DM Discussion

[Deandra ●]

This thread is for discussing issues you face as a DM, and asking for help/tips/opinions on the art of herding cats running a roleplay.

What is a DM, you ask? DM stands for "Dungeon Master" and was coined for Dungeons and Dragons. It is equivalent to GM, which stands for "Game Master." It's the person in charge of a roleplay, basically.

Make sure you check out the Roleplay Subforum Guidelines and Rules.

DMing Tips:
(taken from the Roleplaying Tips thread and posts in this thread)

• Get some RP experience as a player, first.
• Start small. Avoid huge, complicated quests for your first RP.
• Read all posts.
• Expect DMing to take more time (often a lot more time) than you originally expected.
• Start off characters all in the same place, if it makes sense for your story.
• Keep notes on what you're planning and what's going on.
• It can be overwhelming when a RP moves very quickly, but most of them slow down a lot after the start.
• "Be like bamboo" (in the words of The-Shadow-One) and bend only when extreme pressure is on. Or bend and don't break. Breaking is bad.
• Be detailed in your descriptions of NPCs and locations.
• Avoid "railroading" (ie forcing characters down one path).
• Don't get carried away with rules and mechanics. Sometimes less is more.
• Keep a list of players and character sheets in your OP, it makes it easy for you and the players to see them.
• Have a system and character sheets that make sense for the kind of RP you are making.
• Don't be a dick. Players in an RP are as important as a GM. Be fair to them.
• Have fun!

Last edited by Deandra on Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:46 pm, edited 3 times in total.

[The-Shadow-One ●]

I say the main trouble is making enough time for people to post.

[Kerr ●]

Keep a list of players and character sheets in your OP, it makes it easy for you and the players to see them. Have a system and character sheets that make sense for the kind of RP you are making.

[Gideon Dragontongue ●]

Rather than saying "Bend only under extreme pressure," both practically and in keeping with the bamboo metaphor, "Bend easily, break only under extreme pressure."

[Red Guardian ●]

I thought this thread would be something along the lines of a "DM club".

[Musicman247 ●]

I thought this thread would be something along the lines of a "DM club".

This thread is for discussing issues you face as a DM, and asking for help/tips/opinions on the art of herding cats running a roleplay.

It sort of is. It's a place for DMs to hang out and ask questions of other DMs.

[Red Guardian ●]

I know, MM. I saw the OP. I just thought it would be something along the lines of 'Nanza or Hat.

[Sparky ●]

The Main trouble is your players being sneaky Ninja's!

I would have to agree.

[The-Shadow-One ●]

Pah, main trouble is them laying dust to your plans!

[Sparky ●]

Pah, main trouble is them laying dust to your plans!

I tried to get everyone together in STD (I really should change the name of that rp), and everyone is alone or in groups of two.

[Red Guardian ●]

Yeah, I can tell from personal experience Mr. Shadow >.>

[DarkEastwood ●]

I'm bery much enjoying Tyranny. Keep it up One thing that annoys me for some reason is how some people have 0 in skills. Bah I say! But yeah, I like how you give everyone something special (me a Standing Stone, Kylar a wierd dagger, etc.)

[DarkEastwood ●]

I'm sure they'll come in handy later.

[Musicman247 ●]

Let's not let this turn into another General RP discussion. Try and keep conversation to DM-specific questions and comments.

[Sparky ●]

I think I broke rule #1 and a few others. Besides that, how well do you think I am doing at it?
Honest opinions, please.

[Eltee ●]

W00t!

[Kerr ●]

You have to do some nasty things as a GM.

[The-Shadow-One ●]

Pfft, I enjoyed doing my nasty things. Melissa and Ski-Cat. Oh hehehe.

[DarkEastwood ●]

That remind me; why haven't I done anything nasty to anyone in FDB?

[The-Shadow-One ●]

Because I will pay you back in kind, seriously, give me time and a single target.. I will torture them, poisons, skinning.

[Kerr ●]

GM Tip:
Don't be a dick.

[Kerr ●]

Nobody that I know of. Players in an RP are as important as a GM. Be fair to them.

[Crepe the Ashlander ●]

How do you do that thing where you link the specific post of a character sheet onto your OP, because it will be easier than sorting it out other ways.

[POMC S117 ●]

See the little page sign beside the date? Click on that and then copy the URL.

[Crepe the Ashlander ●]

Thank you.