[Gen Con] Thinking of running a game . . .

Seonaid · May 20th, 2008, 01:17 PM

So, I'm thinking about maybe running something short and sweet at Gen Con.

I've run exactly once before, for two players. I was thinking this would be more exploratory for me as a GM than necessarily a rockin' good time for the players. I know, I know, I'm really selling myself here.

Does anyone think this is a good idea? Does anyone have any suggestions as to when and what? Right now, I think I'm free Wednesday night, Friday morning, and Sunday night, and it might not be a full four hours. I'd probably run rules-lite 3.5, with a (short) published module for four or five people . . . or I'd run Dread.

Fraisala · May 20th, 2008, 01:36 PM

Well, gotta start somewhere, ya know?

So far my Friday morning is looking good, and I'm confident your being there would inject an acceptable amount of awesome.

Yttrai · May 20th, 2008, 01:38 PM

Technically i'm busy all those times except Sunday night.

And i think i'd be a good test subject, since i like giving advice on games, am not all that experienced myself, can empathise with what it's like to be new, but i do have a decent knowledge of 3.5 rules.

Plus, i'm nice

Seriously, if it works in my schedule, even in one of the awkward 2-3 hour breaks i have during the week, i'll totally help break you in.

Princesskeyblade · May 20th, 2008, 01:43 PM

We are around Sunday night too.... and our flight leaves at 5 p.m. on Monday.

Fraisala · May 20th, 2008, 01:44 PM

Ah, actually having bothered to *look* at my schedule, I see sunday night is also currently open

scholar · May 20th, 2008, 02:59 PM

sunday night after dinner?

I am interested

JC · May 20th, 2008, 03:18 PM

Sunday night I imagine there will be another Not Twin Rose Dinner.

That said, I am interested.

reveal · May 20th, 2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great JC

Sunday night I imagine there will be another Not Twin Rose Dinner.

That said, I am interested.

fett527 · May 20th, 2008, 11:08 PM

If it's before dinner and you promise to cork your ass then I'm in.

We leave after dinner.

orchid blossom · May 20th, 2008, 11:23 PM

I'd be glad to be in on your first experimental game. If for no other reason than to salute your bravery.

(Has also run exactly one game but does not have the cajones to try running a game yet)

Seonaid · May 20th, 2008, 11:59 PM

Okay, I'm gonna do it.

I'll post an official thread later, but here's the preliminary.

It's going to be 3.5, for 4 to 6 players, mid-level (probably). Generic Greyhawk, published adventure (possibly with some twists), pregens provided. Either that, or Dread. If it's Dread, it'll be 5 to 7 players. It will be my second time GMing, so I will probably suck and will be expecting feedback. I'm not good at taking criticism, though, so that may be an issue.

It will probably be shorter than the "normal" 4 or 5 hours.

If you're still with me, the times I am available as of now are below. Tell me when you're free and I'll do my best to accomodate as many of you as I can. Or at least the people I like.

Tuesday after 3 (plane gets in at 2:45)
Wednesday before 1
Wednesday after 4/5ish (preferably at SK's picnic)
any time Thursday
Friday before 2
Saturday before 1
Sunday after 2 (preferably after 6)

reveal · May 21st, 2008, 12:30 AM

If you have all day free on Thursday, why did you drop from my game? As for the times you have listed, none of them are good for me. Sunday after dinner would be much better.

Fraisala · May 21st, 2008, 12:36 AM

any time Thursday? Did I miss something?

Seonaid · May 21st, 2008, 12:38 AM

I'm not really free all day Thursday. In fact, I'm not free at all on Thursday. HOWEVER, if a majority are free Thursday and never else, I'd be willing to shuffle things. I'm sorry, reveal, I didn't mean it like that.

Fraisala: JC hasn't decided about Shazbot yet. If he runs it Thursday morning, then I'm definitely not free all day Thursday.

Cassander · May 21st, 2008, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reveal

If you have all day free on Thursday, why did you drop from my game?

Hey, I got in Seonaid's slot and I'm not leaving!

Fraisala · May 21st, 2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seonaid

Fraisala: JC hasn't decided about Shazbot yet. If he runs it Thursday morning, then I'm definitely not free all day Thursday.

Yeah, me too! Just making sure there wasn't some sort of memo I didn't get...

JC · May 21st, 2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fraisala

Yeah, me too! Just making sure there wasn't some sort of memo I didn't get...

Rest assured that it is not a matter of desire but simply of stamina. And I don't want to make a snap decision.

Seonaid · May 21st, 2008, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great JC

Rest assured that it is not a matter of desire but simply of stamina.

That's what she said!

Seonaid · May 21st, 2008, 01:05 AM

Also, if you're interested, let me know if you have a system preference.

Fraisala · May 21st, 2008, 01:32 AM

JC: resting, and apparently that makes just one of us.

Seonaid: As to 3.5, what sort of published module are you thinking about? is it in Dungeon magazine? Cause I've read/run/played in some of those (not all of them though). Cass is in a similar situation to you, and I recommended Dread because it would take away the temptation to fuss over numbers. If you're as prone to that as he is, I say go with dread. If not, 3.5 is also cool.

Seonaid · May 21st, 2008, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fraisala

JC: resting, and apparently that makes just one of us.

Seonaid: As to 3.5, what sort of published module are you thinking about? is it in Dungeon magazine? Cause I've read/run/played in some of those (not all of them though). Cass is in a similar situation to you, and I recommended Dread because it would take away the temptation to fuss over numbers. If you're as prone to that as he is, I say go with dread. If not, 3.5 is also cool.

My biggest concern with running D&D is that I don't know the rules . . . and I'm afraid that if I make something up on the fly, 1) my players will pitch a fit and/or 2) it won't be balanced.

If I ran a published module, it'd be one by GMC--I've done editing work for them, so I've read a lot of their adventures multiple times.

I dunno. Thank you for your thoughtful response.

JC · May 21st, 2008, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fraisala

JC: resting, and apparently that makes just one of us.

It's not really resting.

More like taking a break. I already have 11, maybe 12 games already on tap and don't want to burn out. Especially because as I have more games towards the later part of the Con than the beginning.

That said, I'm still on the fence.

Cassander · May 21st, 2008, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seonaid

My biggest concern with running D&D is that I don't know the rules . . . and I'm afraid that if I make something up on the fly, 1) my players will pitch a fit and/or 2) it won't be balanced.

It's a con game... balance and numbers don't really matter. Just make shit up, be entertaining, and your players will love it. MUCH better than taking too long making sure the numbers are right and killing the flow of the game.

That said, viva la Dread revolucion ;-)

Yttrai · May 21st, 2008, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seonaid

My biggest concern with running D&D is that I don't know the rules . . . and I'm afraid that if I make something up on the fly, 1) my players will pitch a fit and/or 2) it won't be balanced.

You've been very upfront you are new at this. I doubt anyone will pitch a fit.

You are the DM, you set the rules. I've seen a few ways of handling rules calls at the table:

1. Never question the DM. This is not a recommended approach

2. If the majority of the table is sure the DM is wrong, they usually gracefully defer. This works if you trust your players.

3. If the DM is sure they are right and only one or two people disagree, if the players can get the rule book open and the relevant passage out before the end of the current action in question (i.e. no delay of game for the call) then the DM will defer.

4. RARELY the DM will retcon a turn or two back, but in general this is confusing. Not recommended either, IMHO.

If you decide in advance which approach you will take and let people know at the beginning of the game, for the sake of your learning experience, and the players' fun, you should be fine. After all, the DM is the DM. You can always house rule anything you want, but there is also the grace of admitting a gap in your knowledge. Be fair but consistent, is my advice.

Of course, i've never DMed

but i sure have sat through some sessions that were painful.

No, not you Qualidar

Fraisala · May 21st, 2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seonaid

My biggest concern with running D&D is that I don't know the rules . . . and I'm afraid that if I make something up on the fly, 1) my players will pitch a fit and/or 2) it won't be balanced.

If I ran a published module, it'd be one by GMC--I've done editing work for them, so I've read a lot of their adventures multiple times.

I dunno. Thank you for your thoughtful response.

Ok, first off, trying to run D&D without first being proficient with the ruleset is, in my humble little opinion, pure madness. You can try it, but you need some serious ovaries and a few great players to make it worthwhile. Lucky for you, I'm willing to bet you've got both already. Also, Cass and Yttrai are right. Listen to them.

second: it seems I'm spoiler-free. yay.