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This blog is simply an outlet for some of my thoughts and ideas on tabletop role-playing games.

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An Encounter with Goblins

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What follows is a case study. It began with a random encounter result of goblins. Then the LEDGE method (outlined  here ) was applied. It produced a module-worthy encounter. It was then run in actual play. This is a recap of that play identifying the critical parts of the encounter through the lens of the LEDGE method. Unbeknownst to the party, one of the NPCs they disclosed their quest to was secretly a spy. Because of this indiscretion, the enemies in the following encounter knew the PCs were coming and had set up an ambush. The party consists of: Kizya , Female Human Champion ( 7th level Fighter ) Zoltar , Male Human Magsman ( 8th level Thief ) Nadja , Female Human Magician ( 6th level Magic-User ) Jada , Female Half-Elf Prefect Thaumaturgist ( C5/MU5 ) Zogath , Male Half-Orc Curate Myrmidon ( C4/F6 ) Viktor , Male Human Myrmidon ( 6th level Fighter ) Nadja also made the mistake of drinking liquor at the tavern from the bartender’s personal stash and is suffering fro...
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12 Story Hooks at the Tavern

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It's been said "you meet at a tavern" is no way to kick off a story, campaign, or epic adventure. It's too over-done, too cliche. Nonetheless, left complete to their own devices, two out of three players will decide their character heads to the tavern. So unless you plan on leading your players by the nose through the adventure, it is prudent to be prepared to begin here: A female merchant is looking to hire armed couriers to make an important delivery. A female merchant is looking to hire armed escorts for a business meeting with some unsavory characters. The dark-cloaked man in the corner is about to propose a mission to the player characters when he suddenly dies mid-sentence. A suspicious man is seen darting out of the tavern immediately after. A serving wench tells the party of a cave a mere 2 hour ride from town where there are said to be jewels and riches. She is one of the bandit chief’s lovers and she is sending the party into an ambush to be ...
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The LEDGE Method: 5 Things to Consider When Designing Encounters

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Some gamers like to play and/or run RPGs with a real story bent. And some story buffs like to take a "fractal" approach to stories, where each scene in the telling of a story is a mini-story in itself. Me, personally, I prefer to never lose sight of that roleplaying games are games. But unlike some of the prevailing theories out there, I feel good game, good story, and logical coherency actually work best in tandem. And so I think even gamers who aren't necessarily trying to create a story in their games will find these ideas make encounters more interesting. First, I'll say I have actual reasons why I feel different styles actually work better together rather than separately. It's not just a warm and fuzzy sentiment for me. It's because when I get into some heavy duty thinkers, like famous psychoanalyst Carl Jung and legendary economist Ludwig von Mises. I couldn't help but notice that the anatomy of Jung's conception of a story correlates strongly to...
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