It was when I, for the most part, started to play DnD. About three years ago, my DM ran his first homebrew campaign called "War of the Gods". In this campaign, chaos and law were into it pretty bad and the PCs were in the middle of it. I didn't get to play much in the campaign, as I was still pretty young and my parents didn't let me stay out at 12 AM that much(That's when we always play). Apparently at the end, three of the characters became so powerful they took down a full fledged Deity and Asmodeus. The thing is, My DM is so lax on rules, it's sickening. He let the characters basically bypass around 60% of rules, which makes me angry to this day. These three characters ended up becoming Over Deities, the rank was granted to them by IO. However, due to the fact their is only one over deity and he's never done much, my DM basically said "Your characters can do anything now:D ". This, of course, makes a complete mockery of the rules on deities and such.
Moving on, a year or two later, my DM made a completely homebrew setting (
) based on a universe these characters basically created. All normal deities were killed off and the three characters took control. I've been playing in this campaign world for awhile and I'm getting sick of it, but other players like it due to prestige classes they've created for followers of their deities. I stick to normal rules and such, as well as prestige classes, not using anything homebrew and I still end up breaking the campaign. I degress, but the thing is, the three players who run the over deities don't know how to do it properly.My problem:
-The over deities are obsessed over their followers and will manifest on the material plane to save them
-When I try running a campaign in this world(due to the fact everyone loves their homebrew stuff) I can't due so properly as their is no threat to the deities at all. I tell my group I don't wanna run campaigns due to the fact their is no threats, but they argue that their is. However, they even agree if things went too bad, the over deities would just recreate and kill anything that gets too strong.
-This world is such a mockery to traditional DnD, I can't stand it! If I try playing a race that isn't a major one in this world, I have to make sure it exists!
-If I try joining in on this whole, "Make your own deity" thing, they basically tell me" No, the over deities would blah, blah, blah" or "That doesn't exist".
What should I do? All of the players are good friends of mine and they love the setting, I don't wanna make enemies. Unfortunately, this group is the only one in my area(I believe) who play DnD. Due to the fact my DM was an idiot when he first started out, I'm extremely frustrated.
Suggest starting a Forgotten Realms or Eberron campaign. Since they already have a "favorite" homebrew world, I think a WotC world would start things fresh for you all.
If you are going to DM, I would just put my foot down and say your going back to the basics. Also, try asking around at the store you buy your books from about any other games running. you might be suprised.
If they shoot you down - I am always looking for a willing and able DM so that I am not the DM for my group.
Not particularly because of the house rules or ignoring of things like divinity levels (kind of excessive putting rules for everything in the world on creatures that break all rules).
Now as many people will tell you, there's no wrong (or right) way to play D&D. It's just a game for having fun with your friends, and any DM who accomplishes that is succeeding whether they follow rules or not. Can't always please everybody though.
The real issue, it seems to me, is that the other players have too much control over the game world for a "normal" D&D experience, which is what you're looking for apparently. This is more like a shared worldbuilding game now rather than adventurers just going and doing things on their own. You want to play a game, and they want to make a game.
If you want to try your hand DMing, just use a different world without all the custom elements. Use the normal deities, normal rules and so on. Explain you want to stick to the rules to make it easier to learn DMing, and the PCs will start at low level with no gods looking over their shoulders.
Try not to compete on any kind of house rule front, you don't need to use any.
If they don't want to play that kind of game, that's all there is to it. Try to find another group, like was mentioned people hide all over the place, especially colleges.
Feel better?
Suggest starting a Forgotten Realms or Eberron campaign. Since they already have a "favorite" homebrew world, I think a WotC world would start things fresh for you all.
I actually do feel a bit better!:P The thing is, the three players who own the over deities are the 'Veteran' players of the group and they absolutely love their characters. I don't believe they will play a non-custom campaign, especially one player who ALWAYS makes the same character and uses the same custom PRC every time.
I agree. Your friend has made D&D into GTA with every cheat on. There's no challange if a god comes in and kills everything.
If you are going to DM, I would just put my foot down and say your going back to the basics. Also, try asking around at the store you buy your books from about any other games running. you might be suprised.
Thanks for agreeing! The thing is, we almost always use the same DM and they are so use dto him, I don't believe I can be so forceful. I want to DM so I can give my friend a break(I should also mention my DM's bro is one of the three 'veterans') as it is rare for anyone else to run a campaign. The guy basically begs me to DM, but due to the fact everyone loves his custom world, I don't know what to do!
IIf they shoot you down - I am always looking for a willing and able DM so that I am not the DM for my group.
:D Thanks for the recommendation, but I doubt you live near me
Have the mists come and wisk the players off into Ravenloft where their Gods can't interfere. :P
The whole group, even the players without over deities, would team up on me and claim being an over deity surpasses the mist
The real issue, it seems to me, is that the other players have too much control over the game world for a "normal" D&D experience, which is what you're looking for apparently. This is more like a shared worldbuilding game now rather than adventurers just going and doing things on their own. You want to play a game, and they want to make a game.
Exactly! My DM will even stop a session form time to time and ask the three certain things about the world HE created. Apparently, he has forgotten the DM is above even the deities!
If you want to try your hand DMing, just use a different world without all the custom elements. Use the normal deities, normal rules and so on. Explain you want to stick to the rules to make it easier to learn DMing, and the PCs will start at low level with no gods looking over their shoulders.
Try not to compete on any kind of house rule front, you don't need to use any.
If they don't want to play that kind of game, that's all there is to it. Try to find another group, like was mentioned people hide all over the place, especially colleges.
As aforementioned, I don't believe they will play in a non-custom campaign.
Thanks for all the advice everyone, I really appreciate it.
Don't be so unsure of yourself as a new DM. Everybody starts somewhere.
Since this is 3.5 I take it, I would recommend getting the DMG 2. It has lots of info for starting DMs which was left out of the first book. If for some reason you can't find it, the 4th edition DMG has a lot of the same tips written in rules-neutral language. This might even be a good chance to try 4th edition if none of you have.
If your other DM would like a break, and wants to see you try your hand at running a game, then that's all the backing you really need. Honestly, if he doesn't run it, then nobody else will but you.
"I'm going to run a game for the next session or so (or alternating, or however you do it) to give DM X a break. I will set this in World Y (or homebrew of your own) as a change of pace from the other campaign."
Don't budge an inch on the issue of using their game world; you use a different game world or you don't run a game at all.
For your game, keep the setting close to vanilla. Don't feel you have to compete with the other game in any way. Remember your whole goal was to return to the basics. Just being "normal" is a significant hook at this point.
Most people like changes from time to time. Just don't make them extreme in the opposite direction (don't jump from high magic to zero magic).
The more excited you are about running a game, the more excited the others will be about trying it. When proposing a new campaign you have to "sell it." You make a pitch to get people interested and on board.
It's usually a good idea to have an intro in print, an interesting blurb similar to the back of a bookcover to get people into it.
A paragraph or two about what your campaign will focus on, then some info on major house rules (which might include, "not using other guy's house rules"). Include info about what level to start with, how to generate characters, the SETTING you will play in, and so on.
Try to keep it to a page or two. People can ask questions if they have them so you don't have to put it all on paper just yet.
Having a lot of information is a very strong point to getting people to join a new campaign (so it's not a total gamble for them and they know what to expect), but having too much info can bore them or make them worry you're too controlling.
What's the worst that can happen really? You were already on the verge of leaving the group it seems. You'll get some experience preparing and running a game, and maybe they learn to enjoy something else sometimes.
Make sure you and everyone else know you're new, and that the sessions will be learning experiences. Try to keep yourself open to input from the players (not about reinstituting the other world of course). Make sure they know you will make mistakes and are open to rules questions and so on because you're getting the hang of things.
:D Thanks for the recommendation, but I doubt you live near me
That could very well be true - but you might be surprised at how much fun a game of D&D can be with the right utilities via the internet.
Either way - my offer is one that will stand for as long as I live. Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to at least one session of D&D with me as a player or DM.
but the thing is, the three players who run the over deities don't know how to do it properly.
My problem:
-The over deities are obsessed over their followers and will manifest on the material plane to save them
-When I try running a campaign in this world(due to the fact everyone loves their homebrew stuff) I can't due so properly as their is no threat to the deities at all. I tell my group I don't wanna run campaigns due to the fact their is no threats, but they argue that their is. However, they even agree if things went too bad, the over deities would just recreate and kill anything that gets too strong.
-This world is such a mockery to traditional DnD, I can't stand it! If I try playing a race that isn't a major one in this world, I have to make sure it exists!
-If I try joining in on this whole, "Make your own deity" thing, they basically tell me" No, the over deities would blah, blah, blah" or "That doesn't exist".
Say a few things before the next time you DM. "Guys I know you want me to DM, and I really like the setting we worked out, but if you want me to DM there are going to be a few minor changes."
-Overdieties manifesting to save their followers? You are the DM, you control when and where overdieties show up if they do at all. The three players should not control overdieties anymore. Say "Hey guys, when I DM the dieties are not going to be controlled by players, they will be NPCs."
-As a DM it is one of your jobs to approve custom made content. Tell them flat out "I think ___ is too good. You can only use it with ___ changes."
- If the players all want obscure races, insert a new city into the setting, Sigil. Basically a city of doors to different dimensions. This means it is possible any race can exist in the setting.
- Explain to them that if you want a new diety, the character rose to prominence off screen, and during the game it is now an overdiety. In their game if they want to run it otherwise feel free.
I really think letting the players control overdieties is the biggest problem you are having. Just explain that that campaign is over, and if those PCs show up, it will be as NPCs in a cameo.
With one god dead, half the cult blames one god, while the other half blames the other. Such murderous gods they are. Then they attack each other, for revenge of their friend, killing each other in an epic struggle.
I actually do feel a bit better!:P The thing is, the three players who own the over deities are the 'Veteran' players of the group and they absolutely love their characters. I don't believe they will play a non-custom campaign, especially one player who ALWAYS makes the same character and uses the same custom PRC every time.
I think this is the biggest problem you have going against you.
You need to tell Frank to stop playing Gandalf and play something else.
I've met a number of people like this and once you get them to play something different the others fall into line