (even though many have claimed to be really good game masters.) or don't want to do it. I have tried for years to start an expeditionary campaign of old using Back to the Dungeon RPG which shares the workload between game masters but it never seems to happen.

You know when you are really on target with an adventure or module you write. You know when one is kinda half ass and sucks. Especially if you have been gaming since 81 yet my well written games lack fire. I am getting burnt out as a game master as well.

I can't really explain it other than many of my players are non adventurous adventurers.  I am not a killer GM but they are careful to the point of making the game boring at times.

They take NO chances save a few of the characters. One adventure (one claiming to be one of the best GMs in the world in his younger days) even suggested that the party go back to town because the dungeon was dangerous.  

The party tends to not go the way of the adventure such as exploring a mountain in the distance that has nothing to do with the adventure or is a separate part of the adventure. Even throwing in blocker monsters does not stop the wandering. 

People also don't always show up thus screwing up the continuum.

My terrible schedule also lacks any consideration for life. Around the middle of this year I worked almost 2 months straight then another month. I am about to work almost 4 months straight once again. I am afraid that may gaming group will die. 

4 comments:

  1. It is a tough call and ive had happen before. I stopped some games because of work now those times and players all booked and i cant get players for anything. Next year will try out some other clubs. Have even being playing intro games for youth which has been helpful.
    Ive been meaning to play using hangouts online and suspect a better class of games and players available there.

    Good luck with gaming duldrums

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  2. I've been in this situation - the "adventuring is too dangerous" thing was getting me down quite a bit in the past. Hang in there, take a break, find some new folks, or be a bit more forceful in the style of game (ie this isn't a sandbox). At some point the players need to work WITH the GM. More than once I've stated things like "and you can ignore the finely crafted adventure for an evening of random encounters, or agree to help this guy and do awesome stuff". Check out Dungeon World for a game that relies more on player action. I took 6-month brak and let anyone else in the group run whatever they liked. It was a nice change of pace - one guy picked up GMing for the first time.

    In any case, good luck!

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  3. Sounds like you need a change of venue with your party. Hopefully you can find a small batch of folks to game with. Best of luck with it.

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  4. Have you tried gaming online? I have a Saturday morning game you are welcome to join.

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