The referee is the master of the game in Tunnels & Torches.
They control the game world, play the roles of it's inhabitants, and apply the rules as they see fit to keep the game running smoothly.
This might seem daunting but the work can be broken down into manageable tasks and seeing the players enjoying something you’ve prepared is an extremely rewarding experience.
In this handbook we'll go over how to prepare and run a game session. Make sure to read the Player’s Guide before continuing.
The setting of Tunnels & Torches lives inside your mind. You are the ultimate authority on what happens during the game.
Every gaming group has different preferences and there isn’t a perfect system out there that works for everyone. If a rule in the Player’s Guide doesn’t work for you then change it and see what happens or borrow a rule from another RPG system. As long as everyone is having a good time you’re playing the game as it was meant to be played.
As a referee you must be impartial in all your decisions. If your rulings feel biased in favor of or against the players the game will feel unsatisfying. It’s not your goal to defeat them but to provide them with interesting challenges to overcome and compelling places to explore.
You will sometimes need to conceal information from the players but do so only when necessary. Rolling dice should be done within view of or by the players whenever possible.
If your players disagree with a ruling during play have a brief discussion with them and consider a compromise but avoid lengthy discussions about the rules.
As a narrator it’s up to you to set the tone of a game session. Be passionate and attentive and the players should respond in kind. Every challenge you present to them should be an opportunity for them to shine.
Cultivate a spirit of camaraderie at the table by celebrating when they succeed and being sympathetic when they fail.
Let go of control over plot and leave the players room to influence the story. It isn’t yours alone. It belongs to everyone playing.
It’s best to introduce scenarios to the players and let stories emerge through their interactions with the game world. If you try to plan out every detail of a game session you will just face disappointment when your players do something you didn’t expect.
Without uncertainty the game would be dull. Embrace it and be prepared to improvise.
You want the game to be thrilling but not stressful. Encourage players to let you know if any game situations are making them uncomfortable and adjust the game accordingly. Take a break halfway through each session and ask them how they’re enjoying it so far.
Never demand they give you reasons for their limits. Respect their privacy.
When faced with representing an entire imaginary world for the players you might feel overwhelmed but it isn’t as daunting as it seems. You only have to be familiar with enough material to play for a single game session.
If this is your first time as a referee consider running a pre made adventure. There are many for sale and for free. Check out the One Page Dungeon Contest for hours of free fun.
Read the whole adventure. You don't have to memorize it. Just be familiar with it.
This work, "Tunnels & Torches", is adapted from "Tunnel Goons" by Nate Treme, used under CC BY 4.0 and "Knave" by Ben Milton used under CC BY 4.0. "Tunnels & Torches" is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by Caleb Jones.