If Ya Cry Every Session, It Stops Bein’ Special

Yer eyes leakin’ again? Save it, lad — we’re knee-deep in skeletons.
If yer tears are startin’ to become a weekly ritual, maybe swap scrolls:

• Not Every Scene Needs a Monologue, Lad

• No, Yer Character Doesn’t Need Another Flashback

• If It Feels Like Work, Yer Doin’ It Wrong

• When Proving Yer Worth Breaks the Game (and Yer Soul)
  Or visit the whole Try-Hard Survival Index and patch up yer soggy scrolls.

Mike’s Opening Rant: The Cleric Who Sobbed for Six Sessions Straight

There was a campaign once where the cleric cried every single session. The first time? We leaned in. It was beautiful. Real. By the third time? We were worried. By session six?

I WANTED TO SMITE HER WITH HER OWN HOLY SYMBOL.

Emotional roleplay can be powerful, lad. But if yer character’s weepin’ more than they’re talkin’, then what yer doin’ ain’t catharsis — it’s crowd control by tears.

This ain’t a therapy scroll. It’s a party. So unless yer tears are causin’ a flood that floats the goblin king outta his lair, maybe rein it in.

Cry Smart, Not Constant

👉 Here at Mike’s Tavern, we teach players to use their emotions like fireballs — not every turn, just when it counts. Learn to pace yer drama with Player Builds & NPCs, or see what true restraint looks like in The Sorceress Who Glows Like a Villain but Fights Like a Hero.

Roleplay’s Not a Soap Opera — Unless You’re in One

Tears are like spice: powerful in the right dose, but ruinous if yer pourin’ the whole barrel on every plate.

Save yer crying for:

• Character death

• Major betrayal

• Unresolved trauma comin’ back in a meaningful scene

• A moment where everyone else is with you, not just watchin’ you

And even then? Know when to end the moment. Don’t drag us all through yer weekly emotional dungeon crawl.

Let the Party Feel Too, Lad

If yer always cryin’, guess what? Yer stealin’ the catharsis from others.

There’s a ranger across the table who lost their wolf and never said a word. A rogue with a tremblin’ lip and no spotlight. Let THEM cry for once, ya emotion-hoggin’, spotlight-lovin’, scene-devourin’, tear-squeezin’, ale-waterin’ BACKSTORY FOUNTAIN!!

...Ahem. Apologies. Got a little misty meself.

If ya don’t leave room for other characters to break, then yer not roleplayin’ — yer performin’.

Build in Recovery, Not Just Trauma

Every sad backstory needs a recovery arc. Every broken hero needs moments of levity, resilience, growth. Otherwise, you’re not tellin’ a story. Yer just wallowin’ in mud and callin’ it drama.

Need a break from yer own gloom? Take a peek at:

• Loot Don’t Mean Leadership, Ya Gold Grabbin’ Pebble Counter

• The Strongest Character at the Table Is the One Who Listens

• The Goblin Cleric Who Hates Healing (But Does It Anyway)

Turns out, even the grumpy ones cry. Just not every single time they roll initiative.

FAQ

Q: Is crying in character bad?
A: Not at all. But do it with meaning, not just outta habit. Else it stops bein’ felt.

Q: What if I can’t control when I cry?
A: That’s alright too. Just check in with yer table. Make sure the moment’s shared, not spotlighted.

Q: How do I make emotional scenes land without overdoins it?
A: Set it up slow. Build tension. Let others speak into it. And for the love of Trickin’s coin purse — know when to end the scene.

If Yer Eyes Leak More Than Yer HP, We’ve Got a Problem

👉 Mike’s Tavern is built for players who feel things deeply — and want to do it right. Come learn the pacing, the power, and the purpose of emotion at the table. Learn With Us | Talk to Mike