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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 5208588" data-attributes="member: 16069">I played through KOTS with a bunch of guys that had never played 4e or any D&D before or any RPG before, check out the sig for the stats based version of how it went.First off my players are massively up for playing D&D, they all know each other (I'm the odd one out), some of them work together, at the start of every session there's usually thirty minute or so when everyone just chats.However, and it makes me cringe a little typing this, they're usually dying to get in game, to get on with it. Dave the Fighter just wants to smush things- bad week etc. I got them all to decide upon characters from films etc. to base their PCs on and over the weeks they've just grown into them, and spend time out side of the game, talking about the things they're going to do 'in game' etc. The point being they're into their PCs first and foremost.Secondly I'm DMing up a storm (sometimes) so in the encounter you're talking about the rats were merely cover for the Ochre Jelly (I hope I'm not spoiling this for you). My Minion rats charged the PCs more or less en masse, and were stomped, slammed and spelled in short order, but for a moment the PCs were surrounded, and while the danger was slight they we're up for it- and in the process getting conned (see below)Then out of nowhere this huge gelatinous monsters rises up like a quivering terrible tide and SLAM! (DM smashes fist into table- dice and minis jump- and drinks get spilled) gets...DM stands up looks around room, eye contact with each player...YOU!Congrats players engaged, and it's loads easier when the bad guys are sentient and/or humanoids- they swear and threaten (and give a little of the plot away).The point is, and this isn't easy, if the DM wants to engage the players sometimes they need to stop sitting on their backside and get rilled/involved/in action. Storytelling, for me/us, involves doing voices and having a bit of banter with the PCs in game (NPCs and bad guys alike).Remember if the DM is playing up- voices/acting out etc. then you're giving the players permission to get involved, and you'll be surprised how easy it is to engage them.Admittedly this kind of thing only lasts for minutes to moments but the memory lasts, and the players keep coming back.</blockquote>

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