It's pretty much a thankless job 80% of the time - which is why I have to take my joy from the act of creating something and NOT from the approval and appreciation of my players. It's sad that it has to be like this, but it's always been this way - at least in my experience.

After some of my sessions, a couple of players will say "thanks! That was fun!" It's always the same ones.

I'm not sure if they're being polite or if they're legit enjoying it. I try to believe the latter.

Give us a crash course in the history of your world

me, trying to make a world history up on the fly, whilst not contradicting stuff I made up on the fly 6 sessions ago

This is part of my biggest problem with my current project. I desperately need someone to talk about the history and gods of this world (both for personal validation and for brainstorming) but it will still be a while until I can bring it to the table and talking to my players now would spoil some major plot points.

So Stamets, give us a crash course in the history of your world

I think there are some World Building communities around. If none of your players use Lemmy, could be worth a look?

Do kinda wish there was a DM/GM Workshop comm, though. Place to talk world building, creature and NPC design, all the fun bits that happen behind the screen.

Is there an equivalent community for r/DMAcademy anywhere? I feel like that would be the perfect place for these kinds of discussions!

At least one of my players is on Lemmy and even somewhat active in this community (say hi if you read this).

You know what, maybe I'll open just a DM workshop community on here and put in the effort to post what I have so far. Currently, my notes are fully in German and structured in a way that's not easy to put in a linear thread but I'll try.

Maybe ask them to block your account? That would keep them from seeing anything you talk about, though it'd also block any other communication here if that's a problem.

Then there is the Vampire player,

If you ask them about their character backstory, they'll be ultra-happy and tell you about your character until dawn

Ironically, the most active rpg community here is the meme one, but you could definitely use the main [email protected] to discuss World building and GM techniques

I mean, they do keep coming back.

Though in my case, I run a game for a few family members. They have to come back!

Could also just call their character out in whatever post you create, if they can be trusted to stay out then.

... Nice try. Make a history check.

My favorite move there when someone points out thing that contradict is to say, "Yes. That's what you were told." Imply there's something mysterious to uncover about why those facts don't gel.

Alternatively: "I'm giving you the real history. That's not what your character knows to be true!"

As a DM, this wouldn't necessarily get me excited. It might even make me a little frustrated that you haven't been paying attention. I get the sentiment though, I'm not saying don't do this.

For me, what would get me excited is players wanting to take an active role in developing the world with me. To me, D&D and any TTRPG is about collaborative story telling. Heavy in the collaborative part. Telling me you want to sort of "take over" making some lore for an area would get me very excited. Telling me you and another player worked together to make your backstories intertwined and woven into a location will get me very excited.

I'm at the point where I just use Faerûn. Maybe 10% of modern players know anything about it outside of 2 cities in a small region.

I discovered a couple years ago that some players hate being given any creative control over the setting. They're extremely passive and want to be told a story. that's a valid way to play, but very alien to me.

When I had a wizard character mention his wizard school I let him color in a lot of details. I'd intervene if it was badly breaking established canon (eg: we said it's in a remote desert and now you want it to be in a coastal city), but generally it's great.

I mean, everything is a valid way to play so long as everyone is consenting and enjoying themselves. But I want effort from players. It's shocking to me that as a player other players are often hesitant to want to create backstories with me. It seems most people want their own little unique thing and don't want much interaction.

My playgroup (I am a player, no a DM at the moment) has been better about this in our most recent campaign. Three of the characters are siblings (two bird-like creatures and an adopted dragon born with fake wings to fit in). A couple of other players agreed to have little run-ins with my character from before so we knew each other before the start.

While an adoring audience is better than a bored one for storytelling, it doesn't help as much as one that participates.