Newb GM wants to do a Home game - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Newb GM wants to do a Home game

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
androlphas
Jul 31, 2008 8:45:11 Hi. I'm a Herald GM with no real RPGA GM experience since I took the test some time ago just for fun (though I've played at cons before). I was looking through the RPGA site and noticed you can now do Home campaigns as RPGA events for reward points. I like this idea and would very much like to do it, but I have a few questions. I apologize in advance for my gross ignorance.

- How long in advance should I schedule a home game event on the member site?

- If I want to run an RPGA adventure, is it mailed to me or do I download it?

- What do I do about my poor, deprived players who aren't card-carrying geeks with RPGA numbers like myself?

- Is there a minimum number of attendees?

- What happens if I schedule a home game event and it has to be cancelled for X or Y reason?

Thanks for the help!
#2
bobd716
Jul 31, 2008 11:55:49 The Home Campaign option is for those GMs who write (or aquire) their own adventures, so the answer to your 2nd question is, "It's up to you to have adventure material, none is provided"

How long in advance? just like any other request, 5+ days.

Request membership cards for your players, they are free for the asking and there is a thread above with the contact info.

A legal RPGA table will have 1 GM and 4-6 players.

If the event cancels for any reason, there is an option in the reporting screen to cancel a session...it's no big deal, just don't leave it unreported or you'll be blocked from ordering other events untill it's resolved.
#3
kenobi65
Jul 31, 2008 13:23:48
The Home Campaign option is for those GMs who write (or aquire) their own adventures, so the answer to your 2nd question is, "It's up to you to have adventure material, none is provided"

I think you may have misunderstood his question.

You can run an RPGA adventure, such as Living Greyhawk or Living Forgotten Realms, for your home group, the same way that you'd run a home campaign for them.

When you "order" the event on the RPGA site, you'll get a link from which you can download the PDF of the adventure. (When you "order" a home campaign, you get a link, too, but all you get with that download is the RPGA event tracking form, and a short document with guidelines for running home campaigns for RPGA credit.)
#4
SoulCatcher78
Jul 31, 2008 21:02:08 I'm in the same boat (new to 4E and the RPGA) and wanting to start a home game. I was able to order 2 adventures but I won't be able to download them until 3 weeks before the event date. This should be plenty of time to read, familiarize myself, find players. I ordered some cards but I haven't gotten any kind of response so I am not sure if I did that right or not (time will tell I suppose).

Living in the woods (relatively speaking) I think this might be the only shot I have of forming a gaming group around here (southern Indiana) without having to drive an hour and a half.

Good Luck.
#5
androlphas
Aug 01, 2008 7:20:56 Many thanks for the replies! I also took a look at the general info page (duh). If I understand correctly, our group number (4 including myself as the DM) might be a bar for running RPGA games at this time. Bummer
#6
kenobi65
Aug 01, 2008 10:42:24
If I understand correctly, our group number (4 including myself as the DM) might be a bar for running RPGA games at this time. Bummer

Yes, that's correct. You need 5 RPGA members for a legal table.
#7
dungeon8976
Aug 04, 2008 22:13:04 I am also new to this, actually I passed the 4e herald level GM test earlier this afternoon. Would someone please post link to where I need to go to request the game data and RPGA membership cards.
#8
kenobi65
Aug 05, 2008 9:02:39
I am also new to this, actually I passed the 4e herald level GM test earlier this afternoon. Would someone please post link to where I need to go to request the game data and RPGA membership cards.

You order adventures from your RPGA member page. After you log in, there should be a link entitled something like "Set up an event."

You can request membership cards from WotC customer service, or by emailing [email]rpgasanctioning@wizards.com[/email]. In the latter case, it may be helpful to provide them with your RPGA number.
#9
skeksi
Aug 06, 2008 18:09:59
Yes, that's correct. You need 5 RPGA members for a legal table.

Hmm so the only way I can solicit an event is for a fully RPGA staffed group?

I cant order them just for a home game?
#10
kenobi65
Aug 06, 2008 18:48:15
Hmm so the only way I can solicit an event is for a fully RPGA staffed group?

I cant order them just for a home game?

Not sure I entirely understand the question...but if you're asking, "can I order RPGA modules (like Living Greyhawk or Living Forgotten Realms) for my home game, which may not have 4 players, and none of them are RPGA members", the answer is "no".

RPGA modules are only for official RPGA play; that can be a home game, but you still have to follow the RPGA's "floor rules", which means that all players have to be RPGA members, and you have minimum and maximum table sizes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 androlphas Jul 31, 2008 8:45:11	Hi. I'm a Herald GM with no real RPGA GM experience since I took the test some time ago just for fun (though I've played at cons before). I was looking through the RPGA site and noticed you can now do Home campaigns as RPGA events for reward points. I like this idea and would very much like to do it, but I have a few questions. I apologize in advance for my gross ignorance. - How long in advance should I schedule a home game event on the member site? - If I want to run an RPGA adventure, is it mailed to me or do I download it? - What do I do about my poor, deprived players who aren't card-carrying geeks with RPGA numbers like myself? - Is there a minimum number of attendees? - What happens if I schedule a home game event and it has to be cancelled for X or Y reason? Thanks for the help!
#2 bobd716 Jul 31, 2008 11:55:49	The Home Campaign option is for those GMs who write (or aquire) their own adventures, so the answer to your 2nd question is, "It's up to you to have adventure material, none is provided" How long in advance? just like any other request, 5+ days. Request membership cards for your players, they are free for the asking and there is a thread above with the contact info. A legal RPGA table will have 1 GM and 4-6 players. If the event cancels for any reason, there is an option in the reporting screen to cancel a session...it's no big deal, just don't leave it unreported or you'll be blocked from ordering other events untill it's resolved.
#3 kenobi65 Jul 31, 2008 13:23:48	The Home Campaign option is for those GMs who write (or aquire) their own adventures, so the answer to your 2nd question is, "It's up to you to have adventure material, none is provided" I think you may have misunderstood his question. You can run an RPGA adventure, such as Living Greyhawk or Living Forgotten Realms, for your home group, the same way that you'd run a home campaign for them. When you "order" the event on the RPGA site, you'll get a link from which you can download the PDF of the adventure. (When you "order" a home campaign, you get a link, too, but all you get with that download is the RPGA event tracking form, and a short document with guidelines for running home campaigns for RPGA credit.)
#4 SoulCatcher78 Jul 31, 2008 21:02:08	I'm in the same boat (new to 4E and the RPGA) and wanting to start a home game. I was able to order 2 adventures but I won't be able to download them until 3 weeks before the event date. This should be plenty of time to read, familiarize myself, find players. I ordered some cards but I haven't gotten any kind of response so I am not sure if I did that right or not (time will tell I suppose). Living in the woods (relatively speaking) I think this might be the only shot I have of forming a gaming group around here (southern Indiana) without having to drive an hour and a half. Good Luck.
#5 androlphas Aug 01, 2008 7:20:56	Many thanks for the replies! I also took a look at the general info page (duh). If I understand correctly, our group number (4 including myself as the DM) might be a bar for running RPGA games at this time. Bummer
#6 kenobi65 Aug 01, 2008 10:42:24	If I understand correctly, our group number (4 including myself as the DM) might be a bar for running RPGA games at this time. Bummer Yes, that's correct. You need 5 RPGA members for a legal table.
#7 dungeon8976 Aug 04, 2008 22:13:04	I am also new to this, actually I passed the 4e herald level GM test earlier this afternoon. Would someone please post link to where I need to go to request the game data and RPGA membership cards.
#8 kenobi65 Aug 05, 2008 9:02:39	I am also new to this, actually I passed the 4e herald level GM test earlier this afternoon. Would someone please post link to where I need to go to request the game data and RPGA membership cards. You order adventures from your RPGA member page. After you log in, there should be a link entitled something like "Set up an event." You can request membership cards from WotC customer service, or by emailing [email]rpgasanctioning@wizards.com[/email]. In the latter case, it may be helpful to provide them with your RPGA number.
#9 skeksi Aug 06, 2008 18:09:59	Yes, that's correct. You need 5 RPGA members for a legal table. Hmm so the only way I can solicit an event is for a fully RPGA staffed group? I cant order them just for a home game?
#10 kenobi65 Aug 06, 2008 18:48:15	Hmm so the only way I can solicit an event is for a fully RPGA staffed group? I cant order them just for a home game? Not sure I entirely understand the question...but if you're asking, "can I order RPGA modules (like Living Greyhawk or Living Forgotten Realms) for my home game, which may not have 4 players, and none of them are RPGA members", the answer is "no". RPGA modules are only for official RPGA play; that can be a home game, but you still have to follow the RPGA's "floor rules", which means that all players have to be RPGA members, and you have minimum and maximum table sizes.