Roleplaying Game Roles

If you want to play a tabletop roleplaying game or TTG, you might have to ask for some help.  It takes a lot to make a successful game.  Delegating responsibilities and collaborating turn meh into magical.  Here’s some suggestions:

Gamemaster – The GM is the game engine of the story.  The GM creates most of the plot, setting and background characters and reacts to the decisions the player’s characters make.  Good stories are collaborative. So unless you’re in love with the idea of the game you’re about to jump into, then maybe get together with the troupe and discuss alternatives or adjustments. 

Rulemonger – The Rulemonger assists the GM with finding and interpreting rules in order to keep the game flow flowing…  Games get boring when they stop to arbitrate.  

Chronicler – The chronicler is the secretary and bard of the troupe.  The chronicler takes as many notes as possible and either writes a recap of the story, or helps collaboratively keep one with the other players.  If you can’t remember everything your character says, knows and has done then there’s a good chance your DM can’t do it for everyone.

Cat Herder – A game is no good without players, and the chronicler already has enough work to do archiving the game.  So in comes the Cat Herder.  It is the Herder’s responsibility to manage scheduling of the game, meaning who, when and where.  It’s not easy getting people together in real life in the age of the internet, so sometimes online tools are required.

Snacklord – When the opportunity to play in real life presents itself, it’s usually improved with snacks.  It can be as simple or as complicated as your troupe wants it to be.  Grand meals, or cheez its and a beverage, and everything in between.

The Host – A place to play is essential.  Regardless if you’re playing at a friends house, at the library or at the humble tavern, be mindful and respectful of the hospitality.  

There are probably a lot more roles out there.  These are the ones I have just seen really improve the game by collaborating with the work that goes into keeping the game alive and the players happy.

If you have delegated a task or assisted with one and made the better game for it.  Let us know how, and if we can add it to the list.