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Deandra
Grand Master
Posts: 1746 Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:18 pmES Games: Skyrim, OblivionPlatform: PCUESPoints: 6Location: Seattle, WA
Post
by Deandra Wed Aug 01, 2012 6:58 pm
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
Apprentice
Posts: 166 Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:14 pmES Games: Oblivion GOTY, SkyrimPlatform: PS3Status: Thinking about odd things, like Rubble Sharks.UESPoints: 2Location: Scotland
Post
by The-Shadow-One Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:09 pm
I say the main trouble is making enough time for people to post.
Call me
R a i n b o w F o x if you want
In Command of
R a i n b o w F o x Dungeon
"They call him the Joker. But my puddin' is no joke. " -Harley Quinn
Hey, are you into roleplay?! Click here to join our awesome subforum !
Kerr
CotM Winner!
Posts: 970 Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:32 pmES Games: I, II, III, IV, V. Once I caught a fish alive.Platform: PC & PlaystationStatus: ShadowrunningUESPoints: 20Location: Ireland
Contact:
Post
by Kerr Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:17 pm
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.
So we have come to solve every squabble in the village personally? The last thing you never see
Gideon Dragontongue
Grand Master
Posts: 1847 Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:00 pm
Post
by Gideon Dragontongue Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:25 pm
Rather than saying "Bend only under extreme pressure," both practically and in keeping with the bamboo metaphor, "Bend easily, break only under extreme pressure."
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo
Red Guardian
Champion
Posts: 977 Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:12 pm
Post
by Red Guardian Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:44 pm
I thought this thread would be something along the lines of a "DM club".
Musicman247
Mod On Leave
Posts: 2876 Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:06 amES Games: Morrowind, Oblivion, SkyrimPlatform: Xbox, PC, STDStatus: Smurfin'Other Profiles: Gamertag: MightyGo0dLeadrUESPoints: 15Location: Your dreams
Post
by Musicman247 Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:46 pm
Red Guardian wrote: I thought this thread would be something along the lines of a "DM club".
Deandra wrote: 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
Champion
Posts: 977 Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:12 pm
Post
by Red Guardian Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:10 pm
I know, MM. I saw the OP. I just thought it would be something along the lines of 'Nanza or Hat.
Sparky
Initiate
Posts: 36 Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:19 pmES Games: Arena, Daggerfall, Oblivion, SkyrimPlatform: Xbox 360, PC
Post
by Sparky Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:19 pm
Cardbird wrote: The Main trouble is your players being sneaky Ninja's!
I would have to agree.
The-Shadow-One
Apprentice
Posts: 166 Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:14 pmES Games: Oblivion GOTY, SkyrimPlatform: PS3Status: Thinking about odd things, like Rubble Sharks.UESPoints: 2Location: Scotland
Post
by The-Shadow-One Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:21 pm
Pah, main trouble is them laying dust to your plans!
Call me
R a i n b o w F o x if you want
In Command of
R a i n b o w F o x Dungeon
"They call him the Joker. But my puddin' is no joke. " -Harley Quinn
Hey, are you into roleplay?! Click here to join our awesome subforum !
Sparky
Initiate
Posts: 36 Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:19 pmES Games: Arena, Daggerfall, Oblivion, SkyrimPlatform: Xbox 360, PC
Post
by Sparky Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:22 pm
The-Shadow-One wrote: 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
Champion
Posts: 977 Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:12 pm
Post
by Red Guardian Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:23 pm
Yeah, I can tell from personal experience Mr. Shadow >.>
DarkEastwood
Warder
Posts: 424 Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:13 pmES Games: I, II, III, IV, VPlatform: Xbox 360Status: Shutup
Post
by DarkEastwood Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:27 pm
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
Warder
Posts: 424 Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:13 pmES Games: I, II, III, IV, VPlatform: Xbox 360Status: Shutup
Post
by DarkEastwood Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:02 pm
I'm sure they'll come in handy later.
Musicman247
Mod On Leave
Posts: 2876 Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:06 amES Games: Morrowind, Oblivion, SkyrimPlatform: Xbox, PC, STDStatus: Smurfin'Other Profiles: Gamertag: MightyGo0dLeadrUESPoints: 15Location: Your dreams
Post
by Musicman247 Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:56 pm
Let's not let this turn into another General RP discussion. Try and keep conversation to DM-specific questions and comments.
Sparky
Initiate
Posts: 36 Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:19 pmES Games: Arena, Daggerfall, Oblivion, SkyrimPlatform: Xbox 360, PC
Post
by Sparky Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:58 pm
I think I broke rule #1 and a few others. Besides that, how well do you think I am doing at it?
Eltee
Master
Posts: 1153 Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:28 pmES Games: TES II-III-IV-VPlatform: PCStatus: ElsewhereLocation: Ontario
Post
by Eltee Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:58 pm
W00t!
Kerr
CotM Winner!
Posts: 970 Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:32 pmES Games: I, II, III, IV, V. Once I caught a fish alive.Platform: PC & PlaystationStatus: ShadowrunningUESPoints: 20Location: Ireland
Contact:
Post
by Kerr Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:22 am
You have to do some nasty things as a GM.
So we have come to solve every squabble in the village personally? The last thing you never see
The-Shadow-One
Apprentice
Posts: 166 Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:14 pmES Games: Oblivion GOTY, SkyrimPlatform: PS3Status: Thinking about odd things, like Rubble Sharks.UESPoints: 2Location: Scotland
Post
by The-Shadow-One Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:12 pm
Pfft, I enjoyed doing my nasty things.
Melissa and Ski-Cat. Oh hehehe.
Call me
R a i n b o w F o x if you want
In Command of
R a i n b o w F o x Dungeon
"They call him the Joker. But my puddin' is no joke. " -Harley Quinn
Hey, are you into roleplay?! Click here to join our awesome subforum !
DarkEastwood
Warder
Posts: 424 Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:13 pmES Games: I, II, III, IV, VPlatform: Xbox 360Status: Shutup
Post
by DarkEastwood Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:29 pm
That remind me; why haven't I done anything nasty to anyone in FDB?
The-Shadow-One
Apprentice
Posts: 166 Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:14 pmES Games: Oblivion GOTY, SkyrimPlatform: PS3Status: Thinking about odd things, like Rubble Sharks.UESPoints: 2Location: Scotland
Post
by The-Shadow-One Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:42 pm
Because I will pay you back in kind, seriously, give me time and a single target.. I will torture them, poisons, skinning.
Call me
R a i n b o w F o x if you want
In Command of
R a i n b o w F o x Dungeon
"They call him the Joker. But my puddin' is no joke. " -Harley Quinn
Hey, are you into roleplay?! Click here to join our awesome subforum !
Kerr
CotM Winner!
Posts: 970 Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:32 pmES Games: I, II, III, IV, V. Once I caught a fish alive.Platform: PC & PlaystationStatus: ShadowrunningUESPoints: 20Location: Ireland
Contact:
Post
by Kerr Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:16 pm
GM Tip:
So we have come to solve every squabble in the village personally? The last thing you never see
Kerr
CotM Winner!
Posts: 970 Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:32 pmES Games: I, II, III, IV, V. Once I caught a fish alive.Platform: PC & PlaystationStatus: ShadowrunningUESPoints: 20Location: Ireland
Contact:
Post
by Kerr Sat Aug 11, 2012 10:24 pm
Nobody that I know of. Players in an RP are as important as a GM. Be fair to them.
So we have come to solve every squabble in the village personally? The last thing you never see
Crepe the Ashlander
Journeyman
Posts: 390 Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:13 pmLocation: Either college or my bedroom
Post
by Crepe the Ashlander Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:41 pm
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
Warder
Posts: 596 Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 5:13 pmStatus: Leading the Revolution
Post
by POMC S117 Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:45 pm
See the little page sign beside the date? Click on that and then copy the URL.
Soyuz nerushimy respublik svobodnykh
/Northbridge%20Face.png)
Melissa and Ski-Cat. Oh hehehe.
