Do you have any routines you like to do before a game to try and get you into that mindset? I myself for example am a simple shower before going and listen to the soundtrack of a movie in the same genre type of guy. Just makes me feel like I'm washing the hangups of the real world off and getting psyched for the upcoming game. Just wondering if you have any you'd wouldn't mind sharing or any recommendations please do. That or let me know if I'm just crazy.
Aside from the traditional bloodletting and pre-game flagellation? Usually just a nice strong drink, and sometimes an opening song to indicate a transition from small talk and banter into 'game mode'. I don't generally use music ingame at all (I find it mostly distracting), but I feel it makes a good opener, especially if it's somehow related either lyrically or thematically to what's currently happening in the campaign (it can draw people's thoughts back to 'where we are right now', which is a nice supplement to more traditional recaps).
Quote from: Antiquation!;1100259Aside from the traditional bloodletting and pre-game flagellation? Usually just a nice strong drink, and sometimes an opening song to indicate a transition from small talk and banter into 'game mode'. I don't generally use music ingame at all (I find it mostly distracting), but I feel it makes a good opener, especially if it's somehow related either lyrically or thematically to what's currently happening in the campaign (it can draw people's thoughts back to 'where we are right now', which is a nice supplement to more traditional recaps).
An opening song you say? Never thought to try that one before, I'll have to try it. As for the ingame music the trick seems to be finding something that could almost serve as background music. For example in a 2nd Edition AD&D game I was in the DM used the soundtrack from the movie Gladiator. He explained it to me as trying to find something obscure but not to catchy otherwise people will just start rocking out to the song.
Quote from: Alamar;1100267An opening song you say? Never thought to try that one before, I'll have to try it.
I've found it works exceedingly well for more "episodic"-style campaigns; I've done both the same song (sort of like a theme song for a show) at the start of each session, as well as doing a new song each time (which works best if you can find a lot of music that will fit your campaign cohesively; cyberpunk in particular is very easy to find lots of appropriate songs for).
Quote from: Alamar;1100267As for the ingame music the trick seems to be finding something that could almost serve as background music. For example in a 2nd Edition AD&D game I was in the DM used the soundtrack from the movie Gladiator. He explained it to me as trying to find something obscure but not to catchy otherwise people will just start rocking out to the song.
That makes sense, and aligns with what few experiences I've had with it. My issue usually ends up being trying to juggle different soundtracks mid-game when my brain is focused on other things, and a single repeating track usually gets old/obnoxious after a fairly short while (unless you use full-on OST's and just let them play out in their entirety).
I herd cats for a few minutes before the game starts. It's easier than herding players. :)
A run to the store for snacks. To make sure there is enough at the table.
Quote from: Steven Mitchell;1100284I herd cats for a few minutes before the game starts. It's easier than herding players. :)
Now if we could only teach them to roll the dice. :)
Quote from: Darrin Kelley;1100287A run to the store for snacks. To make sure there is enough at the table.
I assume the traditional Funions and Mountain Dew? :)
Quote from: Antiquation!;1100279I've found it works exceedingly well for more "episodic"-style campaigns; I've done both the same song (sort of like a theme song for a show) at the start of each session, as well as doing a new song each time (which works best if you can find a lot of music that will fit your campaign cohesively; cyberpunk in particular is very easy to find lots of appropriate songs for).
That makes sense, and aligns with what few experiences I've had with it. My issue usually ends up being trying to juggle different soundtracks mid-game when my brain is focused on other things, and a single repeating track usually gets old/obnoxious after a fairly short while (unless you use full-on OST's and just let them play out in their entirety).
Yeah I've only tried ingame music myself once or twice I think and ultimately it became at best I was spending a lot of time just looking around on youtube for songs that I would end up having to cycle through for what was happening in the game. Maybe if you found something with a theme, like those old haunted house ambiance CD's but even then.
Quote from: Alamar;1100293I assume the traditional Funions and Mountain Dew? :)
I picked up some frozen Onion Rings that I will cook before I have to go to the game that day and take with me. I have like 6 candy bars, 2 bags of Cheddar and Bacon Potato Skins, 2 bags of Pretzels, and some beef and three cheese chimichangas.
I've honestly never had Funions. And I don't like Mountain Dew. But in my list of what I got, it should more than satisfy the people there. As well as deal with my lunch and dinner.
Gotta love 99 cent stores for snack shopping.
I review my notes on index cards and make sure have everything on hand. Thats about it really. Pretty mundane I know.
Main one is I make sure I have my dice with me. These I've had for a long time. Picked up on my first ever GenCon. Chezzex. Also make sure I have my "bloody bones" d20. A rare red and bone Chezzex miscast so all the colours are on one side each instead of swirled. Looks like a bone dipped in blood. Makes a great drama die for those big moments.
Quote from: Omega;1100300Main one is I make sure I have my dice with me. These I've had for a long time. Picked up on my first ever GenCon. Chezzex. Also make sure I have my "bloody bones" d20. A rare red and bone Chezzex miscast so all the colours are on one side each instead of swirled. Looks like a bone dipped in blood. Makes a great drama die for those big moments.
Neat. I have a set of these I enjoy using for monsters in dark fantasy games:
https://www.atomicempire.com/Item/73467?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=pla_games&gclid=CjwKCAjwtO7qBRBQEiwAl5WC2zYbnYZ3rg70-ycBUVzRVVkWZQwNfH4rLtQaw6qwiCYriVyVDI4qWRoCClIQAvD_BwE
If it's an evening game, I like a 20 minute nap.
...I'm so old. :(
Quote from: S'mon;1100304If it's an evening game, I like a 20 minute nap.
...I'm so old. :(
Hey whatever works. If it makes you feel any better apparently all it takes to be of "Lovecraftian" age anymore is to remember a time on the internet before Youtube. At least according to some VERY rude blue haired people. :)
Quote from: Darrin Kelley;1100299I picked up some frozen Onion Rings that I will cook before I have to go to the game that day and take with me. I have like 6 candy bars, 2 bags of Cheddar and Bacon Potato Skins, 2 bags of Pretzels, and some beef and three cheese chimichangas.
I've honestly never had Funions. And I don't like Mountain Dew. But in my list of what I got, it should more than satisfy the people there. As well as deal with my lunch and dinner.
Gotta love 99 cent stores for snack shopping.
Sounds like a gas, but I sincerely hope you play in a well-ventilated area.
Now I want to get myself a Boxer hoodie and paly Eminem's Lose Yourself before the game starts.
If I happen to be using a published module, I will give it a quick skim in order to minimize what I will miss. Other than that, I tend to mentally go through what I think the players will do during the game... sometimes I am even correct.
I scream at all my players for arriving on time, then rant at them about politics until my coffee is ready.
Quote from: Alamar;1100247Do you have any routines you like to do before a game to try and get you into that mindset? I myself for example am a simple shower before going and listen to the soundtrack of a movie in the same genre type of guy. Just makes me feel like I'm washing the hangups of the real world off and getting psyched for the upcoming game. Just wondering if you have any you'd wouldn't mind sharing or any recommendations please do. That or let me know if I'm just crazy.
Cerveza!!!
Quote from: Darrin Kelley;1100287A run to the store for snacks. To make sure there is enough at the table.
Never have liked eating at the gaming table. 8ve tolerated it with a few players who apparently cant go a few hours without sustenance but I dony like it.
Quote from: Steven Mitchell;1100284I herd cats for a few minutes before the game starts. It's easier than herding players. :)
Quote from: Alamar;1100292Now if we could only teach them to roll the dice. :)
What would you play with them? Cats of Catthulhu, I assume?
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I guess my ritual is simply setting up everything: my laptop, the DM screen, the battlemat (whether we'll be needing it or not, doesn't matter), my special DM dice, etc. I also try to minimize social contact, because for some reason I'm always a bit anxious and irritable before running the game. That quickly passes after the actual play commences, though.
I like
Antiquation!'s idea of an opening song. Might have to steal that.
Coffee. Either drink some, or prep some for me and my players for later. Sometimes both.
Shuffle the deck of cards I use for initiative (lifted from Savage Worlds).
I think a game starting song is a cool idea.
Right before game day my favorite ritual is to spend about 4 to 6 months on the game forums lambasting the industry. My players appreciate visceral adversity and I feel like it really helps me get in the right headspace.
Its about the little things. Ambience.
Quote from: Omega;1100300I review my notes on index cards and make sure have everything on hand. Thats about it really. Pretty mundane I know.
Main one is I make sure I have my dice with me. These I've had for a long time. Picked up on my first ever GenCon. Chezzex. Also make sure I have my "bloody bones" d20. A rare red and bone Chezzex miscast so all the colours are on one side each instead of swirled. Looks like a bone dipped in blood. Makes a great drama die for those big moments.
I have a set of Chessex dice that I've been calling the Bloody Bones for years. They aren't pictured in the current Chessex lineup. They are white, with pinkish red numbering; and the pinkish red has sort of stained the white dice.
My game group loved the onion rings I brought from home. The two $1 bags of onion rings. And they said they loved them more than the restaurant ones.
So my trip to the local dollar store was absolutely vindicated.