There’s a common misconception that the GM handles all the plotting and storytelling in a game. While majority of the load does fall on his shoulders, there’s also quite a lot of opportunities for players to actually take the reins and lend direction to where a game is going. Proactive and enthusiastic players can contribute by pushing their own respective agendas, and taking time off to tell the GM before or after the session to remind him of what they intend to do.

Here are a few ways that Players can encourage the GM to pursue subplots revolving around your characters.

If you’re interested in something pursue it – As long as it can be rationalized in-character, there’s plenty of opportunities to make a passing comment grow into something more.

– As long as it can be rationalized in-character, there’s plenty of opportunities to make a passing comment grow into something more. Pay attention to your character’s motivations – Everyone has something that interests them, or gets them to move. Don’t wait for the GM to dangle something, pursue it, look for and make opportunities.

– Everyone has something that interests them, or gets them to move. Don’t wait for the GM to dangle something, pursue it, look for and make opportunities. Involve other players – The more opportunities you have to bring other player characters along to get involved with your stories, the more incentive the GM has to work it into the game.

As with all things, communication is yet again key. Tell your GM that you’d like to get your character to do something, or go through a particular scenario. Who knows, he might just pull it out and use it in the game. We GMs aren’t exactly geniuses in everything, and sometimes, even if we love the character concepts, we occasionally draw blanks when it comes to plotting for a specific character.

Take note that this isn’t a technique to steal the spotlight, but one that will help the GM think of plots, further your character’s interests, and make the game more enjoyable for you and, hopefully, everyone else.