Pacing...

I was going to write a post about knowing the rules of the game. But, I think a more core and basic aspect of table-top gaming needs to be addressed. Pacing. The pace of the game can make or break it and take the game from an envelopment of reality to a cheap bunch of words that have no flow or purpose. Pacing is the difference between an epic story and a board game with a referee.

Okay, you get it, pacing is important. So how do you control it? Well, step one is not to let other, more experienced, players intimidate you. Confidence is very important when DMing. It is also something that I can't teach you here, you will have to find it out in the world somewhere for yourself. I will say, the next topic, knowing the rules, can help a lot, but, that is a later discussion.

Step two is also something I can't teach you. Feeling the mood. This can take a bit of empathy which some have and others don't. If you feel the mood around the table is rather sullen, step it up a notch. It the players seem frustrated by everything that has hit them take it down a step. The key, however, is once you sense the mood, adjust the game to fit it and LISTEN to what the players are saying. The game is about them and for them, give them a bit of what they want.

Step three is don't be afraid to add or remove things from the game to control the mood. It's your world. You were the only one that knew the orc was waiting down the road to ambush the players. If you think the players need a breather, no orc. He's gone. Simple as that.

None of this is intended to be overwhelming, just be mindful of what is going on around the table and make adjustments as needed.