In the interest of helping others with creativity (a stated trouble spot where the MW GUIDES are lacking) I've decided to include a segment on Writing exercises geared towards new GMs to get them moving in the right direction.

What I need from you:

take a quick peek at the exercises and see if you can think of another exercise that would be useful to a new GM (non system specific). Most of these should be solo activities, but it's fine to include a couple of exercises to be done in pairs.

When designing an exercise, consider how it will help the new GM attain fundamental skills they will need to have to GM effectively.

here is what is up so far:

To assist new GMs in developing their creative skills, several writing exercises are listed below. Each focuses on a different but essential part of being a game master. Each of these exercises are not described in thorough detail intentionally to force you to utilize your imagination.

Remember, these are writing exercises not GM notes you scratched down when a thought popped into your head; so as such, anything that can be said can be said in 3-5 sentences (or more if you are so inclined). Further, challenge yourself when doing these as you won't get much out of the exercises if you don't put much into them; take the roads less traveled when making your creative decisions and experiment with new ideas and concepts.

Even if you should decide to make a particular subject lack-luster by design, be sure that the description is not. Even bland and boring things can be made interesting if presented in the correct lighting.

If you get stuck, remember to answer the BIG FIVE QUESTIONS repeatedly. If you want feedback on your work, post a thread in the GM Workshop including your work and note that you are looking for feedback on your exercises. If you are having trouble being descriptive consider using the following resources:

• Thesaurus
• Dictionary
• A handy list of adjectives by type.
• Another handy list of adjectives by type.

Writing Exercise 1: NPC Write-Ups

Creating NPC's that are vivid and memorable is one of the most important parts to telling your story. Over time you will become so well versed in this that you will be able to improvise new characters simply by knowing what plot function you wish them to serve, but for now lets get you started with a basic exercise.

PART 1



The man above is very generic and could be many things. Use your imagination to interpret what he might be.

Include the following:

At least 1 paragraph of background
At least 1 paragraph explaining what his motivations/intentions are and how that will affect the party of heroes.
Include all vital statistics for the RPG system of your choice.

PART 2

As above, but this time find and include a pictures of your choice from a web search and create 3 out of the 5 following NPC archtypes of your choice:

A villain, An Ally, A Commoner, A Patron, A Quirky/Comic-Relief Character.

Exercise 2: Creating a Town


Setting is just as important to your game as characters and creating a town is more than just drawing a map. Each location the players visit should be somewhat unique and interesting. Use the following map for reference when completing this exercise.



Step 1: Write at least 1 paragraph to describe the town. Discuss the architechture, the people and their culture, current events, and anything else you wish to include.

Step 2: Write at least 1 paragraph of history for the town to include at least 2 recent events in the last decade and one major historical event that happened at least 1 generation ago.

Step 3: Choose at least 2 buildings and write a paragraph about each of them and their significance to the party.

Step 4: Create at least 1 faction in the city, devoting at least one paragraph to it's physical description, purpose or motivation and resources.

Step 5: Choose one of your previously created NPCs from exercise 1 and place them in the city, describing for at least 1 paragraph what it is they are doing in the city and how that may effect the party.

Step 6: Based upon the writings that you have made, prepare a narative that is at least 1 paragraph long to introduce the town to the party as they approach.

Exercise 3: Don't forget the monster!



Write at least one paragraph about each of the following items:

Part 1:
Creature abilities and tactics, Creature background and history, Creature motivation, Circumstances under which the party will encounter the monster.

Part 2:
Fully stat out the creature for your RPG system of choice, be sure to include any special information about the creature and potential rewards.

Exercise 4: The Artifact

Unique objects of special significance, high technology and magical power are frequent plot devices.

Create a unique item that is NOT a standard weapon (though it might potential be used as one).

Define the object and list the abilities of the item. It should have at least 1 major and 1 minor power of some kind.

Write at least 1 paragraph discussing the circumstances of the creation of the item.

Write at least 1 paragraph discussing the history and significance of the item.

Write at least 1 paragraph discussing the ways this object may affect the party.

Include a picture of choice of the object.

EDIT: NEW EXERCISES:

Character A


Character B


Character C


Character D

As a GM you will frequently have to have characters talk to each other. While the PCs are the main focus, generally they are not the only thing nor the most important thing in the entire world. As such your NPCs will frequently need to talk to each other in order to give the world a sense of immersion.

Choose three of the above images and name the characters. Invent a conversation to include all three characters. Be sure each character receives at least three turns in the conversation and experiment with different kinds of speech patterns and expressions. Include things like body language, setting and interesting/relevant details. For an added challenge do not allow yourself to say "He/she said" (or an alternative such as "Tom said") after a spoken line.

While this exercise can be very challenging the first few times, it becomes much easier with practice, and if you get stuck, simply consider a character's primary motivation in the scene and that should help you figure out what they need to say. Additional things like background information can help you determine exactly how they will say it as well.

While combat in real life is an exhilarating thrill and adrenaline rush, too often newer GMs give lack-luster descriptions and information about combat.

Choose three characters from above and write a combat scenario. Speech should be especially limited or non-existant during this bloody struggle. They can fight each other or perhaps face an orc or other monster of your preference.

Quote:

Examples: Good: The troll hunched down over the carcass of the horse smacking its maws over the flesh. The scaly head tipped back sniffing the air. Emitting a low growl as it stood to face the party. Clicking its bloody claws the monster leered at the group of adventurers. The myrmidon spun the sword in his grip anticipating the battle. He circled to the right drawing the troll’s attention in an attempt to offer his allies the opportunity to strike from a superior position. Once the vile creature turned its flank to the bold warrior’s comrades he charged in with his sword held high. Not as good: Bob hits the troll with the sword.

Note that while not every combat move needs exceptional attention to detail, but if none of your combat scenarios ever read as exciting, your players may not be as inclined to treat combat situations with the role playing attention they deserve, or at worst, find combat to be boring. Unless the character is a robot, immortal or alien being, this is a highly inappropriate reaction for most settings.

Help players get into the mood by giving combat the attention to detail it deserves.

Additional exercises to add:

The Trap/Puzzle
Set the scene

Exercise recommendation. Combat.

Nearly every genre hits the apex of the adventure where conflict occurs. A well described battle scene will achieve these objectives. It will give your players the satisfaction of seeing their heroes in action. Set the field accurately to help eliminate confusion.

I hit (insert monster) with my sword is a lackluster description in comparison to.

The troll hunched down over the carcass of the horse smacking its maws over the flesh. The scaly head tipped back sniffing the air. Emitting a low growl as it stood to face the party. Clicking its bloody claws the monster leered at the group of adventurers.

The myrmidon spun the sword in his grip anticipating the battle. He circled to the right drawing the troll’s attention in an attempt to offer his allies the opportunity to strike from a superior position. Once the vile creature turned its flank to the bold warrior’s comrades he charged in with his sword held high.

Ha Ha! I knew I forgot something. I even planned on adding that in but it was late when I wrote this.

Also another exercise:

3 person dialog, at least 3 turns each without using the words "he/she said" or an extrapolation of the same words (Tom said, etc.)

I'm glad to see this topic expanded on. There have been several posts lately of players who are just getting started that would benefit from reading this. Even for long time gamers it has helpful reminders.

Yeah, besides the MW GUIDES a full 3.5 DM college is in store for a future project.

New Exercises added to the OP

I'm not sure about this one, but I feel like there maybe should be one to describe a room/chest/bookcase/whatever that has at least one Plot Object and one Red Herring in it.

The purpose of it would be to get used to the idea of describing things besides those that directly matter so players don't just latch onto whatever you describe as being the only things of value and importance.

Conversely, being able to evoke a general idea for a location without a lot of specific detail is always useful for what are basically throwaway locations. A seedy bar is a seedy bar is a seedy bar, oui? One need not spend more than a paragraph describing such a place, unless there's something special about this particular seedy bar. And there doesn't always have to be something special or memorable. Sometimes, it's just a backdrop for something important and detail would detract from the scene.

Too true I remember the days when the moment I described a room was the que for the party to search it. Just like making an apparently random roll for secret or concealed doors. The party would suddenly stop to investigate the area. That was a hurdle to overcome.

These are players that are overcompensating though, and that means there are other issues going on that simple writing exercises aren't likely going to fix too soon.

I like the idea of giving a setting description though with one object given importance. For added challenge we could make that object have a plot twist to it so that the idea is more of a scene design than just a description... Still I feel this concept needs one more good feature to go from being an alright idea to a really good one.

Atmosphere. The seedy bar with dim lighting, mismatched/broken/mended furniture, smoky air and grimy unwashed patrons gambling coin in the corner. The dank, dark, dripping cave with a small stream trickling through it, bats in the ceilings and centipedes as long as your arm creeping around limestone stalagmites/stalactites. The tall leafy forest with thick jungle undergrowth, dim beams of light shining down through the canopy and vines and poisonous spiders/snakes on every other branch. The alleyway, narrow and garbage filled, with hard packed earth on the ground, alley cats/dogs/rats and sewer grates. The merchant stall/shop with an assortment of wares to choose from (insert your required weapons, armour, clothing, food, basket weaver here).

That is: Describe a scene with a suitable atmosphere, include various descriptions of plot objects and misc objects. Include visual (smoky room etc.), audio (conversation, clink of coin/mugs), olfactory (the smell of smoke/tobacco/unwashed bodies) and tactile (the sticky floor from beer spills) senses. It ought to include obvious things (people, potential dangers, entry exit points) that characters need to know straight away, as well as secondary things which can include other 'plot object/s' and 'red herrings'. Possibly followed up with a second description that highlights the plot object/s and dismisses the red herrings in the event that players miss or latch onto the wrong things.

As another thing that is possibly useful for GM writing, is a list of suitably descriptive words that will evoke an adventurous atmosphere. Instead of creeps, why not slinks? Instead of tall, why not soaring? Instead of dark what about inky or sinister? If you want to encourage GM creative writing, having a list of adjectives, verbs and adverbs to inspire as a starting point might not be a bad thing, as well as some examples taken from literature or created by other MW GMs so people can see what sort of stuff is good descriptive writing. I learn best by seeing and imitating.