Adam’s riding solo on this one, and he’s pulling a bundle of helpful tricks and tips out of his Storyteller’s saddlebag—especially for folks just starting out running Mage games. If you’re a veteran, you might hear some familiar ground, but if you’re new to the Storyteller’s seat, this one’s a gold mine.
Show Notes
- 🔍 Mysteries in Mage
How to prep, run, and avoid dead-ends in investigative stories using the Three Clue Rule, leads vs. evidence, and flexible scene design. - 📉 Failing Forward
Why a botched roll doesn’t have to mean failure. Let the players move forward with consequences instead of slamming the brakes. - 🎲 Let It Ride
One roll covers an entire scene—less stress, more fun. A simple rule to keep the tension without constant dice-checking. - 🏙️ Portraying Cities with Flavor
Bring your setting to life! Split the city into districts, add landmarks and “scenic encounter” tables to make your urban Mage game sing. - ⏰ Faction Clocks
A slick little tool to track what NPC factions are up to, using clocks to show progress and raise stakes in the background. - 😈 Villain Advice
Three time-tested tips:- Let worthy foes emerge from play
- Keep villains offscreen and safe until the big showdown
- Don’t be afraid to let bad guys run away when things go south
- 📚 Source of Inspiration
Much of this wisdom comes from Justin Alexander’s book So You Want To Be A Game Master and his legendary blog The Alexandrian, with Mage-friendly tweaks and examples sprinkled in. - 🎧 Related Episode
Missions, Mysteries, and Magick: Paranormal Investigation in Mage – Using weird artifacts, team dynamics and investigations that make sense in the World of Darkness.
Executive Producers
Alexia • Aleksandra J • Alexander G • Alexander P • Ambiversion • Andrew E • Anders S • Andrew • Andrew E • Andrija J • Anon Ibid • Bad Company • Bdurfy • Benjamin B • Berto • Blaise H • Blake R • Bo • BoogersBoogersBoogersBoogersBoogersBoogers • Brad M • Brandon • Bryce Perry • Bubba, The Pale One • Buck Farmer • Chris B • Chris Z • Christopher P • Cinshadis • Connor G • Cromwell The Archaeologist • Cup of Joe • Curtis H • Dan Svensson • Daniel C • Daniel S • Darren H • David M • David R • DrawnCap • Dennis O • Derek S • DrunkDez • Ean R • EBG • Eli l • Entropy_Prime • Eric S • FozziBeara • Fragarach • Freddy • FriedrichOwl • Gabriel P • Garga L • George L • Gray -Trilug- H • Guy Conan S • GuyWithPuns • Henry Craft • HugoTheBogPerson • I Jaye S • Ian • Illara S • Ira Grace • Isabel CL • J Gatsby • J Gatsby • JadeBarroth • James B • Jason D • Jason K • Jason V • Jason Vines • Jeffois • Jenna F • Jeremy Z • Jervis Johnson • jj225000 • John • John Hillerup • jj225000 • John Magnuson • John W • Jolyne A • Joshua Hillerup • Joshua R • Justin • Karl H • Kathleen H • Kevin F • Khris K • Larrendias D • Leroy B • Leslie W • Lexiconjurer • Lolzandstuff • LorgarAurelian • Manel C • Maurice H • Matthew P • Melissa K • Michael C • Michael Parker • Mikael S • Morgan A • Nathan W • Nebero • Neil P • Nikita K • Oliver S • Patrick M • Patrick Mc • Paxcow • Pooka G • Rachel G • Ralf S • Regina O • Ren M • Ricardo • Richard “Bat” Brewster • Rob D • Rob H • Ruben J • Ryan H • Ryan K • Ryan S • Samuel T • sbloyd • Schnabeltierkrieger • Sean G • Sean Ryan K • Sev Nessus • Simon S • SorcererSanguine • Spartacus • St U • starfish • Stefan C • Steve Winyard • thatsrealneeto • Tyler • Tyler B • Vince H • Vincent • Walter • Warmstarter • William M • Wolf L • ZakRulz
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