Theme Music
Well one of the most common traditions of my local gaming "group" (which is just me and my lover these days so I hesitate to call it a group) Is intro theme music. The gm (which varies between us) tends to find a particular song they feel captures the mood and/or theme of the game, and the player selects one they feel fits their character best. One fo the two theme songs gets played after reading the previous sessions summary before actual gaming beings. (it alternates each session)

It helps to set each game apart from the other, (we both run several a piece) and helps both the player(s) and gm focus on the game, cutting down on the ooc chatter/interruptions.

No Interruptions

Another tradition we do for in house gaming is minimize the real life interruptions. This often includes prepping drinks/snacks before hand, unplugging the internet and phone, (back we had a phone anyway) and even going so far as to put a "gone bowling be back later" note on the door. (not that we've ever gone bowling or ever would) Hopefully to prevent Jehovah witnesses, or anyone else from ruining a great rp or combat scene.

For internet gaming we tend to be less worried about interruptions, given the pacing of most of the games we do online is so slow the interruptions are hardly even noticed in game. (although for horror gaming over chat we make sure to take all the usual "no interruptions" preparations, simple because nothing ruins a horror game atmosphere more than real life interruptions.) Go to Comment

A fun sub, that sheds light onto the mysterious happening of others gaming groups, well worth the read. Go to Comment

I don't know if this counts as a tradition or not, but...

We had a player who really liked his beer. While most of us tended to bring something heavily caffeinated, he would bring a twelve-pack and consume the entire thing. This affected the game because obviously, the drunker he got, the more reckless his character became. Eventually we decided that if this guy was going to drink a beer, his character had to seek out an alcoholic beverage as well. At least this way, it would explain his character's behavior. We ended up having a lot more tavern-based adventures than we normally would. That guy doesn't play with us anymore, but the character/player drinking ratio rule stuck. Go to Comment

The Shotgun Rule

Once when i was DMing an investigation game everyone was talking loudly and i had just told them that they heard the sound of a shotgun being cocked behind them. It turned out that only the two people closest to me had heard and they quickly dived behind a table, that ended with a lot of brains on the wall ad half the group down. After that the players learned to listen to the DM when he is giving descriptions or risk getting their head blown off but there was still some moments when no-one was listening. To counter this i developed a new rule, if i yelled SHOTGUN then everyone had to dive to the floor in real life or get their XP gainers blasted by a shotgun and damaged so that they could only get half XP for the rest of the session.I ended up editing this rule so i didnt have to shout, instead i bought a plastic airsoft shotgun and cocked it, this was quieter and eliminated table chatter even more. Go to Comment

A simple item that basically anyone may have a chance to wear, and you can hang any number of customs, rituals and chrome pieces to... that's what it is. And it is appreciated.

But you know there is always something to expand, even with most angles covered, you can't escape that. Let's see... one thing to note, just in case it was not clear, the mythology featured here does not require heavens or hells at all. The disk may be still serve the passing on of the spirit to the next world, and severing the ties to this one - whether it is a true gate, or a mere symbol.

Anyway: very usable! Go to Comment

Another thing from you that is useful in any world, whatever the funeral customs might be. Go to Comment

Quite interesting, and very good, Moon! Not your usual style of sub. I have nothing snarky or sarcastic to add ;)

top marks. Go to Comment

An excellent bit of culture - I'm going to link this to my Burial Customs sub. Go to Comment

This is an excellent custom that can be used in any genre of gaming...Very Nice Go to Comment

Aand a tip of the hat to number 8!

Tips to survive your games with. Go to Comment

And only two months late this year. Next year, it will be on time Bullwinkle. Even if I have to use the Waybac machine. Go to Comment

Yes. I have been hitting more DnD orriented boards recently. This all seems to be novel to them.

And those are general rules to live by: Play nice with others and make sure they have a reason to play and enjoy your game. Go to Comment

My three source materials on icebergs say they hide 7/8ths. 12% vs 10% exposed after doing the math.

Either way, the metaphor holds. Most players will not see (or notice) the majority of the prep work you will do for your world if it is a functional world. That "undiscovered world" will serve as a foundation for any development in play you will need to do. Go to Comment

Only voted Go to Comment

I have noticed that each annual Top Tips has a theme. This year's theme seems to be: stay cool & play nice, the players are your friends. Go to Comment

To give the promised love...

As to #1. My own theory has always been, keep them alive at all costs, while making them think you are out to kill them at every turn :) (basically, what you said)

#2 and #3 are bedrocks.

As to #8. Fix the wording and spelling (tool not too and "describe out"?)

I like #9.

Good tips once again! Go to Comment

Very good! I especially like the cut-scene! Go to Comment

With regards to tip #9, are you using the 7/8ths figure as representative of the amount of work in gaming work which should show, because the figure for icebergs is 9/10ths and there's a difference with the number you feel appropriate for gaming? Go to Comment

Nice list, a staple standard. GMs often forget the basics,and they shouldn't. Go to Comment

I love the mantra! I'm totally using it.

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