I need help...

[cheerio730]

Okay so here's the deal:
I'm pretty new to RPGs, I always wanted to play DnD, but never could until recently, and I never played rpgs on the pc or gaming systems cause I never liked them, so I'm pretty inexperience with even the general stuff. But I was finally able to play DnD and am getting better, the problem is that I was supposed to become DM and now our other player (it was my husband, a friend, and I playing cause we couldn't find more people) might not play with us anymore. He was the one who knew about DnD and was teaching us to play. But I am still determinded to play and be DM (we all agreed I would be a good DM as I am quirky, creative, etc etc)

So I figure eventually I will find other players, but first I better be prepared to be a good DM. So I guess that brings me to the "I need help" part of this post. I know there are more expirenced gamers here then me, and I was wondering if you could share some tips, wisdom, book suggestions to read, or whatever, to help me learn more, play better, and mostly be a good DM. I really want to learn to create my own adventures from scratch.

I know it's a lot to ask, and probably a long stretch to think someone will even answer, but I really appreciate ANY help you guys are willing to give me.

Oh and just out of curiousity, I can't seem to find any other girl DMs in the world, they do exist right?

Thanks in advance for anything!

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I've gamed since 1979, and I think nothing teaches one to play the game better than actually playing. Having a small group, even just two people, is a nice, low-stress way to work out the bugs. Try short adventures first, like those found at Wizards of the Coasts wesbite, in the "Vicious Venues" section:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/vv

or simply come up with short scenarios on your own. Keep playing, and afterwards check the books to see if the way you handled things could be handled in a more efficient way.

I also suggest to always be prepared. I may prepare too much, but I think having crib notes handy couldn't hurt. There are a number of downloadable reference sheets available that are quicker to use than having to flip through the books all the time, and save wear and tear on the books, to boot. I don't have a link handy, but I'm sure someone will be along with a link or three eventually.

 

[catsclaw227]

Welcome to EnWorld cheerio730,

If you are new, then it may seem a bit daunting pouring through these forums with all the varied and technical discussions. There are a few things you can do though.

Do you own or have access to any of the "core" books? Dungeon Master's Guide, Player's Handbook, and the Monster Manual? You can likely find them used, though I would be sure to lok for the "3.5" version notation on the front cover, since most of the newer support books are designed for this version.

There is a great book called Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies that my wife has used to become familiar with the game. You can find it on Amazon.

How much have you played so far?

 

[Rothe]

Hi Cherrio, welcome.
I think you'll find plenty of advice here, and yes in my experience women players are in the minority but the ones that do play are often very good. Maybe there is some innate knack for it.

On intial DMing, casting my mind back, I'd say not to try to be too ambitous on the original adventures. Use some simple setting to start with leaving the grander picture deliberately vague. Preferably set the start of the campaign in a location much like your local geography so players can readily understand it. For example, if you live on the coast, set the campaign start point in a coastal village. The players and you will immediately have an image of what the countryside looks like.

Since you are all new to the rules and game focusing on small constrained encounters to familairize yourselves with the rules can be helpful. Say encountering a small band of bandits, non-lethal weapons training etc.

The last quick piece of advice is to talk as a group about the type of fantasy setting you would like to explore and adventure in. Do they not care and just want to kill things? Do you want a medieval feel? How prevalent do you want magic to be? Every house has a fire elemental for central heating? In the beginning, it might be best to think of your favorite fantasy literature or movie and say hey, I'd like to adventure in x world but with or without this.

If you post some of what you are interested in I'm sure there will be a slew of pointers to commercial products and lots of advice from those like myself who pretty much do it themselves all the way (aka homebrew).

EDIT: As you see, three response right away.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Do you own or have access to any of the "core" books?

That's a good question. It can help everyone help you if we know what books you have available to you.

 

[Piratecat]

Oh and just out of curiousity, I can't seem to find any other girl DMs in the world, they do exist right?

Welcome! And not to worry, there are lots of female DMs out there. My wife DMs, for instance, and I know another or so dozen or so women who do as well. There's fewer of them than guys, though.

 

[Clueless]

I've got a lot of playing under my belt, but not as much GMing and it *is* a whole different ballgame in some respects since you're approaching the story from the other side of things. A few things I would mention myself:

1) We're here - use us! (Abuse us! Love us!) - since you don't have another DM in your area, we'll be glad to be surrogate trainers for you. I've seen threads pop up on ENworld ranging from 'now what do I do with my players ' to 'tell me what you think of this for a campaign plot arc' - that's exactly what we're here for.

2) As Rothe said, Don't get complicated. That's my biggest flaw, and inevitably I see the complex plot line I've spent weeks on and the players.... don't even get close to it, or they kill the plot off before 30 minutes pass. Don't worry about making it extremely complicated, if they have personable characters and drive, they'll handle that *for* you.

3) Keep a straight face. You may be lost, panicking, pulling the plot and characters out of your butt, and not a clue what you need to roll - you're just making dice-rolling noises on the other side of the screen. And the players, trust me, they will *never* know the difference so long as you don't let them in on it. Just make it seem difficult, keep them smiling or tense, or whatever emotion you need... and it evens out in the wash. Listen to them speculate - it'll help you figure out the next plot twist if you don't know what to do.

And last one, planning *can* help a lot. And one of the best threads I've found on the boards here is this one: The Essential Guide to a GM’s Notebook Take and pick what you need out of the thread, it's not a critical thing that you have to do - but it's handy. The idea of a DM's Notebook is to do all the advance work, the drudgery, once in your life as a DM - and never have to do more than smile and reach for the notebook come time to run.

 

[Clueless]

Welcome! And not to worry, there are lots of female DMs out there. My wife DMs, for instance, and I know another or so dozen or so women who do as well. There's fewer of them than guys, though.

Like me! *waves hi* I DM Shadowrun, sometimes Alternity. *takes a curtsey*

 

[Nightchilde-2]

Welcome!

What I've found to be the number one most valuable DMing advice EVAR can be summed up in three little words. Well, two little words and maybe one medium-sized word, but I digress..

Learn. To. Improvise.

To paraphrase, no storyline survives contact with the PCs. Learning to roll with the punches and make stuff up on the fly has been my most important and well used tool in the 16 or so years I've been DM/GMing.

Also, don't be afraid to liberally steal from other sources. I a plotline in a book, TV show or movie is inspiring, don't be scared to blatently rip it off. Combined with improvisation (both on your part and the part of your player(s)) can spin off what starts as a familiar story can take on a whole new life.

 

[Harmon]

I know of at least three female GMs.

A suggestion- allow your Players to help you look up rules, discuss the situation and the rules but make sure everyone knows that the GM has final judgement. Be consistent in your rulings.

A computer helps but is not required.

Put out a call for other Players and other GMs at the EN World page, you might find someone close by that would be willing to help you out with at least learning the rules.

About all I can think of for now- take care, and welcome to EN WOrld as well as the world of gaming.