We are a species that loves signs.

Since we became able to make cave paintings, we have been spamming symbols and signs everywhere we can. Our brains have been trained through centuries to find such signs. Sometimes, even where they don’t exist. This love for signs turned into a love for patterns. Same thing, if you ask me.

Patterns are cool. They let you categorise the things you see in the world. They also let you recognise things more easily. So it’s not surprising that signs can be found everywhere in RPGs. The GM tries to leave a few signs for the players. The players spot those signs and move forward. In some cases, they fly past those signs and recognise a pattern that the GM never put there, or even that it’s not there entirely. Now the GM has another plot point to work on, and one that probably aligns more with what the players want or like. And that’s a good thing. GMing is not telling a story to the players. It’s weaving a tapestry along with the players. And signs are the bits of inspiration our brain has been trained since forever, and will always fit that weird blank on the tapestry. And maybe that’s why we always look for them, on the table and beyond.

And that’s all for this one. As I was thinking about this prompt, my train of thought was insane. I switch ideas 3-4 times. And that led me to the rambling I ended up with. So, in a manner, today’s post is a product of signs. The next prompt is going to be “destiny”. Ooh, that’s a heavy word. I wonder what I will end up writing.

And until next time, have fun!

P.S.: You can find all of my posts for this year’s RPGaDay here. Thanks to AUTOCRATIK and Casting Shadows for hosting another year of the event.