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New DM needs Control and Guidance Advice
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<blockquote data-quote="Doc Ezra" data-source="post: 525246" data-attributes="member: 8034"><p><strong>New DM...</strong></p><p></p><p>First off, I think if your experienced DM/player feels you're doing fine, then you might want to reconsider your self-critique. No doubt it feels that things are disastrous, but it may be that you're learning the first lesson every DM learns -- no plot survives contact with the players. And the first casualty of battle is the plan. </p><p></p><p>I know when players start running off on wild tangents, taking unexpected courses of action, etc., it can be a bit frustrating or discouraging. Don't let it be. At the end of the night, gauge your party's reactions and post-game chatter. Do they seem happy? Replaying events of the evening in excited tones? If so, you're doing fine. Don't sweat the small stuff.</p><p></p><p>As to some of the more specific complaints, they've been covered pretty well (hide your notes a bit better, or move that player away from you -- if you're seating arrangement doesn't keep the veteran DM right next to you, it should, for ease of question asking/assistance). Let your players scheme. Let them attempt to rob each other if they like (though spot checks to notice such activity might be appropriate, and might discourage such behavior). </p><p></p><p>As to burning down the oasis, it seems to me very in keeping with the character of a group of survivors in the desert. To wit: water is move valuable than gold. This source of water is infested with large dangerous insects and poisonous plants, making it completely inaccessible to the people of the desert. For their own survival, the people of the desert have to destroy the plants and the beetles, and the sooner the better. I'd be tempted to go the opposite direction than others have suggested, and have locals treat them as saviors for making another source of potable water accessible to the common folk. All a matter of perspective on this issue, I think. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Doc Ezra, post: 525246, member: 8034"] [b]New DM...[/b] First off, I think if your experienced DM/player feels you're doing fine, then you might want to reconsider your self-critique. No doubt it feels that things are disastrous, but it may be that you're learning the first lesson every DM learns -- no plot survives contact with the players. And the first casualty of battle is the plan. I know when players start running off on wild tangents, taking unexpected courses of action, etc., it can be a bit frustrating or discouraging. Don't let it be. At the end of the night, gauge your party's reactions and post-game chatter. Do they seem happy? Replaying events of the evening in excited tones? If so, you're doing fine. Don't sweat the small stuff. As to some of the more specific complaints, they've been covered pretty well (hide your notes a bit better, or move that player away from you -- if you're seating arrangement doesn't keep the veteran DM right next to you, it should, for ease of question asking/assistance). Let your players scheme. Let them attempt to rob each other if they like (though spot checks to notice such activity might be appropriate, and might discourage such behavior). As to burning down the oasis, it seems to me very in keeping with the character of a group of survivors in the desert. To wit: water is move valuable than gold. This source of water is infested with large dangerous insects and poisonous plants, making it completely inaccessible to the people of the desert. For their own survival, the people of the desert have to destroy the plants and the beetles, and the sooner the better. I'd be tempted to go the opposite direction than others have suggested, and have locals treat them as saviors for making another source of potable water accessible to the common folk. All a matter of perspective on this issue, I think. :) [/QUOTE]
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