One of the things I do as a DM truly annoys my lovely wife.
She’s a player in both groups ’cause she loves the game too (I’m lucky, I know!), and I do my level best each session to end on a “cliffhanger.” She hates it. 😀
Now it doesn’t necessarily have to be something huge. Not every week can or will end on an actual cliffhanger. Just ending on a dramatic question (in the literary sense, not actually asking the table a question dramatically) is often enough.
Maybe in that moment when you’d normally say “Roll initiative!” you instead say “aaaand we’ll pick up with initiative next week!”
Maybe the characters are headed to a manor house to sneak in and steal something. You leave off with them on the way.
The point is twofold.
First, your players will be like “awww okay” and be excited for next session.
Secondly, it makes your prep easier, since you know exactly what the starting scene will be and can prepare for a great opening scene the following session.
Give it a shot at your next session!
Note: I was out of commission Friday and Saturday, so there are a lot of things to catch up on … here goes!
Links:
A Trifecta of BS – The Angry GM
Ghosts of Saltmarsh Wallpaper – Wizards of the Coast
Variant: Dynamic Spellcasting – Dungeon Master’s Workshop
The Far Side of the Table: Death at the Table—How Do We Prepare for It? – Kobold Press
Everything You Need to Know About Acquisitions Incorporated: The Book – DnDBeyond
Spell Components – Handbooker Helper – Critical Role
Jeremy Crawford on the Artificer – Dragon+ – Dragon+
Catacombs of the Flayed Minotaurs – Dyson’s Dodecahedron
Roleplaying Tips Weekly E-Zine Issue #488 – GMing Gods, Demons And Immortals – Roleplaying Tips
Think Three Steps Ahead (But It’s Not Just About Doing Things Faster) – Roleplaying Tips
How To Scale Up An Adventure – Roleplaying Tips
7 Adventure Building Mistakes You Should Avoid – Roleplaying Tips
If you try something crazy in D&D, and it doesn’t work… – Sage Advice
As you write your encounter, try to include one cool thing – Sage Advice
Exploration encounters: Make sure that there are consequences for failures – Sage Advice
Any DMs out there had a player try and pull a coffeelock(Warlock/Sorcerer)on them? What did you rule? – Sage Advice
Please be honest, is Ghosts Of Saltmarsh going to help a DM who hasn’t run a game since 2e ? – Sage Advice
Board Game: Dungeon of The Mad Mage! – Wizards of the Coast
Monster Stacking Strategies & Tactics for DM’s – DMsGuild – $0.50
What Has It Got in Its Pocketses? Bundle Bag! – DMsGuild – $4.00
Now get out there and tell a story!
Peace,
Maximilian Hart