A bit of a moral dilemma [Archive] - Wizards Community

A bit of a moral dilemma [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
zerotkatama
12-30-04, 01:42 AM Howdy all. I have a dilemma that I'd like some advice on.

The story is that I've just recently started getting into DMing, running an Eberron campaign. I've played with my players 1 or 2 games in private settings, and we like it.

Now, here's my problem. Before this, I had talked with a local store (a Chapter 11 bookstore) about perhaps being able to run D&D games there, as I thought it would be a more central location for the player base I had. Some players dropped out, and the ones joined are pretty much around my location. The Chapter 11 is about 20 minutes away from all of us; I have volunteered to carpool everyone since we're all within 10 minutes of each other. My players are all fine with this, but I have begun to have some doubts, mainly the location, and that I liked playing in a private setting, where I had control of music and mood, things which I suspect I will not at the Chapter 11. Having just gotten the SHards of Eberron CD, and wanting to experiment, that means a lot to me. Also, the seating and accomodations are generally cushier at our homes.

However, calling off the arragement isn't so simple. The store has just started carrying D&D products due to the influnence of one of the managers (who helped set up the whole deal as well as the 30th anniversary gameday for that store). The manager wants to use my group playing there as a sort of product demonstration and promotion, saying "We have Gaming and D&D here!" Also, she wants to use it as a way for Wizards/RPGA to start allowing the store to get RPGA/LG/etc. modules and the like (being a certified RPGA GM, I also offered to run those when she got them). Said manager has no other DMs lined up that could do this. So I feel bad about pulling out. What I'm thinking about doing is asking if my group can come just every other week, having the inbetween weeks to play at home and do all the mood stuff (Being Eberron, I really want to get the feel right.)

So, thoughts, advice, criticism? I know I probably have answered my own question, but I'd like to hear the opinions of others.
Dash Branaghan
12-30-04, 01:50 AM My suggestion? If you have the time, run a drop-in campaign. One shot sessions where newbies can come in and learn the game. Stick to the basic world, but keep your Eberron game on a different day (and you can still keep it private).

Now, as far as this other game goes, it is strictly in store, and you can set it up to be every other week, if they agree. Post boards, and maybe include a sign up sheet for the weeks leading up to it. Keep it advertised, and that way you not only allow for honoring your agreement, but you actually expand it with people who want to learn.

In the interim, have your own players show up for the one shots, just in case you don't have enough sign ups.

And then all you have to do is find someone else willing to DM. Once you find that, you can move it up to 1/week if this other DM is willing to run twice a week.

Of course, this assumes you have the time to run a second campaign every two weeks.

Dash
penchant
12-30-04, 01:57 AM Yeah, you pretty much entered into a verbal agreement, however breadth and width seem pretty vague, so I would follow Dash's advice. Run games to support your local gaming community, but keep your private game separate. After a while you should be able to find a qualified DM, who is in need of gaming space to take up the slack.
Ualaa
12-30-04, 04:00 AM Your word is your bond.

At the same time, talk to the store manager to see if you can control your environment to a degree. Even if you're just able to play a CD to provide ambient sound to establish mood. It is easy enough to discuss, they might agree as they do want you to be there.

Things like props, mood music and the like are easily part of gaming your style of game, and the manager has said you can game in their store. Try to compromise.

As Dash said, one of the joys of DMing is teaching newer players what the game is about. There is a mixture of character development, tactical combat, roleplaying in character, thinking through puzzles and just having fun in a new role that's different from real life. Once you have a few people who understand the basic mechanics of the game, offer to teach a few how to DM.

Start simple and expand from there. You're providing a very useful service to the store by building their customer base for a product line you enjoy. At the same time, the store could provide you with a lot of potential players who can bring their own flavor to your games. Seems win and win to me.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
zerotkatama 12-30-04, 01:42 AM	Howdy all. I have a dilemma that I'd like some advice on. The story is that I've just recently started getting into DMing, running an Eberron campaign. I've played with my players 1 or 2 games in private settings, and we like it. Now, here's my problem. Before this, I had talked with a local store (a Chapter 11 bookstore) about perhaps being able to run D&D games there, as I thought it would be a more central location for the player base I had. Some players dropped out, and the ones joined are pretty much around my location. The Chapter 11 is about 20 minutes away from all of us; I have volunteered to carpool everyone since we're all within 10 minutes of each other. My players are all fine with this, but I have begun to have some doubts, mainly the location, and that I liked playing in a private setting, where I had control of music and mood, things which I suspect I will not at the Chapter 11. Having just gotten the SHards of Eberron CD, and wanting to experiment, that means a lot to me. Also, the seating and accomodations are generally cushier at our homes. However, calling off the arragement isn't so simple. The store has just started carrying D&D products due to the influnence of one of the managers (who helped set up the whole deal as well as the 30th anniversary gameday for that store). The manager wants to use my group playing there as a sort of product demonstration and promotion, saying "We have Gaming and D&D here!" Also, she wants to use it as a way for Wizards/RPGA to start allowing the store to get RPGA/LG/etc. modules and the like (being a certified RPGA GM, I also offered to run those when she got them). Said manager has no other DMs lined up that could do this. So I feel bad about pulling out. What I'm thinking about doing is asking if my group can come just every other week, having the inbetween weeks to play at home and do all the mood stuff (Being Eberron, I really want to get the feel right.) So, thoughts, advice, criticism? I know I probably have answered my own question, but I'd like to hear the opinions of others.
Dash Branaghan 12-30-04, 01:50 AM	My suggestion? If you have the time, run a drop-in campaign. One shot sessions where newbies can come in and learn the game. Stick to the basic world, but keep your Eberron game on a different day (and you can still keep it private). Now, as far as this other game goes, it is strictly in store, and you can set it up to be every other week, if they agree. Post boards, and maybe include a sign up sheet for the weeks leading up to it. Keep it advertised, and that way you not only allow for honoring your agreement, but you actually expand it with people who want to learn. In the interim, have your own players show up for the one shots, just in case you don't have enough sign ups. And then all you have to do is find someone else willing to DM. Once you find that, you can move it up to 1/week if this other DM is willing to run twice a week. Of course, this assumes you have the time to run a second campaign every two weeks. Dash
penchant 12-30-04, 01:57 AM	Yeah, you pretty much entered into a verbal agreement, however breadth and width seem pretty vague, so I would follow Dash's advice. Run games to support your local gaming community, but keep your private game separate. After a while you should be able to find a qualified DM, who is in need of gaming space to take up the slack.
Ualaa 12-30-04, 04:00 AM	Your word is your bond. At the same time, talk to the store manager to see if you can control your environment to a degree. Even if you're just able to play a CD to provide ambient sound to establish mood. It is easy enough to discuss, they might agree as they do want you to be there. Things like props, mood music and the like are easily part of gaming your style of game, and the manager has said you can game in their store. Try to compromise. As Dash said, one of the joys of DMing is teaching newer players what the game is about. There is a mixture of character development, tactical combat, roleplaying in character, thinking through puzzles and just having fun in a new role that's different from real life. Once you have a few people who understand the basic mechanics of the game, offer to teach a few how to DM. Start simple and expand from there. You're providing a very useful service to the store by building their customer base for a product line you enjoy. At the same time, the store could provide you with a lot of potential players who can bring their own flavor to your games. Seems win and win to me.