Running Intimacy Like a Pro: The Game Master’s Art

Running Eros Engine isn’t about controlling the story — it’s about conducting tension.
You’re not a referee. You’re a director of rhythm and trust.

The Game Master’s job is to make sure every encounter feels alive: dramatic, balanced, and safe. That means watching the table’s energy as carefully as you track the dice.

Set the Scene.
Lighting, sound, the scent of a rainy city street — mood begins with description. The more concrete the environment, the more grounded the emotions feel.

Guide the Flow.
Keep encounters moving through the Four Phases — Initiation, Escalation, Climax, Aftercare. Each has its purpose, and skipping one can change the entire emotional tone.

Balance Mechanics and Emotion.
Arousal points and Energy are tension meters, not just numbers. Use them to pace scenes, but let the players’ narration drive the drama.

Make Safety Visible.
Consent tools aren’t backstage items — they’re part of the play. Treat them as worldbuilding artifacts, reminders that this is a collaborative, caring form of storytelling.

Above all, never forget: intimacy is not filler — it’s fuel.
It changes relationships, rewrites loyalties, and shapes campaigns.

A great GM doesn’t fade to black; they fade into color.

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