So, serious question. I have random tables for the different sections of the city that is the backbone of the setting. I was originally thinking to put those in the setting booklet in the sections talking about the city, but now I'm wondering if they should go in the GM booklet... #ttrpgcreators - ThreadSky

jason-mythforged.bsky.social • 8 days ago

So, serious question. I have random tables for the different sections of the city that is the backbone of the setting. I was originally thinking to put those in the setting booklet in the sections talking about the city, but now I'm wondering if they should go in the GM booklet...

#ttrpgcreators

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jason-mythforged.bsky.social•8 days ago

This is structured like a box set, btw, so a system-less setting booklet, a player-facing system booklet, and a GM-facing rules, critters, and adventures booklet. Although the adventures may get split off if the length gets out of hand...

drew-makes-games.itch.io•8 days ago

Are the tables useful to players at all? Anything that could inspire backstories?

jason-mythforged.bsky.social•8 days ago

No, mostly plot hooks or random events to make the city feel alive.... but you've given me an idea! (And more work, lol)

I should definitely include some tables for backstories in with the player creation info.

drew-makes-games.itch.io•8 days ago

Oops 😉

jason-mythforged.bsky.social•8 days ago

No worries. A simple life-path system is a great way to get grounded in a setting without having to study the setting deeply. People who like randomness can just roll, while others can choose the elements they like, but it cuts down on thematically incompatible PCs. My group loved it in RuneQuest...

meaningofnight.bsky.social•8 days ago

I like tables near where I’d be using the information. So if in the setting book there’s a tavern I’d rather have the table of a tavern events or tavern NPCs on the tavern page instead of say an appendix in the GM guide so when I need the tavern I can open it up and go great everything is here.

jason-mythforged.bsky.social•8 days ago

That was my initial thoughts too. I'm only second guessing this because it would be in front of the players too (assuming they read the setting info 🤣). They're just events that could trigger (and formated to be really open-ended) so I don't THINK it would be a issue, but I'm not sure.

meaningofnight.bsky.social•8 days ago

True. Maybe then include a one pager in the player book of high level setting info they need to know from the player perspective? (Can be mostly copied over)
Of course you want to ground the players in the setting but they are also “playing to find out” so they don’t need nearly as much as the GM

jason-mythforged.bsky.social•8 days ago

Good point. I guess that really is the most important question. Does it matter if the players see this stuff.

jason-mythforged.bsky.social•8 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/jason-mythforged.bsky.social/post/3lg3xxhmnfc2y

This is what I'm talking about. Specifically the random events in the first column of the second page

meaningofnight.bsky.social•8 days ago

Looking at this I don’t think it matters if the players see this. Gives direction and flavor but is open ended up enough for GMs to work in. Like think about how many times “an NPC asks for help” in games. Doesn’t detract from the player experience. (If they even remember what they read lol)

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