Robert J. A. Gilbert
Gaming as a Ministry
It was that moment, standing in a pool of blood illuminated by eerie candlelight, that my inspiration came to me for this blog. Over the din of demonic screams and wicked, whispered chanting, my wife’s voice spoke into my headset, “I’m starting to realize how much evil you’ve taken out of the game.”
We weren’t playing my campaign, of course. My wife and I had joined a friend in an official Dungeons and Dragons Online Multiplayer game. We had just fought our way through swarms of shrieking zombies and growling gnolls to find ourselves in yet another room full of death and darkness. And so my reply came naturally, “This is quintessential Dungeons and Dragons. This is why I don’t like playing it the way they meant it to be played.”
That was the moment I realized that I needed to finally write about my other favorite hobby—not playing games, but creating them. Or, as I intend to do in this blog, modifying games that are, in some ways, broken. I have spent many years at this hobby, studying the rules and mechanics of existing games, seeing what works and what does not, and then adding my own suggestions for fixing them. And I’m not talking about modifying rules so that it’s easier to win or make me feel better about my character. I love a game that can be a challenge but also encourages players to come back for more.
Dungeons and Dragons is a prime example of the type of game I enjoy modifying, and it is currently the most popular form of role-playing games on the market today. (Author’s note: I originally wrote this blog long before any controversies that affect the current state of the franchise.) In this section of my web site, I want to share with you some of the game mechanics, lore mechanics, and other ideas I have used to make gaming more fun and conducive to a positive fellowship experience.
The Fey / Fiend Dichotomy
Fey and fiends are two sides of the same type of entity. Both are connected to the ley-lines and, specifically, ley energy.
Ley energy is not the same as arcane or divine magic. Ley energy is cumulative emotion, worship, or sentiment directed towards a common focal point for a period of time. A high mountain. A refreshing forest pool. A meadow where the sunrise hits first every morning. These are locations where ley energy gathers.
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Immersion Encounters
We have all heard of the three pillars of role-playing games: Exploration, Role Play, and Combat. But what sets apart your campaign from the other games and game-masters in your area? In many cases, it is the level of immersion the players get from being at your table. In this Post-Geek-and-Sundry era of TTRPGs, players often come to the table expecting a “Critical Role” experience. If you do not have those kinds of voice-acting skills, or detailed miniature models of the dungeon you are exploring, or encyclopedic knowledge of the rules, monsters, and magical abilities that can make the game more fun…how do you keep your players engaged?
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Looting, Encumbrance, and Appraisal
The final bugbear takes one last gasp, drops its mace to the floor, and collapses. Dead. The entire dungeon seems to pause at that moment. No other monsters come to investigate the sound of battle. No risk of that last drop of oil in the lantern running out. Even that band of orcs the party was pursuing seems to wait for them to take the time to loot the bodies and search the room for treasure...
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This article was originally printed in Elven Maid Inn's "Tales from the Tavern" magazine, available on Drive-Thru RPG.
To find out more about "Tales from the Tavern"
Exhaustion is still broken. Here's how to fix it.
The fighter fails his saving throw against the death ray and drops to the ground, slain. The party gasps. Without the help of their powerful ally, this will be a formidable battle. And, indeed, it is. After several rounds of damage and dodging, the monster lies dead beside the fallen fighter. The cleric checks her spell slots and moans woefully. The fight drained her of the power she needs to cast even the lowest of revival spells; she has no hope of bringing this fallen comrade back to life...