The Sparse Key Technique Every DM Needs
7.7K views · Feb 25, 2026 · Education
Comments · 59
@TenkarsTavern · 7 months ago · pinned
if you’re staring at the clock, here’s the ten-minute version you can scribble before game: <br>1. Name it in two words (Haunted Obelisk, Blood Well, Sunken Camp, Whisper Cave) <br>2. Pick one strong image (one thing they’ll remember) <br>3. Pick one physical handle (dig, climb, open, pull, push, drink, read) <br>4. Pick one danger response (reaction, trap, alarm, curse, collapse, pursuit) <br>5. Pick one reward that matters (loot is fine; lead is better) <br>6. Pick one timer (dusk, patrol, noise, weather, exhaustion, wandering monster check) <br>7. Pick one link (points to town, points to dungeon level, points to faction) <br>If you do those seven, you can run almost anything written in old-school shorthand.
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@TheLyricalCleric · 7 months ago
I think these 3x5 card ideas are also good for the busy DM during the week—have a stack of 3x5 cards at work and stick a couple in a shirt pocket while you’re working. Write on them during a break, give yourself something to do besides scroll on your phone. You can even go advanced and roll out a bunch of card ideas un-fleshed-out, just a couple words on top or a couple rooms of a dungeon, then pick one up when you’re bored and need a brain break. Design that room, that hex, that location. Fill it with ideas and then stick it in a finished pile. When it comes time for game, pick the ones you want; or, if you’re daring, pick one at random!
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@josephpilkus1127 · 7 months ago (edited)
Sir, you pack a lot of great stuff into 15-20 minute videos...well done, as always! I will pen this again for others, as I know that I've written this you in the past...this is good info/advice for any RPG...keep it simple...from D&D any flavor, Top Secret, Traveller, etc. Don't plan too far ahead and most of what you need can fit onto a handful of index cards.
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@chaddickhaut140 · 7 months ago
What I like about prompts like "haunted monument" is that you can go any number of directions based on what best serves your game. Is it a mournful ghost longing for closure? Is it a malignant specter looking for victims? Is it actually the hideout of a troop of goblins who are playing to local legends to give themselves a little breathing room (subverting the expectation of supernatural goings-on)? Is it a cult's hideout, and they're faking the haunting to give them time to unearth the idol to the elder gods (double subversion)? You could have the same hex serve different purposes in different campaigns.
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@Marcus-ki1en · 7 months ago
"Hmm, I poke it with a stick..." (the universal situation check)
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@trevynlane85 · 7 months ago
Good sources of inspiration for atypical keys is the Resident Evil games and the Zelda series. Using magic items or distinctive treasure items as keys can make for interesting ways to challenge the party without combat.
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@swiggityswootin3562 · 7 months ago
Found you a few days ago, love the wisdom you're sharing with us. I'd love to play at your table, seems like it'd be a blast.
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@NemoDtwenty · 7 months ago
Rapidly becoming one of the best Dungeontubers. Love the channel
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@mr.pavone9719 · 4 months ago
Risus Monkey published a series of random word charts on his blog for Dungeons, Wilds and Weird West settings. It's 12 lists with 20 words each. Roll a d12 and a d20 to seed your spaces and ideas. It quickly feeds your imagination without you having to spend a lot of time on it or you can use them as a means of prepping in advance.
@Calibur95 · 4 months ago
Liking the OSR style advice. I've started carrying the mindset into my 5e games and my players seem to be enjoying it.
1
@Jim-yk9if · 7 months ago
What can I say? The hits just keep on coming! Thanks!
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@leodtoro · 7 months ago
Thanks Tenkar!! I want to learn how to run a sandbox in a more OSR-improv-adjacent way, and your videos help immensely. They show that prep doesn't have to be daunting or overbearing if I embrace the mindset shift and a certain level of uncertainty. Forgive me for comparing, but I'd easily place you at that level of great channels that have really helped me along the way (with little to no fluff, just the straight advice!): channels like MCDM, Bandit's Keep, Earthmote, etc<br>Keep on keeping on!
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