# The No-Prep Gamemaster  Author:: Matt Davids ## Highlights > However, I don’t think the original intent of tabletop role-playing games was to have the gamemaster spend 20 to 40 hours preparing for a session that lasts 2 to 4 hours. ([Location 162](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=162)) > There should never be any thought that the story has to progress in a certain way or the game’s a failure. ([Location 185](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=185)) > If you are thinking of plot points or certain things that must happen during a session to trigger something else, you’re walking on unstable ground. ([Location 190](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=190)) > The best storytellers are the ones who have consumed myriads of stories. You’ll notice that famous novelists, screenwriters, and movie directors have read tremendous amounts of stories and have screened an enormous amount of films. ([Location 205](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=205)) > The best tool for the no-prep gamemaster is the random table. ([Location 359](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=359)) > Random tables eliminate the need for role-playing session preparation. ([Location 364](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=364)) > Limit Player Knowledge – If the answer to a question or the outcome of a situation will spoil the players fun or reveal information that is better hidden, I will roll. ([Location 426](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=426)) > Having players roll is my preferred method. ([Location 431](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=431)) > Greater player agency ([Location 438](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=438)) > Less work for the gamemaster ([Location 441](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=441)) > Another important resource at the gamemaster’s disposal that usually goes overlooked is to listen to the table. As your players talk at the table, listen to what they say. ([Location 550](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=550)) > AS YOUR RPG PLAYERS TALK, STEAL FROM THEM ([Location 554](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=554)) > If the mistake led to character death or something extremely detrimental to the party, fix it even if it means retconning a whole session or more. ([Location 652](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=652)) > Combat is the no-prep GM’s old friend. Just think about these scenarios. ([Location 778](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=778)) --- Title: The No-Prep Gamemaster Author: Matt Davids Tags: readwise, books date: 2024-01-30 --- # The No-Prep Gamemaster  Author:: Matt Davids ## AI-Generated Summary None ## Highlights > However, I don’t think the original intent of tabletop role-playing games was to have the gamemaster spend 20 to 40 hours preparing for a session that lasts 2 to 4 hours. ([Location 162](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=162)) > There should never be any thought that the story has to progress in a certain way or the game’s a failure. ([Location 185](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=185)) > If you are thinking of plot points or certain things that must happen during a session to trigger something else, you’re walking on unstable ground. ([Location 190](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=190)) > The best storytellers are the ones who have consumed myriads of stories. You’ll notice that famous novelists, screenwriters, and movie directors have read tremendous amounts of stories and have screened an enormous amount of films. ([Location 205](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=205)) > The best tool for the no-prep gamemaster is the random table. ([Location 359](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=359)) > Random tables eliminate the need for role-playing session preparation. ([Location 364](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=364)) > Limit Player Knowledge – If the answer to a question or the outcome of a situation will spoil the players fun or reveal information that is better hidden, I will roll. ([Location 426](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=426)) > Having players roll is my preferred method. ([Location 431](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=431)) > Greater player agency ([Location 438](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=438)) > Less work for the gamemaster ([Location 441](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=441)) > Another important resource at the gamemaster’s disposal that usually goes overlooked is to listen to the table. As your players talk at the table, listen to what they say. ([Location 550](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=550)) > AS YOUR RPG PLAYERS TALK, STEAL FROM THEM ([Location 554](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=554)) > If the mistake led to character death or something extremely detrimental to the party, fix it even if it means retconning a whole session or more. ([Location 652](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=652)) > Combat is the no-prep GM’s old friend. Just think about these scenarios. ([Location 778](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07WXK5ZCM&location=778))