If It Feels Like Work, Yer Doin’ It Wrong
If yer prep looks like homework and yer fun feels like debt — lad, it’s time to stop diggin’.
Here’s the rest o’ the scrolls for yer overachievin’, spotlight-burnt soul:
Mike’s Opening Rant: The Spreadsheet Paladin
Had a paladin once who showed up with a 12-tab spreadsheet. One for spells. One for trauma. One for “narrative arcs.” He sent the GM a 3-act breakdown of his redemption arc before session one.
He looked exhausted.
Two sessions in, he sighed like a priest at a goblin wedding and said, “I just don’t feel like I’m doing enough.”
ENOUGH?! LAD, THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN — NOT A BLOODY DUNGEON MBA!!
This here’s a tavern. Not a thesis defense.
Your Fun’s Bleedin’ Out, Lad — Patch It
👉 At Mike’s Tavern, we’re here to remind ya that fun is the fuel. The moment yer joy gets buried under spreadsheets, scroll back to Player Tips or lighten up with The Goblin Cleric Who Hates Healing. That fool had fun — even while sufferin’.
It’s a Game, Not a Grind
If yer character sheet looks like a tax return… yer doin’ it wrong.
If yer Sunday prep gives ya anxiety… yer doin’ it wrong.
If you leave every session feelin’ like you failed a performance review instead of enjoyed a story… lad, yer diggin’ yerself into a hole you don’t need to be in.
Games like this are meant to let ya explore, risk, laugh, grow — not validate yerself through over-effort. We don’t need yer best. We need yer present.
Overpreppin’ Is the Death of Surprise
When yer constantly tryin’ to “nail the moment,” ya miss the beauty of mess. Chaos is the ale of the gods — er, of the tavern.
The best moments I’ve ever seen came from fools who improvised:
Captain Nail, who charged a mimic bare-fisted with no plan.
The Coin of the Lost Patron, a cursed trinket that ruined a whole strategy — and made the session unforgettable.
Wanderer’s Rest, which wasn’t planned — it just happened.
None of it was optimized. None of it was predicted. It was alive.
Let Go of Being “The Best”
Here’s the painful truth: if yer bustin’ yer beard tryna prove yer the best player, yer probably not enjoyin’ the game.
And worse — yer making it harder for others to enjoy it with ya.
So take off the prep hat. Leave the character arc roadmap behind. Pick up yer dice. Say somethin’ dumb. Let the scene break. Let the rogue laugh. Let the story breathe.
You’ll still matter, even if you didn’t rehearse.
FAQ
Q: What if prep makes me feel safe?
A: Prep's fine — till it cages ya. Make a framework, then let the story surprise ya.
Q: Isn’t it good to be “into it”?
A: Absolutely. But don’t mistake burnout for passion. Passion refuels. Burnout drains.
Q: What if I feel guilty for not roleplaying “hard enough”?
A: Then yer playin’ with pressure, not joy. Drop the guilt, and lean into the chaos.
Yer Effort’s Admirable — But Yer Joy Matters More
👉 Mike’s Tavern is a haven for the try-hards, the perfectionists, and the drama monks. We teach ‘em to let go. Come rest yer prep-heavy bones and rediscover why ya rolled that first die. Visit Player Builds | Talk to Mike
