A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Taking the Narrative by the Tail: GM Intrusions & Special Effects

Taking the Narrative by the Tail: GM Intrusions & Special Effects by Monte Cook is a role playing game supplement published by Monte Cook Games by use with Numenera. This is part of the Numenera Glimmers range of brief PDFs.

The supplement is available as a seven-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $0.79 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the front cover and one page is ads.

GM Intrusions & Special Effects starts with a paragraph saying that this is the moment for a GM to shine, to add something to the game’s story. In continues with What Are GM Intrusions For?, which is to allow a GM to participate in the development of the story and intrusions are designed to make the game more interesting. It’s a replacement for the traditional method of rolling the dice, using intrusions instead of game mechanics, which is what most GMs do already, though there may be accompanying mechanics. It then explains that GM intrusions are not a way for an adversarial GM to punish or attack PCs; they don’t have to be bad for a start.

Finally, there are example GM intrusions that supplement those in the core book. These are divided into different categories; Use Any Time, Interaction Encounters, Combat Encounters, Item Malfunctions and Special Effects, divided into Minor and Major.

Taking the Narrative by the Tail: GM Intrusions & Special Effects in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and is short enough that they are not needed but would have been appreciated, given the number of sections. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two column with sidebar format and appeared to be free of errors. The sidebars are used to reference other books, front matter and various tips.

This is a simple and inexpensive PDF. It covers a subject already covered in the core book with perhaps a bit more detail, and some more examples for those GMs who might struggle to come up with them. It’s a style of play fundamental to the game, but one not for everyone. There’s not a lot to this supplement but it is very cheap. Taking the Narrative by the Tail: GM Intrusions & Special Effects can be found by clicking here.