tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541460986559668771.post120247998764499244..comments2023-03-31T04:29:04.457-07:00Comments on To Distant Lands: GM Anxiety and the West MarchesAlex Chalkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05288387168096568471noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541460986559668771.post-52471177763864230442020-05-14T14:23:41.421-07:002020-05-14T14:23:41.421-07:00I deal with a lot of the same feelings as you desc...I deal with a lot of the same feelings as you described. Over time I found what helped (at the risk of having quantum ogre thrown at me), was setting up a list of prepared locations, encounters, and dressing. I literally put everything I do in a randomizer (chartopia) and see what pops out, and in what order. When we roll for encounters there's also a possibility of location or dressing while moving through the map. Whatever order was rolled on the randomizer is what they see when they roll an encounter, a location, or dressing. It now exists on the map, can be revisited later, ignored, etc. I take that item off of the list to make room for something new. Whenever I have time to prep, I add to my list and just run the randomizer a day before our game to re-familiarize myself with the material that emerges. It also helps that I have Gillespie's Barrowmaze close to town, so that is always a go to option especially for new characters. West Marches is immensely rewarding, but I agree it can be mentally crippling if I try to go to too deep in that creative space. Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00189665283777619532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541460986559668771.post-16280335520747834342020-05-14T12:35:14.684-07:002020-05-14T12:35:14.684-07:00Some discipline regarding the amount of content al...Some discipline regarding the amount of content allowed per area can be helpful, even if it feels uncomfortably terse and potentially anxiety producing in terms of risking improv at the table. At least for me.Necropraxishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12716340801054739658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541460986559668771.post-90068818687352040432020-05-14T04:02:12.309-07:002020-05-14T04:02:12.309-07:00This is an excellent post and I'll be honest a...This is an excellent post and I'll be honest and say that it many sections of it resonated with me. (very nice to hear that other people also discuss RPGs with their therapists haha)<br /><br />As with many other things in life, I think a lot of this anxiety comes from culture and media. The GM is everything, in charge of the story, the world, the physical organization of the game/meet-up and, my personal favorite, in charge of the "entertainment". On top of that, "the GM has to be the players biggest fan", as some say. While on the other hand, the players just need to arrive to the session. <br /><br />It is simply too much. And as the comment above me states, I'm at a point where I would rather muse over a game than run it, it's an endeavor to push over that and actually host.<br /><br />For me it mostly depends on the group. If I'm familiar with the people and know how they "tick", I'm much more relaxed and the anxiety is minimal (aside of some stage fright). But on the other hand, some groups where I'm a player, I have a sickening amount of anxiety simply due to the behavior and attitudes of other people.<br /><br />I guess it comes down to picking your battles and actually respecting yourself enough to realize that this hobby should be fun for you as well, not just your players.<br /><br />Great blog btw, gonna add you to my reading list!xmoonxhowlerxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15149950277567744302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541460986559668771.post-55208271475639146472020-05-13T19:59:13.493-07:002020-05-13T19:59:13.493-07:00DM burnout is a very real and very painful thing. ...DM burnout is a very real and very painful thing. My own burnout has led me to a place where I would rather muse about the game than play it. I simply can't be arsed to do that much work only to have a bunch of players tell me 'It's not like critical Role!' again.deadskexieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02585762738847910626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541460986559668771.post-91521524452148968692020-05-13T18:29:05.316-07:002020-05-13T18:29:05.316-07:00I loved your Onenote prepsheet. However, I made a ...I loved your Onenote prepsheet. However, I made a deal with the people I play with: I don't have much time for prepping anymore, but I will always DM when nobody is up for it. <br /><br />I'm the spare wheel, but oddly enough, whenever I feel like DM'ing people show up. I don't mind not being the guy with the latest D&D 5 modules, but my players are always coming back for more, in an environment where they could easily find other DM's.<br /><br />www.titorpg.wordpress.comThiagohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15360521150362986071noreply@blogger.com