I just became a Herald level Dm and I'm interested in getting DnD more popularity in my area. As far as I know, there isn't a RPGA group established in my town, and I would probably know as my town isn't that big.
My question is what I should consider and know before advertising for others to join the RPGA and start playing games at the local book shop. How should I prepare for this? How should I approach the bookstore, although I know they would be receptive. They've asked me in the past to run adventures for them. Is there kits that the bookstore would be provided with and would I have to write for that information to be sent to the bookstore?
I'm really excited about starting a local RPGA group here in northern Michigan and hopefully getting to the point that we could have a local convention here.
Thanks for any helpful advice.
Game On!!!
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/lfrncusa/
Hope this helps!
How should I prepare for this? How should I approach the bookstore, although I know they would be receptive. They've asked me in the past to run adventures for them. Is there kits that the bookstore would be provided with and would I have to write for that information to be sent to the bookstore?
If they allow the gaming space and all, that's great. You don't need to do anything else as far as the store goes, other than getting the date and time set. When you order the module(s) you want to run, you get a download link so you can get Adobe PDF files to print out.
You can order the Dungeon Delve modules for play as they become available. I believe that you would need to choose a play date, and include the store address and information when you order them.
You can also order various other modules for different gaming types.
Overall, for the easiest gaming type to handle as a regularly scheduled event, with possible new players in many sessions, I would tend to recommend looking at the Living Forgotten Realms (LFR) setting and modules.
LFR is a full-fledged campaign setting, set in the Forgotten Realms 100 years after the Spellplague, that includes everything from standard character creation rules, to plenty of modules available to fit 4 hour time slots, currently covering characters from level 1 to 7, with modules planned for release within the near future to raise that limit to 10th level.
For the Dungeon Delve, I think the kits are mailed to the gaming location. For LFR modules, you get access, fairly close to instantly, to the module as a PDF file for download.
LFR modules include the basic adventure, including scaling instructions to handle smaller groups (4) and larger groups (6) than the RPGA default of 5 PCs, along with magic item options, XP earned, and GP gained in the adventure.
In order to run any game as "sanctioned", all the players, as well as the GM, need to have RPGA/DCI numbers. If you need membership cards, you can order them from [email]dci@wizards.com[/email]. They come in pads of 25, although you can ask for other quantities, and you will need to include your DCI/RPGA number and mailing information so they can send you the cards.
I will look for more information on the LFG as this seems to be interesting, although I thought that you could only do the 'living' type adventures at conventions. Anyone can do them at any time and it has actually ramifications across the country? That seems to me as a logistical nightmare.
I will look for more information on the LFG as this seems to be interesting, although I thought that you could only do the 'living' type adventures at conventions. Anyone can do them at any time and it has actually ramifications across the country? That seems to me as a logistical nightmare.
If you go to the RPGA front page, there is a link there to the four "active" campaigns that they have going. LFR is, if I remember correctly, the only 4th edition campaign at this time.
You can order LFR modules for play at home games, yes. It isn't that much of a logistical nightmare, given the reporting setup in the character/event database.
When you report an LFR game played, you enter data for the results of the play session. Those results include which of the player's PCs played (if they have more than one PC), the XP & GP earned by the PC, which treasure bundle, if any, that they took, what story awards (RP items, mainly) they earned; and answer some module-specific questions.
At the end of a certain amount of time after the module is first published, the results of the module questions are tabulated and reported to LFR HQ, and can have an impact on future campaign direction. For instance, from the recent short-term module, Beneath Haunted Halls, the results will probably be used to determine if the countries of Cormyr and Myth Drannor are at war or peace, and this will have an effect on events in future Cormyr modules, as well as possible repercussions elsewhere in the campaign world, as Netheril may have more of a presence in future events, since Cormyr & Myth Drannor both border Netheril, so a war between them may let Netheril get more active elsewhere in the world...
The NC LFR (Waterdeep) poc was collecting contact info and posting that in the file section, I think, of the yahoo group.
You can play LFR adventures in a home play setting.
Keith
There are RPGA groups in the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas, and probably others. CARP is one such group.
The NC LFR (Waterdeep) poc was collecting contact info and posting that in the file section, I think, of the yahoo group.
You can play LFR adventures in a home play setting.
Keith
CARP is, in fact, in Lansing, so there are indeed others ;)
I encourage anyone who's looking for gaming in Michigan to attend U-Con in Ann Arbor on November 21-23. Pre-registration is closed, but we do have space for some walk-ins. The schedule can be found at www.ucon-gaming.org.
John du Bois
U-Con RPGA Guy
Regional Ex-Admin, Michigan (Furyondy)
