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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shiroiken" data-source="post: 8287692" data-attributes="member: 6775477">While there are a shortage of DM/GMs, by definition more people are going to play than GM. An average group has 5 players and a DM, which means that for every session you have a 5:1 ratio. Even if the group has multiple DMs (like mine) you'll never get past that ratio unless they DM for different groups. While I don't miss the bad old days of the rules being hidden from players, I feel the loss of apprenticeships to be a problem. For those unaware, back in the AD&D days it was hard to become a DM, since the rules were both complicated and even hidden from the players in 1E. Usually a DM would find a player with potential to become a DM, and would then take the effort to help guide them. As an old school DM, I still feel it's my responsibility to mentor potential DMs even though I haven't played with a new group in ages.While BECMI did a great job teaching DMs without needing a mentor, I feel this has fallen off in the WotC years. I don't know what the best solution might be, especially nowadays with so many play styles and preferences. While a book would be ideal, I don't think it would be profitable enough for WotC to print it. Perhaps a PDF or print-on-demand might be better, but I'm still not sure. Another option would be to dedicate a section of their website to it.There are quite a few Forever DMs. While I play about half the time, I'm about to take my first DM hiatus in 6 years. IME there are casual DMs who will run the periodic campaigns, then us Forever DMs that just can't stop for too long before the creative itch returns.</blockquote>

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