Post/Author/DateTime	Post
KJF 04-12-04, 10:50 AM	Hey, I'm a new D&D player (and I use that in the loosest way - see below), and I was hoping to get some help and advice from you experts... I live in a very rural area, and so far I've not been able to find a group to play with. I've managed to convince a few friends to give it a try, but they say I have to DM. Given that I've never played before (and neither have they) this is going to be quite hard. I'm determined to do it though, but there are a few things I'm unsure of. I have the three core rule books (Players, DM Guide and Monster Manual, right?) but I'm not entirely sure when I should be getting the characters to role (I'm planning to run The Sunless Citadel pre-written adventure, if it makes a difference). Does anyone have, for example, a transcript of a gaming session that would give me some idea of when I should make the characters roll? Also, does anyone have a sample character sheet for a 1st level player, so I can see if I'm filling ours out correctly? Finally, I'm not making a mistake in getting into RPGs and D&D, am I? My friends (even the ones I've convinced to play) seem to think I'm crazy for getting so excited over trying this out! Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. KJ
Rasmus 04-12-04, 10:59 AM	You're not crazy! :D And yes, it will be difficult in the beginning, but as they say: Rome wasn't built in one day. You, and your friends will get better with practice. As for the: "When to roll" question, I'm not exactly sure what you mean? Do you mean, when should they roll dice? Or roleplay? Or what? As for a game transcript there was one in the old, 3.0 Dungeon Masters Guide. You could download the old guide and have a look. I don't have a sheet you can see, but perhaps someone here, with a scanner can mail one for you. Have you checked the Dungeons & Dragons website. There might be some for you to see??
KJF 04-12-04, 11:17 AM	As for the: "When to roll" question, I'm not exactly sure what you mean? Do you mean, when should they roll dice? Or roleplay? Or what? When to make dice rolls, and what type to make... Also, just to clarify - I have character sheets, I'd just like to see an example of one filled in. KJ
grapedog 04-12-04, 11:18 AM	not everyone is into D&D, nothing you can really do about it. I would give them a few sessions to see how it goes. If they don't take to it after a while, not much you can do...not everyone is crazy about D&D...though this board is biased...most of us are crazy about it...so come here any time to ask whatever you need. http://www.unc.edu/~murphy/mad_irishman/pubs/CybilAlevare.pdf thats a sample character sheet i found online...you can do a search on google for like "D&D sample character sheet" and probably get hundreds of links to check out... couldn't find much for transcripts online on google...though i only did one search, you may have more luck. edit/add: as for what to roll, i think the easiest way to determine what you should roll is this: If a character is trying to do something that others would oppose or would be difficult to do...you roll. Your character just wants to talk to people...no roll. But if the character wants to persuade someone to do something...or to attack someone...or even to walk on his hands...you roll for it. Everything you need to know about what and how to roll should be in either the Players Handbook or Dungeon Masters Guide.
Rasmus 04-12-04, 11:34 AM	When to make dice rolls, and what type to make... That's a big question, and a transcript would probably the easiest way to solve it. The general answer is: you roll dice whenever succeding or failing will influence the game. Another rule of thumb might be: when there is a consequence of not succeding (fx. when the consequence of failing a climb check is falling). Thus you do not roll a diplomacy check to order a beer at an inn, but if you want to get information about the bandits roaming the countryside, a roll (in this case gather information) is required. A few examples: When the characters enter a new location, fx. a room in a dungeon, where you know there is a a giantspider hidden in the ceiling, you can ask the players to roll spot or listen checks (1d20 + ranks in listen or spot + wisdom modifier), and roll the spiders hide and move silent skill. You do not roll spot to notice obvious things. Like gates, 10 orcs standing in the middle of the room, 30 ft. wide chasms (unless its dark and you don't have darkvision). Most of the rolls is on the characters request. Fx. when the rogue suspects there is a trap or secret door he mgiht want to search the area. When I DM, I roll the search check behind my screen, thus the rogue will not know if he didn't find anything because there is no secret door, or if he just didn't succeed on his search check. If the players want to jump a chasm, look up the jump skill, and have the roll their jump checks to see how far they get. Hope it helps a bit :)
pog 04-12-04, 11:42 AM	Some ideas ..... I assume you have easy access to the internet; this is useful since there are loads of resources available. As a new DM I would spend a lot of time reading through the DMG and PHB - especially the Combat rules, Skill check rules and basics of magic. I would create some characters to get the hang of PC creation and play through typical encounters on my own to get the hang of the basic rules. Go through lots of different D&D sites, forums etc. on the net - get used to the way gamers talk and pick up lots of ideas. Ask lots of questions. Read through the pre-bought adventure lots of times, as you go through check up relevant rules in the PHB or DMG and note down on the adventure module page refs or notes. Play through some encounters to see how it would work in play. I believe there is an example of play to be found in the DMG - consider this. ( 3.5e DMG = p.8, 9 and 10. ) Typical play is mostly descriptive dialogue with die-rolls being confined to combat and skill check situations. Example: the PC wants to hit something - this requires a roll ( see combat rules ), the PC wishes to smash a door, lift a chest, convince a guard that he's allowed to be somewhere, etc. These sorts of things a Player would roll for. Sometimes the DM will roll a die in secret ( listen checks for example ) - this is for when you need to roll but don't want the players to know what you're rolling for. Basic idea: if a player wants to do something where there is a chance of failure dice will often need to be used.
KJF 04-12-04, 12:05 PM	Thanks for the advice on game rolls etc. I think I understand this a bit better now. I'll go do some serious research/reading of rules!
treacle 04-12-04, 12:47 PM	1. Just jump right in and don't be afraid to make mistakes. You'll make them, however, if your friends are new to the game they most likely won't even notice AND they'll forgive you if they do. Concentrate, most of all, on making sure that you and your group have fun! 2. I might suggest that you get the $10 "Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game" and run the group through that first. It's like a light version of D&D, with premade adventures and characters. It will get you up to speed pretty quick, and then, you can jump into the standard game (PHB, DMG and MM) when you've had the time to absorb all of the rules. Also (or alternatively), you could download the "Into The Darkness" adventure from the D&D website (Downloads area). It is a SHORT adventure which helps when you're just starting out. Just roll up your own characters OR use the "starting packages" at the end of each class in the PHB. - Definitely, check out the "Example Of Play" on page 8 of the DMG, it helped me a lot. Also, in the "Behind The Screen" area of the D&D website (you have to look in the "Archives" under "Retired Articles>Gamestoppers") there is a series of articles that are basically examples of play. Each article covers an issue/scenario that might be confusing to DM's and players and, although the characters they use are 10th level, it might be something worth looking at. I got a lot out of them and they were fun to read.
KJF 04-12-04, 02:04 PM	Argh, it would seem to be a moot point now, anyway - my friends backed out on me. They figured it was too "geeky" - I've always been the nerd of the group! I'm still desperate to try D&D though - is it possible to play online (like on message-boards such as this, or by e-mail)? Please help me! KJ
KJF 04-12-04, 02:04 PM	Argh, it would seem to be a moot point now, anyway - my friends backed out on me. They figured it was too "geeky" - I've always been the nerd of the group! I'm still desperate to try D&D though - is it possible to play online (like on message-boards such as this, or by e-mail)? Please help me! KJ
grapedog 04-12-04, 02:38 PM	you could try searching online for groups in your area, but thats pretty slim...the other options is to seek out the geeks in your school. I highly doubt you are the only one into D&D in your town...there must be others... seek them out grasshopper...
Canoy 04-12-04, 04:39 PM	If you want to play on-line, I believe there is a role-play board somewhere around the Community Boards. Or: Where did you buy the Core Rule Books? If it's not that big of a store, ask the shopkeeper to have a look-out.
grapedog 04-12-04, 04:45 PM	Originally posted by Canoy Or: Where did you buy the Core Rule Books? If it's not that big of a store, ask the shopkeeper to have a look-out. great point here, sometimes you will see signs for groups wanting more members or you could post up a sign looking for members for D&D...