If you’ve ever felt torn between running an immersive, player-driven campaign and sticking to the carefully crafted beats of a pre-written adventure path, you’re not alone. I’ve been experimenting with ways to strike that balance, and recently, I stumbled across a method from an unexpected source: South Park.

Yes, you read that right. Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s storytelling technique, the “Therefore/But” method, is great for tabletop RPGs like Pathfinder and Dungeons & Dragons. Inspired by a video (linked below), I’ve started using this approach to give my players more agency in what might otherwise feel like a “railroad” campaign. Here’s how it works and why you should try it too.

---

What Is the “Therefore/But” Method?

At its core, this method is about replacing boring, disconnected storytelling with something dynamic and meaningful.

• The Problem: Stories that rely on “and then” lack cohesion and depth. (“The players fought some goblins, and then they found treasure, and then they moved to the next town.”)
• The Fix: Swap “and then” for “therefore” (cause and effect) or “but” (conflict/obstacle). This simple shift creates interconnected narratives where events flow naturally and feel significant.

---

Why It Works for RPGs

As a GM, you’re not just telling a story—you’re reacting to a living, breathing world shaped by your players. The “Therefore/But” method is perfect for this because it builds on player choices, making their actions feel impactful and driving the story in unexpected directions.

There are definite perks to using this technique:

• Player Investment: Players are more engaged because their choices have visible consequences.
• Simplified Prep: GMs can focus on the big picture and improvise based on the players’ decisions, rather than over-preparing every detail.
• Surprises for Me: As a GM, this method makes the story unpredictable in the best way.

---

How to Apply the Method

Here’s how to use it as part of your GM prep:

1. Start with Broad Story Beats: Outline major milestones—like the villain’s ultimate plan or key artifacts the party must recover.
2. Let the Players Drive the Details: Instead of railroading them toward specific outcomes, let their actions and decisions shape the journey.
3. Use “Therefore” and “But” to Evolve the Story: For every choice they make, ask yourself:
   • What changes in the world as a result? (Therefore…)
   • What new challenges arise from this? (But…)

---

Tips for Using “Therefore/But”

• Lean on NPCs: NPCs are a great way to show cause and effect. Did the party spare an enemy? Therefore, that NPC might warn them about an ambush. Did they steal from a merchant? But now they’ve got a bounty on their heads.
• Foreshadow the Domino Effect: Drop hints about how the world is changing. For example, if a town is burned during a battle, the refugees might crop up later, needing help—or seeking revenge.
• Be Flexible: Sometimes, your carefully planned “therefore” or “but” will get derailed by players’ actions. Roll with it! The method thrives on improvisation.

---

Transforming Railroad Adventures

One of the coolest things about this method is how well it fits into pre-written campaigns. Adventure paths often feel linear, but by weaving in “therefore” and “but,” you can create the illusion of a player-driven story.

For example:

• The villain flees after a failed battle, but leaves behind cryptic plans that spark new quests.
• The party defeats a bandit leader, therefore a rival gang moves in to take control.

Even in a structured campaign, these cause-and-effect moments make the story feel alive.

---

Why You Should Try It

Incorporating the “Therefore/But” method can make your sessions more vibrant and collaborative. Players constantly ask, “What happens next?”—and even the GM won’t always know! That unpredictability keeps the game fresh for everyone.

If you’re tired of predictable storytelling or feeling trapped by your own prep work, give this method a shot. It might just transform how you run your games.

Check out the video (linked below) for more inspiration, and let me know in the comments: How do you balance structure and player agency in your campaigns? Let’s swap ideas and make our stories unforgettable.

Whether you’re running Pathfinder, Dungeons and Dragons, or any other tabletop RPG, it’s easy as a Game Master to get lost in the sprawling to-do list that comes with running said tabletop RPG. You’re juggling story arcs, encounter designs, and the ever-elusive question: What’s going to make my players rave about this session?

I’ve been there. I’ve prepped hours of lore that no one cared about, thrown random encounters that got people looking at their phones rather than their character sheets, and even lost control of sessions because we spiraled into off-topic chaos. But I’ve also had moments where everything clicked—when players were so immersed, minutes ticked by like seconds.

Recently, I came across a video (linked below) that breaks down seven overlooked elements GMs often miss but players love. Let me share a few of those highlights, plus examples of how I’ve stumbled, learned, and nailed these ideas at my table.

---

1. Moral Dilemmas

Players “love” being faced with tough choices. It’s not about good versus evil but about weighing trade-offs and consequences. I use quotation marks because some players prefer to play in Murderhobo mode, consequences be damned.

💡 Pro Tip: Make sure both options have pros and cons—no easy wins here!

---

2. Be Generous with Information

Have you ever watched your players flounder, unsure what to do, while you sit there thinking, The answer is right there, guys!? Turns out, sometimes we need to throw them a bone.

It’s easy to forget that players have a “flashlight view” of their surroundings. They see what’s directly in front of them and a little bit of what’s behind them as it fades into the darkness. Refreshers, reminders, and some strong hints and clues can help keep things fresh in their minds.

💡 Pro Tip: Especially in non-mystery games, offer enough clues to keep the story moving. Players don’t have access to your notes, after all!

---

3. Manage the Game

This one hit home for me. Early in my GM days, I’d let tangents derail entire sessions. While jokes and side stories are fun, too much chaos can kill the momentum.

Now, I start on time (or as close as possible), gently redirect when we veer off-course, and use initiatives or turns to keep combat smooth. It’s made sessions feel tighter and more satisfying.

💡 Pro Tip: Be flexible but firm. A light reminder like, “Let’s bring it back to the game,” keeps things moving without being a buzzkill.

---

4. Make Travel Interesting or Skip It

Travel sessions used to bore me and my players—until I started treating the journey like part of the story.

In one campaign travel session, I replaced random encounters with a mysterious landmark: a crude dam in the middle of a river that shouldn’t have been there. The players investigated, theorized, and role-played their reactions. That one detail made the trek memorable without adding extra prep. Sadly, that campaign ended before the foreshadowing could have paid off, but such is the nature of the game.

💡 Pro Tip: If travel doesn’t advance the story or characters, skip it. When it does, tie it to the world or plot in meaningful ways.

---

5. Run Challenging Combats

We all want our players to feel heroic, but if every fight is a cakewalk, it loses its thrill. This point could be a full-blown post all on its own. There’s so many factors that can make this a tight balancing act, but when it gets pulled off it hits different.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to push your players. High-stakes battles are what legends are made of.

---

Bonus Tips

• Use Modules: Pre-made adventures save time and often include puzzles, traps, and creative NPCs.
• Surprise Them: A unique monster or unexpected twist keeps players on their toes.

---

The Takeaway

Players don’t always notice the hours you spend behind the screen, but they do notice when a session feels alive, engaging, and fun. By focusing on these areas—as well as the ones discussed in the video below—you’ll create experiences your group will never forget.

Check out the video from The DM Lair (linked below) for even more insights, and let me know in the comments: Which of these tips are you most excited to try? Or share your own GM successes (or fails)!

Let’s make every session legendary.