- I already have contacted a local store and the owner has confirmed she will order the retailer's kit.
- I had an old rpga membership card and had passed the 3.5 herald level GM test a while ago. I have activated the player rewards program so I can now play and DM.
- I will use the store as a base to attract players.
Once you schedule an event, you can download an adventure, correct? There is no way to download the adventure up front and then organise a session later?
How can you get your player their RPGA card/number ? I have read on other threads that some sort of application form is necessary. On other threads, people had cards that they could hand out. How do you obtain these? I live in Europe, so snail mail to the US is not very practical.
At the end of the event, you have to report the event online. Is there anything you need to do at the beginning of an event?
What else do I need to do?
What am I missing?
I am currently thinking of organising rpga d&d events in my region.
First and formost - congrats! It's always great to share your hobby, and while the first couple weeks or months might be slow, it's funny how quickly a D&D group can snowball and end with you having numerous tables running.
- I already have contacted a local store and the owner has confirmed she will order the retailer's kit.
- I had an old rpga membership card and had passed the 3.5 herald level GM test a while ago. I have activated the player rewards program so I can now play and DM.
- I will use the store as a base to attract players.
A great start to be sure.
Once you schedule an event, you can download an adventure, correct? There is no way to download the adventure up front and then organise a session later?
Correct. When you set up an event you'll choose what adventure(s) you'll be running at that event. That will get you links to the modules.
How can you get your player their RPGA card/number ? I have read on other threads that some sort of application form is necessary. On other threads, people had cards that they could hand out. How do you obtain these? I live in Europe, so snail mail to the US is not very practical.
E-mail [email]dci@wizards.com[/email] and tell them how many membership forms you'd like. A pad contains 25, and if you're gonna be running in a store, I'd take at least a pad to start with. Each monthly retail kit also includes 1 RPGA and 1 DCI form (or at least, they did, now that they're both the same, I'm not sure what form(s) will be included).
At the end of the event, you have to report the event online. Is there anything you need to do at the beginning of an event?
There's a tracking form that will be included with your module. Get your players to fill out that tracking form with their name and (new) numbers so that at the end you just have to record what gold/exp/items/certs they earned.
If your FLGS (friendly/favorite local game store) has message boards, see if they'll give you a D&D section to post in to help organize games, answer player questions, and just discuss store-level play in.
I've got a section on my FLGS forums where I'd included links to the RPGA, the Character Creation Guides and my own mini-FAQ to help new players get started.
What else do I need to do?
What am I missing?
Sounds like you've got the basics covered. If you want to go above and beyond, print a few blank character sheets (or convince your players to buy sheets from the store - see if you can't arrange a "game day discount" for the benefit of the store and the players alike) and have a few things like adventure logs, the campaign creation guide, and other helpful paperwork on-hand.
And of course, report back here with any questions, and to let us know how it goes.
North and Latin America: [email]dci@wizards.com[/email]
Japan: [email]dcijapan@wizards.com[/email]
Germany & Austria: [email]wizards@hasbro.de[/email]
France: [email]custserv@hasbro.fr[/email]
Italy: [email]wizards@hasbro.it[/email]
Rest of Europe: [email]custserv@hasbro.be[/email]
UK & South Africa: [email]dciuk@hasbro.co.uk[/email]
Asia Pacific: [email]apac@wizards.com[/email]
Also, if you're planning to run LFR adventures, get in touch with your regional LFR point of contact as some regions have event manager who are taking an active role in supporting local events.
For the UK/Ireland/South Africa, the POC is Paul 'Kithran' James ( [email]kithran@kithran.org[/email]). For Northern Europe and Russia, it's Sampo Haarlaa ([email]sampohaarlaa@gmail.com[/email]). For Southern Europe and Turkey, it's Axel Sabitzer ([email]xubar@gmx.at[/email])
Unless I'm mixing you up with someone else, you said you were in Belgium. The Dalelands writing directed (Pierre 'Gomez' van Rooden) and the Events Manager (whose name I can't recall, and whose handle I can't spell!) are active on these boards. I'm sure they'll be as much help as they can!
Good luck, and have fun!
One addendum from a fellow European: your local DCI office should be able to provide membership cards. Local email addresses for the DCI are as follows:
North and Latin America: [email]dci@wizards.com[/email]
Japan: [email]dcijapan@wizards.com[/email]
Germany & Austria: [email]wizards@hasbro.de[/email]
France: [email]custserv@hasbro.fr[/email]
Italy: [email]wizards@hasbro.it[/email]
Rest of Europe: [email]custserv@hasbro.be[/email]
UK & South Africa: [email]dciuk@hasbro.co.uk[/email]
Asia Pacific: [email]apac@wizards.com[/email]
Also, if you're planning to run LFR adventures, get in touch with your regional LFR point of contact as some regions have event manager who are taking an active role in supporting local events.
For the UK/Ireland/South Africa, the POC is Paul 'Kithran' James ( [email]kithran@kithran.org[/email]). For Northern Europe and Russia, it's Sampo Haarlaa ([email]sampohaarlaa@gmail.com[/email]). For Southern Europe and Turkey, it's Axel Sabitzer ([email]xubar@gmx.at[/email])
Unless I'm mixing you up with someone else, you said you were in Belgium. The Dalelands writing directed (Pierre 'Gomez' van Rooden) and the Events Manager (whose name I can't recall, and whose handle I can't spell!) are active on these boards. I'm sure they'll be as much help as they can!
Good luck, and have fun!
(I'm SO compiling this into an FAQ at some point in the next week or two)
I'm from the Netherlands myself and busy with the same stuff you are. I can send you some cards if you want. Where in Belgium are you?
How can I contact Matthias Schafer?
I'm thinking of starting out of a local game store in Aalst (between Gent and Brussel).
The local store owner did mention there was some interest already. Let's hope she's right
I don't know yet how many players will arrive. Perhaps we will only have enough player for one table but perhaps we will have enought for more. If I schedule the event, can I then later report multiple sessions? There's at least one other GM so we could run multiple tables.
Do I need to declare the adventure up front or can I let my players decide what adventure they want to play (giving them a choice of several options)?
When you're reporting the event you will be asked to list all the players and judges who participated, and then you will add each session individually, noting which adventure was played and who judged/played, as well as all other pertinent information. You will add a session for each table that's played, but you don't have to worry if you don't get to play everything you ordered.
At least, that's how I understand things so far. I haven't been getting any errors or angry emails yet, so I think I've been doing pretty well.
I don't know if it is possible, but a short manual with a series of print screens of the ordering and reporting tool would really help. A lot of questions on these boards could be solved by this ...
I'm working on the FAQ at the moment, but if someone wanted to take the time to write up a picture-by-picture "How to order a module in the new DCI system" type post, you can bet I'll get it stickied as fast as I can.
I'd volunteer to do it but I've got a bunch of things I need to get done on a certain timeline today. After I finish all my errands if nobody else has got one up, though, I'm more than willing to do that.
No hurry, someone will either get to it, or they won't.
If I finish up my FAQ and next week slows down at work, I'll do it if nobody else has.
No hurry, someone will either get to it, or they won't.
If I finish up my FAQ and next week slows down at work, I'll do it if nobody else has.
I've finished up a 2.2MB PDF file as a step-by-step guide assuming zero familiarity with the process of sanctioning an event as of just now. It's a bit less than beautiful on some of the screenshots where I edited out my name, address, or RPGA number, but all the necessary information to sanction and download adventures is present and quite legible. I don't see any way to upload a file here, however, and my hosting seems to be unavailable at the moment. Can anyone suggest a solution for that?
Also, I have a couple events scheduled tomorrow that I can use to throw together a guide for reporting events if there is any interest/need for that, as well. I can also take some time to properly edit everything better and correct any errors or omissions I may have made since I've kept all my source files for this project.
Hopefully this will all be useful to someone, anyway...
Mail address in PM.
Shoot it to Macigstar or myself and between us we'll get it posted and stickied.
Heck, if its super-awesome I might even pass it on to WotC and see if they can't post it on their system somewhere.
Ditto. I've got hosting (though for something like this I'd likely send it to public hosting), and would be happy to post it as well.
Shoot it to Macigstar or myself and between us we'll get it posted and stickied.
Heck, if its super-awesome I might even pass it on to WotC and see if they can't post it on their system somewhere.
Wow, that last case would be pretty awesome overall, but I'm sure there's a few things I've missed or could improve before we go that far.
I'll try and get the event reporting one finished within a day or two, but I've got a lot on my plate this week. Shouldn't be a problem, though.
Also, I have a couple events scheduled tomorrow that I can use to throw together a guide for reporting events if there is any interest/need for that, as well. I can also take some time to properly edit everything better and correct any errors or omissions I may have made since I've kept all my source files for this project.
This would be appreciate as well!
I'm Matthias. I see that the friendly folks of the boards here already started to help you out. If you have more inquiries feel free to ask me anytime (PM me or ask a question on our local yahoo group).
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/LFR_Dalelands/
2. Hasbro Europe is based in Belgium. ;) Ask for DCI membership cards there. They will get you new cards in no time. You will also only need to send these cards back to Belgium - not the USA.
I am another person who is very closely affiliated to Nicodemus' LGS.
The people to play we got as we have 3 registered RPGA member who are also GMs in Aalst willing to host events. The fact is that the new membershipcards are hard to get (we are getting there though) so we can subscribe at least 5 to 8 people allready willing to participate in the events in the LGS.
On the other side i got also another 9 people looking for a homecon kind of events, so i'll need plenty of cards and the moment i get word from the local contact, i'll ask at least one pad.
It is sad to see the promotional material doesn't leave the US as RPGA strives to be open to the entire world. I checked the sessions actually played in Belgium over the last year and i can sadly count it on one hand.
But i hope we can soon change this and get RPGA back on it's feet in belgium.
PS : Nicodemus, did you pass your 4th Edition test allready ?