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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Katana_Geldar" data-source="post: 5250064" data-attributes="member: 85476">Congratulations, you have just taken your first step into a larger world! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin    :D"  data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /> I started very much like you, a GM who had no playing experience. I had a few mentors who could tell me things, but I was pretty much on my own behind the screen. Here are a few things that helped me out then: 1. Get to know the game well and gradually. There is no rule saying you have to follow all the rules to begin with, and to temporarily house rule away certain books and rules is no biggie. Tell this to your players and promise when you learn the rules more, you will use more of them.When I started, I was running Star Wars Saga and no one was allowed to be a Jedi as I was still mastering the rules for Jedi. Now that rule is only in place for new players.Don't be afraid to pre-roll characters up for your friends either. These will help you with the rules. This is another house rule of mine, incidentally. Your first character is always one I give you. 2. Play-test a lot. The experience of DMing is not something you can describe to someone who has never sat in the chair. Before you're serious about a campaign, practise. Practise with yourself and practise with some people who are willing to be very patient with you. 3. Go slow and start small. Other people in this thread have said that don't start with a big custom campaign. I agree with this and I'll tell you why: chances are you won't know how they work and what they need. Until you have experience, there's nothing wrong with running modules or doing something very simple (like video gamge style fetch quests) until you get the system more.You also need to realise that the first encounter with any new group is going to be the longest and most awkward. Keep it short and keep it easy! Gelatinous cubes can wait until after those kobold minions. 4. Research There are many gaming blogs and articles on the Interwebs to offer advice to first time DMs. I read above you have dialup, but if you get the chance listen and watch the Chris Perkins games. He had a podcast with Penny Arcade and PvP on the official site, as well as some videos of him and Robot Chicken you can find on Youtube. The man is a mster and explains everything so well. If I ever meet him I will shake him firmly by the hand. Hope this helps.</blockquote>

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