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The Game Master’s Handbook of Proactive RoleplayingClick to magnify
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The Game Master’s Handbook of Proactive Roleplaying

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This unique new RPG guidebook is designed to transform gameplay in ways that empower players to create their own motivations and goals, then proactively pursue them – in effect, guiding the narrative of their characters, rather than having the Game Master do it. Traditional TTRPGs have for decades relied on reactive player responses in order to function. In other words, there is an evil wizard out to take over the world. The player characters are good, therefore it’s their duty to go stop the wizard. Game play then follows a traditional storytelling narrative of protagonists working to return their world back to the status quo, or an improved position. Bad guy makes a move, good guys move to stop him. The problem with this style of gameplay is that players are always reacting to what’s put in front of them.

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Freesia P June 01, 2025 7:31 pm UTC
Adapting to an Open Table game: I've long wanted to do this kind of game and have tried more than a few times with mixed results, but this book seems likely to give me the advice I need to make it actually happen. Only problem is, my primary opportunity to GM these days is at a pride center with a strictly Open Table, minimal barrier of entry playstyle, so new player characters will be created any time a new player walks in, and everyone who plays may or may not show up on any given week. Any thoughts about ways to get at least SOME of these ideas to work in that kind of play style? Or is my only hope to set up something 'on the side'?
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chris D December 03, 2024 2:18 am UTC
Do you offer free or discounted PDF if buy physical or do you have to pay for both? Just curious as I do like to have the physical and digital copies but don't want to spend money if I don't have to.
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chris D January 03, 2025 5:55 am UTC
Pretty active I see on here. Month and no response?
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Adam S August 08, 2024 11:38 pm UTC
Is there any chance of this coming out in "proper" ebook format? I pretty exclusively read this type of thing on my Kindle, since I don't have to worry about having my book with me when I have time to read. PDFs are about 30% better than print, because I can put them on a kindle, but they aren't nearly as easy to read, consume, note, etc.

An epub from DTR would be fine (as long as I can send it to my Kindle account), or an actual Kindle book in the Amazon store would be amazing.
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Adam S August 09, 2024 3:16 pm UTC
Just to clarify why I ask about a "proper ebook" format: Most PDFs are just digitized versions of the print books. They are formatted to fit on a page that is larger than most e-reader screens, and they contain lots of styling and layout elements that, all of which a) make it harder to read the text and navigate the book; and b) bog down the low-powered device's processor.

The end result is _usually_ an unpleasant experience, where a high percent of your time reading is just trying to navigate around content that is actually helpful in print.
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Patrick M November 03, 2024 4:22 pm UTC
I agree! I was just searching to see if an epub version exists. I would be much more likely to pick this up if it has an epub version.
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michael C July 29, 2024 8:34 pm UTC
i picked up the book at a gamestore and it seems there is a table missing pg 136-137 player goal and location table. Is this table in the PDF? Is there an errata out there with the table?
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Richard F October 17, 2024 7:46 pm UTC
I also realised this and wondered where the table was. However, even if they don't, the book does the important point of making us aware that we need to think about what kinds of tables we need to have on hand, so make your own as best you can for now. I know I will / have made tables for all sorts of things before, but now I have a different goal.
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Ryan June 30, 2024 6:30 pm UTC
Is this a 5E-specific book?
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Richard H July 15, 2024 10:58 am UTC
PURCHASER
No. It uses 5E as it's rules to discuss how things can/should work, but it is system agnostic, and actually borrows(?) from other systems.
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Uwe G June 08, 2024 8:10 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I would need an epub-version of the book. It is inconvenient to read the pdf on my ebook reader. Is there a possibility to get an epub version? (i tried calibre. it is a pain)
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Jake C May 31, 2024 4:27 pm UTC
PURCHASER
For those of you who, like me, were wondering what the difference is between this version of the book and the print ones at your FLGS, there isn't one. The thumbnail showing the foreword written by John Harper and the afterword by TBD must be outdated. I took a chance and purchased it because this was the only way I could find a digital version of the book and the cover of the PDF shows this is the Ginny Di/ Jeff Ashworth version. Hope this helps!
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Kurt W May 26, 2024 4:15 pm UTC
I'm enjoying this book and learning a lot from it. I found that a table connecting player goals to encounter locations is missing on pg 136 - 137. Where do I find errata?
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Jimmy F March 12, 2024 10:59 am UTC
Any chance for full-size preview?
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Andrew B March 12, 2024 3:40 am UTC
I dont understand how this is supposed to work. I have other books by you guys and was suitably impressed but this is some next generation vagueness. I am going to have to assume numbered listings of motivations with a couple of paragraphs of reactions and moves involved with each.

If you were to either explain some of the principles of this book with some examples or set up a preview with a few pages... I think we could figure out what this book is supposed to do for us. 5% of over 200 pages is like ten or so pages. Seems like a fair sample to figure things out with.

Thank you in advance for your response.
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Aldrich W March 13, 2024 5:12 pm UTC
I just finished the book last night; I'd bought it at my game store this weekend. It was worth it; I'm thinking about getting it for a friend and gamemaster.

A couple of things:

1. Though the book say on the cover that it is for '5E Adventures' it really isn't. the author gives examples from Blades in the Dark, 13th Age, 5E and a couple of space scenarios (I think they were from Gurps but don't quote me)

2. There are examples including something like how a campaign might play out but I would would have liked more.

Again, but it's going to involve a shift by both the GM and the players (and yes, there are tables and such but not as many as you might think.
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Matt M March 14, 2024 6:13 pm UTC
I too picked this up at the flgs and just finished it. I agree that it is worthwhile and full of tips for new and experienced GMs and players and while it certainly is aimed at the most broad audience of ttrpgers, it has value regardless of the rules system and is agnostic but leans fantasy. It is not just numbered listings of motivations and reactions, it has the how and the why of these techniques.

I agree it's pretty wordy, but I think this is for the benefit of people who need more grounding in ttrpgs. It's also full of examples and tables. I was not disappointed to spend $15 on this book.
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Customer avatar
Matt M March 14, 2024 6:13 pm UTC
I too picked this up at the flgs and just finished it. I agree that it is worthwhile and full of tips for new and experienced GMs and players and while it certainly is aimed at the most broad audience of ttrpgers, it has value regardless of the rules system and is agnostic but leans fantasy. It is not just numbered listings of motivations and reactions, it has the how and the why of these techniques.

I agree it's pretty wordy, but I think this is for the benefit of people who need more grounding in ttrpgs. It's also full of examples and tables. I was not disappointed to spend $15 on this book.
Reply
Customer avatar
Matt M March 14, 2024 6:13 pm UTC
I too picked this up at the flgs and just finished it. I agree that it is worthwhile and full of tips for new and experienced GMs and players and while it certainly is aimed at the most broad audience of ttrpgers, it has value regardless of the rules system and is agnostic but leans fantasy. It is not just numbered listings of motivations and reactions, it has the how and the why of these techniques.

I agree it's pretty wordy, but I think this is for the benefit of people who need more grounding in ttrpgs. It's also full of examples and tables. I was not disappointed to spend $15 on this book.
Customer avatar
David K March 11, 2024 11:28 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Could we possibly see a preview?
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Customer avatar
J.T. D April 21, 2024 1:15 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I'd also like a preview if possible.
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Author(s)
Jeff Ashworth
Rule System(s)
Pages
224
ISBN
9781956403442
File Size:
5.37 MB
Format
Original electronic Click for more information
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File Last Updated:
April 04, 2024
This title was added to our catalog on March 11, 2024.
Publisher
Topix Media Lab
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