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Message: <blockquote data-quote="StalkingBlue" data-source="post: 1513047" data-attributes="member: 645">Hiya randomling, good to hear your game plans are still alive and kicking! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> S'mon's already said much (accursed early risers <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f61b.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue    :p"  data-smilie="7"data-shortname=":p" /> ), so let me just add some random sleep-muddled thoughts...  Erm, being terrified is normal.  Going ahead regardless is what makes the hero!  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> Hm, seeing you play I'd say you're probably brilliant at the roles, which is what matters most.  As to rules, no one knows all the rules in DnD, and whoever claims otherwise is a bloody liar.  You can always get help looking stuff up when you need it.  Personally for a first game I'd probably lean towards running a rules system the group is already sorta familiar with, for two reasons:  First, it will enable me to employ a reasonable, supportive person with strong rules fu as a rules assistant - i.e. get them to look stuff up while I continue to run the scene where possible.  Second, it'll allow players to relax into the game more quickly because they already have one set of circumstances (namely, the rules) that they are familiar with and that gives them confidence.  DMs aren't the only ones who have to find their footing in a new game! Neither of these reasons is valid of course if you're facing a group who's in an out-to-get-DM stance.  For those guys, I'd say laugh them in the face and go get a better group.  Which is pretty much what you've been doing anyway! Er... um...   <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f631.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":eek:" title="Eek!    :eek:"  data-smilie="9"data-shortname=":eek:" />   Thanks.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f631.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":o" title="Eek!    :o"  data-smilie="9"data-shortname=":o" />That's stage fright.  Perfectly normal to feel that way.  And pretty tough, and pretty important to go ahead anyway!  I don't know about games fifty times better or anything like that - OTOH I do know there's _at least_ two people in the group eager for you to run your game!  Yup, exactly. The two Scary DMs.  ?? Heh. Nope. Oh but you are.  You just don't know it yet.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> Noooo!  If there's any group you want to DM for it's us.  Yes?  Yes?   <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/nervous.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":heh:" title="Nervous Laugh    :heh:" data-shortname=":heh:" /> You're the DM.  You just gotta say you've got one and voilà:  potion of Confidence!  Seriously.  Strength is inside you.  You'll find it. Hm, I sure don't look slick all the time.  I have off moments, and whole off nights!  So I'm sure does everyone.  The wisest bit of advice I've seen in this respect is from Henry on these boards:  As a DM your job isn't to run a perfect game.  Your job is merely to provide an opportunity for fun and entertainment.  If you don't know where to go next it is always ok to take a two-minute break. Get fresh tea, wander to the bathroom, check your notes, send people outdoors to smoke (too bad we're all non-smokers!) - or just sit there and smile and say you've got to think for a bit.  It's bound to happen if you give players real freedom in your game, and all players who value freedom will understand they have to let you breathe sometimes to catch up with them when they surprise you! And generally speaking, I don't know anything better for my self-esteeem than doing something I'm terrified of and realise that despite appearances I can do it!  So go ahead, run that damn game.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />  Er, wait.  No.  I take that back.  First take those pesky exams and then run the damn game.</blockquote>

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