| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Rhewtani |
Posted - 17 Apr 2009 : 18:51:50
I've been DMing off and on for roughly the same group for the last 15 years or so. We've had our ups and downs and I'm always more impressed with the game I play in than the game I run. The DM for that game is certainly astounding, but I'd like to improve my game some.
My current goal is to run as many of the core modules as possible, tying new characters to old as best I can. I started with the earliest module I could find chronologically (with the exception of How the Mighty...): Ruins of Adventure. It's Phlan in 1340.
So, for world info I use 1E and have to keep an eye on dates a little. For rules I use Pathfinder/3.5E.
Ok, I get that it's more or less a bad adventure. Though, when I played in it, we had a lot of fun and it went really well. It's not that this run through is going badly, it's just not going amazingly and I would like to improve it.
Here's what's happened so far... |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Arravis |
Posted - 27 Apr 2009 : 16:36:56
You may find this useful: http://www.candlekeep.com/downloads/phlan.zip
Its something I did a while ago, but I did manage to bring in most of the old books with the new info.
-Arravis |
| Wenin |
Posted - 20 Apr 2009 : 02:41:40
quote:
Originally posted by Rhewtani
I forgot about RPG Tips. I used to get that, but haven't for a couple years.
Yeah he had to redo the mailing list last year. |
| Rhewtani |
Posted - 19 Apr 2009 : 19:11:04
Wenin - no, I strongly prefer the RP fashion. The equal fashion took so much extra time and people were refusing to buy certain items out of the pile. I don't give them great opportunities to sell the extras off, it's true.
I forgot about RPG Tips. I used to get that, but haven't for a couple years.
Mark - He's always taken modules and worked from them, with only a few exceptions. He's just always been amazing at bending them to his wll. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 18 Apr 2009 : 18:09:55
Does the DM you admire so much use modules? |
| Wenin |
Posted - 18 Apr 2009 : 17:20:36
Also have you heard of www.roleplayingtips.com ?
That site has a weekly newsletter that gives all kinds of tips to help GMs improve their game. |
| Wenin |
Posted - 18 Apr 2009 : 17:19:50
You've decided that you are wanting treasure to be handled in an equal fashion, rather than an RP fashion?
That is where you step in and remind them that it is still just a game. As the game's GM, you are wanting to ensure that party treasure is divided up equally.
quote:
It's also led to people just simply NOT picking certain treasures.
I'm unsure how this is an issue, the unselected treasure would be sold and the gold garnered would then be divided, right? |
| Rhewtani |
Posted - 17 Apr 2009 : 20:26:42
That's led to one player asking how the pc's know how much things are worth. And if no one in the group bothers with appraise (ok, not too much of an issue in pathfinder), it's a real valid question.
It's also led to people just simply NOT picking certain treasures. |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 17 Apr 2009 : 19:46:46
In regards to shares, the best method I was a part of had one person totaling up all the gold and value of magic items and dividing that by the party members. If one member wanted an item, they 'bought' it with part of their share. If they didn't have enough to 'buy' it, then they 'owed' the remaining value to party treasure from future encounters. Kept everything very balanced for all the players while still allowing the individuality and such. |
| Rhewtani |
Posted - 17 Apr 2009 : 19:10:24
So, how do I build a good 3 hour session using an old 1E module for this sort of group? What should I really focus on preparing?
Real time-sucks:
-Distributing treasure (the dwarf had created a spreadsheet that led to people getting equal shares. This has recently been dropped for "who can get the most use out of this?" with gold distributed evenly).
-Leveling (the guys who could level between sessions sort of do, but then the night of they second guess a lot and spend 30 minutes making final decisions). The guys who don't know how to level their characters need someone to take them through it. |
| Rhewtani |
Posted - 17 Apr 2009 : 19:07:24
We can only game from 7 pm - 10:30 pm on Tuesday nights. I'd like to see it as half roleplay/half combat, but it's not getting there.
Right now a combat encounter seems to take most of the night and is made up of many monsters that are no threat all supporting a monster that could kill multiple pcs.
For players, I have:
The Dwarf Cleric / Lizardman Barbarian: We've been using the crit chart from dragon compendium and his character has fumbled in such a way that he falls over in every session. He typically rolls pretty low. His desire in gaming is to do cool tricks that either evade a combat session or make him the star.
The Cormyrean Paladin / Dhampyr Fighter: He likes to play physical characters. He loves the idea of role-playing, but finds it hard to get into the zone without others going with him.
The Cormyrean Wizard / Drow Wizard: He likes to play physical characters, but has played two wizards to fill the group's needs. He's the best roleplayer, having DM'ed for 20some years. A lot of his attempts to RP fall flat, though.
The Human Fighter: New player. Good friends with a former player who never invited him to play. Barely knows the rules.
The Human Rogue: Faithful player, tries his hardest at all times. Has missed a lot of sessions so he barely grasps what's going on.
|
| Rhewtani |
Posted - 17 Apr 2009 : 19:00:12
Session #1-2
Party joined up with a halfling who had the only available contract - for Kuto's Well. He died in the caverns beneath the well and the group collected the payment.
Group consisted of:
Cormyrean Paladin of Ilmater
Cormyrean Wizard of Torm
Gold Dwarf Cleric of Moradin
Human Fighter (from Zhentil Keep)
Human Rogue (from Zhentil Keep)
Session #3-4
Group was sent to Sokol Keep, barely survived, but eventually cleared out the Keep. Human Rogue fell into a coma from injuries sustained (player had to miss for a semester).
Session #5-6
Group was sent to Cadorna Textile House. It turned into a routing. The two Cormyreans died. The Dwarf was captured.
Session #7
Rescure mission to Cadorna Textile House. Cormyreans replaced by a dhampyr half-elven fighter and a drow wizard. Lizardman added to the group.
Session #8-9
Mantor's Library. Party recovers tomes for the council, but encounters a basilisk, a stained glass golem, and the remains of several dead lizardmen that have been augmented and mutilated. The lizardfolk were working for Yarash.
Session #10
Valhingen Graveyard. Party discovers that a spectre in one mausoleum is creating zombies. Killing him destroyed the zombies.
|
