Dungeon Master: Ask Why

Someone recently asked me what my advice would be for a new Dungeon Master. I thought about it for a second and came up with the advice, “ask why” (if you don't, your players will). I realized I never really tackled this before but I felt it is worth writing down, especially since those two words are deceptively simple. The idea is that if the Dungeon Master at least considers this question, things will make sense. 

Why Are the Players Playing?

As a Dungeon Master, I find knowing what my players like and why they want to play lets me be a better Dungeon Master. A party that wants role-playing would be disappointed with dungeon after dungeon. However, there are people who really do like dungeon delving (think Indiana Jones but with more undead). Since it's a group, you could have both people at once. However, identifying this and knowing why they play will let you address that and make things more fun for your players.

Why Are the Characters Here?

Why are the players in Baldur's Gate? Why did the villain pick this spot for their secret plan? Why are the characters going to the Dungeon? The answers to these will depend on the situation. Some parties I've seen need no other reason than the possibility of valuable loot to go to a deadly dungeon. Others need a noble quest to risk their lives for. It's also important to consider these questions for enemies. For unintelligent undead, this question is easy (“I am here because evil powers rose me from the grave as an undead creature that has been ordered to protect this room”). However, for intelligent creatures, this question can be far more elaborate and complex. It may even determine how a fight ends (if they think they can't accomplish their goal, would they fight to the death?).

Other Examples of Why

Why Is This Room Here?

If there is a room in a creature created area, there should be a reason for it. This should be true even if it isn't made by a creature but is currently used by a creature (a cave complex). You should be able to explain what it is used for and why the creature is there (was carved by water and the creature thought it made a good home). It also helps if you have a gameplay reason as well as an in world reason for a room since at the end of the day the game should be fun.

Why Is This Dungeon Here?

Usually easier to explain, but helps avoid the castle in a completely useless position problem. Just try not to forget this detail and don't be surprised if players ask.

Why Is This Evil Guy Evil?

The title kind of says it all this time. The evil guy needs a reason for being evil that makes sense (I think even a straightforward, “I'm undead and hate life” is better than nothing).

Why Is This NPC Helping?

NPCs have lives of their own too (which the Dungeon Master completely controls). If an NPC is helping the players, there should be a good reason behind it (though sometimes that reason will be an evil one).