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Game Master Workshop: Write and Run Your Own TTRPG Campaign!

A 1 hour, repeatable class that builds the framework of a TTRPG (like D&D) campaign, explores and exchanges ideas, and teaches aspiring Game Masters how to run a TTRPG game!
Nick 'Beardy' Plaisance
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(125)
Class
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What's included

1 live meeting
1 in-class hours
Homework
Learners who wish to take multiple Game Master Workshop classes can always work on their campaign materials and bring their updates to new classes. Each class is meant to be solid launchpad for learner's ideas, but if continued, could provide plenty of feedback to craft their full campaigns.
Assessment
A worldbuilding worksheet is provided for the class, but is not required. Learners will acquire more than enough ideas and information to either fill out the sections of that worksheet, or organize the notes into their own form

Class Experience

Welcome to the Game Master Workshop! This class meets 1 time, for 1 hour, but can be taken as many times as desired! Each class will generate new ideas and explore different topics according to learner interest, so each time is a new experience. This class is designed to teach learners how to design and run a Table Top Role Playing campaign. TTRPGS include popular games such as Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder, and Shadowrun. However, there are many rulesets and systems out there, and this class will suit for any game.

Guiding our workshop will be an optional worksheet that learners can download from the classroom page. This worksheet is designed be digitally fillable as well as printer friendly (I also made it to be very colorable!). While the worksheet is optional, it does provide a framework for how the class time will be divided up. The topics include (although not necessarily in this order): 

-Story Hooks (how to get the adventure started)
-Loot (rewards, including fantastical items and mysterious boons)
-Encounters (combat/social/narrative situations that get players into the action)
-Worldbuilding (including places of interest, oddities about how the world works, Non Playable Characters the players will encounter, and the rules of magic in this world)
- Puzzles, Challenges, and Riddles
***In the NPC section, we may also discuss tips and tricks on voiceacting these characters- although roleplaying NPCS is entirely dependent on each Game Master's comfort level, so this is a flexible section.***
These topics are the building blocks of any TTRPG campaign. Every topic might not be needed by every learner, and more time may be spent on one than another depending on learner interest. 

One thing to know about my teaching style- I LOVE questions! One of my top priorities as a teacher in the classroom was to encourage students to ask deep questions. Students in my TTRPG classes will not only be learning how to run a TTRPG game, but will also explore concepts from social studies related to the worldbuilding- How do goblin raids affect the trade in an area? How is the economy of this town structured, and what are their primary resources? What are the likely motivations of each group based on their surrounding geography? My classes often take small divergences to explore topics such as world cultures, human geography, biology, and geology. Writing skills are also heavily emphasized and encouraged, as a central piece to every TTRPG campaign is the story itself. Learners taking the Game Master Workshop will not only learn basic story structure, but how to recognize and utilize tropes, subvert expectations, and adjust according to audience. 

Each Game Master Workshop class will meet virtually over Outschool Zoom tool and last 1 hour, with each topic taking up roughly 10 minutes of class time. The remaining 10 minutes is dedicated to our introductions, and final round of questions and feedback. The time dedicated to each topic can absolutely be adjusted according to learner interest, and knowing my own teaching style, absolutely will, each time.

 Students will only need a stable internet connection and webcam. To provide visual aids, I use Explain Everything (a digital whiteboard) to post our worksheet, pictures, brainstorm leaner ideas, etc. The provided worksheet is entirely optional- Learners can take notes however they most feel comfortable. Every TTRPG game has its own ruleset and this can include published books, digital pdfs, and supplemental guides. If a learner has any of these, they are welcome to bring them to the workshop to help fuel ideas. 
None of the resources above are required or even needed for students of this course. This course is specifically designed for easy access and no extra cost.
Learning Goals
Learners taking the Game Master Workshop class will learn the basics of running a Table Top Role Playing Game, as well as writing and designing their own fictional setting to play the game in. Learners will practice creative writing and learn the foundations of setting and character design. Students will learn how to play a TTRPG over an internet format (which opens a world of possibilities for playing RPGS from home) and how to use tools like digital whiteboards and google to run a TTRPG game. Additionally, according to comfort level, learners will acquire some tips and tricks into voice acting for their characters, and have time to practice and receive feedback. 

Table Top Role Playing Games encourage critical thinking, problem solving, cooperation, improvisation, math skills, geography skills, science concepts, and social studies concepts. As a former teacher, I approach TTRPGs with all of these subjects in mind. Creating a TTRPG setting, even from a pre-existing published module, is akin to writing an original story with constant flexibility in narrative and improvisation.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
This class content will be comparable to a PG13 rating. There will be mild depictions of violence, but no foul language or other adult content
Supply List
The supplied Game Master worksheet (uploaded in the class) will be mighty helpful, but not required
 1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2021
5.0
125reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from University of Houston
Bachelor's Degree in History from University of Houston
I taught social studies as a teacher of record for seven years, grades 6-12, and am considered a professional Game Master as I have run dozens of TTRPG campaigns for both adults and kids aged 11-18.

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
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$18

per class
Meets once
60 min

Completed by 8 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
1-10 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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