When Yer Heart’s Givin’ Out But Yer Hands Keep Preppin’
By Durven’s Last Tankard, This Ain’t the Way It Was Meant to Be
There comes a time in every GM’s life where the dice still clatter, the players still show up, the game still “runs” — and yet, everything feels wrong. Yer doin’ the prep, but the joy’s gone. Yer servin’ the feast, but they keep askin’ for more. Yer sittin’ behind the screen like a ghost with a notepad, wonderin’ if the game’s dyin’ or if you are.
And if ya don’t know whether to shout, cry, or quit — lad, this scroll’s for you.
This ain’t just about bad players. This ain’t just about burnout. This is about that slow rot in yer ribs when the game used to be yours — and now it’s just a job nobody’s payin’ ya for.
So here’s a full stack of the nastiest survival scrolls I’ve ever written. Take ‘em one at a time — or all at once if yer torch is burnin’ low.
If Yer Campaign’s Alive But Yer Soul Ain’t, Read These
👉 These scrolls’ll help ya figure out where the fire went — and how to bring it back, or let it go with yer beard intact. Visit the GM Wisdom archive when yer ready to pick up the hammer again, or knock on the contact page if yer grip’s slippin’.
Survival Scrolls for the Burnt-Out, the Bitter, and the Done
When Nobody Prepares But You
Yer doin’ all the work while the rest show up like tourists in a dungeon. Here’s how to stop carryin’ the whole damn campaign on yer own back.When You’re the Only One Who Cares If It All Falls Apart
You’re holdin’ the rope. They’re lettin’ go. This one’s for when yer the last one tryin’ to keep the story alive.When You Gave Them Everything — and They Still Want More
Custom loot, custom arcs, custom rules — and still they ain’t happy. Here’s how to stop spoilin’ a table that don’t deserve yer kitchen.When the Table’s Full — But It Feels Empty
They show up. They play. But it’s quiet. Hollow. Cold. Yer party’s got numbers — but no soul.When You Can’t Tell If You’re Burnt Out — or Just Tired of Them
The last scroll. The hardest question. Is it the game, or is it the group? Or is it you?
There’s a Way Through — But Not If Ya Keep Lyin’ to Yerself
👉 If even one o’ these scrolls hits too close to yer cracked old GM screen, take a break, lad. Ain’t no shame in restin’ the forge. Come back when yer ready — we’ll keep the table warm at Mike’s Tavern.
⚠️ And if yer players still think “just run it” is a reasonable thing to say, I swear by Brunlin’s missing eyebrow, I’ll walk into their next session and end it with a spoon.
Looking for More? Here's Where It Started
Before we dove into burnout, bitterness, and the beast of emotional fatigue, we tackled the core chaos that breaks tables apart. If yer campaign’s still fallin’ to pieces in other ways — loud players, mismatched goals, broken session zeros — start with these:
Fix the Roots, Not Just the Rot
If these burnout scrolls hit too hard, chances are the deeper cracks started long before the fire died. Sometimes the problem ain’t the exhaustion — it’s the foundation. Go read the first series. Patch the floorboards before ya set the next torch.
GM Survival Scroll Series – FAQ
Q1: How do I know when to quit a campaign versus taking a break?
If the thought of returning feels like relief, take a break. If it feels like dread — even after rest — it’s time to walk away.
Q2: What if my players are happy, but I’m still miserable?
Then yer happiness ain’t in the same room anymore. You’re not selfish for wantin’ joy too. They’ll live — or better yet, they’ll thank ya for bein’ honest.
Q3: Can I bring these issues up without killin’ the mood?
Aye, but be gentle. Talk outside the session. Use “I feel” instead of “You did.” If they respect you, they’ll listen.
Q4: What if the problem is just one or two players?
Then target the rot, not the table. Use direct scenes, private chats, and game consequences — or if that fails, cut the thread before the whole rope snaps.
Q5: Is it possible to reignite the spark after burnout?
Absolutely. But ya can’t do it by draggin’ yer feet through the same tired cave. Try a new system, a new group, or a one-shot. Joy comes back when the pressure lifts.
