Turning Your Players into thier Characters

Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) are all about the players. Without them, there would be no game. As a game keeper (GK), one of the most important aspects of running a TTRPG is player engagement. Engaged players are happy players, and happy players make for a great game. In this blog, we will explore some tips and tricks for increasing player engagement in TTRPGs. Specifically, we will focus on asking about goals, RPing intimate moments and memories, and world building.

Asking about Goals
As a GK, it's important to understand your players' characters and their motivations. By understanding what drives their characters, you can create a more engaging story that speaks to their interests.

When asking about goals, it's important to focus on motivations. Instead of just asking about the specific goals that the character wants to achieve, try to understand the motivations behind those goals. Ask questions like, "Why is this goal important to your character?" or "What does your character hope to gain by achieving this goal?"

If players are struggling to come up with goals, use leading questions to spark their imagination. For example, you could ask, "Why does your character want to become the greatest warrior in the land?" or "Why does your character want to find a lost artifact that could save the world?"

Additionally, a character's goals and motivations are often shaped by their past experiences. Ask the player about their character's backstory and how it has influenced their current goals and motivations. For example, you could ask, "How did your character's experiences in the military shape their current goals?" or "What did your character learn from their mentor that informs their current goals?"

When to do this

There are several times during a game when it can be appropriate to explore a character's motivations and goals.  During exploration, such as when the players are exploring a new area or encountering a new NPC, it can be a good time to incorporate descriptive roleplaying (RP).  During downtime or between major plot points, it can be a good time to incorporate introspective RP. Encourage players to reflect on their character's backstory, motivations, and goals. 

At the end of a game session, it can be a good time to incorporate storytelling RP. Encourage players to reflect on the events of the session, and allow them to describe their character's actions and reactions in their own words.

Roleplaying an Intimate Moment

Roleplaying (RPing) an intimate moment can be a powerful tool for character development. It can help players explore their character's emotions and relationships in a more meaningful way. When RPing an intimate moment, it's important to give the player agency. Since there's only one player, it's important to give them plenty of control over the scene. Allow them to make decisions, take actions, and interact with the environment in meaningful ways.

RPing a Memory

RPing a PC's memory can be a powerful tool for character development and can add depth and richness to the game. When RPing a memory, it's important to incorporate emotions. Memories are often tied to strong emotions, so it's important to describe how the character felt during the memory, and how those emotions have affected them in the present.

It's also important to connect memories to current events. Memories are not isolated events, but are often tied to current events and experiences. Use the memory to provide context or insight into the current situation, and show how the memory is affecting the character's decisions and actions in the present. Just like in any other RP scene, it's important to give the player agency when RPing a PC's memory. Allow them to make decisions and take actions within the memory, and allow them to interpret the memory in their own way.

Finally, memories can be a powerful plot device, providing insight into the future of the character’s actions. 

Be supportive and encouraging

Asking about a PC's goals can sometimes be a sensitive topic, particularly if the player hasn't fully fleshed out their character yet. Be supportive and encouraging, and let the player know that it's okay to take some time to think about their character's goals and motivations. Offer guidance and suggestions, but ultimately let the player decide what their character's goals are.

Be sensitive: Memories can sometimes be sensitive topics, particularly if they involve trauma or other difficult experiences. Be sensitive to the player's feelings, and be prepared to adjust the scene if it becomes too difficult or uncomfortable for the player.

Overall, RP'ing a PC's memory can be a powerful way to explore a character's backstory, motivations, and emotions. By using descriptive language, incorporating emotions, connecting the memory to current events, giving the player agency, using the memory as a plot device, and being sensitive, you can create a memorable and engaging RP scene that adds depth and richness to the game.

“The only way to escape the ordinary is to explore the extraordinary.”

– Jon Miksis

Image 1: Photo by lil artsy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-about-to-catch-four-dices-1111597/
Image 2: Photo by M Venter: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-man-sitting-on-a-cave-1659437/