Treasure Tables is on hiatus as of December 13th, 2007. After two years of daily posts, I needed a break; that break might turn out to be permanent. In the meantime, I invite you to check out the more than 800 GMing articles in TT's archives, and to join our friendly, active GMing forums. If you're a longtime TT reader, thank you for your support. If you're new to the site, welcome -- there's plenty of GMing advice here to keep you busy! -- Martin

Category: Common Problems

There are some problems that are nearly universal among GMs, like getting feedback from your players or handling mature themes, and that’s what these posts are here to help with.

  • …And Then James Bond Spends a Month in the Hospital
  • 6 Signs That Your Players May Not be Having Fun
  • Being a GM is Like Using a 150 Watt Bulb
  • Being a Player is Like Using a Flashlight
  • Called Shot to the Nuts
  • Fear Checks: Always a Bad Idea
  • Four Key Elements of a Good RPG Puzzle
  • Free PDF: How to End a Campaign
  • Getting Player Feedback
  • GM Breaks and Alternating Games
  • GMs, Always Do Your Own Mapping
  • How to End a Campaign: A Sudden Stop
  • How to End a Campaign: According to Plan
  • How to End a Campaign: Fast Forward
  • How to End a Campaign: On Indefinite Hold
  • How to End a Campaign: With a Bang
  • How to End a Campaign: With a Whimper
  • I Steal His Pants
  • Identifying the Tough Stuff
  • Incoherent Play, and How to Avoid It
  • Less Backstory Often Equals More Fun
  • Mature Themes in RPGs
  • Meaningful Death in RPGs
  • Meet Bob’s Brother, Cob
  • Negative Reinforcing Loops in RPGs
  • New GMs, Editable Campaign Maps and Map Printing
  • Not Dead Yet, Player Psychology and Rusty GMs
  • NPCs Don’t Sit on Fences
  • Overloaded: Stuff and Info
  • Preventing GM Burnout from the Other Side of the Screen
  • Snap Decisions and Retconning
  • Spicy Rules, Bland NPCs?
  • The 4 Ways to Choose Your Next Game
  • When in Doubt, Hit It