Deadhouse Gates

There’s a common misconception around roleplayers that the GM that handles all the plotting and storytelling in a roleplaying game. While the majority of a storyline does fall on the GM shoulders, there’s also quite a lot of opportunities for the players to actually take the reins and lend direction to where a game is going. Proactive and enthusiastic players can contribute by pushing their own respective agendas, and taking time off to tell the GM before and/or after the session to remind him of what they intend to do.

Here are a few ways that I as a player do to encourage my GM to pursue subplots revolving around my characters.

• If you’re interested in something pursue it — As long as it can be rationalized IC, then there’s plenty of opportunities to make a passing comment grow into something more.
• Pay attention to your character’s motivations — Everyone has something that interests them, or gets them to move. Don’t wait for the GM to dangle something, pursue it, look for and make opportunities.
• Involve other players — The more opportunities you have to bring other player characters along to get involved with your stories, the more incentive the GM has to work it into the game.

As with all things, communication is yet again key. Tell your GM that you’d like to get your character to do something, or go through a particular scenario. Who knows, he might just pull it out and use it in the game. The GM’s aren’t exactly geniuses in everything (at least I hope not), and sometimes, even if they love the character concepts, they occasionally draw blanks when it comes to plotting for a specific character. Or at least that is my experience. So do your best to communicate with your GM.

Take note that this isn’t a technique to steal the spotlight, but one that will help the GM think of plots, further your character’s interests, and make the game more enjoyable for you and, hopefully, everyone else.