# Seth Skorkowsky's Secrets to Engaging RPG Storytelling Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/narrative-damage-7723590/seth-skorkowsky-s-secrets-to-engaging-rpg-storytelling Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/narrative-damage-7723590/seth-skorkowsky-s-secrets-to-engaging-rpg-storytelling.md Podcast: [Narrative Damage](https://stenobird.com/podcast/narrative-damage-7723590) Published: 2026-04-30T12:45:00+00:00 Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/narrative-damage/episodes/seth-skorkowskys-secrets-to-engaging-rpg-storytelling Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/699d64413a5156c5d2e5de37/e/69efc12e26249124d5526730/media.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/narrative-damage-7723590/episodes/seth-skorkowsky-s-secrets-to-engaging-rpg-storytelling Duration seconds: 5527 ## Resource Watch as a full video episode on YouTube In this episode of Narrative Damage, we sit down with legendary TTRPG creator and author Seth Skorkowsky to peel back the curtain on the art of tabletop storytelling. Seth shares his unique perspective on the "myth" of skill overlap between writing novels and running games, arguing that a great Game Master is more like a campfire performer or a stand-up comedian than a novelist, and why having total control as a writer is the polar opposite of the pure reaction skills required at the gaming table. He also gives us great tips on when to let players explore and when to step in to keep the story moving. We also chat about the different storytelling approaches systems can take, and why some players prefer ones with a fixed solution  Whether you're a veteran Game Master or just starting your first campaign, Seth’s insights on pacing, structure and player psychology provide an essential toolkit for any storyteller! Chapters 00:00:16 Intro 00:03:03 Interview starts - Seth talking about being an author 00:39:01 Main TTRPG discussion Links: Visit Seth's YouTube channel Buy Seth's books Follow Seth on Instagram Visit Seth's website Don't forget you can still win a Call of Cthulhu Starter Set! All you need to do all you need to do is subscribe on YouTube and leave a comment below one of our Loki's Gift videos! Once we hit 250 subs we will pick our winner! Plus - double your chances: Head over to our Instagram to enter there as well. Follow on Instagram Follow on Bluesky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/narrative-damage-7723590/episodes/seth-skorkowsky-s-secrets-to-engaging-rpg-storytelling/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/narrative-damage-7723590/seth-skorkowsky-s-secrets-to-engaging-rpg-storytelling.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.