Wanted: Alternate DM

[elijin]

Currently the DMs are myself and Leonard.
Leonard will DM the main campy for the few of us who has deep emotional attachment to our characters, whereas I will run a weekly "Dungeon Delve", which is supposedly more focused on combat.

My Dungeon Delve, as I run modules, might include more RPing elements than usual, since the modules are the ones that dictate whether there's RPing elements or not.

In any case, this thread is for any DMs who would like to take up slots, for anyone who would like to try their hand at DMing.

Alvin, you wanna start your campy again?

[eternasky]

Yeapz.
Just let me know which campaign you guys wanna play.
You guys are lacking behind in the my campaign anyway

Alternatively, I can run Tomb of Horrors for you guys or D&D Encounters (once I get the green light).

[elijin]

Seng Choon you wanna try your hand at this? ;D

@alvin: I think we can talk more on Thursday. Wanna know how you can blend in your game. As it is, playing on Friday till late is just 1 quest, 4 encounters max.

[thedungeonmaster]

I prefer official campaigns - like maybe Eberron. Too much homebrew modifications don't really go too well for me.

[wum1ng]

I was running an Eberron campaign back in the UK, it's quite a nice place to explore with very interesting concepts, I don't mind running more Eberron-based games but would prefer more roleplaying than just beating up monsters, because that was what my first campaign ended up becoming (my players weren't terribly interested in chatting, anyway) Also then I can put my Campaign Guide to better use =P

Alternatively, the Dark Sun material will be out in like 2 weeks or so? I ordered stuff from the UK that will take like a month to get here (cos its alot cheaper), so probably mid September can look at some Dark Sun games.

For 4th ed the fights tend to take very long, and it gets worse at upper heroic and above. The players and monsters have more hit points, abilities, status effects etc which need to be kept track off and considered, and I haven't found a reliable low-tech method. My friend uses a laptop connected to a projector to display initiatve and conditions, and even then it still takes a million years to do anything. One thing I find is that the difference between 5 players and 6 players is not just a 20% increase in combat time, as the variables are multiplied exponentially.

What I found is that given a session length of say 5 hours, people will spend some time talking cock, settling down, setting up etc and in between break for snacks and toilet breaks and rest.. 5 hours can barely do 3 encounters. Usually I try to hurry things up by having the monsters run away or surrender once it becomes obvious that the PCs are going to win or have achieved their objectives.

This is what happens when I'm waiting for lunch break..

[eternasky]

haha.
Well, each homebrew group i have have varying sociosyncrcies. So I'll avoid lumping anything together. However, RPGA group is very fast when it comes to combat.
My campaign is very very modified, and i quote a player
"this is not D&D, it just references D&D 4th and 3rd ed"

So...
and i pretty much dropped that campaign for you guys unless you guys are keen to take it on again.

Dark Sun would be a good one to get to but it'll be a while before we could.
In the meantime I could run Tomb of Horrors module adventure (not campaign) or restart Terrun Dawn.

The formula is often:
Combat more, Roleplay less, fast
Roleplay more, Combat less, fast

Having both more = slow.
Rules arguing also delays the game. Hence we normally defer all rules checking to the RPGA forums board. I generally take all the concensus there.
Also as Seng Choon pointed out, as we near paragon and epic, the conditional modifiers that appear all the time slows the game greatly.
The buff board is a great idea. I'll recommend all buff folks to use it.
The most important is we need to understand our character more, so we can act fast when our turn arises.
as for inits, so far the fastest way is still via init cards.

Lester has an interesting way to track character defences, he has players write their char's defences on a standee placed near them. When he makes an attack, he stops asking for defences and just says, hit or miss. I think his low tech method is good.

[elijin]

Aye, a wanted notice for an alternate DM has turn into a debate on speed of D&D and the likes.

Anyway my 5 cents is simple, there should always be a balance between speed and enjoying the game, whichever elements of it players like. Some players love rolling dices, some players love the strategy, some the story telling, some the fantasy of the fight.
Surely, I tell you, if we incorporate all these elements one encounter can take forever. But the keyword is balance.

The DMG also states, dont always speak in "game terms". I try not to do that, but sometimes speed is of the essence. In any case, my point is, whatever it is, if the game has to end, it will end, but there's always a To Be Continued. So dont be bothered by the speed of it. Learn to enjoy and relax. That being said, of course dont take your own sweet time. Balance.

Anyway, Seng Choon, if you want to start your Eberron campaign I'm all for it. If time is an issue, we can always make arrangements. The good news is everyone's timing is stable, Edmund being the only player now who has to work shifts.
So if that week you are running Eberron, we dont do friday evenings and maybe do Sun afternoons. That kinda thing.
I'm sure we the players can accomodate
Also, dont let Dungeon Delve(DD) fool you into thinking DMC is a bunch of combat loving munchkins. As you can see the speed of combat at DMC is much slower than RPGA games. We actually appreciate RPing elements, and I would more than love to create a character whose Charisma is 8 but wants to play a bard. ;D
The story behind DD is that Leonard wanted to play as a player too, so I decided to take up the helm of being the DD DM and focus more on combat elements using Modules so I dont need to prepare much things, and at the same time be the secondary DM so all can get to play.

So when can you start?

Alvin, if you want to start Terrun Dawn that's fine too. I don't like to think that we dont encourage DMing, but my qualm is the homebrew worlds are a little close to reality I do like the interaction between 3 player groups. I think that's a very cool element.

[thedungeonmaster]

Well, if Seng Choon don't mind, you can run your Eberron campaign from start at 1st level. I believe there would be interested players. I will not mind investing in the Player's Guide, and I believe Marcus has the Eberron Player's Guide?

I believe if D&D becomes combat all the way, then RPG isn't really what it is anymore. Therefore, I agree that there should be a fine balance. I think whether the RP element can really take place requires both hands to clap. The DM's capability to weave a story, and the players efforts to be part of the world. I believe we can give Eberron a chance. So, Seng Choon - let us know when you can get it running; preferably not too long away, and of course not immediately. Because, I would want to draft a real proper PC for it.

Seng Choon - I agree with your method of making monsters die or surrender, because that's what I do when it's obvious the PCs are winning.

I love DARK SUN! I will want to DM for that! and also play as a PC for that! Wahahahahaha! I will definitely get the DARK SUN materials when they are available.

As for rules arguing - I still go with the old school rule; and that the DM overrules anything during the game session, so that the session doesn't get interrupted too long with discussions on rules. But of course, the DM must be impartial and realise his actions will affect the players' mood. Ultimately, the DM is a moderator and his role is to accomodate the players to feel heroic. [Unless you're playing Eugene's campaign, where he has declared that his monsters are out to kill because its Dungeon Delve, wahahaha~!]

But ultimately, for a serious campaign, I personally think the DM has an important role - to ensure the game runs smoothly and any debate on rules should be dealt with swiftly by the DM.

Regarding the buffs and bonuses/penalties, I believe everyone has a role to play. Everyone must know your own bonuses and penalties. Of course, sometimes it gets too messy. But, I believe with the standard paper and pen, it's good enough to keep track. Everyone just needs to be attentive.

Well... In think it doesn't matter whether in a 5 hour session, we only complete 2 encounters. The important thing is, the DM must feel good having run a solid session, and players leave the session feeling good that they've been heroes. No point rushing through the session trying to complete 5 encounters when it gets so mechanical and it feels like a boardgame.

Alvin - I think you can try to run adventure modules if you want to. As for Terrun Dawn, you gotta check with the rest. I personally prefer official campaigns because there be more material to refer to.

So, I be looking forward to Eberron~! Seng Choon, please confirm so that I can get the Player's Guide.

[eternasky]

grinz... tomb of horrors then heeheee
I can run that as a interim buffer.
It'll be a high on dungeon exploration type of mini adventure that spans probably 4 to 8 sessions

[wum1ng]

Alright since people are interested I'll run an Eberron campaign sometime then. I can start thinking about campaign themes and what you guys would like the general direction to be. I probably won't start running till at least my main gaming stuff arrives from the UK, which would be in like another 2 weeks or so.. Maybe can look at starting sometime in September? Leonard I have the EPG also, so can probably lend you that if you want to save money? (Kino @ taka has a copy too, just in case you're going there to buy)

For character starting level, nowadays I prefer starting play at mid to high heroic say at level 5+, cos at that point of time you will have enough feats and power choices to build interesting and distinct characters.

[Neo|*|Origin]

All right! I'll love to play a ranged-warlord/artificer if the party has at least 2 ranged chars.

Else, I'd go for an elemental striker.

[elijin]

Woo hoo!

I have played defender and striker. I shall sing songs of glory!
Shall play a bard from the Orient playing the Gu Zhen!

[Mobius]

Guys,
I have just procured the tabletop RPG for Dragon Age. Most of you will know it as the best videogame RPG of 2009. The gameplay is simplistic (64 pages for the Player's Guide and requires only 3d6 to play). Let me know if youse guys are interested in this and I will DM for it.

I'll get Eugene to scan the Player's Guide and disseminate it to the rest of you if response is favourable.

[thedungeonmaster]

Eberron it is then! I shall go get the player's guide... hehehe I prefer personal copies. I can't really say what class I will be playing, I probably will read the player's guide before deciding.

The kind of direction I will be projecting towards is RP, even in combat.

Edmund - I don't mind playing Dragon Age.

[eternasky]

Dragon Age sounds good =D I'll be a rogue
Eberron wise, I'll likely go Warforged Wizard...

[elijin]

As I always say, DD games are great for new players and new DMs alike. If anyone would like to try their hand at DMing for DD games, you are welcome to try.

DD games are mostly based on written modules, and these modules are written in a "easy to DM" play.

Perhaps Edmund you wanna try your hand at DMing first? I can set a module.

Anyone else who would like to try can also let me know.

[eternasky]

Eberron campaign can we start off with 1 x lv8 magic item? character creation rules?
can post the rules?
Really want that master's wand of magic missile

[thedungeonmaster]

We all shall just have to wait for Seng Choon to be done. Btw, Seng Choon, when your campaign is up, do let myself or Marcus know, and we can create another sub-category for the Eberron Campaign.