Absent DM [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Absent DM [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jaime_Wolf
09-16-05, 10:10 PM Despite heavy class loads, our group has been trying meet about once every two weeks, but it seems the DM is NEVER able to come. He's gone every other week for volunteer, so we've been trying to meet the other weeks. Either he has way too much homework to do, despite having the exact same classes as half of the group with one easier class than I do, but I digress. Beside this paranoia that he won't have enough time to finish his homework, he's consistantly got "something" to do. This time when we called him he was doing some training at said volunteer work, and he said he "might be doing something Sunday." Hopefully, you can all see the problems that have arised from this.

We want to play, but I generally detest DMing and the only other members of our group who have TRIED DMing were woefully incompetent and argumentative to the point of reducing the game to a crawl because they somehow believe that being a DM means that they automatically know the rules governing everything better than anyone else. So, what do we do? Our DM can barely ever play, I don't enjoy DMing (Which defeats the purpose of the game, which is to enjoy it. I really do enjoy creating stories, but I don't like not having any part in all of the action because, really, DM's can't try to make anything particularly nifty or powerful as, in reality, the DM isn't trying to make enemies equivalent or more powerful than then PCs, the a tiny bit less powerful. Yet again I'm going off on a tangent, back to the matter at hand), and our other players CAN'T DM.

We only know of one other D&D group, but I highly doubt they'd want to join us as we've got about 6-7 people already. Very few people where we live (Redding, California) play D&D to our knowledge.
Tedly224
09-16-05, 10:59 PM Redding, California? Heck, when they closed down the Gold Mine Arcade at the Mount Shasta Mall in 2000 that was a lot of the problem right there. It was hella easy to find people who played just from casually meeting people. Well, okay, it was easy for me to keep track of them since I ran the place.

Your best bet would be to corner whatever hobby shops remain, or perhaps scoping out the shop in Chico and putting up some advertisement 3x5 cards if the miniatures store is still open there.

Failing in that... Heck, I'd say get one of your group to learn to DM and have them just make an adventure that's good for 3-5 sessions, and have someone else take their turn at it.
Jaime_Wolf
09-16-05, 11:03 PM Heh, you ran the arcade, interesting. I always thought it was a shame the place got closed, one of the few places in the mall worth visiting in the mall (it's pretty much clothes and food, with a bit of major appliances thrown in for those not in Redding). Yeah, the game shop is a good idea, though they always seem to be pretty deserted. I'm almost considering walking around the school hanging up posters asking for D&Ders. If the clubs are going to plaster the walls with advertisements, why can't I?
Diplominator
09-16-05, 11:08 PM Redding, California? Heck, when they closed down the Gold Mine Arcade at the Mount Shasta Mall in 2000 that was a lot of the problem right there. It was hella easy to find people who played just from casually meeting people. Well, okay, it was easy for me to keep track of them since I ran the place.

Your best bet would be to corner whatever hobby shops remain, or perhaps scoping out the shop in Chico and putting up some advertisement 3x5 cards if the miniatures store is still open there.

Failing in that... Heck, I'd say get one of your group to learn to DM and have them just make an adventure that's good for 3-5 sessions, and have someone else take their turn at it.

Sound advice. I'm actually the DM above, and while I'd disagree with a few of the things in the original post (for example, he's gone almost as often as I am), I am busy a lot. Also, I would love to not have to DM all the time. I find it easier than most, but I'd like to play now and then. Sadly, no one else has either the ability or the inclination.

So, Jaime, my advice would be to deal with it or get someone more reliable. It isn't as big a deal if I'm not around to play.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jaime_Wolf 09-16-05, 10:10 PM	Despite heavy class loads, our group has been trying meet about once every two weeks, but it seems the DM is NEVER able to come. He's gone every other week for volunteer, so we've been trying to meet the other weeks. Either he has way too much homework to do, despite having the exact same classes as half of the group with one easier class than I do, but I digress. Beside this paranoia that he won't have enough time to finish his homework, he's consistantly got "something" to do. This time when we called him he was doing some training at said volunteer work, and he said he "might be doing something Sunday." Hopefully, you can all see the problems that have arised from this. We want to play, but I generally detest DMing and the only other members of our group who have TRIED DMing were woefully incompetent and argumentative to the point of reducing the game to a crawl because they somehow believe that being a DM means that they automatically know the rules governing everything better than anyone else. So, what do we do? Our DM can barely ever play, I don't enjoy DMing (Which defeats the purpose of the game, which is to enjoy it. I really do enjoy creating stories, but I don't like not having any part in all of the action because, really, DM's can't try to make anything particularly nifty or powerful as, in reality, the DM isn't trying to make enemies equivalent or more powerful than then PCs, the a tiny bit less powerful. Yet again I'm going off on a tangent, back to the matter at hand), and our other players CAN'T DM. We only know of one other D&D group, but I highly doubt they'd want to join us as we've got about 6-7 people already. Very few people where we live (Redding, California) play D&D to our knowledge.
Tedly224 09-16-05, 10:59 PM	Redding, California? Heck, when they closed down the Gold Mine Arcade at the Mount Shasta Mall in 2000 that was a lot of the problem right there. It was hella easy to find people who played just from casually meeting people. Well, okay, it was easy for me to keep track of them since I ran the place. Your best bet would be to corner whatever hobby shops remain, or perhaps scoping out the shop in Chico and putting up some advertisement 3x5 cards if the miniatures store is still open there. Failing in that... Heck, I'd say get one of your group to learn to DM and have them just make an adventure that's good for 3-5 sessions, and have someone else take their turn at it.
Jaime_Wolf 09-16-05, 11:03 PM	Heh, you ran the arcade, interesting. I always thought it was a shame the place got closed, one of the few places in the mall worth visiting in the mall (it's pretty much clothes and food, with a bit of major appliances thrown in for those not in Redding). Yeah, the game shop is a good idea, though they always seem to be pretty deserted. I'm almost considering walking around the school hanging up posters asking for D&Ders. If the clubs are going to plaster the walls with advertisements, why can't I?
Diplominator 09-16-05, 11:08 PM	Redding, California? Heck, when they closed down the Gold Mine Arcade at the Mount Shasta Mall in 2000 that was a lot of the problem right there. It was hella easy to find people who played just from casually meeting people. Well, okay, it was easy for me to keep track of them since I ran the place. Your best bet would be to corner whatever hobby shops remain, or perhaps scoping out the shop in Chico and putting up some advertisement 3x5 cards if the miniatures store is still open there. Failing in that... Heck, I'd say get one of your group to learn to DM and have them just make an adventure that's good for 3-5 sessions, and have someone else take their turn at it. Sound advice. I'm actually the DM above, and while I'd disagree with a few of the things in the original post (for example, he's gone almost as often as I am), I am busy a lot. Also, I would love to not have to DM all the time. I find it easier than most, but I'd like to play now and then. Sadly, no one else has either the ability or the inclination. So, Jaime, my advice would be to deal with it or get someone more reliable. It isn't as big a deal if I'm not around to play.