Zak's DM Questionnaire

1. If you had to pick a single invention in a game you were most proud of what would it be?
I can't think of anything I've really invented that I can't point to something that inspired it just to explain the invention.

2. When was the last time you GMed?

Sunday Pathfinder

3. When was the last time you played?

Two weeks ago saturday Star Wars Saga

4. Give us a one-sentence pitch for an adventure you haven't run but would like to.

Call of Skullthulhu Island

5. What do you do while you wait for players to do things?

Grin, roll dice.

6. What, if anything, do you eat while you play?

Pizza, snacky cakes.

7. Do you find GMing physically exhausting?

No.

8. What was the last interesting (to you, anyway) thing you remember a PC you were running doing?

Collecting Monsters to sell to an arena for fights.

9. Do your players take your serious setting and make it unserious? Vice versa? Neither?

I think its been pretty setting specific with attitudes so far.

10. What do you do with goblins?

Make em mean and nasty with a touch of silly.

11. What was the last non-RPG thing you saw that you converted into game material (background, setting, trap, etc.)?

Peter Pan having his shadow sewn on into a magic item slot.

12. What's the funniest table moment you can remember right now?

Player of mine recently got his skin ripped off, he only had to not roll a one.

13. What was the last game book you looked at--aside from things you referenced in a game--why were you looking at it?

Neoclassical Geek Revival playing on trying to run something on G+

14. Who's your idea of the perfect RPG illustrator?

For me everything looks like Frazetta, or like when you get a book of concept art for something and they have tons of those sketches with watercolor added to them.

15. Does your game ever make your players genuinely afraid?

Atleast once it did. He wanted to go home.

16. What was the best time you ever had running an adventure you didn't write? (If ever)

Probably Mask of  Nyarlahotep.

17. What would be the ideal physical set up to run a game in?

Someplace comfortable. 

18. If you had to think of the two most disparate games or game products that you like what would they be?

Seems like everything I like is similar.

19. If you had to think of the most disparate influences overall on your game, what would they be?

I want to say Lovecraft but it seems like so many things I also read or use as influences are likewise influences... even cartoons. 

20. As a GM, what kind of player do you want at your table?

One that wants to live in the game world, not just react to things. 

21. What's a real life experience you've translated into game terms?

My grandmothers farm... it's was a Cthluhu story waiting to happen.  Ask me about it sometime.

22. Is there an RPG product that you wish existed but doesn't?

It feels like it's right there waiting for me to mention it, but when I define it, it's not something I would waste a wish on. :P

23. Is there anyone you know who you talk about RPGs with who doesn't play? How do those conversations go?

I guess he played in highschool, mostly he either can't because he is working. Or when he is free doesn't because his girlfriend mocks it.

Krytos: Skeleton City

1. Tavern/Casino(basement)
2. Inn/Tavern
3. Residence.
4. Residence.
5. Residence.
6. Outfitter/General Store
7. Grocer/Baker
8. Under the Pelvis: Town Hall, Mayor's Office, Sheriff's Office, Jail, Safety Shelter for Storms or Attacks.
9. Residence
10. Blacksmith
11. Stables
12. Residence.
13. Residence.
14. Residence.
15. Residence.
16. Doctor.
17. Temple on the Pelvis of the skeleton. Stairs and ladders help the faithful to the top.

The Town of Kytos is almost a hundred years old. First founded by travelers whom found the colossal skeleton a safe place to rest. The current street is the third such built. The first was buried almost 70 years ago. The second was built on top and they dug down to connect to the old buildings. Then when sand threatened to bury the town a second time they build enclosed walkways first across the front entrances on each side of the street then they connected the two sides at each end and twice near the middle. And when the sand buried those they continued to use the under passage as a way to defeat the heat of the desert sun, and build again on top of those buildings.
The Town Hall is a meeting place and fills the space between the skeletons pelvis. Now stretching two stories underground it houses Offices, the Jail, and the original hall at the bottom serves as a safety shelter with stocked goods.
The Temple on the pelvis was built by monks who favored the sunlight there and the strange location settled by the towns folk and bought the rights to build there. They hold services, though the rickety climb up the pelvis doesn't bring those but the truly faithful and brave.
Other things of interest. There was a building in the skull, but it is long been buried. The orange things between the ribs are banners used to shade from the wind and sun. Also at night large candle lit chandeliers are suspended from the spine over the town lighting the streets slightly more then starlight would have.
Underground, as noted the Tavern has a casino, other buildings either are storage for business and homes for the owners. And residences are for either extended or multiple families. Or worse.

I expect there is much to do with the town, what is everyones main income? Is there a mine nearby? I like the mining town idea, but ofcourse you can place Krytos where ever you wish in your setting. Maybe add outlying houses outside the protection of the ribcage. Or whole farms. I think of Krytos as a desert or wild west town. Maybe even the Stable doubles as a stop for a stagecoach. Either way I wanted to share this people.

Game on. 

Badgertaur

Bad cell phone pics

 

Slightly better photoshop

 

now in usable token separation