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
Oracles
Bad Company • Buck Gregory • Christopher Phillips • Derek Semsick • DrawnCap • DrunkDez • Jason Vines • Rebecca Pool • Sean Gallagher • Spartacus • The Krewe of Erebuss
Archmasters
Berto • Brad-O-the Blue • Dan Svensson • Glacial Indifference • Jeffois • Leroy Bryce • Morgan Aran • Wolf Larryson
Acolytes
Aleks • Alexia • Ambiversion • Anders S • Ben Bandelow • Blaise Hebert • Bruno Teixeira • Bryce Perry • Bubba, The Pale One • Chartan • Cig • Curtis Hendricks • Darren Hennessey • Daniel Cuppen • Daniel Scribner • Dan Svensson • David Röhe • Ean Robertson • EBG • Eric Schwenke • Gray -Trilug- H • Guy Stewart • Ia Bull • James B • Jason Kennedy • Jenna F • Jeremy Z • Jervis Johnson • Kathleen Hailperin • Kevin Fitzpatrick • Khris Kinner • Leslie Weatherstone • Lolz & stuff • Loren Jensen • Manel Canós • Matthew Proehl • Maurice Hopkins • Melissa Krause • Michael Parker • Nebero • Nikita Kleymenov • Patrick McNamara • RobH • Ryan • Ryan Kendy • Ryan Stray • Samuel Tobin • Sev Nessus • Shell Konch • Starfish • Stefan Carton • Tyler Bryan • Will Vincent • Ygard
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