When I was young, I played D&D for the stats. My whole focus was on leveling and loot. And of course, I mapped out designs for the castle that my fighter, Bonaparte, never actually built (because I could never decide on the perfect castle design).
When I rediscovered the RPG as an adult, my focus (initially unbeknownst to me) had completely changed. It had become story. But not just story, in the sense of writing one (see my writer's blog Words Are Messy), but interactive storytelling, in which all the players at the table were participants in that storytelling. I can't think of another pastime that works quite like that. Perhaps, this hearkens back to a storytelling pattern of old that burns in our genes.
The challenging bit, I think, is to get everyone on the same page. For not everyone wants to play an RPG for the same reason. So when, you as the GM, give the players a compelling slate to write their story upon, and the player is just thinking about whether they should equip their axe or their sword, the situation can become frustrating and confusing for all parties.
I suggest having a frank discussion with your group as to what they expect out of the experience. If you do, I'm curious to hear how it goes.
When I rediscovered the RPG as an adult, my focus (initially unbeknownst to me) had completely changed. It had become story. But not just story, in the sense of writing one (see my writer's blog Words Are Messy), but interactive storytelling, in which all the players at the table were participants in that storytelling. I can't think of another pastime that works quite like that. Perhaps, this hearkens back to a storytelling pattern of old that burns in our genes.
The challenging bit, I think, is to get everyone on the same page. For not everyone wants to play an RPG for the same reason. So when, you as the GM, give the players a compelling slate to write their story upon, and the player is just thinking about whether they should equip their axe or their sword, the situation can become frustrating and confusing for all parties.
I suggest having a frank discussion with your group as to what they expect out of the experience. If you do, I'm curious to hear how it goes.
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