GM Advice: Play Don't Show
GM Rule: Play Don't Show. There is an old rule in writing: show don't tell. It means you should never give details by description where you can show those details in practice. In games, that goes one level deeper. Don't tell the players Bob is their friend, have Bob befriend them. Don't show them the world is dangerous, let them meet the danger and deal with it. More than game play, game rules make the game. Don't play D&D when you want a game of intrigue. If you want players to do something, give them fun rules and rewards for doing it.