Here's some tips to keep the game interesting. If you have any tricks, be sure to post in this area. 1) Mandatory 15 minute breaks every 1-1/2 to 2 hours (it's not healthy to sit for long periods of time, get up, move around). 2) Side quests are always needed every once and a while to break the monotony, then if possible, tie it right back into the main story line. 3) NPCs talking to individual players for a number of reasons (con trying to get free drinks for no reason, useless small talk with a hint of importance to get their attention, spy feeling out party threat, thief testing the waters, rumors, false rumors, luring away for mugging, romance, fanatic fan, development of arch nemesis 'wronged back then', development of possible ally to save the day later for 'helping me out back then', etc, etc, the list goes on and on), 4) Gambling room with actual tables to make/lose money 5) Prize money for winning the public pit fight with ever increasing monsters brought out (a classic favorite) 6) Scoping out the town 7) Using any random card from either volume 1 or 2 box set of random encounters put out by TSR years ago and modified for your particular gaming system (when they come up on ebay they go for around $10 each) great to have on hand. 8) Using a randomly generated dungeon, room contents and storyline (ala 1st ed. D&D Dungeon Masters guide tables in the back). 9) Have a major battle break out with lots of strategic movements going on (blocking exits, unleashing gas, ever increasing liquids filling a room with a low ceiling), trying to kill the party (but not doing so in the end). 10) Major trap with major ramifications if not figured out successfully (ala Grimtooth) 11) Put them all in jail minus their gear (let them figure out how to get out and get their stuff back).
