First time DM

Svack · 4 Aug 2014 at 16:13

This week I am going to be running my first ever D&D campaign, I have never actually been a DM/GM before!
I have played quite a few different RPGs so I have some idea as to what I should avoid doing!

Unfortunately none of the PCs have actually played before so I have written a slightly railroaded session to act as a sort of tutorial.

Has anyone got and advice to make it a bit less linear but still keeping a bit of a tutorial structure?

Svack · 5 Aug 2014 at 12:39

Awesome! I will try to keep it flowing and get a reasonable size notepad to keep track of it all! I have got a DM screen too with a bunch of quick reference stuff on the back, that might help regards to streamlining rule look-ups! I have created multiple paths to get them going in the right direction without forcing their actions, so hopefully it will work quite well.
I have a big thing against railroading as I have been subject to it by a few DMs, it really breaks the fun of the game for me as it no longer role playing but more of a "guess what the DM is thinking" session.

After I have finished this one (should take a session maybe two) I think I might try them on "Keep on the Shadowfell" as that was the first one I played (I think), and its available for free!

Currently we have a Druid, a Ranger, a Barbarian and a Paladin so a fair mix to start with, although not much healing outside the paladin.
I like the idea of encounter templates, might have to make some of those tonight!

The main reason I have started this campaign is mostly due to the fact I am moving to a town about 15/20ish miles from where I lived previously, So I have invited a few friends in the local area who's groups don't really overlap to see how they get on together, I figured D&D would be quite an ice breaker!

Think of it as part role-play and part social experiment

Svack · 5 Aug 2014 at 14:13

Running with 4th ed since its the one I have experience in playing! I like the idea of adding dice checks to do awesome cinematic things!
Maybe with a failed check landing you sprawled on the floor looking up as the pirate captain swings his mighty cutlass your way!

Svack · 11 Aug 2014 at 16:40

OK! First session we didn't start the campaign, instead we did a bit of character creation as a group to get everyone acquainted, all seemed to go well! So this Friday it kicks off, I'll report back and let you know how it goes!

Svack · 16 Sep 2014 at 16:04

Thought it was about time to update this!
It's been going really well! They have just hit level 2, everyone is joining in the RP and making great suggestions!
We are currently running through keep on the shadowfell, next adventure will probably be one I write myself, and probably set in some dwarven mines to the north of thier current location.
Eventually I will be running "Madness at Guardmore Abbey" once they hit the appropriate level.

I have main story arc that I am tying these adventures into, which is mostly based around collecting powerful artifacts for a certain guy so that they can be contained, its a bit Warehouse 13, but it seems to be going down well!

I'm considering introducing a 5th player though to help them get through the campaigns a bit faster!