Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Conall_MacGregor 02-26-07, 12:39 PM	I'm still very new to this game, and have recently been asked to DM by a few of my friends who want to get into the game. I don't know anyone more experienced who can do it, so I agreed. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for how to present the game to a group who is new to the table-top form (myself and two others are largely acquainted with the Bioware RPGs that have come out over the years). Just so you can get an idea of our group, one of the guys wants to play a Bard, and the girl wants to play a Druid (suprise, suprise). The third is still undecided. We're all in college, to give you an idea of our intellectual level. One of the guys is such a number-cruncher, it's ridiculous (PhD student in Quantum Physics). One other is a former physics student. The girl is a history major. I am a German and Linguistics double-major who loves making stories. Anyway, thank you much in advance for your help!
towishimp 02-26-07, 02:01 PM	Based on what little I know of your situation, I'd say just start simple. Introduce the characters to each other in a simple, yet non-cheesy way. Maybe have them pre-arrange for their characters to know each other (childhood friends, etc.). Then give them a basic adventure that will let them learn the rules without feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. Then, after each session, make sure that you ask the players what they liked and didn't like about the game; that way, over time you can shape the game to fit what both you and your players want to get out of the game. These "debriefings" are particularly helpful with new players, because it also gives them a chance to ask rules questions, get help with levelling up, etc. Hope that helps!
Myree 02-27-07, 12:26 AM	I'd suggest trying to keep to the role-playing, not the roll-playing. You physics major may enjoy applications of the chaos theory to the roll of dice, but they will get hooked faster if they get involved in what their characters are seeing and feeling faster. I also recommend keeping some humor in there where you can, to keep it lively. Make them run into a wizard named Schroedinger whose familiar has been captured and is now locked in a box -- can they save the cat before it dies, or is it really already dead? OK, sorry, you don't have to use that -- but I just had to get it out! Maybe just a kobald named Quark instead... Otherwise, make sure that they each get an important role in the adventure, so that they know they contributed more than just "hey, I hit him with an arrow too!". But at the same time, don't make it a dead-lock that they can't survive if they miss a roll or clue. Best of luck!
Archangel62 02-27-07, 12:35 AM	If you have the money, consider picking up some modules. They can do a lot to help you run the games, giving you encounters, a story, and a rough idea of treasure aquisition. It won't be perfect, but it can help a lot if you're really concerned about your first time DMing. Other than that, I'd reccomend reading the rules for combat and spellcasting and trying to get a least a cursory knowledge, maybe make notes about the stuff that seems most confusing or most likely to come up. Also, come here for help, we can help you interpret certain rules and also help balance encounters. A big thing is also this, keep it simple.
Dire_Rhino 02-27-07, 01:04 AM	If you're looking for some quick pre-made adventures (A Dark and Stormy Knight is a personal favorite for beginning adventures), look here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b (here) for a bunch of free modules from WotC, made for all levels of characters. Other than that, be descriptive (but don't write a novel), be responsive to what they want, and have the villains make fun of them. I had a random bandit insult my gf's animal companion, and it really got her "into" the session RP-wise (despite being a very kind, compassionate person IRL, she took rather vicious pleasure defeating said random bandit).
Zinegata 02-27-07, 02:18 AM	I'm still very new to this game, and have recently been asked to DM by a few of my friends who want to get into the game. I don't know anyone more experienced who can do it, so I agreed. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for how to present the game to a group who is new to the table-top form (myself and two others are largely acquainted with the Bioware RPGs that have come out over the years). Just so you can get an idea of our group, one of the guys wants to play a Bard, and the girl wants to play a Druid (suprise, suprise). The third is still undecided. We're all in college, to give you an idea of our intellectual level. One of the guys is such a number-cruncher, it's ridiculous (PhD student in Quantum Physics). One other is a former physics student. The girl is a history major. I am a German and Linguistics double-major who loves making stories. Anyway, thank you much in advance for your help! Well, I'd personally recommend that you all see at least one game of D&D so that you can see how the game actually "flows", but it's not always possible. Secondly, I do recommend that you take a look at some of the free adventure modules and try running of them first before you try your own original creations. Have a "dry run" session and see how it goes. Finally, try to know what your players want out of the game. Do they want power? Wealth? What are the things they want to achieve in-game. Talking about the game beforehand is a huge boon to a DM as it lets you craft an adventure suited for your players.
Empiro 02-27-07, 03:08 AM	The Scourge of the Howling Horde (available in stores right now) is designed for a new group with a new DM. It really walks you through how to run all the battles, explains to you lots of the rules, and gives you many helpful tips if you're just starting out. It's a very straightforward and simple adventure, but I think that's what will work best. Many of the other adventures work too, but kind of assume that you know how to play the game.
Conall_MacGregor 02-28-07, 10:22 AM	Hey guys, thanks a lot! There were some good points in there I hadn't thought of. We'll probably be running our first actual session next Thursday, and between now and then, I'll be helping the players roll their characters. Oh, and I liked that Schrödinger's cat reference, too!
Enderlaand 02-28-07, 10:39 AM	There is a pre-made adventure that is Ideal for getting characters together into a party, giving some cool low-level magic items and whatnot right from the get-go. I used it for a really new player and he liked it a lot. The other, more experienced, character liked it too. It was called "A Dark and Stormy Knight."