Author: Michael Esperum

What gifts do the Satyr force upon people?

So, the newly escaped bride seeking adventure with The Druid bringing news of her dead uncle got what she wished for. First she was attacked by an Assassin Vine/Murder Willow, and when they camped to heal her wounds she suddenly became ware of a tune played on a flute, after rolling a -6.

As she listened to the tune, I took advantage of a golden oppourtunity and made her notice the hairy hand as they were skipping through the forest and another -6 meant the Druid found her sleeping in a stone circle in a forest clearing, with garments strewn about.

Now I asked the player what gift she might have accepted from the Satyrs, and got the answer we expectefrom knowing about the Satyrs in folklore and games, but I suggested that it could easily be something else. We made it so we have a hold to spend, and it must me double edged.

One thing we talked about is that it could be a blessing of the forest (she has circles of paint and ash on her whole body), and that it meant she wouldn’t be attacked by anything in the forest, but might offend the main religion – or maybe the Dwarves they are about to seek out.

Do anyone have some other suggestions?

You are THE Wizard/Paladin/Ranger…

Ok, so I recently tried out a D&D game were you were supposed to write a background for you character. Now this is fun, but what was also fun was to write my half-elf ranger into an order that protected the elven forests of Aglarrond and think of their tactics, who they fought and of the internal politics…

Then I got to think of my Dungeon World games and how I’d love to tell about the rangers and the character when prodded in a DW Game. Quite often have the Wizard belonged to a college of wizards, the ranger belonged to a pack of protectors or the paladin of an order of similar individuals. I’ve even introduced Questing Knights to the setting as a GM.

How about you games? Is it ok if the players do it? Is it bad if GMs do it? What is the reasoning behind the strict instructions of the DW Book? (We have the same in Apocalyspe World, but there is no problem in introducing general gunluggers, or mindfuckers whom refer to themselves as brainers and hocuses. Hardholders are everywhere there’s a community.

Have anyone done something about the XP-system?

I like the alignment-statements, though people should come up with their own. (Probably more like drives.)

I’m sceptic with the XP for fail, even though I liked it at first, but it doesn’t seem to encourage the kinds of game I want.

Flags seem interessting, but I really like how ‘bonds’ functions as anchors for session-recaps, and it gets us to talk about the characters relationships.

I think Dungeon World could do well with some more drives for the different classes, like “I’m neutral so I choose these three (among 10ish) XP conditions, or make their own) and a GM I know makes session spesific XP conditions, like “save the princess”, “get the peace treaty signed”, etc…

Are there any who think “XP for fail” works good at the table?

Edited a second time, for clarity.

On GM-fatigue:

I play mostly PbtA-games (BW, BitD are my other favorites + Fabula, a indie game that is 15+ years in the making of it’s second edition.)

I do find Dungeon World to be quite heavy to run, though, compared to other PbtA-games. Why that is I clearly have no idea. Maybe Fantasy is such a beloved genré, but I lack the knowhow to stay on top*? Maybe some players aren’t suited to my favored playstyle with danger and adventure, and vice versa? Is there som granular stuff about the conversation I am missing?

So, my silly examples that made my question drown aside: Is there a reason why Dungeon World is so difficult (for me) to run (compared to other PbtA-games)?

EDITED x2

*) I am afraid to run The Veil because I feel I don’t have enough experience and knowledge about the Cyberpunk genré a well, though I am not so frightened about The Sprawl.