How to Run a Role Playing Game

Become familiar with the system in which you plan to run a game. You can do this both by reading the rules books and modules for that system and also by playing in that system until you feel you're ready to run a game.

Create an idea for an adventure, or choose a pre-made adventure. You also can take an existing adventure and tweak it. Try to find something that interests you; you'll put more effort into something you like and do a better job.

Determine whether your adventure will run over the course of one session or several and whether it is a standalone adventure or part of a greater story arc. This will determine how much research and mapping you'll need to do to put everything together.

Develop the characters and scenes the players' characters will encounter. If you choose a pre-made adventure, most of this work will be done for you, but you may want to adapt it to your style and preferences. Also, be aware that many prospective players may have read the original adventure, so you'll want to throw them a few surprises.

Assemble a group of players to participate in your adventure. If you're already part of a gaming group, you can arrange with the regular group's gamemaster to take over for the night and get his or her advice and support in running the game.

Deliver information about the adventure to the players in a compelling manner. Use voices, accents, and mannerisms to convey the nature of the characters the party encounters. Choose descriptive words for the setting and actions of others. Make it interesting and fun.

Involve the players by working their characters' backgrounds into the adventure where possible. Encourage them to play in character as much as possible.