Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Karidil 01-15-06, 07:54 PM	I have just started to get into Forgotten Realms DnD and have no clue where to start. My first question is: What books do I need to get started? and Can I have a character and DM? Post at will! :)
Old Sparky 01-15-06, 08:21 PM	I frequently have a character and DM... mostly because I am usually the DM and want to play every now and again. However, it is important to not give your own PC any advantages in play (such as knowledge that PCs wouldn't have, special treatment from NPCs, or fudged die rolls). I'd say make your player character die rolls in front of the screen where all players rolls are to be fair, and make DMing rolls behind the screen as usual. Most especially, do not use your player character to railroad an adventure in the direction of your choosing. Its perfectly okay to roleplay in character wanting to do one thing or another, but try and keep the character from dominating the storyline... or else the players may think you'd be better off playing by yourself. I always treat my PCs as a special recurring NPC. They aren't as easily dismissed as NPCs, and I hold them to any and all rules that apply to the rest of the players.
Giilvas Vyshaan 01-16-06, 12:42 PM	First of all, how in-depth is your Realms knowledge? Do/have you read any of the numerous novels? These may just give you a familiar foothold to start in. If not, then may I suggest the following scenarios for you as a DM to consider: Book suggestions no matter where the campaign will be are as follows: 1. Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2. Player's Guide to Faerun 3. Lost Empires of Faerun (not absolutely necessary; it is more for background/history, but it has info on almost every nook of the world. It is also my personal favorite!) Depending on your interests (as a DM running the show)- 1. A good city-oriented campaign can be centered around Waterdeep. Book to buy is Waterdeep:City of Splendors 2. A good northern wilderness campaign- buy the Silver Marches 3. An exotic flavor-may I suggest Unapproachable East or Shining South. Both have magic rich areas and plenty of good adventure opportunities. UE also has an Orient-style possibility, the SS has jungle and remote area adventures. 4. For underground adventuring, buy the Underdark. Another way to consider ideas is whether or not to have a campaign based on a certain race. For example, an elven campaign can be in Cormanthor, the High Forest, the island of Evermeet. A dwarven campaign could be set underground reclaiming lost mines/cities, expanding through the untamed wilderness(silver marches), etc. A halfling campaign could be set in a nomadic/plains area (shining south). The sky's the limit. You probably should download the old 2nd edition freebies on the WoTC downloads link as well. The stuff is free and it has info all over the Realms. Happy gaming!
Karidil 01-16-06, 03:42 PM	First of all, how in-depth is your Realms knowledge? Do/have you read any of the numerous novels? Well, I have read the Moonshae triogy and the Best of the Realms book 1. I was also wondering if The Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerun can supplement the Monster Manual? Also, how do you get minatures of your characters? Thanks again
Old Sparky 01-16-06, 03:49 PM	Find a miniature that suits your character... buy it. :) As for Monsters of Faerun, it absolutely supplements the Monster Manual... though check out the 3.5e update if you're playing the current version of the game since that book was published under 3rd Edition rules.