Dyrian's Guide to Gamemastering for Non-Gamemasters

If you're reading this, then I assume you want to know more about being a gamemaster.  Perhaps you are a player and want to try your hand at gamemastering one day.


First of all, we should define what a gamemaster is.  A gamemaster is a player, but a different sort of player.  We roleplayers don't often think of the gamemaster as a player, but in essence, a gamemaster is just as much a player as the other players at the table.  The gamemaster doesn't portray a single character, like most players do.  It is the gamemaster's job to tell a story that the other players will participate in.


So, what does it take to be a gamemaster?  The gamemaster has a lot to do.  First, the gamemaster is a teacher.  When a new player joins a game, it is expected that the gamemaster be able to teach the player how to play, or at the very least, the gamemaster should ensure that each player has at least a basic understanding of the rules before the game begins.  To do this, the gamemaster must know the rules and be able to effectively communicate these rules in a way that's easy to understand.  Second, the gamemaster is a writer.  It is the gamemaster's job to create a story for the other players.  If you're new to gamemastering, or don't have the time to write, some game systems, such as D&D, have plenty of published stories you can use, with everything you need included in the package.  Of course, this route requires you to purchase the materials (or take the less honest route of downloading a pdf).  Third, the gamemaster is an arbiter.  Whenever there's a contradiction in the game's rules, or if a rule hinders your fun, then the gamemaster has to know when to overturn a rule, and how to make rulings in the middle of the game that is fair to everyone, or at least keeps things fun for everyone.  Fourth, the gamemaster is a storyteller.  As the gamemaster, you are the only window the other players have to view your world.  If you don't tell the players what they experience, how will they know how their characters should act?  Finally, the gamemaster is an actor.  Your world will need to be populated, both by enemies, allies to the players, and extras.  As the gamemaster, you must portray all of these characters.


As you can see, being a gamemaster can take a lot of work, but it is a very rewarding experience.  I've had players who wanted to leave their other gaming groups to play in my games, and have been told that I run some of the most fun games some of my players have ever played.  This is what it comes down to for me.  I'm not a gamemaster for the praise.  I do it for my players' enjoyment.  My goal is simply to try to provide the most fun experiences I can.  In my next post, I'll talk about some tips for becoming a better gamemaster.