So we have time warped on this #RPGaDAY2019 thing and skipped 3 days. In that time I’ve bored you with some MtG stuff instead.

But we are back to that hashtag thing, and today’s theme is …

So what does mystery mean to me in relation to RPGs, and particularly D&D?

From my limited DM experience, the sessions I’ve run so far have all been mysterious in some way. That unknown of what the adventurers will do. How will they react to a given situation? Will they get the clues? Solve the puzzle? Which adventure hook will they follow?

For me that bit of mystery always gives at least one pleasant surprise. Such as when the bard in the group stepped out of the bushes and started singing/playing a song to distract 2 goblin guards. The dice decided that the bard did a really great job doing this. Enabling the rest of the party to get the drop on the guards and take them out.

But there is another interruption of mystery. That being a puzzling crime/murder told through some medium like a book or film. And I’m eager to explore that interruption within my campaign. It is possible and initial research has led me to believe that a mystery scenario is possible but difficult to create and run.

So I’ve tabled that mystery style of scenario for later in the campaign. A time when I’m more experienced as a DM, and more confident that I can create a fun, entertaining and challenging mystery.

From a players point of view, each session is a mystery. With the unknown unfolding before them based on their decisions and actions. Plus a little bit of luck for good measure.

Not great insight I know, but these are just thoughts. Not well thought out or put together. But still.