Gamer Forger Listener Email: Reverse Dungeon

Name: Raz the Terror
Email: Mykingdom
Comments: So what is your guys thoughts on running a reverse D&D game where instead of playing the characters you play the monsters that live in the dungeon and your home is always plagued with heroes that wont leave you alone?

Gamer Forge Response:
To reverse roles and play as the monsters, we say:
1. Keep it light and short. This is comedy gold, just waiting to be mined. But it also will not last. This is your filler game in between campaign acts. Its just too good to make it long. By their nature, these monsters are there to be killed by heroes.
2. Tie it back into the big picture. Build a little context. Later down the road, your heroes from the campaign are traveling through this dungeon, or forest or whatever, and they come across a tribe of kobolds or troglidytes or hobgoblins that share something eerily familiar...Hilarity ensues.
3. As with all good adventures, give a reason. Why does this tribe worship the glowing stone? Why pay tithing to the bad ass dragon if its never around? Why pray to the stars? Why watch re-runs of House? So players can feel connected, even just a little. Then let them go and watch your players make the jokes and make like dumb monsters for a while. The jokes will write themselves.

Remember, these concepts can be applied to any and every setting, so don't be afraid to use these the next time your group buys a submarine or a starship.