Been bluebooking for years, used to do it for downtime for a lot of the LARPs I played in my 20s, and in my current game we use our game's group Signal chat for this purpose. Didn't know Aaron Allston was the pioneer though--what a king.

As an especially online roleplayer, all of this is simply natural to me. I'm glad you're giving less internet-poisoned gamers than me the chance to see the joy and depth that one-on-one roleplay can bring to a campaign.

One of the coolest thing about bluebooking is that it creates a way to engage with the game when away from the game that isn’t tinkering with character builds and rules. Unlike other kinds of “lonely fun” it deepens immersion and character development, if that’s what you’re more into.

This technique (which I did not know had a name) is great for making the characters and the setting come alive in the minds of the players. With this in play, the game is no longer confined to the table, no longer bound to a series of regular sessions. It lives on in their imaginations, seeping into their lives and becoming something more than just an occasional hobby. It becomes a lifestyle, a passion which fuels itself and burns in their hearts wherever they go in life.

My first roleplaying experience came in the bizarre, infant online world of the late 90s, when I became heavily involved in e-fedding, a competitive form of professional wrestling RPG played via e-mail or bulletin boards (although I don't think any of us would have even considered it as living in the same gaming space as D&D, at the time). Players would take on the role of wrestlers, while the organizer (who in RPG circles would be called the GM) would create the schedule for shows, and create match-ups for them. The players would create posts as in-ring segments or vignettes where their character would deliver wrestling promos against their opponent, and these would often be fully fleshed-out scenes with action, side characters, props, special effects, etc. The only real restriction was that you weren't allowed to make another PC do anything in your post against their will. When the scheduled show came up, the GM would determine the winner of matches based on who they deemed to have been the superior roleplayer that round, and they would write the results, usually with elaborate match descriptions. That not only gave me an early foundation in the idea of exchanging short scripts in RPGs, but it also involved another key aspect of this Bluebooking concept: Coordinating "off-screen" with other players (including the GM) to create moments that will propel the story forward. It was common practice in e-fedding to contact the GM before a show to propose some event that would influence the result of a match (interfering on someone's behalf, for instance) or set up the next story arc (eg. betraying a tag team partner). These would be factored into the GM's decisions of results, as they did their best to balance fairness and integrity with everyone's desire to tell the most dramatic, satisfying story possible. I certainly didn't know it at the time, but I can see now how much that experience plays into how I approach TTRPGs. Long before online TTRPG shows with trained actors popularized the idea that RPGs can have grand stories & high drama like in great works of theatre, film, and literature, I built my characters and played at the table with the motivation of creating stories and moments for my DM, fellow players, and even outside parties (we would often meet up with friends at the bar after playing and gleefully relive the session in retellings to them). I had the idea that no matter someone's role, we were all part spectators who want to be taken for a ride and entertained. I would go to my DM and/or other players for ideas on coordination, or creating semi-scripted scenes we could play out at the table to enrich the gaming experience. In a way, I think of it as doing something akin to DM session prep, but from a player's perspective. Why should the DM be the only one you gets to practice and prepare for what they're going to do at the table? Another aspect that this experience ties into that isn't necessarily within the scope of this video is players having creative liberty to use and control the environment around them when roleplaying in a non-contested space. Is the bard performing a song in a tavern? Let them describe the scene in a similar narrative voice as the DM would, complete with little NPC interactions so it plays out like a musical number in a movie or stage musical. Is the rogue sneaking past a couple guards? Rather than having them play out every step along the way, complete with checks depending on each little thing, have them make a stealth check, and if they're successfully getting past unseen, let them describe how they took advantage of the guards having the classic comedy argument, and they made a little bird call then threw a stone with expert timing to cover their movement. Let them go full Bugs Bunny if they want to, clowning on the poor guards maybe even to their face. Because as I'd said, the one rule was that we as players knew what the boundaries were, and as long as we respected those boundaries, we were free to create. My own DMing style has been heavily influenced by that, constantly communicating with my players out of character what the bounds of any given moment are, and inviting them to connect the dots themselves. I put the lines on the page, and they can paint whatever they want, just so long as they keep it inside the lines. It's much less taxing as a DM to be able to hand things over to my players like that, so that they can use the whole of their creative minds to build the world and tell the story WITH me.

On the subject of Permanence I would highly recommend doing Bluebooking in a format that you can keep. I've been doing variations of Bluebooking for decades - and it started with Word Documents and emails and sometimes Messenger type chats and such - these days I have my own website/wiki where I encourage my players to do all thier Bluebooking. The massive advantage I've found in having a permanent store for all this stuff is that ten years later I can go back to an old campaign and read through all the crazy stuff we were doing - it's really nice to be able to do that - the games where we didn't do the Bluebooking - or we did it in a chat server or just in emails and scraps of paper or something lack this coherent archive and get forgotten more easily. As a side note - we break up Bluebooking into "Text Sessions" where we play our characters (usually one on one with the GM or one on one with another player) and "Session Logs" which are more like the character's diary of events. When I GM I award bonus XP for these things as I find the amount of depth they bring to the game and the table are so valuable that I want to really encourage my players to engage with them.

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

One of my biggest regrets is not keeping more permanent records of my oldest campaigns. "I'll remember this forever!" Sadly, our memories are not that robust.

I’m probably gonna order your book because after I read all of your articles on the node based adventuring design, I change the way that I write my adventures. The next time I get down time opportunities for my players, I will do the blue booking thing

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

Thanks! Hope you find the book just as rewarding!

Strike force has been a resource that I’ve continued to reference back to over the years, for bluebooking, campaign advice, and player mindsets. I’ve watched many elements being rediscovered by other games over the past thirty+ years and it deserves more attention. It’s breakdown of a long term team in a campaign is such an education and inspiration.

@TheAlexandrian

9 ай бұрын

100%. Wondering if it would be worth doing a Let's Read on Twitch.

Yeah, all online campaigns I played featured journaling between sessions and some even mini 1-on-1 roleplay sessions. And I found most of my fondest gaming memories was created by those mini-sessions

I've been in games that did this... Although at irregular intervals at best. It was nice for the solo adventures which it was used for in the game I was playing. Although if more than 3 or so people were involved I find it felt a bit worse than trying to manage a large group... Mostly because this was online and with no set order and sometimes scenes would move on then someone would protest that they were not done typing. Although, I realize something else: I was once in a really big group (much bigger than it should have been, especially since it was online) so as the GM was dealing with other people, a few of us RP'd in the games chat. So, technically we bluebooked then.

In a campaign I'm in currently, we don't mind sitting aside while two players have a scene. In fact, we book entire sessions where that's the stated purpose, usually after major events, concluding a small arc of the game. The way we see it, it fleshes out our characters, and it gives whoever is not in the scene - if they don't wanna just watch and enjoy the show, and some of the scenes we've done have been very worth watching - a chance to get more snacks or drinks, clean up from cooking dinner, go to the bathroom, or just stretch their legs. For the record of a campaign, I actually take detailed notes, then transcribe them onto a google doc in a more narrative structure.

I encountered this technique, specifically online, for the first time in the late 90's with OURPGsoc's Society Game. Which was essentially an annual LARP with most of the game played by email. It was a revelation. I'm currently planning a multi-tiered semi-open (invite only) tabled sandbox campaign rooted somewhere in BECMI, with at least two of those tiers Bluebooked.

I remember I think Matthew Colville brought up something similar awhile back in his running the game videos about 1 on 1 sessions, and my implementation was not very smooth. I Look forward to seeing more on the topic from my other favorite ttrpg content creator

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Aaron Allston's Strike Force was an incredible supplement. I was playing a lot of Champions at the time i came out and his approach suited my GM style perfectly so I adopted his advice wholesale. A real game-changer, and I still use a lot of the methods and approaches that I picked up then, to this day.

Your 1K like, that was me. I can't wait to read your book, I happen to know it will be under my Christmas tree. :)

AWWW, DE PROFUNDIS !! :) And with the original Polish cover

6:23 - I absolutely love the segues, Justin. You crack me up every time with them.

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

😁

In my very first campaign as an adult, we played on Discord and I was using the DM function to give secret messages to the PC:s, and they had secret conversations with each other. I had no idea that this had a name! And hey, thanks for the tip about De Profundis! Since I saw this video, I've found a group of people wanting to play this game with me, and we're discussing the premises for the game. I'm so excited! I hope my mind won't be invaded by unnamed horrors from beyond...

I really enjoy using correspondence in my games. When my players were a mercenary company in my 5e game, I wrote out letters from potential clients and competing factions for my players to choose the next game from. I had not considered using correspondence for off line gaming. I will consider this for my next game.

We use to blue book a lot back in my 2e Campaign from 1988-1993. Often for romance. My players were all teen boys,(as why I) and were much more comfortable blue booking.

PbP (play-by-post) gaming, such as that played on Discord or via forums, is a medium that uses a lot of bluebooking techniques.

My current campaign is almost entirely built on this. It takes place over school years, so there is plenty of 'space' for any kind of scene you can imagine before plot points show their head.

Wow you mentioned De Profundis😁 Greetings from Poland😁

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

Such a wonderful and beautiful game. Even if I do mangle the author's name. ;)

@robertwiniarski6330

10 ай бұрын

@@TheAlexandrian Don't worry, this "cz" in Oracz is hard consonant to say🙃

I still have a copy of Strike Force. In many ways it, along with the AD&D 1e DMG (I still have two copies of that one), was one of my formative texts for becoming a better Game Master back then.

i did something like this for my semi-real-time twice a week campaign that ran for about 20 in-person sessions, it was great in allowing PCs to forge their own goals and pursue them outside the party

Nice. Certainly useful tips. On a sidenote - the Michał Oracz's surname in Polish is pronounced more like the "cz" soud in "Czech" (or "ch" in "check"). On a second sidenote - the English pdf version of "De profundis" 2nd edition also exists and is available on DrivethruRPG, so non-Polish speakers can enjoy it as well. I don't know if the edition you linked in the description is the same, but for sure the page count differs, but in print there is also third edition (with a chapter added in 2020), although I think it's in Polish only.

The writing in these videos has always been good, but lately the presentation is really good too

World Anvil has a cool feature for that in the form of letting the campaign's character talk about events and things as if on a social media website. Which can be a form of self-expression in more serious groups and if they're feeling particularly silly, the party could exchange banter with the villains and NPCs outside the context of normal storytelling. In general, I think it's incredible and great if your players are interested in the adventure even outside of session time. If you only have a mind for it while you're playing at the table, it feels like you're only along for the ride without really wanting to partake.

My DM has experimented with some of these techniques. While most of them have not stuck, I know some of our players role-play their interactions during downtime, I've started keeping a second set of notes for in-character thoughts and theories, and one of player's uses letter written to their character's dead parents as an avenue to reexamine story beats. I'll revisit the idea of bluebooking, and play around with some of the techniques suggested here.

I know this doesn't really matter but Michał Oracz is pronounced mee-how oh-ratch. In case you wanted to know. ;)

Great video, as always!

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Just when you think you've heard every possible pronunciation of Cthulhu, someone comes along with a new one. :D

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

You'll know you've heard the true one when the blood starts trickling from your ears.

I love the idea of it but I can't really imagine how all the use cases would go. I need some concrete examples. does the group have multiple bluebooks, are players only allowed to look at one page, is a conversation just text messages back and forth while other players talk openly. I'd love to see some bluebook pages

@PanicSatanic

7 ай бұрын

+1 I want to hear some specifics as well, to make it concrete. Maybe an idea for a future video Jason!

So basically Play-by-Post supplementing a normal session. By chaos, I'd love to do that... but my players would never bite on that. that would require *investment* and *homework* LOL

@BlueTressym

10 ай бұрын

I've found that not every group is up for it but when they are, it's amazing. I co-ran a game where the PCs were superheroes and I used to create in-game fan mail, which I'd post on the forum we had and they could look at between sessions and sometimes discuss at the table as well.

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

Something to try is to just not make a big deal out of it. Don't make like a big announcement, "We're going to do bluebooking now!" Just... send an e-mail to a player between sessions and ask them what their character is doing during downtime. See if you can get a dialogue going. Then expand it from there.

@yamazaki752

10 ай бұрын

@@TheAlexandrian That's the thing though: asking my group to do much of anything regarding the hobby outside of the session tends to be a very large ask. That include, but not limited to, building characters, coming up with backstories or personalities, reading the rulebook, watching a 15-minute primer video on the basics of the rules, and so on. They're just a very beer-n-pretzels sort who aren't that invested in the hobby. They still enjoy it, and will show up most sessions when they're scheduled, but the reality is that if it doesn't happen during the session, it won't happen at all. They're all busy with their lives to some degree or another (or just ADHD can struggle to remember such things). Hell, most of the group forgets to check the group discord. But they're friends and family (including my own wife on occasion), so I keep my expectations low and simple and run games that don't take a lot of my own personal energy. It is what it is.

I was once ordered into resolving my PC's issues with another PC by the GM through bluebooking. Our arguing was taking too much time during sessions.

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

How'd that work out?

@avianoverlord1268

10 ай бұрын

Quite well! We did it on Discord, so it was in real time. We roleplayed out a big cathartic argument between our characters and ended with them telling each some backstory secrets. Then it played into the next session where that part of my character's backstory came up and he (both player and character) was the only person who knew the significance of what was happening. @@TheAlexandrian

Hello, I just watched your interview on Questing Beasts Channel and I'm wondering if there is any plans in the works for an audiobook version of your new book So You Want To Be A Game Master. I would truly love that! Hopefully this is an alright way to reach out. This was an awesome video btw I have quickly become a big fan of your insights and opinions for gming rpgs!

@TheAlexandrian

8 ай бұрын

There is no audio book planned at this time and, unfortunately, it’s not a decision in my power to make. I recommend contacting Page Street Publishing: www.pagestreetpublishing.com/contact And also Audible: www.audible.com/contactus?n1=somethingelse And let them know that you’d like an audio book!

De Profundis!

I love everything you present. Here is a comment for the algorithm.

Hello Mr Alexander. Im reading your book and learn a loot. But i have a question for you please. In regards of raids and riding the initial skill test: what if the check is born to low? Obviously is failure. But if I don't want as GM lose that segment of the campaign that cost me so much to create.? That is how to proceed to a raid with a low ride check without loose the narrative of that raid and content?

Dear Mr. Alexander first things first: You perform the most outstanding, most helpfull GM Tipps I found at t he net in years, incluiding written articles. Just because of that Im allready a big Fan knowing you for two weeks now. I´d love to be part of your table someday, but well.... my english sux and I bet you got candidates enough. I got another little Tip for bigger Goups especially helpfull when organising 5 players and hardly recommended with more.(I allready do it with 4 players if I know them) : Co-Masters. You can dedicate the role to one (better two) players. When the group is splitting up, especialy to do stuff like organising equipment, gathering information, etc. the co-master (or one of the two, who`s not/ doesnt need to be involved in a scene) plays it out prioviding his own obsticale or little twist or getting it spoiled from the GM before... or just bringing the boring scene to a quick end. We always changed the room for that (u can play more quite, but we found it more apopriate to quickly leave with some dioce and sheets and everybody was quickly comfortibble in doing so) and gave a short summary for everyone on return (or just into the GMs ear...lol... in rare cases the GM had to leave, too, joining the co GM or the whole splitgroup, so that the other players are left in the dark). It may seem a little chaotic at first but the outcomes always excited us and we kept it this way for years in our group.

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing that tip! It's great to have you as a fan!

Sounds like a variation of play by post.

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

A lot of similar techniques! I may do a video specifically on play-by-post at some point. I've been doing it on-and-off for a long time now, and it can be really special.

Basically, play-by-post gaming.

Nice plug 😅

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

Thanks! 😊

So journaling

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

No.

Coothaloo?

@TheAlexandrian

3 ай бұрын

Gesundheit.

this is too vague, imho. I cannot grasp how this would Work out other than incomprehensable scribble without some guidlines. For example the GM could write questions about the PC in the book or sets the scene: "this night at the camp fire your characters does..."

That is what my group calls "Barbieplay". 🥰

@TheAlexandrian

10 ай бұрын

Shoot. That would have been so much better as a clickbait title for the video. 😉

@BlueTressym

10 ай бұрын

I'm curious; why 'Barbieplay'?

It's an interesting tool, but I'm not really into the idea. I'm also not into paranoia notes either. Anything that excludes one or several players from a scene, and especially the DM, is a communication red flag. Not a death sentence, but something I'm wary of these days.

can't play forever?! what are you talking about. . . .anyone for lichdom? LMAO

@TheAlexandrian

6 ай бұрын

If you're not alpha-forking so that your personality duplicate can keep playing while you go to work, are you even really a fan?