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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Riley37" data-source="post: 6559554" data-attributes="member: 6786839">Hey all! I resumed playing D&D when I moved to San Mateo, after 20 years of mostly playing other TRPGs, because the first game I found was AL at FLGS (friendly local gaming store). I'm quite happy with 5E. The DM of the AL at the FLGS wants a turn as player, so I'm taking a turn as DM (yes, the store has approved this). And at the same time, I'm splitting off a side group, because the AL table got full and we were turning people away, and though I'm happy that gamers like the story enough to keep returning, I want there to be seats at the table for drop-ins at FLGS.So here's my plan so far; advice requested, with a STRONG preference for advice based on WHAT HAS WORKED IN YOUR EXPERIENCE RUNNING AL.- All new characters, and new "continuity", starting at level 1. The "regulars" have played their PCs at level 4 and are ready to progress to 5. Those PCs are either going over to the split-off game (which might qualify as Home Play, we'll see, that's not a high priority), or retiring (forcibly), or otherwise going "off-camera". - I intend to "milestone" characters from level 1 to level 2 at the drop of a hat. If they competently play their first session as level 1 and are clearly ready to handle the abilities which come into play at level 2, then they milestone. After that, standard XP-based level advancement; I expect PCs to slowly converge from levels 2 to 4. - First adventure - which I will run, two days from now! - will be "Mission 1: The Meeting at Deepnight" from Defiance in Phlan (that's on Defiance, not Tyranny, Escape, etc.). I have played this, so I know it from the player side of the table, and it doesn't require combat so it won't TPK the level 1 newly-written PCs. - Second adventure, *possibly also that same session if all goes smoothly*, now that the PCs are known regulars at the Teakettle, they get asked for help again: "Mission 5: The Danger at Dusk". Some planning/skulking, some combat, and this time, a horror-story aspect. An addition to the story: the Fuligin Fists are a secret society within the Black Fists; they are Bane-worshippers and allies of the Cult of Tiamat; the grick is actually a half-grick, crossbred with dragon blood, and it has a weak breath weapon; its lair includes a clutch of half-grick eggs, as sort of a pointer towards the Tiamat storyline.This should lead into another storyline involving both the Tiamat cult and the Black Fist: Outlaws of the Iron Route from *Tyranny* in Phlan.And then, from there, Lost Mines of Phandelver, or direct into LMoP. I haven't played LMoP, or read it yet, but I've heard that many people have enjoyed it, and there's some advice already posted about tinkering with it, and the PCs can advance all the way through the intro tier by playing LMoP, and... by then... I'll know whether it's time to switch to the level 5-10 tier.One flaw with my plan so far: the guy who was DMing, ran those two "Defiance in Phlan" stories, and going through those stories on the player's side of the table might be boring for him. He's only one player, but he's also the guy who welcomed me to 5E and got AL at FLGS up to a table of seven regulars, so I weigh that accordingly. - What parts of this plan do you expect to run smoothly? - Where do you expect me to hit friction, or to need smoother transitions?Thanks, R37</blockquote>

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