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Rise of the GM

130. Mechanics of GMing - Improv

Aug 20, 2026 · 1 hr 9 min · 12 segments

When things go in directions you didn't anticipate...Improv! How to do it well.

Speakers: Matthew ThomasHostAdam CaldwellHost

Top entities: Non-player character×12 Appendix N×5 Michael Scott Dungeons & Dragons×6 Eastern Illinois University

A Cursed Son and Improvisation0:14 – 0:28

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:14

Hey, everybody.

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:15

Welcome once again to Rise of the GM.

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:17

Today, we're going to be talking about a cursed son.

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:19

We're going to look at a brilliant tactician as the NPC, and we're going to talk about in our mechanics of GMing, improv.

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:26

Right here on Rise of the GM.

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Non-player characterEntity
97%12 mentions
Appendix NBook SeriesBook series
91%5 mentions
Michael ScottEntityFictional character
85%1 mention
Dungeons & DragonsGameGame
79%6 mentions
Eastern Illinois UniversityCollege or UniversityPublic university in Charleston, Illinois
74%1 mention
Frodo BagginsEntityLord Of The Rings character
68%1 mention
Thieves' guildEntity
62%1 mention
AragornEntityLord Of The Rings character
56%1 mention
GodEntitySupreme being
50%1 mention
SwordEntity
44%1 mention
BoromirEntityLord Of The Rings character
38%1 mention
John Ronald Reuel TolkienPersonWriter and academic
32%1 mention
OracleEntity
26%1 mention
GmailWebsiteWeb site
21%5 mentions
Sentinels of the MultiverseEntityCard game
15%2 mentions
Roger ZelaznyPersonAmerican fiction writer
9%1 mention
William ShakespearePersonEnglish playwright and poet
3%1 mention

Mythical CreaturesEntertainment > Games > Fantasy
ShapeshiftersEntertainment > Games > Fantasy > Mythical Creatures
Improv TechniquesEntertainment > Games > Role-Playing Games > Game Mastering
Conflict ResolutionEntertainment > Games > Fantasy > Storytelling
Game MasteringEntertainment > Games > Role-Playing Games
Character DevelopmentEntertainment > Games > Role-Playing Games
FantasyEntertainment > Games
Role-Playing GamesEntertainment > Games
Tabletop RPGsEntertainment > Games > Role-Playing Games
Narrative MechanicsEntertainment > Games > Role-Playing Games > Tabletop RPGs
NPCsEntertainment > Games > Role-Playing Games > Character Development
Entertainment
StorytellingEntertainment > Games > Fantasy
GamesEntertainment

A Cursed Son and Improvisation0:14 – 0:28

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:14

Hey, everybody.

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:15

Welcome once again to Rise of the GM.

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:17

Today, we're going to be talking about a cursed son.

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:19

We're going to look at a brilliant tactician as the NPC, and we're going to talk about in our mechanics of GMing, improv.

M

Matthew ThomasHost

0:26

Right here on Rise of the GM.