My first Time [Archive] - Wizards Community

My first Time [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shike
10-17-05, 12:28 PM Ok Guys, this is my first time DMing, and I'm having some trouble getting started. I'm going to be running a game with just my wife (she wants to learn the system) for a little while, and then add some players later after she gets the hang of it. Since, up till now, i've only been a player I don't know where to begin. We're playing in the Realms (i just love the realms). I downloaded some of the free adventures from the DND main site and planned to begin there, but does anyone have any ideas that can help me?
Kuje31
10-17-05, 01:17 PM I'd choose a geographical area first. Then gather some of the material on it. Waterdeep or Shadowdale are both good places to start campaigns but anywhere would work.

Then I'd come up with some intrigues that the people in those areas are trying to accomplish. Harpers against Zhents. Zhent's against the Cult of the Dragon. The Cult against Harpers. Merchants against merchants. Etc. :)

The PC's then could get involved in these intrigues and try to unravel them. (Another plug coming!) Another poster and I have also created 15+ adventure hooks that could be used together or seperately and they are in issues 1 through 3, so far, of the Candlekeep Compendium. :)
Shike
10-17-05, 01:22 PM Actually since it is just my wife (i get to come up with her party members), She is starting out in tethyr. And has a good idea of how she got "roped" into adventuring. It's really the plot hooks and stuff. Of course, i haven't looked through my realms stuff in a while and need to bone up on my info. Maybe Baulder's Gate will be a good place to start the group.
Kuje31
10-17-05, 01:28 PM Actually since it is just my wife (i get to come up with her party members), She is starting out in tethyr. And has a good idea of how she got "roped" into adventuring. It's really the plot hooks and stuff. Of course, i haven't looked through my realms stuff in a while and need to bone up on my info. Maybe Baulder's Gate will be a good place to start the group.

If in Tethyr she could be involved in the reconstruction of that nation.... BG, maybe she is a member of the Flaming Fist.....
Shike
10-17-05, 01:36 PM her back story goes more along the lines of a 19 y/o merchant's daughter, who, after getting herself into trouble leaves home. She tries to steal to get herself out of trouble w/ her father and the person she tries to steal from brings her along with him. (very basic, she hasn't done an indepth history yet.) Thanks for your current suggestions. I will look into them.(currently at work)
Kuje31
10-17-05, 02:49 PM her back story goes more along the lines of a 19 y/o merchant's daughter, who, after getting herself into trouble leaves home. She tries to steal to get herself out of trouble w/ her father and the person she tries to steal from brings her along with him. (very basic, she hasn't done an indepth history yet.) Thanks for your current suggestions. I will look into them.(currently at work)

She could be a part of the thieves guild in BG as well then. :) And then she would be an "enemy" of the Fist if and when they know about her.
imrtl
10-17-05, 05:58 PM Well my advice is start small, don't worry about some epic campaign at first.

Create a living breathing world. FR has alot of the ground work done, but you as the DM have to bring life to the world.

Personally I try to about a good story, more than where or what I should do.
I prepare areas, try to bring life to the town/dungeon/wilderness, and allow the PC's to do what they will(temping them by x,y,z). As I describe events along the way. Lots of DM railroad characters, and that takes away from the game IMO. Forcing players to do things they don't like. Being forced to do a dungeon crawl because thats the only thing the DM had prepared etc..

Adventure Ideas:

1) Investigate an overdue caravan. * mystery *
2) Local NPC need help with X (mage needs a rare spell component, rat infested basement) * travel/exploration *
3) recently discovered Cavern complex. *Dungeon crawl*

Those are just a few off the top of my head. Anyway my advice to you, is create a world, and allow her to act within it. And the gaming sessions will play themselves in my experience.
Shike
10-17-05, 06:11 PM Thanks for your help. I think I just feel overwhelmed with the idea of running a game myself, instead of playing in one (I always spent a lot of time w/ my characters). I think that taking small steps is a good idea so that I can get a handle on DMing.

imrtl - Your right, FR has a plethra of information, which is why I enjoy the setting so much. And I did download some of the small 1 shot adventures for the DND main site. I think starting there will be good and then I can branch out.

Kuje- Thanks for the hooks, and I will think about incorporating them. BTW I've seen your posts on the forum and am amazed w/ your realms knowledge. I also think I should make Candlekeep a regular stop while working on my overall story arch. (which won't come to fruition for a long time:) )

I think I just needed advice on getting myself started out as a DM. Thanks a lot guys.
Kuje31
10-17-05, 06:17 PM Kuje- Thanks for the hooks, and I will think about incorporating them. BTW I've seen your posts on the forum and am amazed w/ your realms knowledge. I also think I should make Candlekeep a regular stop while working on my overall story arch. (which won't come to fruition for a long time:) )

I think I just needed advice on getting myself started out as a DM. Thanks a lot guys.

We'd love to have you over there. :) And as much as I argue people, I'm still here to help as well even if sometimes we have raging debates about the lore. Do not hesitate to ask me questions, I love helping even I come across as a PIA. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shike 10-17-05, 12:28 PM	Ok Guys, this is my first time DMing, and I'm having some trouble getting started. I'm going to be running a game with just my wife (she wants to learn the system) for a little while, and then add some players later after she gets the hang of it. Since, up till now, i've only been a player I don't know where to begin. We're playing in the Realms (i just love the realms). I downloaded some of the free adventures from the DND main site and planned to begin there, but does anyone have any ideas that can help me?
Kuje31 10-17-05, 01:17 PM	I'd choose a geographical area first. Then gather some of the material on it. Waterdeep or Shadowdale are both good places to start campaigns but anywhere would work. Then I'd come up with some intrigues that the people in those areas are trying to accomplish. Harpers against Zhents. Zhent's against the Cult of the Dragon. The Cult against Harpers. Merchants against merchants. Etc. :) The PC's then could get involved in these intrigues and try to unravel them. (Another plug coming!) Another poster and I have also created 15+ adventure hooks that could be used together or seperately and they are in issues 1 through 3, so far, of the Candlekeep Compendium. :)
Shike 10-17-05, 01:22 PM	Actually since it is just my wife (i get to come up with her party members), She is starting out in tethyr. And has a good idea of how she got "roped" into adventuring. It's really the plot hooks and stuff. Of course, i haven't looked through my realms stuff in a while and need to bone up on my info. Maybe Baulder's Gate will be a good place to start the group.
Kuje31 10-17-05, 01:28 PM	Actually since it is just my wife (i get to come up with her party members), She is starting out in tethyr. And has a good idea of how she got "roped" into adventuring. It's really the plot hooks and stuff. Of course, i haven't looked through my realms stuff in a while and need to bone up on my info. Maybe Baulder's Gate will be a good place to start the group. If in Tethyr she could be involved in the reconstruction of that nation.... BG, maybe she is a member of the Flaming Fist.....
Shike 10-17-05, 01:36 PM	her back story goes more along the lines of a 19 y/o merchant's daughter, who, after getting herself into trouble leaves home. She tries to steal to get herself out of trouble w/ her father and the person she tries to steal from brings her along with him. (very basic, she hasn't done an indepth history yet.) Thanks for your current suggestions. I will look into them.(currently at work)
Kuje31 10-17-05, 02:49 PM	her back story goes more along the lines of a 19 y/o merchant's daughter, who, after getting herself into trouble leaves home. She tries to steal to get herself out of trouble w/ her father and the person she tries to steal from brings her along with him. (very basic, she hasn't done an indepth history yet.) Thanks for your current suggestions. I will look into them.(currently at work) She could be a part of the thieves guild in BG as well then. :) And then she would be an "enemy" of the Fist if and when they know about her.
imrtl 10-17-05, 05:58 PM	Well my advice is start small, don't worry about some epic campaign at first. Create a living breathing world. FR has alot of the ground work done, but you as the DM have to bring life to the world. Personally I try to about a good story, more than where or what I should do. I prepare areas, try to bring life to the town/dungeon/wilderness, and allow the PC's to do what they will(temping them by x,y,z). As I describe events along the way. Lots of DM railroad characters, and that takes away from the game IMO. Forcing players to do things they don't like. Being forced to do a dungeon crawl because thats the only thing the DM had prepared etc.. Adventure Ideas: 1) Investigate an overdue caravan. * mystery * 2) Local NPC need help with X (mage needs a rare spell component, rat infested basement) * travel/exploration * 3) recently discovered Cavern complex. Dungeon crawl Those are just a few off the top of my head. Anyway my advice to you, is create a world, and allow her to act within it. And the gaming sessions will play themselves in my experience.
Shike 10-17-05, 06:11 PM	Thanks for your help. I think I just feel overwhelmed with the idea of running a game myself, instead of playing in one (I always spent a lot of time w/ my characters). I think that taking small steps is a good idea so that I can get a handle on DMing. imrtl - Your right, FR has a plethra of information, which is why I enjoy the setting so much. And I did download some of the small 1 shot adventures for the DND main site. I think starting there will be good and then I can branch out. Kuje- Thanks for the hooks, and I will think about incorporating them. BTW I've seen your posts on the forum and am amazed w/ your realms knowledge. I also think I should make Candlekeep a regular stop while working on my overall story arch. (which won't come to fruition for a long time:) ) I think I just needed advice on getting myself started out as a DM. Thanks a lot guys.
Kuje31 10-17-05, 06:17 PM	Kuje- Thanks for the hooks, and I will think about incorporating them. BTW I've seen your posts on the forum and am amazed w/ your realms knowledge. I also think I should make Candlekeep a regular stop while working on my overall story arch. (which won't come to fruition for a long time:) ) I think I just needed advice on getting myself started out as a DM. Thanks a lot guys. We'd love to have you over there. :) And as much as I argue people, I'm still here to help as well even if sometimes we have raging debates about the lore. Do not hesitate to ask me questions, I love helping even I come across as a PIA. :)