Considering DMing a game... [Interest Check]

[Theroc]

Okay, so I've been playing a lot of games on Enworld, and I decided I'd try my hand at DMing, and am considering something that may be a bit easier for me to start with.

I haven't fleshed all of the story elements out yet, but the basic idea is a gladiatorial concept, so I won't have a great deal of super complex mystery and the like... though there may be things occurring outside of the arena, depending on whether inspiration strikes me and whatnot.

I figured I'd post an interest check to see who was interested in the concept of a gladiatorial adventures/campaign-type thing.

I also would not be averse to a Co-Dm to help bounce ideas off of, though I'd prefer if the DM had either MSN or YiM so I can Bounce ideas via the messenger rather than through my overstuffed PM box.

Edition: 3.5

Starting Level: Currently thinking 1 just so my brain doesn't explode.(Unless I have a co-dm who is willing to check over character sheets and make sure I understand it, and I have people wishing to play odd things.)

Sources: I'll leave it relatively open, but keep in mind this is my VERY FIRST time attempting to DM anything really, so I'd appreciate it if you stuck to things you are relatively familiar with to help educate me(or something my Co-Dm is familiar with to help teach me).

If it goes well, I may end up turning this into a sort of living campaign like HM's Off to War.

This is an interest check mostly, if I see enough interest I will definitely try working on something, but I am unsure how things will go.

 

[Walking Dad]

Just wanting to wish you good luck. I'm slowly converting my 3.5 gaming to Pathfinder and 4e so I will not join your game.
But here is a small tip: Reduce houseruling at first, but reduce the available material. Or you will end with a whispergnome (fire bloodline) shadowcaster with two flaws for extra feats and similar characters.

 

[SolosAddie]

I would like to join in as it would be one of my first pbp it'd be perfect, although I have a decent experience with table top 3.5. If you allow LA, my first thought is for a goliath (races of stone) dragon shaman, or druid (probably swap out animal companion, and might do shapeshift variant for simplicity)

 

[Theroc]

Just wanting to wish you good luck. I'm slowly converting my 3.5 gaming to Pathfinder and 4e so I will not join your game.
But here is a small tip: Reduce houseruling at first, but reduce the available material. Or you will end with a whispergnome (fire bloodline) shadowcaster with two flaws for extra feats and similar characters.

Mhm. I'm aware you have been phasing into 4th WD. I just figure 3.5 DMing would be easier to start(since I've more experience with 3.5 and I have the 3.5 DMG while I lack the 4E DMG)

Solos: I hadn't decided on LA yet, but depending on player demand, I may allow it. As long as you aren't asking for a Multi-headed, insectile, winged, feral Half-Minotaur or something insane like that. (You could always discuss methods of getting such insane templates, but there'd be obvious trade-offs in game... ala Savage Species Rituals) I doubt a Goliath would be much trouble, as long I as remember that Goliath's can't be affected by stuff that targets humanoids specifically(since they are monstrous humanoids)

 

[Voda Vosa]

I could help you out with dming and or playing as well. As WD says, I'll recomend you keep it clear, keep it simple. PHB, complete series, and that's all. Character revision would be hell if you have no experience and you add many extra sources.

 

[Theroc]

I could help you out with dming and or playing as well. As WD says, I'll recomend you keep it clear, keep it simple. PHB, complete series, and that's all. Character revision would be hell if you have no experience and you add many extra sources.

Well, I do *HAVE* most of those extra sources, so it'd be an issue of time.

Currently for Chargen, I am thinking:
PHB1 & Complete Warrior, Arcane, Adventurer, Scoundrel, Divine. Anything else is on a case by case basis, the crazier the less likely. As I gain experience I may expand this list.

Hm... Stats... 38 Point Buy (I am aware this is stronger than average. I am planning to adjust to this as I see things going.)

Since I haven't even developed much of the setting and concept yet, this is mostly me brainstorming.

Voda, I'd welcome the help in either/both capacities, once I start this ball rolling. I just want to make sure I have the interest first. I am also thinking 4-5 people maximum.

 

[Lughart]

Interested. I'll be paying attention.

BTW, will you be making your own setting?

 

[Theroc]

BTW, will you be making your own setting?

In short, Yes. In Long, No. Basically, I'll be coming up with some details of a 'setting' and more will be filled in as your backstories appear. I think I'd end up in a loony bin if I tried to create the next Eberron or Dark Sun or Forgotten Realms before starting this campaign.

I also... never feel comfortable taking the roles of canon characters are setting things in a pre-established setting, as I am always worried about, "Portraying it wrong"

So, basically, it will be me coming up with stuff as it comes up. The setting will grow as we go along, which was another reason I made the comparison to Holyman's Off to War campaign/setting(If Holyman keeps it going, I may consider petitioning HM's setting gets it's own "Living World" )

 

[Lughart]

That counts. I was merely curious if you'd be using a premade or not. I have nothing against the make-up-as-you-go approach.

 

[ethandrew]

Color me interested. I actually just tried my hand at DMing for the first time, and it's not as difficult as I had anticipated (it was planescape with characters being ECL 8 and I made sure if someone was running a build I wasn't familiar with, they were extra-super-over-the-top detailed with the aspects I didn't know, such as linking their psionic powers to the srd description, etc).

But I love me some 3.5, so I'd be down to not only play, but help.