This. It’s a so much better approach than the “this is MY game” idea. Best games i had were sandboxes to have fun in. It’s even more fun when the world reacts in a reasonable manor too it.
It’s your world. You decide the geography, technology, politics, etc., as well as the dominant conflict that initially calls the party to action. What the party does in your world is their choice.
Now, if they decide to ignore the BBEG’s plan so they can pick magic mushrooms with Boblin the goblin, there will certainly be consequences. There are consequences for every decision. But it is their decision.
It can be a bigger challenge than running a prepared peace. You have to be good at thinking on the spot and very firm in the setting of the game. That is the universe you play on as well as the specific location the players are positioned in.
I’m reminded of when a DM allowed me to throw a rock off a cliff and roll a diplomacy check to see if the dire wolf jumps after it; I succeeded with flying colors wolf
I assume he was the DM. He was a good DM. Always let the party steer the adventure within reason, it creates a better story.
This. It’s a so much better approach than the “this is MY game” idea. Best games i had were sandboxes to have fun in. It’s even more fun when the world reacts in a reasonable manor too it.
It’s your world. You decide the geography, technology, politics, etc., as well as the dominant conflict that initially calls the party to action. What the party does in your world is their choice.
Now, if they decide to ignore the BBEG’s plan so they can pick magic mushrooms with Boblin the goblin, there will certainly be consequences. There are consequences for every decision. But it is their decision.
If I were to DM a game, that’s how I would do it.
Not because it’s better, though; just because I’m too lazy to prepare and would be making it all up on the spot.
It can be a bigger challenge than running a prepared peace. You have to be good at thinking on the spot and very firm in the setting of the game. That is the universe you play on as well as the specific location the players are positioned in.
I’m reminded of when a DM allowed me to throw a rock off a cliff and roll a diplomacy check to see if the dire wolf jumps after it; I succeeded with flying
colorswolf