Storytelling
It’s the chicken and the egg question of spec fic: should you make a world and then plot your story in it, or should you create the story and then build the world it’s in? Most storytellers answer this question by beginning with the part … read more »
Roleplaying
In my last post, I talked about dice pool systems and why you might use them. With the basics explained, it’s time to examine a few specific roleplaying systems and see what they did with the idea. Each of these systems exemplify a different way … read more »
Roleplaying
The first choice I make when I start a new campaign is which type of world to set it in. Setting a campaign in an open-ended world fills it with mystery and rumors about what lies over the next ridge. It’s ripe for unbound exploration. Building a … read more »
Storytelling
Stereotypes are deeply embedded in our culture. They permeate every aspect of our communication with one another: journalism, lyrics, movies, casual conversation… you name it. It doesn’t take long before they wiggle their way into our minds, and from there they sneak into our stories. Read more »
Podcast
In this installment of the Mythcreant Podcast, our hosts recall moments of scarring drama, delightful strangers, extreme boredom, and sublime triumph at the gaming table. Read more »
Inspiration
Set a science fiction story far enough into the future, and you’re bound to see characters with bizarre and fantastic powers. But humans are capable of some pretty crazy things already, and some oddities don’t require breaking any rules – only bending them. Read more »
Writing
Inserting extra fluff scenes is a very common mistake for new writers. Useless scenes destroy a story’s pacing, turning a page-turner into a plodding pony. Luckily, they’re also easy to recognize; you just have to know what to look for. Read more »
Roleplaying
Dice have been an integral part of tabletop roleplaying games since the beginning. After all, how else can someone know if their black arrow will hit the dragon in his secret weak spot, or if it will miss terribly and then said dragon will eat … read more »
Roleplaying
A common stumbling block in tabletop roleplaying games occurs when trying to arbitrate the results of a social interaction between characters. There are several clear layers of rules for most mechanics that provide guidance for the results of a roll, like attacking an enemy or … read more »
Meta
As a kid I spent a lot of time lying in bed, in the dark, waiting for the mysterious process some call “falling asleep” to take over. To make the time go faster, I invented stories. As a kid my stories were just fantasies about being beautiful, and kicking ass, and getting the guy. Read more »
