GM: Cyril

This session is designed for both new and experienced Game Masters looking to sharpen their skills and deepen their storytelling. We’ll cover practical tools, strategies, and insights that make running TTRPGs smoother, more fun, and more impactful for everyone at the table.

Topics include:

• New GM Essentials: Introductory advice for first-time GMs.

• Improvisation Tips: How to stay flexible and keep things moving when players go off script.

• Engaging Players: How to build trust, encourage roleplay, and charm your players (legitimately).

• Railroading vs Sandbox: When to guide the story tightly, when to let players roam, and how to blend both styles effectively.

• The Illusion of Choice: Using fate, destiny, and smart planning to make every player decision feel meaningful.

• Refreshing the Game: How taking a break from your main campaign with a one-shot can reinvigorate both you and your players.

• Hidden in Plain Sight: Clever ways to disguise your Big Bad Evil Guy (BBEG) until the perfect reveal.

• Homebrew vs Modules: The pros and cons of using pre-written content versus building your own.

• Prep and Mechanics: Understanding character sheets, math, and how much prep is really necessary.

• Story Structure: What details to emphasize, what to cut or gloss over, and when to let moments breathe.

• Rolling vs Roleplaying: Knowing when to use dice, when to let the players talk it out, and when to go cinematic.

• Problem Players: How to identify and deal with disruptive player types—murderhobos, edgelords, loners, rules lawyers, and trolls—and why sometimes it’s okay to remove them from your table.

• Q&A and Group Discussion: Bring your own questions, challenges, and stories!