User:Kaigen87
GM Style Guide
Hi, I'm Kaigen87. The following style guide will cover the essential basics of what I'm required to answer, then it will go into more depth with how I run Shadowrun on roll20.
- Q: Whether you're okay with players applying to jobs their character has a high chance of declining at the meet
- A: I'd prefer for players chosen for the run to not do that as it will complicate things on the table as far as the group requirement is concerned, but if it's something the player's character will absolutely do, then by all means they can.
- Q: Whether you're okay with players applying to jobs their character will actively attempt to thwart or derail
- A: This is partially why I build my sessions they way they are on roll20 (I will go into more detail later in this guide). Yes, I'm absolutely fine with it and I welcome it. When I run a session, I try to make it as freeform and open as it can possibly be. The players in my sessions shouldn't feel limited to what they characters would do in the situations presented to them.
- Q: Views on realism and seriousness of the setting
- A: Shadowrun is a fascinating yet extremely dark setting. It doesn't shy away from adult topics, and it clearly shows that horrific things can and will happen. At the same time, there's definitely comical elements present in it, so I try to stay open in welcoming both the serious nature of the setting, in addition to its lighter bits. Sometimes I run sessions where the tone is extremely graphic, whereas other times it may be on lighter, more hilarious scenes. Sometimes both would be present, depending on time and place.
- Q: Views on consequences and failure
- A: To make it clear first and foremost, I want the players to feel as badass as possible with their characters. I encourage cool ideas whenever I'm able to, and I want them to really enjoy themselves at my table. With that being said, in order to feel like a badass, then the players will most definitely come across challenges that will truly test them, depending on the situation. In-Character actions can have very clear consequences, and failure is a real possibility if the team screws up monumentally (obviously higher risk with tougher run types).
BLACK MOHAWK STYLE
So to go more in depth with how I GM these runs on roll20, I go with a style called 'Black Mohawk'. It is typically very action-oriented, leaning more towards 'Pink Mohawk', but it does not neglect the subtler elements of 'Black Trench coat' completely. What this means is, even though the general route to completing most missions is through brute force, that's not the only way to approach it. It is largely up to the players to decide how they want to tackle a particular run. Regardless of what the players choose, I try to make the experience as cinematic as possible, which brings me to the next major element of my style : The Design.
WIP