Thanks for the compliments, guys.
It has now occurred to me that I might be the most experienced PbP DM active in LPF now. Hard to catch up to me if you are not GMing 10+ PbP games.
I am definitely not the most experienced GM though when you add FtF, but there are different skill sets involved.
I have recently run into several bad GMs on other sites, and the crew here is definitely successful and have got their stuff together. I am proud to be a part of that success and my positive influence on it. Cheers!
Here are my comments on rookie DMs for LPF.
1. Take a very careful look at one of my game threads, then look at GlassEye's and Satin Knight's. There are subtle differences. I have refined my technique over the years and it works for me. I am organized and have developed habits to keep myself efficient. Note, I am usually GMing 10+ games so I like information properly managed and quickly available.
2. LPF has a built in mentorship program, requiring a Judge to ride shotgun. Every active Judge is an experienced GM in LPF, IIRC. Any rookie is not alone and should not try to do it alone.
3. Anyone thinking of running a game at LPF for their first time, should understand that to be DM you need to put in about twice as much time and all of your players put together. A rough metric is that the time it takes to play 3-4 characters in other games is about what it takes at minimum to run your own game. Time required fluctuates, but overall that is true for me across the board. Of course, I would expect a rookie to double that in the beginning if they want to do a good job.
4. I don't think a rookie should bite off more than they can chew. Instead of going all out to run an ambitious project of revamping a publish module, try running a 1-2 encounter mini-adventure first. Then you will learn what works for you and can go again with 4-5 encounter adventure better prepared.
Now, on to the current situation. Are all set on taking care of the 3-7th level characters? SS21, IHMO, I would say you are eligible for both games if there is room. Sorry if I am being pushy on the character placement, but I am looking out for the interests of LPF at large to take care of veterans. Because if they are happy, then we can move on to working on the next crop of players.
With Tie that Binds wrapping up, I can ride shotgun on 1-2 rookie DMs.
If we cannot get one to step up, then I might consider running some short things to bide time. I can have a 1 shot encounter ready to go for all of the level 1-2 characters active in the DWI once I get back from vacation.
