Dollars & Dragons - Issue #2
Dollars & Dragons - Issue #2
Hey y'all! This time we have more deets on the big bad's statblock from The Vineyard & some pro GM advice about running romance plots!
I'm going to be pumping out more newsletters as I carve out time.
Progress on the Aisling Rovehnna's Statblock
At the beginning of September we brought on the immensely talented contributor of Flee! Mortals VJ Harris to help us develop the most engaging stat blocks in 5th edition. Here's a preview of that:
The goal of developing Aisling Rovehnna's statblock is to emphasize their character, as we'll do with all of the 10+ NPCs. Aisling does not want to fight the party; They want the party to be absorbed into the Vineyard. With the statblock, Lair, How To Roleplay section, and dialogue trees we're providing a vast array of options. The encounter will be unique and exciting as your table attempts to overcome the vast monologue powers of Their Majesty. GMs will be given the tools to convince the party to join the Vineyard, kill one another, or agree to ally with the Vineyard against an alien threat.
Please hit the NOTIFY ME ON LAUNCH button on our Kickstarter! You'll get the email when the campaign goes live - and also get to enjoy some of our "First Day Goodies" by pledging in the first 24 hours!
To ERP or not to ERP?
GMing romance plots is dangerous. Just look at reddit or watch any YT videos about DnD. There's so much that can go WRONG - yet it's so EASY to get right.
I run romance interests and plots for my players each week. Here's how:
Session 0 -
You need to express expectations, lines, veils, and safety tools. You absolutely need an X (stop) and/or N (veil) card in play if you're going to allow romance or intimate contact.
People have a right to change their minds mid-game. Allow them the space to.
Start with your lines/veils and rules. I don't allow myself to initiate with players as an NPC w/o consent. I'm in a position of power as GM, so it might be seen as something that "has to happen" in the context of a plot. That's not true.
So I eliminate the threat of it.
Clarity -
In that same vein, if a player initiates with ME, I consider that to be temporary consent. My NPC will flirt back. If I feel uncertain, I will ask directly: "Is your PC flirting?" Sometimes the player will say "Oh! No."
That's okay. People communicate differently.
As a GM you need to be ready for that uncomfortable clarification. People at your table sometimes won't feel comfortable expressing themselves unless prompted directly, in private or in public. Use your discretion for this.
Temp Consent -
If I have temporary consent, (they flirted with an NPC) I will check-in with the player post-session. "How was that? Did you have fun with this? Is this something you want to continue?"
Again: consent is not something you gain once and have forever.
Ask -
If I ever feel as though I want to run a romance plot that involves their PC, I will ASK FOR PERMISSION explicitly to the player in a private message. This is to eliminate: Peer pressure, awkwardness, and potential embarrassment.
If they don't want it? I don't.
Planning Romance -
If I'm wanting to do a thing for story reasons I will plan a 4 plot point story arc.
1. Initial awkward rom
2. Serious confession
3. Commitment/Conflict
4. Resolution
I check in privately at each stage. Usually after every session with romance, even.
These can be fit in nicely during downtime usually or in conjunction with a major plot. These are "b plots" that you find in many series dramas. They're meant to incite direct interest for short periods of time, but not be the main story. They can also humanize former antagonists.
Value -
What can romance plots do for your table? Well, for some players they are an important facet to what it is to be human. If you do this carefully and intentionally, you can really invest your players.
Apologize -
You're going to make mistakes. Be ready to admit a mistake and listen to your players if they express discomfort. Your romance script is not as important as the safety of your players.
Modify Memory -
You might need to drop a plot. Someone could be having a rough time IRL. The romance could be stressful and not fun anymore.
For that reason if a player wants to - I allow a player to X out of a relationship, vaporizing it. (As though it never existed.)
Seattle Gay News Feature
I was featured in this issue of SGN! Check it out here!
SGN :: Dollars & Dragons: The rise of a professional game master — www.sgn.org Meet Friday: an innovator in the tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) space.
Thanks for reading!