squeen
8, 8, I forget what is for
This.The currency of unforgettable gaming is an enjoyable tension; generated through interesting ambiguity and mystery that climaxes in a reasonable amount of time into decisive action. Yes, these are the same social skills used to create a feeling of intimacy between strangers. If not good at this, stop trying to GM RPGs and dive into life. Come back later when you can intrigue a small group of strangers into wanting to learn more about you in the course of an evening. No module content will cover up a lack, regardless of how great it may be.
And this.Instead of falsely equating an omnipresent sense of mortal threat with tension, develop your judgement of when players' plans and actions should result in runaway and overwhelming success for them. Tension is not fear, but uncertainty tied to desire and curiosity. What do players desire, and are curious about? If they'll win, and what winning gains them. Keeping them in a perpetual state of concern that they're about to die drains healthy tension out of a game if nothing they do seems to reverse this basic state. Aim for a game that is six or seven parts neutral and three parts dynamic, with the dynamism being for good or ill based upon the players skill and choices during the neutral phase.
Pure Gold (= XP).