[UA] Stupid Newbie GM questions...

[Chris Cooper]

--- "Anthony H." <ars.mysteriorum at gmail.com> wrote:


> 
> So... is it hard to make up a story? 

No, not really. An hour or so is enough for me and an
okay plot with a system I'm familiar with. Longer for
new systems and some detail to absorb. Some games
there's nothing, but I'm not interested in those
games.

How much time
> do you usually spend
> planning a session?

Crikey, that's a tricky one. It depends on which route
I take. 1) I come up with a basic plot, work out some
history, then dump the ignorant PCs into the story.

2) get character concepts/game ideas from players
first, make up story around them. Bit trickier in
someways, easier in others.

As a note of caution, try and not make up too much of
the game. All you need is a rough plot line where
events/clue are suppose to happen/be found, a handfull
of NPCs/GMCs, notes on special events/objects. I would
suggest that these all be seen as interchangeable
parts and learn to adapt your story on the fly.

I have found that simple, easy-to-follow,
trail-of-breadcrumb skeleton-framed stories are best
for RPGs, anything more complicated like in linear
format movies or books get hopelessly bogged down,
confusing, and abandoned. If you worry, don't; the
right players will make the simplest story and make it
enjoyable.

Good luck.

Cheers,

Chris.