Yesterday morning, on the drive up to Shire Con, I actually considered the consequences of driving off the road (one of those winding, country roads) to avoid running my morning session of Swords & Wizardry Light. Obviously, I didn't, but the thought did cross my mind. Do you suffer from Gamemaster anxiety?
I know I suffer from Gamemaster Anxiety. Right before I have to run a session, that feeling of dread, nervousness, and fear slips in - and immediately leaves the moment I start running the game. Do you suffer the same or similar? How do you handle it?Link to Episode 130 - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E130---Do-You-Also-Suffer-from-Gamemaster-Anxiety-e29ct8
I have experienced it on occasion. Not fun! I talk about it a little in How To Game Master like a Fucking Boss.
ReplyDeleteEven though I've been running games for 41 years, it still strikes me everytime.
ReplyDeleteSo I prepare something as much as I can as a sandbox and then prepare the NPC's prepare the plot think about where the story could go prepare my graphics and just preparation everywhere.... and then 5 minutes before game time get a cup of coffee. Greet the players. Ask them how they have been. A little bit of catch-up out of game. And then start the tail with the intro trailer dialogue: "It is early in the year 499 in the Northlands, and the winter has continued unabated. With Bandits attacking supply Caravans along the roads, food in the outposts of the North is scarce. In the town of icerock..."