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Not Poppin'; What Happens When The Magic Isn't There?
Tweet Topic Started: Sep 12 2006, 05:27 PM (260 Views)
Hades Sep 12 2006, 05:27 PM Post #1
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So my wife and I started playing our current game tonite and after about 15 minutes I decided to stop and call it quits for tonite. Everything felt really mechanical, the "game mechanic" wasn't there at all, and she was yawning before we even started playing. I understand that its hard, sometimes, to work all day and then come home and focus our minds on something as mentally demanding as roleplaying but it was disheartening to say the least. Almost like not being able to get an erection before sex. Weird. This has happened to me only twice in my entire gaming life: once while playing Everway and once, after a night of drinking and smoking pot, while playing Dragonlance. I'm just reporting this for two reasons. First, has this happened to any of you before? and, second, what do you do when it occurs? Do you just slog through the game to keep on schedule or do you abort the game and pick it up when the "magic" is flowing?

:(
“Don't do anything by half. If you love someone, love them with all your soul. When you go to work, work your ass off. When you hate someone, hate them until it hurts.”
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Fixxxer Sep 12 2006, 06:20 PM Post #2
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There was actually a short blurb about this in DMGII. The authors recommended that you simply call it quits for the night. It's better to skew the expected schedule of a game than to have to feel forced into making the game into work.
In my mind, it is that simple. But then, I'm simple minded. -Didge-
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DarkElf Sep 12 2006, 07:07 PM Post #3
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So something like Diagra, a D&D Viagra is what is needed? Are we talking about sex or D&D?? Well from time to time I get bored playing D&D, whether its because of the players, the setting or both. Sometimes a change of pace is needed. Then again, usually once you start going the magic does pick back up.
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Hades Sep 12 2006, 07:19 PM Post #4
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DarkElf
Sep 12 2006, 06:07 PM
So something like Diagra, a D&D Viagra is what is needed? Are we talking about sex or D&D?? Well from time to time I get bored playing D&D, whether its because of the players, the setting or both. Sometimes a change of pace is needed. Then again, usually once you start going the magic does pick back up.

"Diagra" ... I like that.

Well, whenever I have pushed it, the magic never came back. I start worrying about the game and that builds tension, which then builds the sense that things are not working, which then feeds more tension. Yep. Just like sex.
“Don't do anything by half. If you love someone, love them with all your soul. When you go to work, work your ass off. When you hate someone, hate them until it hurts.”
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Didge Sep 12 2006, 09:57 PM Post #5
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Take a break, do something else, but don't push it. Simply put if your try to make it fun it won't be. So instead have something set aside for just an occassion. Me? I keep a large collection of board games on hand, along with cards and whatnot. I've only ever done it once, but everyone agreed they really weren't in the mood and so we easily transitioned to a different venue where our interest was more focused. Not to mention the fact of discovering new games that may be a slice of something different.
When you're making an Adventure, remember to ask, "WWMPD" (What Would My Player's Do?) Then tailor your adventure around that.
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Didge Sep 12 2006, 10:04 PM Post #6
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I had another thought to go along with my last one.

I know, I know, a miracle has in fact happened because I've had an actual thought. ;)

Anyway, something I always try to do is end the game on a cliffhanger if I can. If this means calling a session an hour early, then so be it. I'll do this too if the group is going after something big but totally unexpected. This ensures that I'll have the time necessary to create a proper encounter for my group. It also means that if I leave them with a cliffhanger that they'll be that much more motivated to come back and find out what's going to happen next.
When you're making an Adventure, remember to ask, "WWMPD" (What Would My Player's Do?) Then tailor your adventure around that.
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kismetrose Sep 13 2006, 02:50 AM Post #7
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Ending a session early isn't the end of the world, but you might want to think about doing something outdoors soon. Like, instead of gaming during your next scheduled session, have a picnic or go for a hike. Do something that has more to do with the body than the mind. Sometimes a good walk frees up my thoughts and gets them moving again.
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Aladdar Sep 13 2006, 07:13 AM Post #8
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I've never been in a situation where the whole game was called off, but I've certainly, as a player, had nights where I just wasn't into the game. For whatever reason, I couldn't get into my players skin, I couldn't get into the game, and it was all just a series of dice rolls for me. I don't think there was anything wrong with me, it had just been a horrible day at work and while I was hoping that D&D would get me going, what I needed instead was to just lay down and close my eyes for a few hours.
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DarkElf Sep 13 2006, 02:09 PM Post #9
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I would advise getting out of the house, and go a few rounds at each other with sticks. You'd be surprised how fun this really is. :)
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Hades Sep 14 2006, 08:57 AM Post #10
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I think roleplaying is like most creative endeavors: sometimes you're in the zone and at other times you're not. That's just the way of things. My solution was to put the books away for awhile and do other stuff. Our whole group is playing next weekend so I'll be busy finishing up their adventure during the week.

“Don't do anything by half. If you love someone, love them with all your soul. When you go to work, work your ass off. When you hate someone, hate them until it hurts.”
- Henry Rollins
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