Acting out [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Acting out [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rocketboy13
11-09-05, 03:42 PM This is more a question to other DM's out there who are big into the roleplaying, but do you ever mentally tap yourself out? :zzz:
Let me clarify. I find the best way to draw my players in is good acting when playing the part of the NPC's (they have forgiven plot holes and many, many instances of non-logic, because they find the character interaction so much fun). But, keeping the voices and mannerism sets of 10-15 NPC's (that's right I do up to 15 individual characters in the course of a game session, each with a lot of personality, these arn't just extras) over the course of 4 or 5 hours can be too much for me, I tend to run out of words (mostly adjectives) at around hour 3. I am afraid to change styles to drasticly (for fear of my gamer's disappointed faces :waits: :pbbbtt: :bored: :zzz: )
Does anybody else have experience with this burning out, or am I just a gaming wuss? :embarrass
Seeker95
11-09-05, 04:02 PM If the adventure is very DM-RP-driven, I burnout in as little as an hour, and can usually last for no more than two hours. If the adventure is very player-RP-driven, I am good for as much as a five to eight hour session.

I do not view you as a gaming wuss.
KJW
11-09-05, 04:25 PM Nope perfectly normal to get fatigued, DMing can be difficult, especially when you put a lot of energy into it. I also find a rough day with the kids, work, or anything else can really sap your strength before the game. Nothing you can do when that happens, except soldier on. With more experience you can run on auto-pilot more effectively, but sometimes it is really tough to do a good job DMing.

The key may be to try to shift more of the roleplaying burden upon the PCs. Puzzles, mysteries, and situations where the PCs have to talk amongst themselves will help give you a break, whenever the PCs start conversing together step back and enjoy the moment.

Also what I do in long sessions is have a meal break or snack at some point when you can relax as DM for a little bit of time. A little food and a soda is a great way to recharge before heading into that final stretch of the session.
Azual
11-09-05, 04:48 PM If you need a break, have to PC's go to a monestary where all the monks have a vow of silence.

Im just full of useless solutions like these.
:)
Habronicus
11-09-05, 05:00 PM It can be hard if your players are in a social setting (like a busy city) and insist on talking to everything that moves. That's why I usually focus more on the NPCs who have something important to say, and less on the others. In a way, it helps the players to realize what they should be taking notes of, and what's just gibberish. However, there have been times when a non-important NPC actually became an important part of the story unintentionally, in which case, I tend to flesh out what made that NPC stand out in the first place.

BTW, about that monastery suggestion... :D ...nevermind.
bitswordmaker
11-09-05, 07:34 PM Nah man, it's when you get worn out that you can feel you did a good job on it. I always "fly by the seat of my pants" as my players put it. I may have the thinnest idea of an outline on what I want this party to do, so when I'm suddenly stumped for an idea, they usually just give me a second. Sometimes it helps to ask what the players want to do. I find it particularly fun when I ask them what they want to fight lol. They say a kobold, give the kobold a twist, make him very powerful (though, try to avoid killing the party with him, they get ****** about that lmao). As for the acting part, sometime you've got to use the same adjectives. I mean, if you're in a village with little outside influence, the people are all likely to talk similarly.

Nope, you're not a wuss, just mentally pooped.

"Bit once said that the most destructive power in the world was not Metsubou Gai (Destruction Scythe), but the positive energy that made it up." - Therain
Bruunwald
11-10-05, 07:46 PM We all burn out sometimes. You give a lot away when you DM. The preparation, the acting, the storytelling, the dice, the numbers - it can become very overwhelming.

I tend toward detail as well, but try to spread it out. For instance, a nice picture of something, some good prepared dialogue for important NPCs, an impressive map or terrain. I find that it helps to keep my own interest and energy up if I can diversify my creative projects.

That does mean that not every character gets a great voice. But each area of the game gets something special to it.

I wouldn't worry about the players being disappointed if you need to tone it down a bit. They'll probably understand. I think back on times when I didn't have as many handouts and apologized. I got a lot of sympathy and comments like, "we're just surprised you were able to do as much as you have up until now" and "don't worry about it."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rocketboy13 11-09-05, 03:42 PM	This is more a question to other DM's out there who are big into the roleplaying, but do you ever mentally tap yourself out? :zzz: Let me clarify. I find the best way to draw my players in is good acting when playing the part of the NPC's (they have forgiven plot holes and many, many instances of non-logic, because they find the character interaction so much fun). But, keeping the voices and mannerism sets of 10-15 NPC's (that's right I do up to 15 individual characters in the course of a game session, each with a lot of personality, these arn't just extras) over the course of 4 or 5 hours can be too much for me, I tend to run out of words (mostly adjectives) at around hour 3. I am afraid to change styles to drasticly (for fear of my gamer's disappointed faces :waits: :pbbbtt: :bored: :zzz: ) Does anybody else have experience with this burning out, or am I just a gaming wuss? :embarrass
Seeker95 11-09-05, 04:02 PM	If the adventure is very DM-RP-driven, I burnout in as little as an hour, and can usually last for no more than two hours. If the adventure is very player-RP-driven, I am good for as much as a five to eight hour session. I do not view you as a gaming wuss.
KJW 11-09-05, 04:25 PM	Nope perfectly normal to get fatigued, DMing can be difficult, especially when you put a lot of energy into it. I also find a rough day with the kids, work, or anything else can really sap your strength before the game. Nothing you can do when that happens, except soldier on. With more experience you can run on auto-pilot more effectively, but sometimes it is really tough to do a good job DMing. The key may be to try to shift more of the roleplaying burden upon the PCs. Puzzles, mysteries, and situations where the PCs have to talk amongst themselves will help give you a break, whenever the PCs start conversing together step back and enjoy the moment. Also what I do in long sessions is have a meal break or snack at some point when you can relax as DM for a little bit of time. A little food and a soda is a great way to recharge before heading into that final stretch of the session.
Azual 11-09-05, 04:48 PM	If you need a break, have to PC's go to a monestary where all the monks have a vow of silence. Im just full of useless solutions like these. :)
Habronicus 11-09-05, 05:00 PM	It can be hard if your players are in a social setting (like a busy city) and insist on talking to everything that moves. That's why I usually focus more on the NPCs who have something important to say, and less on the others. In a way, it helps the players to realize what they should be taking notes of, and what's just gibberish. However, there have been times when a non-important NPC actually became an important part of the story unintentionally, in which case, I tend to flesh out what made that NPC stand out in the first place. BTW, about that monastery suggestion... :D ...nevermind.
bitswordmaker 11-09-05, 07:34 PM	Nah man, it's when you get worn out that you can feel you did a good job on it. I always "fly by the seat of my pants" as my players put it. I may have the thinnest idea of an outline on what I want this party to do, so when I'm suddenly stumped for an idea, they usually just give me a second. Sometimes it helps to ask what the players want to do. I find it particularly fun when I ask them what they want to fight lol. They say a kobold, give the kobold a twist, make him very powerful (though, try to avoid killing the party with him, they get ****** about that lmao). As for the acting part, sometime you've got to use the same adjectives. I mean, if you're in a village with little outside influence, the people are all likely to talk similarly. Nope, you're not a wuss, just mentally pooped. "Bit once said that the most destructive power in the world was not Metsubou Gai (Destruction Scythe), but the positive energy that made it up." - Therain
Bruunwald 11-10-05, 07:46 PM	We all burn out sometimes. You give a lot away when you DM. The preparation, the acting, the storytelling, the dice, the numbers - it can become very overwhelming. I tend toward detail as well, but try to spread it out. For instance, a nice picture of something, some good prepared dialogue for important NPCs, an impressive map or terrain. I find that it helps to keep my own interest and energy up if I can diversify my creative projects. That does mean that not every character gets a great voice. But each area of the game gets something special to it. I wouldn't worry about the players being disappointed if you need to tone it down a bit. They'll probably understand. I think back on times when I didn't have as many handouts and apologized. I got a lot of sympathy and comments like, "we're just surprised you were able to do as much as you have up until now" and "don't worry about it."