LogFAQs > #881411487

Mario_VS_DK posted...

It's taking a lot of prep to set the initial thing up.

Here's a few super tips I've learned in my years of DMing.

Give the illusion of choice in your game if your players want challenge your plots and maps.
You can still use your encounters you have planned if your party decides they want to build a submarine and go completely out of your expectations just do a quick re flavoring and move the encounter to where they are.

Don't be afraid to halt the game to prepare or to have "cutscenes" if you need to set up a scene. Players may try to challenge you on this (don't say no, just let them roll and pretend like they are affecting the scene somehow, sometimes in ways nobody ever expected). Maybe your plot involves the princess being murdered by an assassin sent by a foreign govt but the party wants to fight the assassin or somehow would prevent your story from taking off.

Something like
"Before you stands a massive tower, the tower where the princess is being held captive you assume, and atop it are two shadows. One is that of the princess, but the other you do not know. Roll Perception (or do it yourself in secret). You DO notice however that the shadow is fast approaching the princess and unsheathes a vibrant blade that lights up the dark sky. The princess seems to be unaware and the figure stabs her in the back.-"

"Wait, I have a free round of attack in every situation and can't be surprised. I fire an arrow at the assassin."

"He's pretty far away but go ahead and roll"

"I rolled a 10"

"Your shot remarkably makes it to the tower despite the high winds and the assassin sheaths his blade vanishes."

Then once they get to the top of the tower have them find an arrow in the princess's neck.
Also a chamber maid saw the whole thing and your archer is now accused of murdering the princess.