Let Your Players Do The Talking

[@carlosvillanueva8530]

It's evening you've reached a clearing in the forest, what are you doing? No one said looking for an ambush, roll for who goes first. Everyone has questions at that point. You've entered a tavern, you see a group of people standing in the middle of the room. The door opens suddenly on the outhouse you are in. I've started entire adventures with these statements.

[@DDHomebrew]

They just asses the situation, then begin exploring, whether it's a clearing or tavern. And since they must describe that act of exploring, you as the GM can just listen and answer their questions.

[@carlosvillanueva8530]

@@DDHomebrew Over time this becomes a near hypnotic focus. It is the call of "come and see" what is going on in here, you can't see this world from out there. Stop looking, you'll just see people around a table. Listen.

[@DDHomebrew]

@@carlosvillanueva8530 They will learn to ask questions about what they see, then zoom in on what they think might be important.

[@morrigankasa570]

I get your points and somewhat agree, though as you mentioned there is some nuance & depends on the Players. For example; if I was playing in a group especially in a Homebrewed World Campaign, I would actually want the DM to go in depth on the lore and details. Of course would also want plenty of free choices & allowed to give some input/own details on some things. But in general the more lore that exists the more immersed I am & find the world/fantasy more enjoyable. In fact, my personal preferred ratio is 30% Combat with the other 70% being divided between Lore & World Exploration.

[@DDHomebrew]

I have a ton of lore in my homebrewed world, and I love any chance to describe it to the players. But I just find it more satsifying to give that lore in response to the player's actions and questions as opposed to just giving a lore dump every time they go to a new area.

[@morrigankasa570]

@@DDHomebrew Fair enough and each their own preferences, though with a "Lore Dump" you could potentially use it to give hints/hooks to get the players to explore things more in-depth. For example: Legends say that this forest was once the home to an Ancient Powerful Wizard & his Guards. It also says that his Guards were each given a Powerful Weapon & Armor enchanted by the Wizard. Yet, no one has ever found them despite countless explorers venturing into this forest. Legends also say those lost souls still haunt this forest seeking them. Dumping that on the players could lead to them exploring the forest closely looking for the weapons & armors. Which you could have hidden in the area, each weapon & armor could be suitable to individual Players. 1 Player could be a Paladin with Heavy Armor Proficiency & using a Longsword, therefore you could have hidden an enchanted set of Heavy Armor & Longsword that belonged to one of those guards mentioned. In fact the guard could be a "Death Knight" still existing wearing/using it. So the party defeats them then recovers the Weapon & Armor which the Paladin then can use improving their gear. Then do a similar thing for each party member.

[@DDHomebrew]

@@morrigankasa570 I do what some GM's consider massive lore dumps at the beginning of the campaign and then when the players explore some major location. Some enjoy reading these, others just want me to summarize with the critical facts. And these can lead to magic items that are indeed suitable to the players.

[@morrigankasa570]

@@DDHomebrew Fair enough, each their own preferences & keep up the good work.

[@DDHomebrew]

@@morrigankasa570 Thanks. And thanks for your thoughtful comments!

[@shadomain7918]

Describing areas is a challenge. If I describe everything in the room,"a desk here, shelves there, door in the corner, and... oh an owlbear in the corner", it feels like you've buried the lead. But if you start with " there's an owlbear and..." the players won't pay attention to anything after that. I'm leaning towards "it looks like a study, yhen an owlbear charges". It gives the their initial impression that the PC would get but let's them focus on the challenge. Then if they want to ask about " are there books here?", as you said, It's up to them

[@DDHomebrew]

You've hit on a central challenge of describing things as a GM. The players will naturally be drawn to anything you describe, because it "must" be important. But if you try to swamp this tendancy with detail it becomes too much to take in and the players don't have a chance to discover anything on their own. That balance is what makes this so challenging as you point out.

[@TalkingAmerican]

It's a subtle art, getting players to take the lead. One of my methods, and this mainly works when you know the players fairly well, is not just to give description, but to end off your description with something that subtly provokes action, curiosity, or an emotional response in the players. If you just give description, even vividly, the inertia may not be there (especially at the start of the session) for the players to cut straight to it.

[@DDHomebrew]

There are so many subtleties to "not speaking" and letting your players drive the conversation. Because they are waiting for your cues and what you choose to talk about. But I've found if you let them explore by just keeping quiet, they'll ask questions you hadn't even considered.

[@FuzzyOnTheDetails]

As someone who also tends to bloviate (be it on KZbin or behind the screen) this advice really hit home :-). Thank you!

[@DDHomebrew]

As a fellow bloviator, I'm always glad to help!

[@timothylamont845]

As you, and a few others, have pointed out it is a fine line and sometimes tough to draw. It also takes a bit of getting used to both on my part as DM, and on their part -- especially if this is a new manner of behavior. Personally, if the players arent picking up on the clues (which to me are incredibly obvious LOL), I tend to get a bit frustrated and want to lead them there. Been doing this for a ton of years and it is a struggle every time. But your content is valuable and encouraging! Thank you.

[@DDHomebrew]

As I tried to say a few times in the video, it's hard for me too! And if your players enjoy the amount that you talk, don't change anything: you might be letting them talk more than you think! It's just when you've ended a session and realized that you talked a bit too much or explained rather than let them discover what's going on that you want to learn from that and try to talk less.

[@helixxharpell]

K.R. I dont know how you do it my friend but you seem to drop videos within NO MORE than days of me going over topics in my head.. Just last night, i was thinking about next session, "Which PC will be the 1st to take a swing when my bbeg starts monologuing?" 😂😂😂 DMs, successful DMs, know when to elicit emotions from their players. That timing you build with players over a campaign. Great video sir! This is why im a patron!

[@DDHomebrew]

So glad you found this useful. And yes, the big bad villains love to monologue!

[@helixxharpell]

@DDHomebrew It's become a staple approach for a lot of successful DMs over the years. Building that dramatic tension because they suddenly go from just "playing a game" into your world. It's a great way to get that introverted player more comfortable in elicting emotion. Or that overbearing power gamer to forget about powergaming and start actually role-playing. Timing is so important. It's literally everything from a DMs perspective.

[@philmitchell12]

Brilliant, genius advice - I needed to hear this and so many other GMs need to hear this. SPOT SPOT ON!

[@DDHomebrew]

Glad I could be so smart! 😁

[@helixxharpell]

I will literally get up from the desk, while im monologuing and get next to a player and direct my bbeg's silioquoy in their ear... the PCs around the table will get silent.. then ill jump back to the screen and say, roll for initiative!

[@DDHomebrew]

I may use that!

[@helixxharpell]

@@DDHomebrew It works! Especially if you're using an evil crackling voice. It adds to the drama & the PCs go totally immersed. 😉

[@DDHomebrew]

@@helixxharpell The master villain never raises his voice.

[@krispalermo8133]

Whitewolf/World of Darkness(WoD) vampire, werewolf, mage has a 1d10 chart on how normal people react to the supernatural base on their willpower/wisdom. See a human turn into a werewolf the first time with D&D Ravenloft your/pcs roll for wisdom/horror or go into a panic. Some other people just go into numb disbelief what they saw and go about their business as usual. a.) Hot summer after noon, a few road toll guards are lazy passing the time drinking cider. Due to whatever reasons the party mage cast Sleep on them. So, they can sneak pass or rob the guards. After the sleep spell been cast, one guard yawns while standing up and strips out of his gear, turns into a werewolf then into wolf and belly up in the sun and starts snoring. One guard just ups and runs in shock at seeing one of his guards' men turn into a werewolf. The remaining guard doesn't blink an eye and picks up the other two guards' cider to finish off. Have the players random draw index card and they Pc the n/pc guard about noticing how he feels about seeing one of his coworkers turn into a wolf for some belly-up sunbathing nap. And how long they know each other. b.) Party mage cast sleep spell on village/town guard, guard just drops to the ground in deep sleep or looks sideways around checking for people, then lends against the wall for a quick nap. Do you sneak pass or .. wake .. the guard just in time for the sergeant walk around patrol check making sure everyone is doing their job. Is the guard a d-ck, or does he thank the PC for the quick save. Or does he complain he just had the best nap all week cause of his two-year-old running around. So, three outcomes the players can deal with. If you have an extra player or dealing with split party because of plot. Have the players run the n/pcs. Sleep spell will be very popular for parents of young children. Due to spell slots/point pool limitations on how much a mage can cast magic during a given day. Does a mage entertain a tavern with Cantrip minor illusion spells for half an hour or so, how much will you pay for a Charm spell to get your infant to settle down for a week so you can sleep for a night rest ? c.) Hack & slash players hate role playing or being asked to fill in for an n/pc, cause their main character isn't getting Xp/level growth. Honestly, before every main game, you need to run a mini game that results in a TPK, and have the players HAM it Up. Some silliness helps get the daily/week stress out of them before the main game. Old movie, " Eight Legged Freaks " house cat gets into a kung fu fight with a large spider between the drywall walls of the house. Funny as can get. Then a dirt bike get away while being chased by giant spiders.

[@DDHomebrew]

I remember Eight Legged Freaks: it was like a remake of the old 50's sci-fi-horror films with a lot of comedy thrown in. We forget about the idea of town guards sleeping on the job and the sleep spell is definately underused these days!

[@krispalermo8133]

@@DDHomebrew Yesterday I went over to my cousins to hangout & play Mine Craft. Him and his friends are in their mid thirties, and one flat out points he can't stand tabletop games with dice crits and random result outcomes. But since as teenagers for the pass twenty years listening to children under the age of five years old refusing to sleep at night. Sleep & Charm spell will be in high demand. Charm spells is an ethical & moral problem spell when used on someone because you are missing with another person's freewill. But if you been dealing with a fussy baby/child for the pass month ...

[@Marcus-ki1en]

A wise man said: "you have two ears and one mouth, use them in that ratio". From the Incredibles - Don't get caught monologueing.

[@helixxharpell]

I love monologuing! My players know, (& this is their cue) that, THEY KNOW when the BBEG starts monologuing that they're going 1st in the encounter. 😅 For years, they'll look across & each other, silent, waiting for the drow to go.. "F%$! It! Call shot to the head." 😅😅😅 Or.. the beastmaster (played by my ex-wife) would say.. "Galeb, would you please shut this guy up.!" 😂😂 Wait for Steve to start a speech & they would be entertained. Such great times..

[@DDHomebrew]

When you notice your mologuing, it's time to stop!

[@DDHomebrew]

That's the classic "Dad, just shoot him" gag from Austin Powers. The super villain can't help himself: his super ego assumes that he has the drop on the heroes and has time to deliver a patented monologue!

[@Marcus-ki1en]

@@helixxharpell A BBEG monologue is much different than a GM monologue. The former is immersion, the later game breaking.

[@jayteepodcast]

Dead air and some games are awkward. Cutting the fat of description is more helpful

[@DDHomebrew]

Too much description can get in the way.