GM Workshops

Goal

The goal of this project is to develop a series of workshops designed to be run for small groups in gaming shops, conventions, bookstores and other public venues, including libraries and gaming clubs. This will be organized using a tiered system, presenting the basics of single game adjudication on the first tier, campaign creation on the second tier and tips for running specific games on the third.

This system recognizes that there are two skill sets to being the person who runs a roleplaying game: that of the pre-game Campaign Designer and the during-game Session Judge. The goal with this system is to help the individual gamemaster identify his own strengths and weaknesses, in order to lend his strengths to others and shore up his own weaknesses.

The intent of this system is not hierarchical or that of a traditional mentor/apprentice. Rather, the goal is to create a community of people dedicated to sharing experience and talents with one another, in an effort to increase the skills of everyone involved.

We recognize that gaming is upheld on the shoulders of those individuals who run these games, and all too often it is a thankless job - we are here, then, to hone the skills that make running games easier, create new gamemasters and assist in the preservation and growth of our beloved hobby by making sure that there are plenty of skilled, enthusiastic people ready and willing to run these games.

100 Level Workshops: The Session

This set of workshops focuses on the skills used in running a single game session. The techniques, tricks and skills used from the moment everyone sits down at the table, to the end of the evening's adventure, fall into the scope of this level of workshop. Also known as Running the Game.

200 Level Workshops: The Campaign

This set of workshops focuses on the skills used in preparing game sessions, whether focused on a single game session, or a long-running campaign/chronicle. These focus on the methods and styles of preparing the scenarios and adventures that are run at the table, and generally encompasses the work that takes place between game sessions, with a focus on both using the mechanics of that game to one's advantage as well as more narratively-focused endeavors, such as setting and nonplayer character design. Also known as Preparing the Game.

300 Level Workshops: The Game

This set of workshops focuses on the individual games themselves, providing a solid familiarity with not only the intended story styles envisioned by the games' creators, but also the sorts of difficulties that can arise from running those games, interesting features that should be taken advantage of and alternate approaches to using those games. Also known as Knowing the Game.