Getting into the game
Every week, when I sit down at the table, I complete a specific ritual that helps me get focused and ready to play.
First, I make sure I have a drink. Next, I pull out my character sheet and review it; I check over my weapons/spells, depending on what class I’m playing. Most importantly, I review my notes from the last session. I take pretty extensive notes (you never know when you’ll need to know the name of the innkeeper from two towns back); I like to look over my notes to remember what happened last time, to get my mind thinking like my character. Finally, I pull out my dice for the evening. I have to find my lucky d20; for those of you who are curious, it’s translucent green with white numbers, and the 7’s are crossed. Then I find a couple of other d20’s (in the event that my lucky one lets me down) and a handful of whatever other dice I need for my attacks.
Completing my ritual helps me get focused and ready to play, and while I’m not saying everyone should follow my ritual, I do think everyone needs their own.
Interesting topic. I believe that DM rituals are very useful to get into the game. I’m a very energetic guy and prone to spend a lot of energy and get a bit excited. My best prep for a game is to finish up gaming prep the day before a game, then the next day, after work, I try to go to the gym for 20 min (works wonders for calming a person) and I try a 20 min power nap before the players come in.
I’m then usually at my very best after that.
Everyone is different, which is one of things that makes D&D so entertaining. So it only makes sense that we all prepare ourselves differently for the session.
I have to say, I never thought of exercising beforehand, but as the rest of my group will tell you, I tend to get sleepy before everyone else; they would probably disown me if I tried exercising first!