I put on some music, not really to set the mood or pump me up, just something to fill the silence until people start showing up.
I, frustratedly because I am constantly saying "please stop putting non-gaming stuff on the table" throughout the week and not really getting anywhere with it, clean up the gaming table.
Then I get my laptop and/or books and DM screen ready at my end of the table.
Lastly, but probably most effectively, I eat a good meal and drink some coffee (and by some, I mean way too much).
Then people start showing up, I turn down the music, and we chat about the preceding week until everyone has arrived and the session begins.
Not just for the DM but as a group we sometimes play a quick game to get the mind working, like name 10/20 things. One person asks another to come up with 10/20 things that...... (example that you wouldn't want on a pizza). That person then has to name 10/20things that you wouldn't want on a pizza as quickly and as ridiculous as possible. Just helps get those creative juices going.
My main game is on Saturdays and the whole day is a ritual that starts with lunch and then a trip to both of our local game stores and another shop that we frequent, then back to the homestead and game set-up: Get the screen out, the computer up a running, the loaner tablets geared up and ready for those that use them, maps cast to the T.V. and a sound check on the syrinscape that will be in play. Once all of that is done it is time to listen to the pregame playlist on spotify, bands like Amon Amarth to get the blood going. All this done with one of my senior players, my wife ;-)
I know you were aiming for energy, and that is what the above is all aimed at... everything I do the day of the game is meant to get my mind in that right place and to focus myself for the nights festivities and to build the energy and rev up for the night.
I'm a bit of a perfectionist, which is not great for this gig. Every now and then I feel like I really nailed it, mostly average and then there are those days ...
I useally hype myself up all day just to break down right before the game and forget how to dm :(
I have been playing D&D for 38 years and running D&D for 36 of those years and found out early on that preparing oneself for the game and hyping oneself are two different things. What I recommend to GMs is to spend the day mostly relaxing, doing things that puts yourself into that "Geek" mindset without playing with your energy or really thinking about the game. Leave stuff broke down, screens and books away etc... This keeps your any mental fatigue or bodily fatigue at bay and also keeps one from over working story ideas, adventures and plot hooks and generally any game related material into the ground through thought, which can and does happen, things can get stale when we think or over think on them.
Then with maybe an hour or so to go till them game set things up, turn on the music and begin to set the atmosphere, while still not focusing in on the game. At this point I will normally begin to think about the feel for the nights session, is it dark and brooding or upscale and fanciful and then before my players arrive and will pull up my notes on the computer and give them a once over so I have it pretty much ready to go.
Sound like allot but this all happens organically as the day progresses... this works really well for me and my style, you mileage may vary, but working yourself up or hyping yourself up for the day opens the door to breaking down when the time to perform comes.
Anyone have any interesting pre game routines / rituals ?
GMing is / can be performing , and the energy / enthusiasm has to be there. The adventure is set, maps are done, NPC s are prepped , etc.
So now what?
I often listen to a few songs to get energy up (latest is Protect Ya Neck - Wu Tang - thanks to The Defenders 😏) Music can be a great tool .
Jumping around like an NBA player before a game can be fun too ..!
Ok, might just be me .
I put on some music, not really to set the mood or pump me up, just something to fill the silence until people start showing up.
I, frustratedly because I am constantly saying "please stop putting non-gaming stuff on the table" throughout the week and not really getting anywhere with it, clean up the gaming table.
Then I get my laptop and/or books and DM screen ready at my end of the table.
Lastly, but probably most effectively, I eat a good meal and drink some coffee (and by some, I mean way too much).
Then people start showing up, I turn down the music, and we chat about the preceding week until everyone has arrived and the session begins.
Not just for the DM but as a group we sometimes play a quick game to get the mind working, like name 10/20 things. One person asks another to come up with 10/20 things that...... (example that you wouldn't want on a pizza). That person then has to name 10/20things that you wouldn't want on a pizza as quickly and as ridiculous as possible. Just helps get those creative juices going.
And realise how weird we all are.
I'm big on that music ritual too... Somehow my go-to is always "Run This Town" by Jay-Z.
Something about it from my old Play-by-Post days just gets me pumped. :)
Beyond that: just set up and review my notes with a cup of coffee.
"Mankind have been created for the sake of one another. Either instruct them, therefore, or endure them."
-Marcus Aurelius
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Game StoresMy main game is on Saturdays and the whole day is a ritual that starts with lunch and then a trip to both of our local game stores and another shop that we frequent, then back to the homestead and game set-up: Get the screen out, the computer up a running, the loaner tablets geared up and ready for those that use them, maps cast to the T.V. and a sound check on the syrinscape that will be in play. Once all of that is done it is time to listen to the pregame playlist on spotify, bands like Amon Amarth to get the blood going. All this done with one of my senior players, my wife ;-)
I know you were aiming for energy, and that is what the above is all aimed at... everything I do the day of the game is meant to get my mind in that right place and to focus myself for the nights festivities and to build the energy and rev up for the night.
https://twitch.tv/twisteddieroller
I useally hype myself up all day just to break down right before the game and forget how to dm :(
I'm a bit of a perfectionist, which is not great for this gig. Every now and then I feel like I really nailed it, mostly average and then there are those days ...
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Send Message
Game Storeshttps://twitch.tv/twisteddieroller