This is the 17th of an 18 part series on How to be a DM. To start at the beginning, click here.
It’s important to remember that you are not telling this story alone. Every action taken by the players changes the universe they inhabit. As a DM, you have to adjust the story to take these changes into account.
Customize the Story
About a week before each game session, I go through the next parts of the adventure. I look to see if anything the party has done will change the next adventure. Did they kill the big baddy or did they let him sneak away? Should he show up again to taunt them?
Does the original adventure have too many encounters with kobald raiders? Swap ’em out with something else to keep things fresh. (See Kobold Fight Club for a fantastic online encounter builder.)
Plan for there to be a big baddy and his minion at the end of the next session instead of yet another group of low level monsters. You want to think about the the rhythm of the story and not just how the adventure was written.
Keep the Adventure Balanced
Was the party not able to level up as expected? If so, the next encounters may be too hard. Better change the number of monsters so it is still a thrilling adventure – but not a deadly one.
Or is someone going to miss the next game session, so the party will be short a player? Maybe a NPC offers to come along with the party on the next mission.
Is one of the characters having trouble successfully attacking the monsters and is getting frustrated? Maybe its time to add in a magic weapon perfect for that character. The gods can reward you when you work hard and need a little help.
Is someone disproportionately strong with full plate armor, and never gets a scratch? Do they rush into battle without working as a team? Do they use all the healing potions for themselves?
Maybe it’s time to bring out the rust monster. There are lessons to learn!
Know Your Players
Are there a bunch of engineers or math majors in your group? Does your group enjoy more traps and puzzles than were in the original adventure module? Look at this and other online sites for riddles, puzzles, and traps to add to your story.
Does your ranger want to use his new animal spells, but he’s stuck in dungeons all the time? Throw in some exploration to do on his way out of the dungeon for supplies.
Is there an inside joke that is special to your group of friends that you can include in the adventure? Maybe a tavern wench with the name of someone’s old high school crush or favorite TV character?
Revising the original material takes some time but can really add a lot to the experience for your players. It is critical that the players feel they are a part of something important in this universe. They are heroes and the gods are smiling on them!
Keeping track of all these changes can be confusing if you don’t stay organized. You want to keep the story going smoothly, so you never have to say You attack the sleep troll? Hold on a second…
Bitzy the Bard
“Life is an adventure story and you are the star. Choose to play a hero!”
