Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Onikani 10-31-06, 12:13 AM	Just wondering what your take on this is? I've played in campaigns where the players had to pay $2 per session, but the DM provided tons of pizza and soda. the charge was really a cost subsidation for him, but it got me thinking... What if the DM charged $2 per person to play in his campaign, but funneled all of that money into minis, modules, terrain, supllies, new books, whatever. And i do mean that honestly all of the money got pushed back into the campaign. How would you guys feel about that?
Krusk 10-31-06, 12:37 AM	I dunno, When we play its everyones job to bring what they have, and we share it all out. The dm is in charge of any modules and such, but i dont think any dm has bought a book specificly for a game. Also the question will definatly come up of who gets to keep the stuff when the game is over? should the dm, or should the players? I could see this working if it was agreed upon befor anything was bought on who would keep what. but otherwise i would feel a little cheated if the dm went and bought a ton of books with money he got from me, and when the campagn ended he kept them. A solution might be to say that the dm will buy stuff based on what is needed, and at the end it will all be split evenly. on some sort of random draw as to who gets what making sure everyone gets equal.
Ringmereth 10-31-06, 12:56 AM	In my opinion, the DM isn't the one who should be getting paid. If the group wants to corporately purchase some stuff for the good of all--an adventure, a sourcebook, some minis, whatever--then everyone, DM included, should pitch into a group fund. Paying the DM seems like he's pushing his power too far... However, there's nothing wrong with the DM expecting his group to pay their fair share of the snacks.
allenchan 10-31-06, 01:09 AM	Saying the DM charges just doesnt sit right to me. Saying "okay everybody, lets chip in for some pizza (or minis, or whatever)" makes it ok. Of course, if its something like books, that leaves a sticky situation on who gets it when the campaign ends.
CryoSilver 10-31-06, 01:13 AM	I don't care for the idea, just because it means a lot of trouble when 2 people want to take the same book home after a session. My friends and I have a fairly fluid economy between us; we borrow and repay with no interest, so its no big deal. Food costs are split equally between us all (DM included)
Mitchell 10-31-06, 04:11 AM	So the DM gets money from everyone, buys a new book, and then moves away three months later before using any of the material. That sounds fair. :rolleye2: I game with friends. If I go to their house, I go with drinks and snacks in hand. They will fix something for dinner or we might just get something to go from a fast food joint or order pizza or something. I may run out of drinks and not want more water, so I "steal" some of their tea or pop, but it's okay. If they come to my place, they are welcome to have some of mine. It's how I figure friends do business. :cool: I have heard stories of someone who worked as a "professional" DM, getting money from their players that covered all of their expenses, and all they did was run a game, but this is just an urban legend as far as I know. Still, good work if you can get it, but you won't get it from me. :)
CharlieRock 10-31-06, 04:29 AM	Like a door charge for some house parties. If I know its going to be fun, I'd probably pay. What happens when you have all them minis after the game?I mean, who keeps it? A DM could (in theory) buy one set and rotate new players so as to make a profit, or sell-off on e-bay from time to time. Does all that get 'put back in the campaign'? :confused:
Gorteck 10-31-06, 04:37 AM	First off if that was true there would be time i wouldnt be able to pay (Yes i play that much lol) And i need to save money up for Car expencsice and all that and anyways im useing "The Sleeper" Type guy or "The Jerk" and i wouldnt like to pay 2 dollers just to fall asleep at some guys house ...
Gorteck 10-31-06, 04:42 AM	allso in reading other ppl replays ... there friends i useoly go to order pizza or to give advice on the other players (i am useoly the guy with the most experince in the group but i hate dming lol so i help the other people give it a shot and DM sometimes ...) but ya ... even tho its a small cost its something i wouldnt do for many resons and plus im just that picky with money lol Allso sense its on BOOKS i allways let ppl just borrow mine sense half the time i allrdy know what im going to do so ... go ahead and use it lol
CharlieRock 10-31-06, 05:04 AM	allso in reading other ppl replays ... there friends i useoly go to order pizza or to give advice on the other players (i am useoly the guy with the most experince in the group but i hate dming lol so i help the other people give it a shot and DM sometimes ...) but ya ... even tho its a small cost its something i wouldnt do for many resons and plus im just that picky with money lol Allso sense its on BOOKS i allways let ppl just borrow mine sense half the time i allrdy know what im going to do so ... go ahead and use it lol Gorteck, can I borrow your Arms and Equipment Guidebook? :P My gamestore is sold out on that, and there are delays in ordering more in :(
afiremain 10-31-06, 07:54 AM	Well it is customary for me that when a group of friends get together everyone chip in on the food. that sounds to me about like what is going on, it just seems like good manners.
Archangel62 10-31-06, 08:05 AM	With us it's more of a rotation thing. We use my room to play and I own almost all the books, I run as well. The thing was things got a bit problematic because I have 6-7 players on average at my games and the sessions have gone for 16 hours, so we go through my food and drinks pretty fast. Also, I get paranoid about my books so I do have the policy of 'If you ruin my book you provide a replacement' but that's a result of losing two books to players who decided it was fine to use my book as a TABLE/PLATE WHILE EATING OBSCENELY GREASY PIZZA WHILE IT WAS OPEN:hoppingma :hoppingma :headexplo *deep breath* sorry about that. So what we've been doing now is that some people bring drinks to help restock, some bring food, and some chip in to get new books or maps to help keep me from going completely broke.
Gahread 10-31-06, 08:25 AM	I've played in campaigns where the players had to pay $2 per session, but the DM provided tons of pizza and soda. Very reasonable. What if the DM charged $2 per person to play in his campaign, but funneled all of that money into minis, modules, terrain, supllies, new books, whatever. No. I'm willing to buy and bring terrain, books, etc. Minis, not so much. GIF printouts or standup cutouts work for me. But I know that in a year or so, the DM and I are likely to part ways. He has $100 of new stuff, I've had the chance to borrow it a while. So, no.
Gorteck 10-31-06, 08:32 AM	Sure? lol whats ur adress?
CharlieRock 10-31-06, 08:34 AM	:heehee
Caliborn 10-31-06, 08:36 AM	We share our resources and expenses. Now, if I didn't already have a good group and DM(more than one actually). I wouldn't have a problem with paying, say, a dollar or two an hour if it was a talented DM and a good game.
CharlieRock 10-31-06, 08:39 AM	Per hour? Oh, I thought it was per session. Some of mine go for almost 12 hours :(
elondir 10-31-06, 08:53 AM	To me it sounds like a typical club with dues. I'd be fine with it as long as I could trust the treasurer. Beverages, pizza, minis, books, tiles, and other game-related things seem like good things to pool money for.
angryman 10-31-06, 08:56 AM	A DM charged me once, but I'm a dwarf (+4 versus bull rushes!) so he fell on his ass.
Gorteck 10-31-06, 09:50 AM	Hell no i ant paying per hour as we sometimes Spend 14+ Hours on playing for like 3 days straight ... I ant paying to have fun with a game and if i wanted to i woulda PAID to enter the club lol and Go Dwarf for the win?
obrysii 10-31-06, 09:54 AM	I'd never charge for the act of rp, but I have made the other players bring their own soda. Lately I've bought just a couple 12-packs of Faygo (a whole $4 total) and some small snack. I'm thinking we'll alternate who buys that stuff, though.
Thought 10-31-06, 10:58 AM	A cover charge for consumable items (and not just food and drinks) is reasonable, but not for lasting products (usually). If the DM is really creative and uses a lot of materials to enhance the game (lighting, dry ice, etc) then I could see the group paying to cover those expenses. But the books, well everyone else has already said why that wouldn't work. However, having said that, I could see occasionally having the group go to gether to buy something that everyone wants (say, that 3.5 PHB when 3.5 first came out) and making a bit of a challenge out of that session or adventure. Whoever "won" in game would get to keep the book (but this would have to be an agreed upon system prior to buying the book). Conversely, I can see that if everyone wants to play with Book A, but no one has enough money, then pooling their funds in order to purchase. In order to decide who keeps the book, it would be last person standing. If you leave the group, you forfit your right to the book, until such time as the last two people in the group flip a coin (that is, last two original buyers).
Board_Rider 10-31-06, 11:03 AM	A DM charged me once, but I'm a dwarf (+4 versus bull rushes!) so he fell on his ass. I really need to speed things up because my answers always get taken.
angryman 10-31-06, 11:09 AM	I really need to speed things up because my answers always get taken. That's OK, my movement is 20', you'll beat me to the next one. :)
CharlieRock 10-31-06, 11:15 AM	That's OK, my movement is 20', you'll beat me to the next one. :) Split class into a monk, they move faster :D
Sarella Starshine 10-31-06, 11:17 AM	I am a DM, not only do I not charge my group for food, I acctually go out of my way to prepare a really nice meal (complete with home-made dessert) for my players. This sunday would be ham and bean soup with carrot cake. My players bring stuff if they want to, but its not neccessary for them to do so :)
RobbyPants 10-31-06, 11:18 AM	A cover charge for consumable items (and not just food and drinks) is reasonable, but not for lasting products (usually). I agree. As long as everyone is fine chipping in for things this shouldn't be a problem. I suppose someone could alwasy "opt out" if they weren't going to be eating any of the food (maybe they're dieting, or whatever). I've been playing in a semi-regular poker game for a while. The way we handle it is we alternate who hosts it. The host provides all the muncies (but the berverages are all BYOB). This is similar to the whole "chipping in" thing, but it probably wouldn't be suitable for most D&D games (as they are frequently played at the same place each session).
Cincinnati 10-31-06, 11:52 AM	Our group collects $1 every week from every player ($5-$7 total) but all the money goes back into supplies like minis, gaming tiles, etc. used by everyone in the group. I have absolutely no problem with this.
Andron 10-31-06, 12:39 PM	Personally I would never do this outside of a convention, but I know there are quite a few out there who do. They charge because they supply everything, and by that I mean books, dice, character sheets, mini's, munchies and drink, etc.. All the player has to do is show up. So from that aspect, I definately see why. You pay at conventions, so why not at other times? Especially with the way prices are for everything these days. Everyone in our group shares books, mini's, dice, etc... I bought the mega mat and another person bought the pens. Everyone brings munchies to share or we will chip in on a pizza, the DM doesn't have to but I usually do. The host supplies the awesome house, table, and WPop. This is for table topping only. When it comes to running a LARP, it's a whole different game.
DIESCUMDIE 10-31-06, 01:03 PM	I would pay if they were good... I guess, but then it wouldn't really be a bunch of friends would it... Still it's never going to happen. People can make a living selling sex, but not dm'ng, for some reason:confused:
Onikani 10-31-06, 01:56 PM	Its funny how everyone says its ok to buy snacks, but only a few people think it's ok to chip in for supplies. Maybe i should have been more specific. DM'ing is a job. the DM spends way more time preparing the game then the players do, maybe the players should compensate somehow. by collecting $2 each from 5players a week ($10 week), the DM effectively gets ONE book per month and some minis or some other supplies. If that one book is relevant and goes striaght into the campaign within a month, it begins to enhance the campaign which means that the players also get rewarded. Also keep in mind i am not talking about the kind of game where everyone is hanging out as friends. Yes everyone is friendly, but not all D&D environments are a group of best buddies wasting time together. I'm talking about the type of group where everyone doesn't necessarily start as friends, the DM owns the majority of the books (compared to players) and the games are at his house. Everyone brings their own food/drinks and pays the $2 for supplies. i don't really see a problem. Of course, I am also 30 and have a job so two dollars a week isn't exactly a big deal. To me it sounds like a typical club with dues. I'd be fine with it as long as I could trust the treasurer. Beverages, pizza, minis, books, tiles, and other game-related things seem like good things to pool money for. Our group collects $1 every week from every player ($5-$7 total) but all the money goes back into supplies like minis, gaming tiles, etc. used by everyone in the group. I have absolutely no problem with this. Personally I would never do this outside of a convention, but I know there are quite a few out there who do. They charge because they supply everything, and by that I mean books, dice, character sheets, mini's, munchies and drink, etc.. All the player has to do is show up. So from that aspect, I definately see why. You pay at conventions, so why not at other times? Especially with the way prices are for everything these days. *deep breath* sorry about that. So what we've been doing now is that some people bring drinks to help restock, some bring food, and some chip in to get new books or maps to help keep me from going completely broke Thanks for backin me up guys :D
swallowyersoul 10-31-06, 04:23 PM	i recently read about a group in canada calling themselves the 'gelatinous dudes'. they charge for running a session, then donate the proceeds to charity. i think their first gig charged a can of food for the local food bank.... that i'd get behind 100%. with my current crew...we're on our fourth year of gaming together, about 1/3 of us are married to another 1/3. some of us have known one another for 15 years or so. the money thing is really fluid between us, but we had discussed a kitty for gaming supplies (particularly minis). we dismissed the idea, but i don't remember why...
Ramrod_The_Wizard 10-31-06, 06:24 PM	With my usual group, who are in multiple campaigns run my various members we have a sorta communal thing going. Other then core books, and maybe a few that yu realy realy want the books, we just share it all. We all chip in for chinese food and have ourselves a good time. Play together, pay together.....and that children is communism. :D
Sarella Starshine 10-31-06, 08:49 PM	the problem isn't so much the idea of chipping in for supplies, its the entire who does the supplies belong to and who gets them if the group breaks up.
Man in the Funny Hat 10-31-06, 09:50 PM	Just wondering what your take on this is? I've played in campaigns where the players had to pay $2 per session, but the DM provided tons of pizza and soda. the charge was really a cost subsidation for him, but it got me thinking... What if the DM charged $2 per person to play in his campaign, but funneled all of that money into minis, modules, terrain, supllies, new books, whatever. And i do mean that honestly all of the money got pushed back into the campaign. How would you guys feel about that?Ultimately, I would feel used. Sure I had fun. Everybody did. The DM included. But when we all go home the DM would have books, modules, minis, terrain, supplies and whatever to show for it in addition to fond memories. I'd have only the memories - and I PAID to get them. I ultimately don't have a problem with DM's wanting to charge money - but only for what consumables they provide during the game like paper and snacks. Or maybe when providing ALL books beyond the PH that the campaign uses - that is, multiple copies for the players to use so that they don't need to swallow upfront costs to keep current with the options of the campaign, with the costs of providing those books to the players amortized over time. When a DM charges for his SERVICES, that's something else entirely and my knee-jerk reaction is to think that the DM is WAY to obsessed with money and possessions, or perhaps just has a dangerously inflated opinion of his skills. But hey, it COULD be that a paid DM will provide a game experience WORTH the money. Myself, I play the game as much to socialize with friends and make new friends as actually PLAY. Its something we can participate in together. Friends don't charge friends for that. And if I'm PAYING a DM for those services it simply takes the hobby somewhere I don't care to go. When _I_ run a game if I choose to spend money on minis, new books, adventures, whatever that's my CHOICE to do so with my participation in the hobby - it's never my obligation, and thus never something that players ought to compensate me for. While I don't deny the ultimate possibility of one day paying or charging - I just cannot conceive of doing so at present. Besides, there are enough whiners about what game companies charge and why - do we really need to add complaints about paid DM's to that? :)
Man in the Funny Hat 10-31-06, 10:07 PM	DM'ing is a job.Actually, that's where you're wrong. DMing isn't a job. It's simply how that individual chooses to participate in the hobby. Nobody FORCES you to DM. The only way DMing becomes a job is when you DO get paid for it. If you are otherwise not enjoying the process of being the DM - quit. PLEASE. You're not doing yourself or anyone at your table any favors by continuing to be the DM and NOT enjoying yourself as much as the players. Monetary compensation is not equivalent to actually enjoying the position of DM for what it is.
Onikani 10-31-06, 11:32 PM	According the the DMG its the best job you'll ever love. And i never did say i was the DM did i? Far from it, i was referring to a DM i have. ;)
Nom 11-01-06, 12:19 AM	It's easy to underestimate the "costs" of DM-ing. Materially, the DM is usually the one who buys any commercial modules and any campaign specific material. He (or she) pays for any printing or copying of maps. He might buy minis or other materials he wouldn't otherwise have bought. Time wise, it's easy to spend 3-4x as long preparing for a session as actually spent playing it, whereas a player can get by with basically zero prep work. Of course, charging more than a token fee creates an expectation of commercial quality product. However, that doesn't make it unreasonable to ask a token fee; I have thought of asking my players to chip in a few dollars towards the cost of modules and other materials that I purchase or pay for in order to make things more fun for the players. At present I don't, although in my current group the DM (me) isn't expected to bring snacks or pay for dinner, so that sort-of balances out. When I play in someone else's game I try to be mindful of this and make sure I contribute food or drink or otherwise show my appreciation for the extra effort the DM puts in.
starfire311 11-01-06, 12:31 AM	I am a DM, not only do I not charge my group for food, I acctually go out of my way to prepare a really nice meal (complete with home-made dessert) for my players. This sunday would be ham and bean soup with carrot cake. My players bring stuff if they want to, but its not neccessary for them to do so :) so um what time should I be there for the carrot cake:) Actually when we used to game at my parents house(that was up untill a few months ago(yes I was 31 and living with my parents lol it was fun and I get along great with them, man I am such a stereotype except I lived on the 2nd floor with my wife and not in the basement with my doll), anyway um where was I oh yeah, my parents would always cook for us, ussually BBQ or some kinda pasta, and ussually cake for dessert... anyway a few months ago I bought my own house, and now we order Pizza, cause I am too busy DMing to cook, and my wife is too busy playing to cook, and yes everyone chips in. OH and I would never charge people to play in my game, it is silly IMO. I should be happy there are people that want ot play in my game, and give me the oppurtunity to DM. I buy every book I bought the mats. There is another person in the group that is into the minis and he brings them. I even bought a new spiffy table with new chairs for everyone. I dont expect a dime from them, nor would I ever ask. Another thing is that there are many times when I am not the DM, my wife might DM or one of the other guys in the group might, should he charge me $2 to play in the game that he is running in my house? It would be only fair I guess if I charged him to play in my game.
Wood 11-01-06, 12:53 AM	Of course, charging more than a token fee creates an expectation of commercial quality product... As if the commercially produced garbage was any benchmark. Look, really good DMs don't charge for their services. They might threaten to from time to time, but they don't ever make an issue out of it. True imagination engineers know their worth and they enjoy weaving spell binding tales for the players. They relish the oohs and ahhs. They get a grand kick out of being in the hot seat. They enjoy having all these human beings, right here in the same room with them, depending on their every move to have a good time. Ive been DMing for a long time. In all that time Ive never asked a player to "pay" me for anything. Humans only get one life. Just one. And if I can tell a story that this human will tell his friends, his girlfriend, and his kids about, and be proud of the fact that he accomplished what he did, that's reward enough. But I guess thats the trick to being a great DM over being just a good DM. Good DMs run players who, while having a good time at the session, won't later admit to anyone that they play a RPG. Great DMs take players who are geeks and outcasts, nerds and unwanted rejects, foes to the status quo... Great DMs sit down with these people and they show them something they never thought possible. They show them the heroics that they are truly capable of. They make it possible for these people to see that they can kill the fire breathin lizard and save the girl. They make it possible for these people to see that oppression of an evil world only exists so long as they allow it to. They make it possible for these people to step outside themselves... and see a better world. hehe... charge for that privilege? never not this DM...
Nom 11-01-06, 10:36 PM	As if the commercially produced garbage was any benchmark.Let me put it another way: it creates a contractual expectation between the buyer and the seller. The seller warrants that the buyer will get a certain product or service in exchange for their money. Whether the seller delivers on this contract is another issue entirely, but charging a fee (in the sense of selling a service, rather than just "chipping in to cover costs") does create that expectation.
cog_and_taz 11-02-06, 08:23 AM	I as the DM, feel that it's my responsibility to handle everything, I cook and make drinks (usually herbal tea) for my friends before hand, email them all with a huge amount of excerpts and links (translated into japanese for their benefit) and usually lend them the PHB to sift through at home(I don't have any splatbooks to lend, and can only afford one PHB). Honestly, I thought that was the norm.
Frederyck 11-02-06, 08:49 AM	Ultimately, I would feel used. Sure I had fun. Everybody did. The DM included. But when we all go home the DM would have books, modules, minis, terrain, supplies and whatever to show for it in addition to fond memories. I'd have only the memories - and I PAID to get them. If it was the other way around - the DM bought all the stuff himself, then when you went home after a gaming session, you'd still only have the memories - but which HE paid to help create. Now, I really don't mind paying for the stuff I get to keep as a DM, but I don't think it's unfair that my players pitch in sometimes. There is no reason the players should pay for everything, but if I can get a 10% "discount" or the equivalent when buying some minis, I'd say that's quite fair.
Oompa 11-02-06, 08:53 AM	We do it like this.. We have one place at who be play D&D, he is the owner of the big moneypot, we each give him like money for like 4 months (20 bucks), from that money he buys all the foods and stuff.. I as dm own a few mininiatures to represent as monsters, the players bought there own miniature from the warhammer serie.. Everyone bought there own books, but we all use eachothers books.. not really a pot for that..
nastynate 11-02-06, 09:09 AM	Honestly I'm surprised that this is so unusual; I think the DM should get something special for his role in the game. I almost always suggest the "DM eats free" rule (to compensate him for the extra work he puts in), whenever I join a new group (provided that I'm not the DM...I don't want to sound greedy). Its a house rule that often sticks with people, and in groups where the DM/player chairs rotate, everyone gets the benefit at some point. I've also paid a fee to play before (don't recall the exact amount off-hand). Generally these kind of fees don't go into buying books or minis (though I don't think I would have a problem with that), these kind of fees usually go into things like food, drink, character sheets, maps, and of course pencils (a priceless commodity at any gaming table). Like others have said before, this often works best when the DM and PCs are "gamer-buddies," but not friends out side of the game. Say for example, a group consisting of a 15 year old HS kid, a 30+ year old married couple, a 21 year old college student, and gamer x (that smelly guy from the comic shop). In this scenario a collection to cover food, drinks, and miscellaneous expenses just seems logical to me. -Peace- P.S. to the DMs that make meals for their players...bravo. I've done that before too, but it gets really pricey after a while, and not everyone likes my cooking (ok almost nobody likes my cooking). Generosity is a virtue, and I appreciate people that demonstrate it; my only concern is setting a precedent that gradually becomes unappreciated or expected.
babysamurai 11-02-06, 09:43 AM	If a DM was to try and charge, he better throw in a good back rub for everybody as well.
Krusk 11-02-06, 12:30 PM	I love when we play at any of my buddies house's, cause they have sisters that live with them. Their sisters love to cook and they are good at it, unfortunatly when it comes around to my house we get boiled hotdogs or something they cook cause not only can i not cook in a kitchen, but there is no sister to get to do it for us. to the question though i still dont think id pay to play dnd with people i do know. And if were with people i dont know i would pay if it was something our local game shop does. they rent out tables for the night at 5$ a night or something. Id pitch in for that, but not too much else. pooling together and buying a box or two of minis and doing a random draw for who gets to keep which seems fair.
Dragon Snack 11-02-06, 01:08 PM	Nobody FORCES you to DM. My group has. Seriously, in my main group, I'm the only one that everyone agrees on to DM. And in my other group, we play Savage Worlds, not D&D... I would pay a good DM to be able to actually play in a decent game of D&D. Unfortunately most games I've seen aren't my cup of tea. I don't charge, I also don't keep up with all the new books - even though a couple of my players do. Of course, they want to use stuff from books I don't have. Sometimes they sneak stuff by, but I can usually tell when they're pulling a fast one and then actually read the book (borrowed or at the store :embarrass ). If I charged, I would keep up with the books. I spend quite a bit on miniatures (and even more time painting the non-prepainted ones). We did buy a box of Tac-tiles as a group, but that's about it (what any one of us would do with 3 Tac-tiles if we took them when we left, I don't know). I'm also going to build a game table in my basement (when I'm done fixing up my house), I've dropped almost $100 on supplies already. I could charge each player $1 a session and it would take YEARS for them to come close to what I've spent on game supplies and books. I think some people are just scared of the ramifications of having to pay a DM. I think it might lead to more (and better) DMs... FYI, in the 1999 D&D survey that WotC did, DMs/GMs (not specific to D&D) spent and average of $2,048 on gaming. Non-DMs spent an average of $401.
BlackDragonStew 11-02-06, 01:29 PM	By the sounds of it, we have quite a different group than most. Everyone in our group likes to take a turn being DM. We do a great job with giving each other an option to do so. Since we are all (at one point or another) DMs, there is no need for us to buy books for any one person. We can just buy what we need when we need it. Our individual book collections are all quite nice. If I don't have a book, someone in the group does. If I like a book enough, I'll buy it for myself.(Complete Warrior) If not, I'll just borrow it when needed.(Races of the Dragon) Everyone benefits.:D
cog_and_taz 11-02-06, 05:11 PM	I think the DM should get something special for his role in the game. Huge fun beyond anything a player gets, respect, and a warm fuzzy feeling inside when everyone loves your campaign?
AidanPryde 11-02-06, 06:10 PM	As the new DM for our group, I continued the old DM's practice of getting the players to bring snacks by rewarding them xp for it. The amount depends on the DM and the game, but i usually reward 1 xp each cent spent. We're all in college, so no ones gonna abuse this rule too much. It seems to work rather well.
Caine 11-02-06, 06:29 PM	I had a deal in exchange for painting minis Here's the deal I set up a trade of services with my players that I would paint minis for them in exchange for them purchasing books for my campaign. I charged $6.00 in credit per mini that I finished. I had about 12 books bought for me this way it worked out well, but I don't think the DM should be payed just for being a DM, unless it was for snacks or something along this way.:D Its my return to the message boards after three years or so.
Comrade 11-02-06, 06:44 PM	....and that children is communism. :D Haha. Amen to that.:D
Gahread 11-02-06, 10:12 PM	Its funny how everyone says its ok to buy snacks, but only a few people think it's ok to chip in for supplies. Maybe I ought to restate my response. Food, everyone agrees is no big deal. Sourcebooks, etc? If the DM says something along the lines of "Hey, do any of you have _____?" and the answer is no all around, there's a decent chance I'll track down a copy. Anyone can use it, borrow it for a week or two, and when I eventually leave the group it comes with me. Case in point- no map for the group. DM was describing distances and using a rough analogue to miniature rules (no ruler, nobody's that picky). I bought a hex/square doublesided map online and to my surprise, the DM immediately offered to buy it from me. *shrug* Sold. Now I'll go buy a MondoMat for personal use and in case we ever have any huge battles. Complete Mage is another example. Reserve Feats look nifty and there's some other stuff worth checking out. I'm not going to be the guy who won't let anybody else touch his brand-new book until the shininess wears off. Now, if the DM wants to use the Epic Level Handbook for some reason, someone else is going to have to put down cash for that. I don't play Epic games so I have no interest.
Ugavine 11-03-06, 07:55 AM	I play in two groups and attend a 3rd occasionally. 1st. No charge. I usually GM and all the books are mine. We play at a mates house and he provides drinks. This is an informal group where RPGing is very relaxed. 2nd. Still a group of friends. We used to pay £1 a week to go towards drinks, but have recently changed that to taking it in turns to provide drinks. We rotate GM and it's really up to the GM to provide what books he wants to use, but everyone in this group has a vast RPG collection. 3rd. This is in a local church hall. They charge £2 which goes towards paying for the hire of the hall. Basically any gamers can turn up to make use of the space and tables. Snacks are on sale at cost. Personally I think that if a GM wants to run a particular game then they should buy the book, not the group. Let's be honest here, you don't NEED a book to roleplay. I GM a lot and do so because I love it, not because it's a job. So personally I'm for a group contributing for snacks, but not paying for the GM. If a GM thinks he should be paid then he's in the wrong hobby. :cool:
Far_Traveler 11-03-06, 09:43 AM	Split class into a monk, they move faster :D Screw that, you have to be in it for 4 or so levels to get that movement! Barbarian :ayyyy!:
Escef 11-03-06, 10:09 AM	I've never charged and never will, nor would I play under a DM who charged. As a long side note, is my group back home's "Jolt Bottle". One evening we're sitting at the game table discussing the "hard-end, soft-end" technique of hitting people with a soda bottle (soft end is the bottom, hard end is the cap). And my associate Pat made some sort of comment about being able to take it, so I took my empty 20 oz. Jolt bottle and clocked him on the forehead with the hard-end. He sat there and smiled, and my buddy PuncH (his clown name) sitting down the other end of the table says, "You can hit him all day, he's got a hard noggin." So I turn and start hammering Pat repeatedly with the bottle. Suddenly my arm slows down, then stops. "Oh, :censored:, Pat, you're bleeding!" Well, Pat takes the bottle and puts a slit in it and says every week he was going to empty his change into it and when it was full he was going to hit me with it, then use the money to get pizza for the group. The whole group ended up contributing to the Jolt Bottle. When the time came it ended up being a slight tap and enough money to get pizza for the group with a couple bucks leftover. The Jolt Bottle ended up being a long running tradition in the group. We've used the money for pizza at least 2 or 3 times, copies of Song & Silence for the whole group, paying for surgery for one of the player's dog, and paying for 3.5 PHBs for the whole group.
lunchbox1584 11-03-06, 01:35 PM	I'm Dming a small game 4 including me. Each month we all put $5 in to what we call the DnD fund and when we need to buy new mini's or get a new book we take it out of the DnD fund. We decided before hand if the group ever brakes up we split the mini's evenly based on price. the books will be going to me because I usuly just buy a book every month insded of paying the $5. None of my players have a problem and we leave the money in a lock box I have the Key but the box is at my friends house. Not that any one would steall the money but it make it so that no one can think it might happen when ever I use the fund the thing Im going to buy is brought up at the end of a session and if every one agrees I go out get the item (my own money) them the next session I take the money out of the fund with every one there. Also noine of the money can be spent of food, soda, or dice the people bring that themselvs. only DnD related items . This has worked out great and we have a large slection of mini's, books, and other gaming items. I do take the books home to prepare for the next sesson but if any of the players need a book they are welcom to it and I do my best with out it.
Sulaco 11-03-06, 01:38 PM	Any DM who tried to charge my group to run a game would get $2.75 from all of us to cover his bus fare home and our best wishes in finding a new gaming group.
Netaria 11-03-06, 02:12 PM	Just wondering what your take on this is? I've played in campaigns where the players had to pay $2 per session, but the DM provided tons of pizza and soda. the charge was really a cost subsidation for him, but it got me thinking... What if the DM charged $2 per person to play in his campaign, but funneled all of that money into minis, modules, terrain, supllies, new books, whatever. And i do mean that honestly all of the money got pushed back into the campaign. How would you guys feel about that? Thats not really charging a fee so much as asking for dues. Like people chipping in for the keg at a party. Its just saying, "I can't feed and water the lot o' you every other week on my salary." ;p Any DM who tried to charge my group to run a game would get $2.75 from all of us to cover his bus fare home and our best wishes in finding a new gaming group. I think this would be with the DM hosting.
Onikani 11-03-06, 04:19 PM	Thats not really charging a fee so much as asking for dues. Like people chipping in for the keg at a party. Its just saying, "I can't feed and water the lot o' you every other week on my salary." ;p You're totally right, and i think a few other people have caught on to my intention as well. I suppose i titled this thread wrong. but the people who have actually read have caught on to the fact that all the money gets funneled back into the campaign, but the DM keeps the goodies when all is said and done. I go to the gym. I pay the gym. The gym uses the money to buy equipment, and i pay for the right to go there, perform my hobby, and enjoy myself. At $30 a month, i pay the gym over $350 a year. But when i choose to 'quit' the gym, i don't expect them to give a barbell set cause i helped them pay for it. also, in my example i said $2 a week. That equates to $8 a month (maybe 10). Which means had i kept the money, and saved it for my own book, i could buy a new book every 3 months. With this system (5 players) we get a new book and new mini's every month or so. Granted the Dm's collection is growing fast, but it also gives us all a chance to 'preview' and use all the books in a leisurely manner without actually commiting to a buy. We're adults. It's $2. It works for us. In some of the posts previously, people had said that their group rotates DM's, houses, snack turns, etc. Everyone buys books they want or that the group needs and it all works out in the end. This is great, and i'm also really happy for the people that have this arrangment. It works for them, and i like to think that in most cases this is how it works. But as i said in my one group, players need only bring their char sheet, dice, and $2. No books, no pencils, no minis. Everything has already been bought out of the community dues fund. We are not actually paying the DM some exorbitant fee to have the privelidge of his DMing ability. But yes in the end, he keeps the books for his time and efforts. And every year, i 'pay' him $104: the approximate equivalent of 3 books, and 1 pack of mini's. I could easily spend more than that if instead of $2 a week, i simply bought him Xmas and birthday gifts. ;)
Sulaco 11-03-06, 04:22 PM	I think this would be with the DM hosting. Fine, so then he gets our best wishes in finding a new gaming group and no bus fare. Sounds like a better deal to me.
Sulaco 11-03-06, 04:27 PM	I go to the gym. I pay the gym. The gym uses the money to buy equipment, and i pay for the right to go there, perform my hobby, and enjoy myself. The gym isn't your friend. You should choose to DM cos you want to run a fun game with your friends, not cos you want them to stock your fridge and build your D&D library for you. No matter how negligible the amount I am gobsmacked at the very concept of charging your friends "dues" for the privilege of playing in your game. With my mates we all - DM included - throw in cash to the food fund. If you want boosk you buy them yourself. However, since we are all mates, we have no qualms about lending out books long-term to the DM or other players in the group.
Onikani 11-03-06, 04:47 PM	You should choose to DM cos you want to run a fun game with your friends Not all groups start out as friends. Some people DM for love of the game. And players play for love of the game. Most of these groups typically evolve into friends, but they are begun as groups of people with the same hobby who have met up somehow, and decided to do thier thing together.
Sulaco 11-03-06, 04:49 PM	Not all groups start out as friends. And I don't see how telling them to open up there wallets is likely to change that.
sharpscribe 11-03-06, 05:09 PM	I think it makes playing more exciting to have a character that is actually worth something. After playing for a year and gaining 12th level, I'm tired of killing everything and go for broke and die, I got sick of playing that guy But, if I've got a charicture that I've raised, like a kid, Ive invested say $120 in him then he actually has worth to me so if I get tired of 'raising' him then it's time to retire him instead. someday maybe I wil want to take him out and use him again. I'm wanting to get a game together and dm a long campaign again.I've decided to advertize in all the local papers, hobby shops etc. but Ive come up with some lg expences. to offset this I wil charge the players to level-up, they will have to have the exps still but unless they have the 10$ they will stay at the level they already are.
High Octane 11-03-06, 05:36 PM	We had a group with a group account that we all chipped into. Well all but one of us, but that was a somewhat problematic player. If you are a close group, its a good idea.
Papapop 11-03-06, 05:40 PM	me and my friends usually all chip in and we buy some chips, pop, pizza etc... whatever the cost may be, we usually pay it, nothing goes to the DM, and if there's change, then that goes towards next week
docballen 11-03-06, 07:57 PM	My husband and I are both in a great group. We have this one fellow who "usually" DM's-- the world we are playing in is his world, and he has final say over anyone who "guest- DM's". This guy is usually the one who is stuck buying the food and the drinks-- my husband and I have contributed to the food, and I drink Diet pop so I bring my own drinks. There is one player who never usually contributes anything to the "foodfund" except his insatiable hunger and his thirst for "Dew". (Oh, and he's now bringing his girlfriend... who brings her hunger and thirst, too.) He keeps saying "I'll get it when I get a job..." but that hasn't happened yet. I mean, I feel guilty when I have an "insulin reaction" and I have to ask for a pb-j sandwich. So there are times when I think contributing a couple of bucks-- which usually goes to pizza-- is OK.
Man in the Funny Hat 11-03-06, 09:53 PM	And I don't see how telling them to open up there wallets is likely to change that.Ditto. It just seems inherently inequitable when, no matter the motivation, everyone goes home with fun - but one person goes home with fun and ALL the prizes!
Fox Reeveheart 11-03-06, 11:42 PM	good luck with that sharpscribe because it wont last too long, I can attest that with a horror story I was going to tell all of you. Me and my entire group were required to pay our DM tom $5 bucks every session, and no this did not go towards food, we still had to put in for that if we wanted it. since it was at his place of business he said it was so he could stay in business and so the $5 was to use his table and chairs (which all sucked anyways, the ONLY good thing about the place was the lighting and the atmosphere even though it was very bland) and there were 3 seperate campaigns at one point so we were paying $15 bucks a week (60 a month) just to sit at his place. Then put the $5 bucks usually put in for pizza a piece. After more than a year we had it moved to my place and he just got furious because I "took away his business" and he moved away to florida to try there. I was a kid in high school without money! I didnt like asking my mum or dad 15 bucks a week just to sit at this middle aged guy's place. I did it at my house for free and that money went towards just food instead!
Solaris 11-03-06, 11:47 PM	There's as much of a case for the DM paying the players as there is for the players paying the DM. Without the players, all the DM's hard work is for nothing; his world is lifeless. Without the other, neither has anything to play. Everyone brings something to the table. If a DM ever tried to charge me for his services, I'd first be surprised, but then I'd laugh and never again take seriously anything he had to say about anything -- he'd become a laughing-stock for me and anyone who'd care to listen. Books are individually owned. Food is individually bought, unless everyone's chipping in for pizza or something. Participation in the game is voluntary.
Hairfoot 11-04-06, 02:40 AM	It depends on the quality of the game and the cohesiveness of the group. One group (which I miss) was composed of primo players, one of whom let us use his enormous dining table for the game. It was soon obvious that we'd keep the group together for as long as possible (5 years in all). Consequently, I was more than happy to pay $5 per session to buy battlemats, minis and terrain, which were considered property of the group. Players who left were allowed to take a share of the gear. OTOH, I've played with a DM who wanted a contribution to subsidise his beer and pizza while he runs a substandard game and hoards books and minis bought with the group's money. He can go to hell.
Netaria 11-06-06, 01:35 PM	It seems to be reasonable as long as the dm (or host) isn't pocketing the money. If it goes to drinks or what-have-you for the group and any left over gets held or returned then there really is no reason to complain. Some people share hosting duties around, but for other groups this is not feasable and this leaves one home footing the bill for all resources used from time to prepare and clean up afterwards to food and drink costs. In this day and age most people are on a tight budget, it isn't fair to expect one person to foot the bills for everything, whether it is one of the players or the dm. *shrugs*
Dragon Snack 11-06-06, 04:05 PM	And I don't see how telling them to open up there wallets is likely to change that. You don't become friends with people you do business with?
fizbain 11-06-06, 04:26 PM	In our campaigns the DM doesn't charge. We all own some minis and books so if we need to use any, they are shared. If any NEED to be bought, it's usually whoever wants to make the purchase or we supplement them with something that looks similiar (i.e. base size, form etc.) and play that way. As far as books are concerned, we have a guy who has all of the e-books so he brings his laptop and we use that for cross referencing. As far as community property, we don't have any because of the problems others have posted. It makes for a fair play for everyone.
Netaria 11-06-06, 05:13 PM	I was thinking about this issue and felt that i should add that if you have a good group the host(dm or not) shouldn't have to ask for money. Why? Because people should already be pitching in whether its by bringing snacks, drinks, minis, or tossing a couple bucks the hosts way. It really is about common courtesy and the host shouldn't be forced to demand money. Some people have mentioned this group set up, where everyone takes care of things, but not everyone thinks about that type of stuff. Ideally something should be worked out that everyone can agree on and doesn't put all the responsibilities onto a single individual. However, many groups aren't great friends, or are friends, but contain members who are selfish and thus won't volunteer anything. So, occasionally I can definitely see a host feeling like they need to ask for help, which they may do in the form of asking for some cash towards all the cash they've been shelling out to support the entire group.
Thought 11-06-06, 05:20 PM	Since most people (understandably) dislike the idea of paying a DM so he can buy books and minis that he keeps in the event that the group goes south (or North if you are in Virginia), why not just have people buy a book/minis every so often based on a standard rotation. Assuming $2 a week under the "everyone contributes, the DM gets the goods) system, that comes out to 8 a month an around 3-4 months before a new book. Thus, logically, everyone should agree that one person will buy a book for the group every 3-4 months (on a rotating schedule). That person owns the book/minis, but shares it with everyone. Group gets more goodies, the people who pay get what they are paying for, and the DM isn't bankrupted.
LukiLoki 11-06-06, 05:31 PM	I DM for free. Giving out XP on the other hand... That'll cost ya.