The Dungeon Masters' Foundation Mk.II

[Nightcloak]

How would this thing breed to get half-anything?

The idea behind the cleric's use of the Kyber dragonshards was to power the Warforged with the draconic and demonic nature of the dragon below. Who knows what evil can come from the releasing of such energy into the races of Eberron? Talk about a great oppurtunity to throw open the doors on templates!

Draconomican, Book of Vile Darkness, and Half-Illithids, oh my!

Themind, your game is gonna rock!

 

[themind]

DOn't I know it. I just got to figure out how pwerful of mgic itdms to give it. At least a +1 or 2 for the weapon and maybe have its body enchnted with +1 to armor. Not sure.

 

[Nightcloak]

Don't I know it. I just got to figure out how pwerful of mgic itdms to give it. At least a +1 or 2 for the weapon and maybe have its body enchnted with +1 to armor. Not sure.

I'd just look up the total GP available for an NPC of the same level and go shopping. Nothing indepth. Just the cost for weapons, the cost to enchant the armor, and maybe something fun if you have extra gold left over.

I didn't think of enchanting his body armor, thats a great idea. It makes him bad news and the PCs can't loot it later

But that guy is gonna be bad news, so make sure they get something for there troubles besides the lumps he's gonna dish out.

 

[Nightcloak]

Well, it finally happened. I found out that I was losing two of my players due to the problems I have posted here. So, I did the unthinkable and informed my group that the current gaming group as it stands is no longer viable for me. Basically, though the advice I have given and received, I discovered that I was no longer getting what I wanted out of the game and neither was just about anybody else.

I have decided that the single most important factor in starting a gaming group or adding members to an existing one is communicating what you as a DM are looking for in the game and letting prospective players know that you want players who are looking for the same thing(s) from the game. If you don't want to play the same game, then don't try to play together.

This may not be true to everybody, depending on their circumsances, but having gamed for about 23 years, I am way too set in my ways to change the basic style of game I enjoy (though it has developed over time, thank goodness). I also enjoy running the game. At this point in my life, this decision seems right for me. I am choosing the game I want to play and trusting that there are players out there who want it too. If not... I haven taken a hiatus before.

I want to game as a stress reliever, not a stress inducer.

DM

Wow. I'd give you my best about things going south, but it really sounds like your happier this way and frankly, relieved. So I'll instead just wish you the best to find the group/game that works best for you.

You are right. You are a player also and deserve to play in a game you enjoy. It's ironic, if a player is in a game he doesn't like, everyone tells him to find a new group. Strange how you don't hear the same for DM's not happy with their game.

Good luck finding the right group/game soon!

 

[DarrenGMiller]

Wow. I'd give you my best about things going south, but it really sounds like your happier this way and frankly, relieved. So I'll instead just wish you the best to find the group/game that works best for you.

You are right. You are a player also and deserve to play in a game you enjoy. It's ironic, if a player is in a game he doesn't like, everyone tells him to find a new group. Strange how you don't hear the same for DM's not happy with their game.

Good luck finding the right group/game soon!

It is funny how things turn out actually. When people give advice to DM's about a player they are having difficulty with, the DM is told to boot the player. When advice is given to a player who is not getting along well in the group, the player is told to find a new group. DM's are assumed to be responsible for their group and if things go south then it is their fault. I know I am already at risk of hijacking this thread and I am sorry for that, but I think that this IS an issue that is important for DM's, so I am going to tell you what has transpired in the past 24 hours.

I am a teacher (as I have posted before) and as such, no longer felt like being a part of a gaming group that had to be controlled and continuously brought back on task like an unruly classroom. I get enough of classroom management every day and don't need to manage people who are supposed to be my friends (3 of my players are former students, 1 other recently graduated from the school where I teach). I just want to run a game where there is mutual trust among the players to do what you are supposed to be doing at the table. Table rules should be able to handle any minor problems that may arise (IMO).

After I informed my group that I no longer felt the current group was viable, I received a whole bunch of emails and phone calls. The player who told me that he and another player were quitting denied that he told me that to the rest of the group when they called him. The other player emailed me and informed my that she was not planning on quitting. The player I assume would care the least about the termination of the game has done the most to try to salvage something out of this.

In short, he has spoken to everyone involved, including the player we ousted a month ago when things started going poorly. He then called me to show his support for my decision and his willingness to work towards restoring a group of some kind even if the personnel is slightly different (I usually have at least a small waiting list of potential players and had 3 on that list as of last night). Even though he was at fault for some of the problems and he ignored my request to cut the silliness and criticism, etc. during sessions, he apologized, admitted his share and wants to move on. He also expressed that if he was not part of my next group, he would regret it, but understand. I also received several calls from the player we ousted, as well as another player and emails of support from two others. In short, most are willing to do whatever it takes to get me back behind the screen again soon and hope that they can be a part of it, but expressed understanding if they are not.

I am wondering if anyone here has any player surveys or if anyone has done a "trial session" to determine the make-up of the group. When I decide to put a group back together, I want lots of out of game communication and trust.

Have I been selfish in gaming only when I can be assure that I am getting what I want out of the game? Probably so, but at my age and with the amount of gaming time I have to run a game, I don't want to waste it.

Thanks for your help. Like it or not, I will let you know how it goes.

DM

 

[siege72]

Gaming problem... and solution?

I've been having issues with one of the campaigns that I run; originally I was going to ask for advice here, but just bit the bullet and did my own thing. (I was almost at the point of putting the game on haitus as well)

I'm currently running three games with pretty much the same players, although in slightly different combinations. The problem I've run into is that my Saturday-night game has been off track. Two of the players are decent guys, but look at gaming as being "socializing time" instead of "D&D time". A lot of gaming sessions have accomplished nothing because of constant jokes, interruptions, etc.

The game only runs every-other week for 5-6 hours; losing any time really hurts the campaign's progress. And I have to drive an hour each way just to get there. Worse, players complain about the lack of progress, and then don't take kindly to focusing. Worst of all, one of the players (a good friend of mine) has a very large ego and any "suggestions" piss him off... Two weeks ago, he was starting to tell a joke OOC in the middle of combat, and when I asked him to act or delay (so I could keep things moving) he left the table in a huff. Major issues, I'd say.

The morning before the last game, I sent all of the players an email with the changes I was going to be making:
* The XP I award for being on time, prepared, etc would be halved (down to 100 XP)
* "Story awards" wouldn't be awarded any longer, unless the plot was actually advanced. And any roleplaying bonuses would be awarded individually.
* The individual XP awards would be based on my subjective opinion about how well the player RP'd, and how many OOC issues (metagaming, lack of focus, etc) there were to deal with.
* Anyone who was unhappy with their character could change within the next session or two, with only the loss of a single level, instead of two (as is the norm). (I knew one player was very unhappy with his character, and wasn't sure about some of the others.)

Although there was a bit of shock and irritation that came through at first, everyone was open to the idea. (Especially since I'd intimated to one player that if things didn't improve the campaign could be put on hiatus... )

Much to my pleasant surprise, the game actually ran well! There were some issues and interruptions, but nothing like the games before. So far there haven't been any complaints received, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[siege72]

I am wondering if anyone here has any player surveys or if anyone has done a "trial session" to determine the make-up of the group. When I decide to put a group back together, I want lots of out of game communication and trust.

I've done it informally, asking players what kind of campaign they're looking for, what kind of environment (ie, location in the Forgotten Realms), etc. I also "require" character backgrounds, so I have a rough idea of how well a player will fit into the game, and what kind of issues the characters will have.

Have I been selfish in gaming only when I can be assure that I am getting what I want out of the game? Probably so, but at my age and with the amount of gaming time I have to run a game, I don't want to waste it.

My Rule 0 is that the game is supposed to be fun for everyone, including the DM. If you're not enjoying the game, there's no reason to continue.

 

[Nightcloak]

Wolf70:

I have two player surveys I have given recently, as I gear up for what will be a new campaign this summer. Or better put, a return to me DMing full time after the year break I mentioned before.

One survey is of what the players like in DMing style and game play. Or what they enjoy in a game. The second is one that asks questions about houserules and campaign detail.

I would post them but the first one is a modified survey from another poster here on ENWorld and I would think it would be bad form to post something that is technically not mine.

If you, or anyone is interested, you can email me at creativecontrol@sbcglobal.net and I would be happy to send it to you.

They are good starting points for a survey but I would modify then to fit your style or the nature of your players.

 

[DarrenGMiller]

@ Nightcloak - I have sent you an email. I am extremely interested in your surveys.

DM

 

[Morbog of Ghetto D]

Sneak Attacks

Just to make sure....when using a Sneak Attack, the attacker can use their entire full attack sequence during the attack. Adding the sneak attack bonus damage to all the attacks?

At least thats how I have read it and how I've seen it..

But sadly, Last nights Ambush of the Spider Cult was ruined when my player called me

a "F***King A**H***" and then said a hearty F***You!" So you amy ask what casued this barrage of insults....Well.

Round 1-First the players open their PHBS to read all about mounted combat, and ride by attack to "understand" how those skills work, Since I attacked them with 6 mounted warriors.
When they found that I was indead running the encounter correctly, they shut their books.

Several Rounds later my rogue made 2 move silently, and hide checks to move up behind the archer. I rolled for 2 listen, and 2 spot checks for the PC, all were failures.

I then sneak attacked the PC, killing the elf. Here the PHBs are opened again, and the rule lawyer decided to read Sneak Attack to make sure I was "correct"...

He then declared, "Yep thats how its written"....And I said "thank you for justifying my ruling"
He ofcourse than asked, "well I hope you gave the Player a listen check?"
My frustration and sarcasm was obvious, but then the player began the verbal abuse.

Today i informed the Players that I will not be running the game after I complete this "adventure" which is about 2-3 more sessions.

I think I'll roll up a rogue

Later