Last year The Angry DM wrote an article about making DM commandments. If youd like to check that article out, here is the link.
http://angrydm.com/2014/01/thy-game-mastering-commandments/
The general idea is to list the ideas that you will try to live up to as a DM, and lay a foundation for how your game will be run. I never gave it much thought back then, but now Im getting ready to start searching for a new gaming group (mine has fell apart because of jobs, families, small humans, etc). So, I figured making these would be a good way to screen for matches as im looking for new players. I can also use them as a friendly reminder of what I want to achieve as a DM. Feel free to create your own and share it here. Ill share mine, though ill admit its fairly close to the angry dm's. I assume thats because ive read alot of his work, and tend to agree with alot of his view points. Yours will probably be wildly different. Anyway, here goes.
1.) I am responsible for the game.
I am the personal responsible for bringing the game together, making sure that we play in a comfortable environment, and ensuring that each player has an enjoyable experience.
2.) I will trust my players
I will not accuse a player of cheating or malicious intent. If a player proves they cannot be trusted, or are unwilling to trust me, I cannot DM for that player.
3.) I will respect my players. and my players must respect each other.
If I offend someone I will apologize, and discuss with that player how I can avoid similiar situations in the future. I expect the same attitude from all my players.
4.) I will take my game seriously.
I will not run a casual game. I will not be on my cellphone/tablet, my full and individed attention will be to the game. I expect the same from my players.
5.) I will remove troublesome players from the game
If someone is not a good fit for the game group, I will remove that player from the game.
6.) I will not improvise an adventure
I plan adventures ahead of time. I cannot accomadate players looking for a more "freestyle" game, it simply isnt something I have the ability or desire to provide.
7.) I will not use "gotcha" monsters or traps without any warning or indication.
If a monster or trap has an ability meant to screw the player, the monster or trap will be forshadowed several times before its introduced.
8.) I will try to engage my players
I will not sit behind the DM screen, rolling dice, reading from notes. I will stand up, scream, laugh, cry, and generally make a fool of myself.
9.) I will follow the rules to the best of my abilities, and when I make changes to the rules I will inform my players beforehand, and also provide a rational explanation as to why that rule was changed.
Players can depend on the rules, and use them to there advantage without worrying about me changing them suddenly. If a rule is changed that effects a characters abilities then I will allow that player to make changes to there character.
10.) I will not open a rulebook during the game.
If a rule is disputed I will look it up after the game to see if I made a mistake. If I did I will apologize and apply the rule correctly the next time it comes up. This rule can be broken if a characters life is on the line.
11.) I will be consistant.
In cases where I have to make judgement calls, those judgement calls will stand good, and players can depend on them in future games. This applies to the lore/fluff of my world as well.
12.) I will not fudge dice rolls.
I will make most of my dice rolls in the open, rolls made behind the DM screen are only made in situations that the character would not know the result. Either way, I will not change the results.
13.) I will not hesitate to kill a character.
For better or worse, death is a part of my game. This means I will not change an encounter halfway through it (even if it was a design flaw on my part). If your getting your ass handed to you, its up to you to figure out a way to live.
14.) I will not punish a player for meta-gaming.
If I made an encounter that is made obsolete by the players knowledge, then its my fault, not the players.
15.) I will not let a player make suicidal decisions, and will inform them when theyre taking an action that I believe there character would not attempt.
I am the eyes and ears of my players, I will not allow them to make decisions ignorantly.
16.) I will remove things from the game that do not benefit it.
If something slows down the game without adding any real benefit, I will remove it. This includes encumbrance rules, lighting rules, eating/drinking, and counting squares.
Anyway, feel free to share yours =)
Oh, and definitly check out the Angry DM's website, a great resource for DM's.
1. The players will always be the central point of any campaign. They are the main characters of the story.
2. I will fudge the dice only if it improves the enjoyment of my players.
3. I will not railroad the campaign.
4. No evil player characters. Also, no Kender.
5. I will discuss any new house rules with my players, and only include them if everyone agrees.
6. I will always make sure the players are well informed of any dangerous situation, so the outcome is their responsibility, and not mine.
7. Any ruling may always be disputed, and discussed by the entire group. But I have the final say in the matter.
8. The books may be consulted at any point.
9. I will be well prepared, and have places and character names ready before starting any campaign.
10. I will not pick on any player, and make sure that all players enjoy themselves, and are given attention.
11. I will allow adult content, but will not go into uncomfortable details.
12. I will ask players to put away their cellphones and any other distractions.
13. Humor is allowed at my table, and often encouraged.
14. I will make sure that none of my players are uncomfortable with the content in my campaign.
15. I will not punish my players for taking initiative, and making crazy plans.
16. I will not force my players to accept a quest.
17. I will not break the weapons of my players every time they roll a 1.
18. I will not keep track of the rations that my players buy.
19. I will not constantly check the character sheets of my players. I trust they are fair.
20. Not all my monsters will fight to the death. Surrender is always an option.
21. I will always respect the schedule of my players, and not make a fuss about what time we start playing, nor about having to cancel an appointment at the last moment.
Imaculata wrote:
Aren't there only 10 commandments? 
My 10:
1) Everyone at the table will respect everyone else at the table.
2) I will strive to make the game fun. Having fun supercedes any other goal of the game (except for the 1st Comandment).
3) I will strive to make the game interesting for both the DM and the players.
4) I will try hard to keep all the players engaged and involved in the game. If I feel I can't do this (like if a player wants something that I can't/won't deliver), I will be up-front about it and let them decide whether to stay or go.
5) I will not railroad the players.
6) I will not unfairly trap the players in unsolvable solutions.
7) I will never give the players a hard time about anything that happens in their real life that distracts from the game. We're adults and we all have responsibilities (spouses, children, jobs, etc.) that can and will trump game night.
8) I will be consistent in all of my rules or rulings, unless I have made glaring errors or need to change the something in order to obey these commandments. In such cases, I will let the players know what is changing and why, get their OK, and then stay consistent with the new rule or ruling.
9) I will strive to continously improve my DMing skills.
10) I will never let my own ego override any of these commandments.
Thou shalt not metagame.
Thou shalt not covet the stats of others.
Honor thy DM.
Thou shalt not bear false witness of thy dice.
I'm new to DM'ing, so I'm still feeling my way around this kind of stuff, but some things I like to try and stick to:
1/ It Has To Make Sense - This is one of my golden rules, pretty much my only one, with regards to player creativity. The players get to derive their fun from creating these character and exploring the world, as a DM I derive my fun from creating that world. As a person, whenever I create something it all has to make sense, it all has to fit. If a player tries to input something and I can't reconcile it with what's there (and I do try my hardest and let them justify it to me), then it takes away the fun from my end having to deal with something that I can't deal with.
It's slightly selfish I know, and I'm sure many of your would disagree with me, but I do always put a lot of work into what I'm doing, and I like to think it allows me to safe-guard my own enjoyment, as well as the players. (obviously It all has to be a balance - I can't sacrifice the player's enjoyment for my own, or visa versa).
2/ Shades of Grey - I'm learning to allow more conflicting things to arise in my player groups, but I draw the line against players obviously acting against the interests of the party at large. If we're not running an 'Evil' campaign, then at a basic level the party has to want to work together, otherwise it wouldn't make sense. So while I allow someone to be 'Evil', it's more likely they are a Grey-area character, and they're not allowed to openly and obviously oppose the party unless it's something I've worked with them personally on, and probably something that I've sold to the rest of the group.
That's about all I got that hasn't already been touched on above. I've made mistakes during game that I've apologised for afterwards, but I like to think I've been fair and consistent in my rulings. Haven't had any complaints so far.
Barky wrote:
1. Wheaton's Law
2. I will not railroad the campaign and instead allow the players to interact with an organic world. The players are free to do whatever they want and it is my job to explain the results.
3. I will not punish players or DMs for living their lives. Everyone exists outside of the game and sometimes those can be at odds.
4. I will strive to ensure everyone has a good time and will want to play again.
5. The alignment system does not exist for mechanical purposes. No player shall ever be punished for roleplaying a character how he/she deems correct. No decision regarding alignment will ever be taken without the player's consent. No player or DM may attempt, by using alignment /similar fluff / RP, to dictate the actions of another player's character.
6. I will communicate with my players/DM and discuss issues that arise openly with the group.
7. Respect between everyone involved is mandatory.
8. I will never fudge dice and instead allow fate to dictate events. For that same purpose, I will roll in the open at all times.
9. Problem players that cannot or will not stop their disruptive behavior will be removed from the group.
10. PvP can only exist within the game if everyone involved agrees to it, on a case to case basis. No one may attack or kill another player's character without first getting that player's consent.
Think that's a good start.
1. I shall never fudge, nor leave anyone at the table's fun up to a die roll.
2. My goal is the players' enjoyment because their fun is my fun.
3. I shall not change the rules of the game without the input and approval of my players.
4. I will discuss any aspect of my campaigns that a player wishes to dicuss.
5. I will not spoil anything for anyone that doesn't desire for it to be spoiled.
6. I will not withold the information the players need in order to feel their characters are as competent as seems to them the characters should be.
7. I will always have at least one campaign ready to run at a moments notice, for "emergency" purposes.
...I tried to stretch out to 10, but I felt like I was already basically repeating msyelf just getting these 7 and it was even worse with 10.
Mine is more a statement of values and principles than commandments.
These are dang good. Everyone having fun and respecting each other is really the core of it. Continually trying to improve is also very important.
Barky wrote:
I disagree with a bunch of his. Specifically 2,3,5,8,9,15.
Mine are way easier.
1 - Have fun
2 - We are all here as equals
3 - Lets follow the rules we agreed on at the start of the game.
The rules get less important as their number gets higher.
As a player I generally don't see anyone at the table as more or less important. As a DM I've asked players to leave. As a player I've asked DM and players to leave. Its everyone's responsibility to ensure a good game. I've never asked someone to leave without getting opinions from the rest of the group. I've also left groups I shouldn't have been in.
Krusk wrote:
I think mine sort of stayd close to The Angry DM's list.
I am the Dungeon Master- I am not a Referee, a Story Teller, Game Master, or any other title. My party can expect to go through a gauntlet to get what they want.
The game is mine, even if the table is not- As DM, I have final say in rules conflicts. I will always strive to be fair and consistant. I will respect my host (if playing at someone else's home/store), for they opened their home to my game.
I take my game seriously- I have spent a lot of time, money and effort on this hobby. I will not let it go to waste.
I can't run my game without trust- I will never accuse my own players as cheating, but if I find out they have cheated, they will be talked to, or removed from my game.
The rules are a tool, and they belong to me- The basic rules will be followed as closely as possible, but all questions end with my say-so. Only I can fudge die rolls, for or against my party. Rules may be bent or broken to accomodate a PC or story.
Arguments will be kept in-game- If a fight breaks out between characters, it will be made clear that the players are not to take anything personaly. As soon as it becomes personal, the game will end to readjust. Hot-heads will not be tolerated.
I am not the party's enemy, but I'm not their friend either- A game cannot happen in there are no living characters, however- when a villain is out to kill a PC or the party as a whole, they WILL be out for blood. Players can expect a fight with a main villain to be dangerous.
Adventuring aint easy- The characters should never feel as theough they could retire after a few handful of games. Money and treasure should be little more than silver spieces- gold and magic items should mean something when found or granted to players, and not be an every day occurance.
For my game I use Ray Winninger's rules of dungeoncraft.
First Rule of Dungeoncraft:
There are a lot of rules I could think of, but there is one that stands above all others:
Never, EVER make a character pregnant.
You have no idea how many times a DM in a previous group I played with used to use the "Book of Erotic Fantasy" (a book I absolutely loathe, but that's just my preference). If a male and female character even slept in the same room together, he would roll to see if they got pregnant, or if they got STIs, or whatever, and PREGNANCY ALWAYS RESULTED.
This, of course, wound up completely derailing the game, making players feel extremely uncomfortable, and ultimately just destroyed any semblance of desire to keep playing.
So, if you take no other commandments, take this one, please, for the love of all that is full of holes.
Breefolk wrote:
I think any normal group would immediately veto that book, if the DM pulled it out (pun not intended). The book is a joke, and not a proper addition to any serious DnD campaign. I've never had any character in my campaigns become pregnant. I would certainly never make any of the player characters pregnant, but maybe one of the npc's. As a general rule, we never go into detail whenever any character has sex, nor do I include the subject of "forced sex" or STD's, because that would just make my players uncomfortable. This follows one of my commandments I listed earlier:
"14. I will make sure that none of my players are uncomfortable with the content in my campaign."
Kryptkeepers Rules:
- I am the World. I am not with or against you, just here to tell you what is happening and what the results are, talk things out with yr party members
- we are ALL telling a story. you are all part of it, and you are all on the same page. no one is less or nore ( even the halflings )
- while I do like to play seriously, there WILL be silly jokes and laughs. comic relief is always good at the table
- no phones / tv / videogames while we are playing
- smoke breaks only after an encounter has been finished* ( unless we are playing outside, then smoke 'em if ya got 'em ) *= exception is if you got a vape/e-cig
- yes, you can quietly get up and grab a beer / coffe / vodka / pop / tea, etc and you should also pour a shot of vodka for the Kryptkeeper as well
- go for a wizz anytime you like, but make sure you aren't up next to keep the game flowing smooth
- do not interrupt others while they are asking questions to NPC's or the Kryptkeeper, as much as I wish I could talk to five people at once, it just isn't possible
- if you aren't comfortable with RP, you don't have to act crazy. If you are OK with RP, have at it!
- any rule disputes can be figured out later on after the game, or during breaks
- someone is stuck? can't remember what they ad to a check? help yr fellow gamers out ( I got one guy who is really good at this, and I seriously appreciate that he does that for newbies and the grizzled vets alike )
that's the general rules we all sort of follow. most of us have been playing for a while so we run stuff pretty smoothly
bawylie wrote:
1) Roll initiative
2) I present my players with non-stop hardboiled action
3) I present my players with real meaningful choices, that has tangible impact on the game world
4) I never fudge the rolls
5) I always plan for failure. The story ending is never the desirable outcome
6) I give every player character the chance to shine. Or to fail dismally
7) No explicit sex
8) No **** or torture
9) No PvP
10) Roll death save
bawylie wrote:
kalil wrote:
1) Be prepared.
2) My NPCs (and their names) will be memorable.
3) Motivate the players and their characters.
4) Take the game seriously.
5) The PCs' story is my story, too. By that I mean we are all creating a story together. It's just the DM has a different role.
I really don't like the Angry DM because he spends far too long to get to whatever point he's trying to make. The linked article is no exception. The actual list of Commandments doesn't start until the article is half over. That and the childish fake swearing in his posts. However, the actual list, once he gets to it, is good even if (in typical fashion) it's too long. Twenty-three Commandments???
1. Everyone should have fun, including the DM.
2. Everyone needs to be respectful of everyone...offensive comments are bound to happen, in which case all parties should kiss and make up after the appropriate cooling off period.
3. Trolls shall not be tolerated, unless they are the kind with regeneration. In which case, they will probably try to eat the party.
4. I will occasionally fudge rolls, in order to make the encounters fun and challenging, but my attack rolls and saves will mostly be made in the open since those are the things that can kill them.
5. I will attempt to provide a fun mix for each kind of player I have, whether they are the theatrical role-play type, or the min-maxey hack n slash type, or the obstinent rules lawyery type(me).
6. I will not care if I break an AL 'rule' for the sake of player fun.
7. I will always enjoy beating up the characters, muaahahaha!! But I'll never enjoy killing them, because that would make me a dick.
8. I will see every Marvel movie that has to do with the Infinity Gauntlet Saga.
How about some player commandments. THESE are mostly of the "thou shalt not variety."
1. Not everything in the world is going to be your level. If you walk up to an elder dragon and try to stab him, don't bitch and moan when he breathes on your character and melts him into a puddle of bubbling blood.
2. It is not the DM's job to keep track of all your characters abilities.
3. It is not the DM's job to constantly save you from yourself.
4. Cursing another player will get you banned from the game. No discussion.
5. D&D is a game where you have fun, this includes the DM. If you are playing to make sure you ruin the DM's campaign then please leave and go do something far away.
6. Assaulting and killing another member of the party, no matter his or your alignment, is forbidden. 1st Violation- Verbal Warning; 2nd Violation- 1 month ban from game.
7. No evil characters in party.
8. No polymorphed dragons in party.
9. No monks.
10. Politics belong on TV, not at the gaming table. If you have a problem with another player because he/she does not share your political views then put them aside while at the table. If you cannot do that please see rule #5.
11. Storming away from the game table will earn you a one month ban. If you are not mature enough to handle something bad, you are not mature enough to game.
12. If you are not going to show up, have the decency to let someone in the group know.
13. If you have to use another players book, dice, etc during the game then show their stuff the same care you want shown to your stuff. Gaming books are expensive.
14. (This is a BIG one.) It is not my task as DM to decide where your characters go or what they do. If you sit around the table staring at me waiting for something to happen then that means your character is sitting in the mud waiting for the sky to fall. If you want adventure then ....go....find....it.
15. Recognize that the DM just might have spent a lot of time and effort into preparing for the game and while some laughing and kidding around is fine, try to at least take the story in the game seriously. Laughing at the antics of a table dancing hobbit is fine, laughing at a scene of horror in Ravenloft that is suppose to be you know 'horrific' shows me that you are not taking the game seriously and you are not really there to game but just goof off.