Jaroslav
03-05-2008, 11:09 AM
So, I'm getting ready, if all goes well, to GM for my first time. Our group has played The Sword and played 4-6 sessions in our own campaign setting, but our wants to step down from that role. I'm excited to step up, but I'm still a little intimidated by all the rules. The elapsed time between our game sessions has been so much that it feels a little like we are learning the rules all over again each time we play. However, I think we should be able to start playing a little more often once I start GMing. I had an idea where we could still use some of the more complex systems in the game (rather than, for example, using BV instead of Fight!, because I think we all like the idea of using as much of the system as possible) while still making it seem like we don't each have to have the rule books completely memorized to make the game run smoothly.
Maybe this is so simple and obvious that it's not even worthy of a post, but it seemed cool to me. Since almost all of us own the books, I was thinking that each player could pick one area of the rules that s/he is responsible for knowing backwards and forwards, then, in game, we could call on that player to help with rule clarification when that particular mechanic came up. Obviously, we'd all try to know all of the rules, but each person would be the group's "expert" in one area. This could help encourage players not to rely on the GM to be the de facto expert in all areas of the game and take some pressure off of a nervous first-time GM.
What do you all think? Has anybody else tried this? Obviously, it only works in a group that has already bought in, both figuratively and literally. It's not a technique you could use to introduce wary new players, but if you have a group that is dedicated to learning the game, I would think it could take the edge off of learning the somewhat imposing rule set.
-John
Maybe this is so simple and obvious that it's not even worthy of a post, but it seemed cool to me. Since almost all of us own the books, I was thinking that each player could pick one area of the rules that s/he is responsible for knowing backwards and forwards, then, in game, we could call on that player to help with rule clarification when that particular mechanic came up. Obviously, we'd all try to know all of the rules, but each person would be the group's "expert" in one area. This could help encourage players not to rely on the GM to be the de facto expert in all areas of the game and take some pressure off of a nervous first-time GM.
What do you all think? Has anybody else tried this? Obviously, it only works in a group that has already bought in, both figuratively and literally. It's not a technique you could use to introduce wary new players, but if you have a group that is dedicated to learning the game, I would think it could take the edge off of learning the somewhat imposing rule set.
-John