Running the Game

In this chapter
Your agenda The core loop
The spotlight Scenes and loose play
Your GM moves Example of play
Your principles Other things to do
GMing is a practice Prep

There are dozens of ways to GM a roleplaying game. There's a particular way to run Stonetop. This is how. The rest of the game is built on this approach.

Remember: the game is a conversation. You'll say things, the other players will say things. You'll ask each other questions, interrupt, talk over each other. The game's rules kick in at particular moments and show us where the conversation goes.

As the GM, you have a special role in the conversation. It's your job to describe the world, say what happens, and portray monsters and NPCs. You'll facilitate and make rulings. You'll ask for input. You'll frame scenes and point the spotlight. The game invests you, the GM, with a lot of power—and a lot of responsibility.

In this section