When Yer Table’s Pullin’ in Three Directions at Once
“By Brunlin’s missing eyebrow, I said ‘you’re in a forest’ — not ‘please roleplay three separate sidequests at once.’”
Every GM’s had one: a table that starts together, then fractures like a cursed gem mid-session. One lad wants political intrigue. Another wants dungeon crawling. The bard’s flirtin’ with every barmaid in the region. The rogue’s solo-scoutin’ a tower no one else agreed to visit. And you? You’re sittin’ there tryin’ to juggle four tones, three plots, and a bag of sour dice with a smile on yer beard.
I’ve seen more cohesion in a kobold riot.
Now, this ain’t the same as splittin’ the party — this is splittin’ the story. It’s what happens when no one’s on the same page about what kind of tale ye’re tellin’. And unless you wanna run a campaign that feels like seven half-written books slammed together, ya need to wrestle that chaos back into somethin’ focused.
This ain’t about control — it’s about direction. A table with too many narratives is like a cart with too many drivers. Eventually, it crashes. Or worse — it stalls.
If Yer Table’s a Hydra, Cut Some Heads and Set a Course
👉 GMs who don’t steer end up servin’ soup to a party of picky nobles. Get the grit ya need from GM Wisdom, and if yer scrolls are already tangled, call for backup through Mike’s contact scroll. I’ve got tankards of tough love on tap.
How to Rein In a Table That Wants Different Games
1. Identify the Chaos Early
If one player’s crackin’ jokes in a horror arc while another’s weepin’ over a dead NPC, you’ve got a tone mismatch. Address it. Pause the session and say:
“Seems like we’re pullin’ in different directions tonight. Let’s figure out what story we all wanna tell.”
Don’t let it stew. Silence brews resentment faster than a goblin in an ale cellar.
For more on fixin’ fractured parties, see When Session Zero Didn’t Save You. Sometimes the foundation needs a second hammerin’.
2. Tighten the Table’s Focus With Scene Control
Let one moment breathe — but don’t let it drown the rest of the table. If a player’s soloin’ too long, cut away with a smile:
“Hold that — let’s check in on the rest of the party.”
Keep scenes snappy, like a tavern brawl — not a one-man play.
This balance of spotlight and silence is exactly what The Strongest Character at the Table Is the One Who Listens warns about.
3. Set Clear Narrative Goals Mid-Session
When chaos brews, reframe:
“Tonight’s goal is to find the entrance to the tomb. We can chase side leads next time.”
This gives 'em all a shared direction, even if their characters don’t agree on every choice.
Yer players can want different flavors, but they still need the same meal.
4. Use Factions and Timers
If players keep wanderin’ off into their own mini-stories, add urgency. Threats that move. Timers that tick. Factions that act without waitin’.
“While you’re flirtin’ with the smith, the cult finished their ritual.”
That’ll teach ‘em faster than any sermon scroll.
Need help buildin’ tension from the shadows? Visit Thorneblight Village — where inaction gets punished by silence itself.
5. Reward Unity With Momentum
Don’t just punish wanderin’ — reward cohesion.
Easier encounters
Bonus info for shared decisions
Faster XP gains
Let ‘em see the benefit of runnin’ in the same direction — not just the punishment of runnin’ apart.
Herdin’ Adventurers Is Hard — But That’s Why Yer in the Chair
👉 You’re the anchor, the rudder, the barkeep with the last clean mug. If the party keeps tryin’ to play different games, help ‘em find the one worth playin’. Start with the advice in GM Wisdom and reinforce the lessons from Loot Don’t Mean Leadership — ‘cause leadership starts with focus.
Supporting Scrolls From the Tavern
FAQ
Q: What if my players like different tones?
A: Then rotate ‘em — not all in one session. Let each player shine in their arc, not all at once.
Q: Should I force group consensus?
A: Not force — guide. Shape the path so it leads to a shared story. Players’ll follow if the world pulls 'em right.
Q: What if they get annoyed at being redirected?
A: Then ya didn’t explain why. Tell ‘em it’s to make everyone’s fun easier to find. Most’ll understand. The rest? Let ‘em stew.
