New DM needs help

[Fat Albert]

Hey everyone.

Im a new DM about to start a campaign with a group of new players. Im having a little trouble thinking of a way to get the campaign underway. Since this is a group of all new players i dont want to make it too hard for them but at the same time i want it to be interesting so they will want to keep coming back. Any ideas?

 

[Balgus]

The game is about the group having fun. If they like a hak n' slash game, throw a lot of mediocre monsters for them to kill and level up. If they like RP, play it light and have more story.

The former is much less work, but the latter is much more fun for the DM...

 

[Greatwyrm]

Well, you want to start nice and simple. Having all the PCs already know each other somehow will smooth out the very beginning for you.

Next, for all new players, keep the first plot and hooks fairly simple. A merchant asks them to help guard his wagon on a trip to the Big City (tm). A farmer bursts into the tavern and begs someone to help recover his daughter from the goblins. Stuff like that.

Finally, if you want to keep them coming back for a little more, be sure to add a little mystery or cliff-hanger at the end. Kinda like the old movie serials. Just why did the merchant feel the need for guards on an otherwise safe road? What was Farmer Johnson's daughter doing wandering around in the forest with that amulet, anyway?

Stay on the simple side until they feel more comfortable with role-playing and you feel more comfortable as a DM. It won't be too long before you and they are ready for something bigger and better.