Hurrying up Friday, adventurer!

Tomorrow is game night, and I haven't prepared anything.

I'm sure if you're a game master, this has happened to you at some point.

If you're a player, believe me: even if you don't know it, it's happened to your game master.

I'm in the same boat, but with this week's newsletter.

So I'm solving it the same way.

Below, I'll tell you what I do when I haven't prepared for the game.

But first, let me explain what happened.

Two important events

On the one hand, I'm preparing merchandise for the BCN Game Fest.

If you're going to be there, let me know!

On the other hand, I have a big event this week.

Not a convention, but an occasion.

Pater Grimoire (that is, my father) is turning 70!

It's a special date because he'll go from being a Wizard to an Archmage.

And this calls for a big celebration and gifts, which have kept me busy this week.

(It also requires turning your stomach into a Bag of Holding because there's going to be enough food for an army of trolls.)

With that out of the way, and knowing that the newsletter will be a little shorter, let's get started.

Getting ready in a whim

I'll show you a photo of the notes from one of my most successful games.

It reads:

Three lines and lots of question marks.

Once you have a clear idea of the situations, you just need to set the scene a little and your players will do the rest.

They spent almost two hours talking to this Lady Watcher.

When the crow stuff happened, they spent a lot of time chasing them around an inn that ended up looking like the Marx Brothers' cabin.

And then, when we were all laughing...

Bam! I froze their blood by reminding them that they had something very serious to deal with the next day.

Of course, I had to improvise a lot, but with the right tools at hand, it's very easy.

For example, as a magician, I hid something throughout the game.

The hidden trick

Have you noticed?

Come on, let's say it together on the count of three.

One...

Two...

Three!

There was no combat.

Yes, it may seem like a small thing.

But any experienced game master knows how hard it can be to create a good, balanced combat.

If you know your players like to roleplay, it's better to throw them a couple of situations that require a bit of interpretation, and you'll easily reach four hours of play.

Of course, you won't be able to run all your games like this, but it will save you from more than one predicament.

However, if your improvised game absolutely needs a combat, I have my tricks too.

I share them in the Game Master's Survival Kit, a PDF eBook in which I elaborate on the guidelines I use when directing and creating adventures. Of course, with examples.

If you want to get it, it's an exclusive gift for those who purchase my Game Master Screens before September 30 at 11:59 p.m.

The interior contains an original illustration full of tips that will make you a better DM, creating unforgettable adventures for your players.

Send me an email to see all the models and get one.

Bountiful quests and successful rolls!

🦉 Irene the Wizard

🦃 Saul the Bard

P.S: What short scene did you throw at your players that ended up lasting three hours?

P.P.S: September 30 is next Tuesday. When I send out the next newsletter, the opportunity to get the Game Master's Survival Kit as a bonus with the screen will be gone.