I plan to GM TOR at Queen City Conquest

[Otaku-sempai]

I have signed up to gamemaster (GM) a session of The One Ring - Adventures over the Edge of the WIld. I plan on running the adventure "Words of the WIse". The game will be part of the programming at Queen CIty Conquest, a gaming convention taking place August 30 - September 1, 2013 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center; Convention Center Plaza; Buffalo, NY 14202. At this time I am still waiting for confirmation for the day and time of my session (I've asked for Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.). August 31 is also my birthday. I will update when I have more concrete information.

Queen City Conquest is an annual convention in its second year. The con hosts all types of gaming, including role-playing games, war games, board games, collectible card games, and more. This will be the first year that I attend.

[Otaku-sempai]

My event has been approved and added to the Event List. Saturday afternoon already had a ton of events scheduled, so I changed the day of my game to Sunday, September 1. The time is still the same (1:00 PM to 5:00 PM). I plan on using the TOR adventure "Words of the Wise" that first appeared at GenCon 2011.

Queen City Conquest website: http://queencityconquest.com/

[Southron]

I wouldn't be able to make it, but I am originally from Buffalo and I will pass on this info to some friends in the area who may be interested.

SL

[Otaku-sempai]

Thanks, SL!

[Jon Hodgson]

I've tweeted the details via the c7 twitter account (@cubicle7)

[Otaku-sempai]

My session took place this afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m.; I know the game could have gone smoother as I have little experience as a GM/Loremaster. A heartfelt shoutout goes to barefoottourguide, who was one of my players. His input was invaluable and helped make my game a memorable experience. I also have to beam thanks to Dominic and Francesco for having created such a great introductory adventure.

[barefoottourguide]

I second the praise to the writers.
Garrett

[jamesrbrown]

Congratulations on your game Otaku-sempai! You could not have picked a better introductory adventure!Words of the Wise is one of my favorites. The ending is a ton of fun!

How many players did you have in your group? What heroic cultures did they represent?

If you don't mind me asking a couple more questions...

What did you think was the most challenging part of being the Loremaster? What could have gone smoother? Do you think a 'Loremaster's Adventure Sheet' could have been helpful?

I ask the last question because I am creating such a tool. Similar to using a character sheet to build a hero, I am trying to design an adventure sheet that the Loremaster uses to build and prep for an adventure. It will include such things as recording the main plot line, the general outline, plot structure, important player-hero traits and skills, and Tolkienian themes that may be developed. It could be awhile before I finish the project, as it is not high on my priority list at the moment. But, I wonder if it would be useful for players like yourself?

[Otaku-sempai]

Congratulations on your game Otaku-sempai! You could not have picked a better introductory adventure!Words of the Wise is one of my favorites. The ending is a ton of fun!

How many players did you have in your group? What heroic cultures did they represent?

Three players signed up in advance for my game, two showed up. Garrett was the drop-in; my wife was our fourth Adventurer. I presented them with the pre-generated characters from the Adventurer's Book and the Lake-town Sourcebook, as well as a couple of pre-gens that I had made on my own (one being Tauriel as I've presented her in another thread). Garrett chose The Bride (Woodmen); my two sign-ups picked Caranthir (Wood-elf) and Trotter (Hobbit) respectively; Tayna (my spouse) played Tauriel (Wood-elf). Having two Wood-elves in the group helped a lot with the encounter with the patrol in Mirkwood.

If you don't mind me asking a couple more questions...

What did you think was the most challenging part of being the Loremaster? What could have gone smoother? Do you think a 'Loremaster's Adventure Sheet' could have been helpful?

I ask the last question because I am creating such a tool. Similar to using a character sheet to build a hero, I am trying to design an adventure sheet that the Loremaster uses to build and prep for an adventure. It will include such things as recording the main plot line, the general outline, plot structure, important player-hero traits and skills, and Tolkienian themes that may be developed. It could be awhile before I finish the project, as it is not high on my priority list at the moment. But, I wonder if it would be useful for players like yourself?

I could have been better prepared. I am a very inexperienced GM and still new to TOR. I let distractions interfer with my "homework" of studying the game mechanics and practicing my game with Tayna. I was still pretty shaky on the combat system and had to spend more time then I would have preferred on looking up how to resolve some of the tests. I lucked out that Garrett had a bit more experience and I was able to draft him as an assistant Loremaster during the game.

I did print out some resources that I found here. An overview of the game and its mechanics; a cheat-sheet outlining combat and important tests. I also created a master Weapons Table and a list of the monsters that I needed and wanted for the adventure plus their weapons and abilities. So, yes, such resources can be incredibly valuable to beginning Loremasters.

[barefoottourguide]

I find that whenever I'm running and have a player with some knowledge of the system, I make that player the unofficial rule-checker, asking him his take on rules or having him look things up when it isn't his turn. This gives me confidence on my calls, keeps the game moving while another does the page turning, makes that person feel like a valuable asset. I do this with all my Star Wars games. The system has a dozen plus books, so that role is very important to me.
You did great. The key was to listen to what the players were telling you and responding, either as interactions with other players or to find nuggets you can use to develop minor subplots or even micro-encounters that feed off of what is important to them. Like with the Bride, she experienced the hunters coming back with her husband dead. You set up a parallel circumstance where she got to make a difference where "everyone comes back alive." We had good times playing up this fear and motivation.
Good times. Can't wait to do it again.
Garrett