Rise of the Return of the DM Workshop

[GoatBoy]

Jon has talked about this, so I'd like to step up and suggest we pick a date.

Perhaps we could split it into two halves, one focusing on generic game-running, and the other on tips for specific systems?

Who's interested in attending and presenting at something like this? I have a few ideas, and I'd like to hear from everyone else, too.

[TurtleClaw]

I will come and listen if time is good.

[Cataphrak]

I'm in for this.

[Psyentific]

I'd like to throw in some advice for aspiring DMs.

First of all, no story survives contact with the PCs, unless you're railroading. That much should be obvious.

Second, nobody cares if you make it up as you go along, so long as you keep the players entertained and/or events are sufficiently awesome/badass.

Third, Dark Heresy has an amazing crit chart and you should use it whenever possible. Just ask the players if it's okay first (If you're using it on them), and work out a suitable alternative. "You can either burn all your rerolls and go to 0 hp, or we can roll on the Dark Heresy crit chart"

Fourth, it is never okay to say "Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies." If you feel like you have to kill off a PC (Or 6), throw a megabeast at them. A Dragon, A Chaos Daemonlord, SEAL Team Six... You never know, it might turn in to one of those crowning moments of awesome. If people need to die, drastically ramp up the encounter difficulty.

[GoatBoy]

First of all, no story survives contact with the PCs, unless you're railroading. That much should be obvious.

Depends on the group. If the group respects your ability and desire to tell a convincing story, sometimes they will cut you some slack. Assuming all games are either railroads or complete clusterfucks is a false dichotomy.

Third, Dark Heresy has an amazing crit chart and you should use it whenever possible. Just ask the players if it's okay first (If you're using it on them), and work out a suitable alternative. "You can either burn all your rerolls and go to 0 hp, or we can roll on the Dark Heresy crit chart"

Whenever possible, if you're playing Dark Heresy. Also, some people (including myself) find crit charts slow down gameplay, so don't just assume it's amazing because it works for your game. And having to essentially homebrew a rule every time it happens exacerbates the problem to unacceptable degrees.

Fourth, it is never okay to say "Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies." If you feel like you have to kill off a PC (Or 6), throw a megabeast at them. A Dragon, A Chaos Daemonlord, SEAL Team Six... You never know, it might turn in to one of those crowning moments of awesome. If people need to die, drastically ramp up the encounter difficulty.

I don't know what you mean when you say, "you have to kill off a PC." Is it because you don't like them? Or they're overpowered? These types of issues should NEVER be dealt with in-game.

[kultz]

Two questions.

1. Is this a workshop where veteran DMs give talks on aspiring DMs, or more like AA where we all sit in a circle and share stories?

12. Why split group? Was the last one obscenely huge and unmanagable?

45. Third question, how beginner-friendly is this workshop intended to be?

[GoatBoy]

Basing these answers on what Jon and I have discussed, but he might have other ideas so none of this is final

1. A bit of both. Moreso the former but I'd encourage everyone to offer input. I just want to make sure specific topics are covered.

12. By "split," I mean half an hour focusing on generic gaming, and another half hour on system-specific topics. I don't want people to feel excluded if they don't play or aren't planning on playing any of our more common systems.

45. Between people who have never run games and people who have and just want to become better at it, I think it will be more toward the former, because we need more people willing and able to run games.

[MikeL]

I'd suggest linking this thread to the ARC Facebook group just to get word out there, since not everyone checks the forums frequently

[Cataphrak]

Just went and did that.

[Iron Wall]

I'll of course be out there, having talked with you about this in the past Jeff.

I am excite.

[captaincommunism]

i'd be down, just depends on when.

[Jfan999]

What days are people available for this?

What does everyone think of putting up a gaming Q&A thread on the forums?

[kultz]

I like the idea of compiling advice and information into some sort of thread.

[captaincommunism]

best day for me is monday after 4.

[Jfan999]

I'm finally finished my midterms I'm thinking that next Monday at 4 would be a good time for the work shop. Anyone have any problems with that time?

[Gaming]

Summer 2013:

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