New DM

[Mistress_Eberron]

Hello, Everyone!

I'm very new to this DM'ing thing, and because of this, I'm running into issues as a DM is ought to do.

I have great ideas for a Morgrave-sponsored adventure to Xen'Drik, but the only adventure written to get parties there is for 5-9th level characters. I don't necessarily want to start my group that high, but I like the adventure (especially considering one of my players has the Mark of Storms).

I need some people to bounce ideas off of that aren't my players, though they are amazing DM's in their own right. I don't want to ruin the ideas I have for them. I'm thinking of writing a 2-5th level adventure for them. A sort of 'coming together' adventure to get them working with each other and to help me see if I need to bring in a traveling NPC with them.

If someone could help, I would be eternally grateful!

Thanks!

 

[Sekhmet]

We're always here to bounce ideas off of. I'll keep an eye out for your threads to give feedback for you.
Welcome to EN.

 

[ValhallaGH]

Welcome!

A low-level "coming together" adventure can be really rewarding and fun. I've found that it's best to include some foreshadowing of the major adventure / campaign that you're planning to do.

As far as NPCs go, a party of experienced DMs rarely needs any NPCs included to shore-up weaknesses. Although one of my favorite NPCs was a random hireling (Alfred, Human Warrior 1) from House Denieth that they hired as a "bodyguard" on their first adventure. He was a blast, personally saving the entire party twice. And he lived!

Still, unless you've only got one or two players, they shouldn't actually need an NPC in the party. But if they want to hire one or two then feel free to make such available.



Best of luck!

 

[Mistress_Eberron]

As far as NPCs go, a party of experienced DMs rarely needs any NPCs included to shore-up weaknesses.

Thank you! I'll really take this into consideration. We (the other DM's) usually include a NPC just so we don't get completely bored running, lol. They don't really help to advance the storyline or anything, just more so we have some way to interact with the players on a more personal level.

 

[Alexander123]

They could be hired as bodyguards to escort someone to Xendrik, in exchange their tickets to Xendrik and back will be paid for, they will receive room and board and have opportunity for freelance work.

While in Xendrik, they escort the NPC (give him either expert or aristocrat levels so that he requires the PCs to defend him and is not a crutch.) in his dealings with others and perhaps they overhear some important information and now have to think whether to reveal such things to the authorities or to keep silent.

Perhaps the NPC is kidnapping drow for a slave trade, perhaps the NPC is smuggling an artifact to sell in Sharn. Here you would have a meeting where the PCs would hear the information but no fight would take place, then sometime afterwards the PCs are approached by a man who promises to reward them should they assasinate their escortee. You could also put a twist on it and have this be a test of loyalty.

Perhaps negotiations could break down forcing the PCs to fight. The NPC could have the PCs hunt down a traitor who revealed the NPCs secret plans. You could have men come at night to the place where the PCs are staying (the NPCs estate) and have them fight. Perhaps the NPC fears for the life of some woman whom he cares about and is afraid that she will be kidnapped or killed and you are asked to go and check on her and make sure that she gets to safety. Perhaps for the final encounter you could have the PCs kill the leader of the group who is causing trouble putting an end to the matter.

As a reward they would get:

1. Whatever they looted off the bodies of the dead.
2. A reward from the NPC and his thanks for their services.

And welcome to ENworld!

 

[Alexander123]

Also Perhaps the first meeting was sham to see if they could trust the PCs, while the real meeting is in the future although you might want to be careful because if the PCs decide to agree to betray their escortee that might be the end of the adventure unless you have prepared for what would take place should the PCs decide to betray.

 

[ValhallaGH]

Thank you! I'll really take this into consideration. We (the other DM's) usually include a NPC just so we don't get completely bored running, lol. They don't really help to advance the storyline or anything, just more so we have some way to interact with the players on a more personal level.

In that case you can include cooks, money-changers, animal handlers, traveling boy-toys / mistresses, nobles heading in the same direction, story-tellers, or other interesting personalities that have reason to come along but are not actual adventurers (no PC classes).

All the fun of deep interactions among traveling companions, and none of the dangers of overshadowing the PCs in their heroic battles.

Bonus, when the beloved cook gets captured, no one's going to ask why he doesn't Greater Teleport out of danger.