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Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 NoNeedForNames Sep 10, 2014 8:50:03	First of all, I'd like to say a big hello to all you awesome people who have decided to dungeon master! We all know that DM's are a special brand, and I'm happy to be one of you guys! Then, a bit of background. I am 39 years old now, and started playing D&D way back in 1987. (Does anyone remember the black box with the green print? That's what I started with. And the red and the blue book shortly after.) Since then, I've been doing roleplaying games almost at all times. I've been a DM in several D&D campaigns, from 1st edition, 2nd edition, 3rd, and 3.5 edition. When 4th edition was released, we had moved on to other games. Parallel to D&D, I've been GMing Paranoia, Call of Cthulhu, and Cyberpunk 2020. I was "crowned" as my hometown's scariest, yet best, Keeper of the Lore (as they call GMs in Call of Cthulhu) a few years in row. (I know, bragging - right?) As a player, I've played all the games above, plus a broad selection of other games. Lots of World of Darkness (you know, Vampire, The Masquerade, etc), and Ars Magica. Now that you know a bit about my background, let me get down to the point of this post. I have accepted to DM a group of players with the new D&D 5th edition rules, and I have no idea where to start. OK, that is a lie. I know where to start, but I am a bit at a loss. As far as I've understood, the 5th edition's few modules are based in the Forgotten Realms. Where can I find out what's happened to that world since D&D 3.5? I assume there have been some changes to both the world, and the main characters? (I like Forgotten Realms, so I'm going to stick with it for now.) Where can I find monsters? The MM isn't released yet, and I need stats for monsters to challenge my players during their first few levels. (As soon as the MM is released, I'm getting it - this is one of the benefits of being an adult, I got the money for fun stuff!) I'm thinking the good old Kobolts, Goblins, Orcs, maybe a few other monsters and races, just to kick-start this campaign. Are there some stats in the basic set that I can use? (I guess I should've researched a bit more before asking here.) I know my players will try turning this D&D campaign into a hack&slash, because they still think D&D is purely hack&slash. A misconception they've held since the 1st edition. I would like to turn it more into a role playing game than a "kick door, bash monsters, loot room" kind of thing, but I guess my experience as a DM/GM will make that happen. Since I'm a curious person, I'd like to hear your thoughts and ideas on how to stop the hack&slashers though. I'm sure I'm not the only one who have met this particular kind of player. I guess that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on my campaign, and be sure that I'm going to ask more questions! May your dice always roll true!
#2 onceMoreIntoBreech Sep 10, 2014 8:58:02	There are monsters in the DMG pdf download available on the main website here. EDIT: The download is in the Basic Box section.
#3 iserith Sep 10, 2014 9:06:49	NoNeedForNames wrote:
#4 NoNeedForNames Sep 10, 2014 9:36:31	iserith wrote:
#5 iserith Sep 10, 2014 10:04:23	NoNeedForNames wrote:
#6 NoNeedForNames Sep 10, 2014 10:36:37	iserith wrote:
#7 iserith Sep 10, 2014 10:50:56	NoNeedForNames wrote:
#8 Captain_Kobold Sep 10, 2014 11:08:46	You can always start with some basic H&S to get it out of their systems and give a general introduction to the 5th ed. mechanics. Then, while they are ankle deep in goblin compote you can start introducing the elements of your actual plot. Perhaps that mission wwas being used to gauge their suitability for the real task by the person with the investigation, or was a required first stage to access some information vital to it. Or perhaps their single-minded extermination of the tribe catches the notice of the villain, who thinks that a group of murderous vagrants running amok will obscure his activities nicely. It helps to mention the sort of campaign that you would like to run before character creation. "A call of cthulu-style cult investivation in Waterdeep." will probably spark different character ideas that the players would like to play than a "Killin' greenies an' takin' their stuff." description. If nothing else, check with your group as to what sort of thing that they would like to play. If they have just finished a tense, thrilling CoC investigation, then all they want to do might be just play "Bodycount" with someone who will roll up random encounters for them. If thats not the sort of thing that you want to run, tell them, and let someone who does DM it. When the red haze clears, give the pitch for your game again, and see if they are intrested in trying it now.
#9 NoNeedForNames Sep 10, 2014 11:30:11	That first paragraph is gold Captain_Kobold! If they get the red haze, and hacks their way through the first adventure, I'll for sure bring in the villain as someone who decides to stop the murderous vagrants!
#10 Wick Sep 10, 2014 14:35:29	I have been running LMoP for my local group of very expereinced players. They quickly discoved that what they wanted to do was shock and ah. The didn't take time to talk to anyone they just started beating up the town thugs and took over. No that is not how we normally play but it has been a lot of fun to just go for it and I have let them. Many times they have had to stabalize each other and run for cover to take a rest. But they have had a ball and as a result we have pushed the rules (kinda our idea) and will be starting a new game with another DM that will be more stable and less hack and slash...
#11 Chaosmancer Sep 10, 2014 20:07:47	I wouldn't worry too much about the "official" Forgotten Realms lore, but I love homebrewing my own worlds so I'm biased in that respect. Still, you could just go back to what you know and pick back up from what you remember of the realms. Monsters are on the pdf as mentioned. As for the "type of game" I'd agree that if you are upfront with your players they'll be more receptive to the style you want. For example, I ran a vigilante game where I made a few things clear to the players, police will come after you if bodies pile up and most modern CSI and security measures exist. This led to a very interesting game where the players tried to keep their activites secretive from the police and thinking of computer searches and surveillance instead of just "punching their way to justice" I'm sure you'll be fine, since your resume is very impressive, you know what to do, just be confident in your gut.
#12 Ansbach Sep 10, 2014 23:47:10	Hi and welcome to the fourms NoNeedForNames! So the first and best advice for just about any question is always to have an open discussion with your players. Once you've done that... One trick I like to use to establish that it's not a hack-n-slashy world is to mess with the player's preconceived notions of "all humanoids are slay-on-sight evil". Perhaps they are escorting a caravan that has hired some neutralish goblin laborers that the party gets to know while they are travelling, or they come across an orge lifting a farmer's cart with one hand while the farmer is fixing the wheel - it's helping him in exchange for one of his goats (and it knows that if he just kills the farmer and takes the goat, the village will hunt him down like they did poor Stink-toe). As you round a bend in the forest trail, you stumble across a group of three orcs travelling towards you. Two of the orcs instinctively put their hands on their sword hilts, but the third motions for them to stop with a wave of his hand. The orcs let go of their swords and the group steps aside, watching you warily but giving you room to pass. What do you do?
#13 NoNeedForNames Sep 10, 2014 23:46:01	Ansbach wrote:
#14 Ansbach Sep 11, 2014 0:00:30	NoNeedForNames wrote:
#15 NoNeedForNames Sep 11, 2014 0:01:30	Ansbach wrote:
#16 Ansbach Sep 11, 2014 0:04:38	That's funny! You would have thought they would have at least gone back to the bulletin board when they found out it was a real dragon.
#17 NoNeedForNames Sep 11, 2014 0:20:41	Ansbach wrote:
#18 OrwellianHaggis Sep 11, 2014 2:53:12	Ansbach wrote:
#19 Gungolphus Sep 11, 2014 4:31:59	I don't have much to add, because you've gotten some really awesome advice. All I have is this: http://dizman.deviantart.com/gallery/46115620/D-D-Next That cat is a talented artist, and his monster cards are working for me. Enjoy! :D Bob
#20 Ansbach Sep 11, 2014 8:48:58	OrwellianHaggis wrote:

Post/Author/DateTime

Post

NoNeedForNames

Sep 10, 2014 8:50:03

First of all, I'd like to say a big hello to all you awesome people who have decided to dungeon master! We all know that DM's are a special brand, and I'm happy to be one of you guys!

Then, a bit of background. I am 39 years old now, and started playing D&D way back in 1987. (Does anyone remember the black box with the green print? That's what I started with. And the red and the blue book shortly after.) Since then, I've been doing roleplaying games almost at all times. I've been a DM in several D&D campaigns, from 1st edition, 2nd edition, 3rd, and 3.5 edition. When 4th edition was released, we had moved on to other games. Parallel to D&D, I've been GMing Paranoia, Call of Cthulhu, and Cyberpunk 2020. I was "crowned" as my hometown's scariest, yet best, Keeper of the Lore (as they call GMs in Call of Cthulhu) a few years in row. (I know, bragging - right?)

As a player, I've played all the games above, plus a broad selection of other games. Lots of World of Darkness (you know, Vampire, The Masquerade, etc), and Ars Magica.

Now that you know a bit about my background, let me get down to the point of this post.

I have accepted to DM a group of players with the new D&D 5th edition rules, and I have no idea where to start.

OK, that is a lie. I know where to start, but I am a bit at a loss. As far as I've understood, the 5th edition's few modules are based in the Forgotten Realms. Where can I find out what's happened to that world since D&D 3.5? I assume there have been some changes to both the world, and the main characters? (I like Forgotten Realms, so I'm going to stick with it for now.)

Where can I find monsters? The MM isn't released yet, and I need stats for monsters to challenge my players during their first few levels. (As soon as the MM is released, I'm getting it - this is one of the benefits of being an adult, I got the money for fun stuff!) I'm thinking the good old Kobolts, Goblins, Orcs, maybe a few other monsters and races, just to kick-start this campaign. Are there some stats in the basic set that I can use? (I guess I should've researched a bit more before asking here.)

I know my players will try turning this D&D campaign into a hack&slash, because they still think D&D is purely hack&slash. A misconception they've held since the 1st edition. I would like to turn it more into a role playing game than a "kick door, bash monsters, loot room" kind of thing, but I guess my experience as a DM/GM will make that happen. Since I'm a curious person, I'd like to hear your thoughts and ideas on how to stop the hack&slashers though. I'm sure I'm not the only one who have met this particular kind of player.

I guess that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on my campaign, and be sure that I'm going to ask more questions!

May your dice always roll true!

onceMoreIntoBreech

Sep 10, 2014 8:58:02

There are monsters in the DMG pdf download available on the main website here.

EDIT: The download is in the Basic Box section.

iserith

Sep 10, 2014 9:06:49

NoNeedForNames wrote:

NoNeedForNames

Sep 10, 2014 9:36:31

iserith wrote:

iserith

Sep 10, 2014 10:04:23

NoNeedForNames wrote:

NoNeedForNames

Sep 10, 2014 10:36:37

iserith wrote:

iserith

Sep 10, 2014 10:50:56

NoNeedForNames wrote:

Captain_Kobold

Sep 10, 2014 11:08:46

You can always start with some basic H&S to get it out of their systems and give a general introduction to the 5th ed. mechanics. Then, while they are ankle deep in goblin compote you can start introducing the elements of your actual plot. Perhaps that mission wwas being used to gauge their suitability for the real task by the person with the investigation, or was a required first stage to access some information vital to it. Or perhaps their single-minded extermination of the tribe catches the notice of the villain, who thinks that a group of murderous vagrants running amok will obscure his activities nicely.

It helps to mention the sort of campaign that you would like to run before character creation. "A call of cthulu-style cult investivation in Waterdeep." will probably spark different character ideas that the players would like to play than a "Killin' greenies an' takin' their stuff." description.

If nothing else, check with your group as to what sort of thing that they would like to play. If they have just finished a tense, thrilling CoC investigation, then all they want to do might be just play "Bodycount" with someone who will roll up random encounters for them. If thats not the sort of thing that you want to run, tell them, and let someone who does DM it.

When the red haze clears, give the pitch for your game again, and see if they are intrested in trying it now.

NoNeedForNames

Sep 10, 2014 11:30:11

That first paragraph is gold Captain_Kobold! If they get the red haze, and hacks their way through the first adventure, I'll for sure bring in the villain as someone who decides to stop the murderous vagrants!

#10

Wick

Sep 10, 2014 14:35:29

I have been running LMoP for my local group of very expereinced players. They quickly discoved that what they wanted to do was shock and ah. The didn't take time to talk to anyone they just started beating up the town thugs and took over. No that is not how we normally play but it has been a lot of fun to just go for it and I have let them. Many times they have had to stabalize each other and run for cover to take a rest. But they have had a ball and as a result we have pushed the rules (kinda our idea) and will be starting a new game with another DM that will be more stable and less hack and slash...

#11

Chaosmancer

Sep 10, 2014 20:07:47

I wouldn't worry too much about the "official" Forgotten Realms lore, but I love homebrewing my own worlds so I'm biased in that respect. Still, you could just go back to what you know and pick back up from what you remember of the realms.

Monsters are on the pdf as mentioned.

As for the "type of game" I'd agree that if you are upfront with your players they'll be more receptive to the style you want. For example, I ran a vigilante game where I made a few things clear to the players, police will come after you if bodies pile up and most modern CSI and security measures exist. This led to a very interesting game where the players tried to keep their activites secretive from the police and thinking of computer searches and surveillance instead of just "punching their way to justice"

I'm sure you'll be fine, since your resume is very impressive, you know what to do, just be confident in your gut.

#12

Ansbach

Sep 10, 2014 23:47:10

Hi and welcome to the fourms NoNeedForNames!

So the first and best advice for just about any question is always to have an open discussion with your players.

Once you've done that...

One trick I like to use to establish that it's not a hack-n-slashy world is to mess with the player's preconceived notions of "all humanoids are slay-on-sight evil". Perhaps they are escorting a caravan that has hired some neutralish goblin laborers that the party gets to know while they are travelling, or they come across an orge lifting a farmer's cart with one hand while the farmer is fixing the wheel - it's helping him in exchange for one of his goats (and it knows that if he just kills the farmer and takes the goat, the village will hunt him down like they did poor Stink-toe).

As you round a bend in the forest trail, you stumble across a group of three orcs travelling towards you. Two of the orcs instinctively put their hands on their sword hilts, but the third motions for them to stop with a wave of his hand. The orcs let go of their swords and the group steps aside, watching you warily but giving you room to pass. What do you do?

#13

NoNeedForNames

Sep 10, 2014 23:46:01

Ansbach wrote:

#14

Ansbach

Sep 11, 2014 0:00:30

NoNeedForNames wrote:

#15

NoNeedForNames

Sep 11, 2014 0:01:30

Ansbach wrote:

#16

Ansbach

Sep 11, 2014 0:04:38

That's funny! You would have thought they would have at least gone back to the bulletin board when they found out it was a real dragon.

#17

NoNeedForNames

Sep 11, 2014 0:20:41

Ansbach wrote:

#18

OrwellianHaggis

Sep 11, 2014 2:53:12

Ansbach wrote:

#19

Gungolphus

Sep 11, 2014 4:31:59

I don't have much to add, because you've gotten some really awesome advice. All I have is this: http://dizman.deviantart.com/gallery/46115620/D-D-Next

That cat is a talented artist, and his monster cards are working for me. Enjoy! :D

Bob

#20

Ansbach

Sep 11, 2014 8:48:58

OrwellianHaggis wrote: