Thoughts about DM'ing

[Howlando]

Imagine, if you will, that you are a volunteer for a large public playground. Your responsibilities include -

1 - Watching over a crowd of individuals anywhere from age 12 to 45. A vocal minority are maladjusted socially, have issues with authority, etc.

2 - Usually you are the only monitor in the playground, and must watch over the entire crowd of attendants (anywhere from 15 to 50 people). Typically you will be watching over significantly more people than the average crowded public school class.

3 - The kids in the playground are constantly fighting, and you must act as a referee.

4 - The playground equipment is often breaking down or requires adjustment

5 - The playground regularly changes and you must constantly work to expand it

6 - You must lead games and activities, when a lot of the time you'd rather just be playing in the sandbox with the other kids.

Add - IRC, forums, and about thirty other things. I really could go on.

This isn't intended as a complaint by any means, being a DM is a pretty sweet gig. But I do think keeping this kind of comparison in mind can be helpful - DM'ing, especially for a long period of time, is exhausting and every single DM we have ever had goes through periods of activity/inactivity. Furthermore, most of us really just want to specialize in a few things at time.

I hope to come up with a new post soon, that will help offer players some guidance in how to get the best kind of attention from us.

For example, finding the best DM for what you're trying to do. And how to entertain the DM with your character so that the DM feels motivated (as opposed to obligated) to want to spend time helping your world come to life.

[Wrexsoul]

First off, I want to say that I understand the above difficulties totally, and that I am extremely appreciative of the work you guys do for us every day. I am currently on my third year of education to become a class and individual music teacher, and have worked in similar areas earlier, so I have professional experience of something very similar to your metaphor. I know full well how completely bloody exhausting it can be. I also am thankfully aware of the thrill, joy and sense of fulfillment something like this gives you when things go the right way, so I believe I can say with some certainty that I understand why you keep up the great work week after week despite its difficulties.

Thanks!

Secondly, something I have thought of a lot recently, is this:

For example, finding the best DM for what you're trying to do.

Once you start getting involved in various elements of the server, it sometimes feels like a pretty daunting guessing game with which DM to approach about a particular matter. While I am sure you all try to keep as up to date as possible on all that is going on, the magnitude of the server seems such that it must be impossible for a single person to have a full grasp of all of it. I am sure you all have your chosen areas of specialization, but what these are is really tricky to find out. Some general guidelines of what each of you like to deal with, and are particularly responsible for, would be very helpful both for us players, and, I suppose, you DM's as well. I've no idea how to do this without creating extra difficulties for you or spoiling too much of what's going on, however, but it'd sure be nice!

Another thing that would be helpful, but perhaps additionally stressful for you, would be some information of which DMs are currently active on a smaller time frame than "generally around" or "completely inactive". Perhaps then you can avoid buggering a DM who is currently having a busy month IRL, or trying to reach someone who is going out of town for a few weeks with something critical. Again, though, this brings your freedom and choice for anonymousity down another couple of notches, so I'm not sure if it would be for the best or not.

Just a couple of thoughts - You all rock.

[Howlando]

I think a lot of it comes with experience and, frankly, getting to know some of us on IRC. But above all else, do not be shy! For example - dm channel messages that are pleasantly and succinctly phrased but do not require immediate response are very nice.

"My group is doing the scripted quest , we are looking for signs of anything related to "

"*Wanders past , casually checking to see if he has time to discuss *"

[derfo]

is this like lord of the flies

[Random_White_Guy]

Well. As one of the few Ex's I think I'll make a big post after I eat some breakfast. Unique position of PC -> DM -> PC again, and can throw some insight for folks pretty easily enough.

[GoblinSapper]

Having DM'd myself several times for 2 or 3 different servers, let me tell you our DM team is pretty good and healthy. How can you tell?
 
They don't hate the players.
 
This is a syndrome that will pop up even in PNP games - players are very easy to hate. They're stupid, whiny, needy, have short attention spans, respond to everything with violence - it's like looking after eight year olds hopped on meth armed with knives. Penny Arcade has a few strips reguarding this - Tycho Brahe is the perennial, brilliant but burnt out DM who takes sadistic glee in destroying his players.
 
Any time you find a server where there isn't an Us V Them divide between the DM team and the players? You've got a good server. That usually settles in after about a year or two, too, so EFU should be fine for the forseeable future, if LPFF and Howland et-all aren't spawning chosen for grathamar on random adventurers.

[Random_White_Guy]

Goblinsapper raises a great point. No DM would be doing this if they hated PCs. They'd do something else. It's just that simple.

As for the big post:

To preface, I love PCing. In fact I prefer it. That being said DMing is a uniquely enriching experience that gives you not only a front row seat to all the awesome of EFU but also the hands on elbows deep work that makes this server such a remarkable place to play.

To illuminate Howland's first point- DMs do indeed like to specialize. Since I know what other folks did but more importantly what I did myself I'll start there. I liked the flavor of the server, as well as the Factions. The biggest thing I tried to pursue was possessing NPCs to plot with other PCS and help get things rolling. Everything from random bar drunks to Infantrymen to weird little plots. The IC Rumors post was my baby and PCs in DM factions I tried to work plots for on a near regular basis. However there are also DMs like Johannes and Mort who do ridiculously awesome scripting and expansion efforts, DMs like Snoteye who do bug squashing and more behind the scenes things, and some DMs who just enjoy running those crazy quests that PCs love so much. Some DMs just love watching PvP, or the lore of the server, or the list goes on.

That's just the stuff that is enjoyed. As Howland said there is also issues of IRC, Forum work, Plotting, developing storylines, building equipment and items. All of which can be a great deal of fun.

Then ontop of that there is the more down and gritty parts - PC against PC feuding and OOC abuse, Griefers, Cheaters, and the more "Administrative" DM roles that occur regularly and can throw a spin on the fact that this job, and yes it is a job, and a voluntary headache.

With that aside, Let's get into the -fun stuff-.

Conflict is the #1 way to get involved in EFU be it from the DM or PC side. Everyone loves a story with a hero and a villain, and everyone loves the tension that comes from conflict.

The problem is at times people have a great idea but haven't fleshed it out enough for a DM to even know where to start helping.

Disclaimer: Use the OOC journals. They're private, other PCs cannot read them, and you can keep DMs appraised of your plots, faction recruitment, and otherwise. If getting DM input or DM attention is your goal this is one of the easier ways to accomplish it

Moving on from that though, PCs often enjoy quarreling with NPCs. Sometimes its more fun. Sometimes its percieved as "Easier" and less permanent than PvP (Which is the #1 cause of permadeath on EFU aside from ragequits). Starting a random fight with an NPC is fun, and if it suits your character is absolutely worthwhile yet at the same time it isn't the best way to get a DMs attention, to involve other PCs, and really is more of a hassle than moving a storyline.

[Random_White_Guy]

Ex:

Using myself again as an example, Ivor Kalstoff was a CN Tempuran who desired to bring War to the isle in ways never conceived. Rather than simply marching onto the battlefield he wanted to consume it. He wanted to expand it, warp it, and raise it to an all new level. The Stargazers are known for guerrilla tactics which are more often than not seen as "Cowardly" in traditional warfare.

So, the idea was simple. I wanted to raise an army to raid the Starwood, take some of them as slaves and prisoners, and eventually train them in the ways of war to send back to their populaces to convert them. DM answer? "Neat, but not yet enough involved". So I put up some fliers spreading the idea, threw up some recruitment notices for slavers and otherwise, and generally went about causing a ruckus. As expected both the Anti-Slaver PCs, the Nature PCs, and more took massive offense to this.

So I found myself sitting upon a powder-keg. No allies, numerous enemies, and spent a fortune making public sendings about slaving parties, breaking the Stargazers, and more. As this went on and developed, the idea itself began getting a little too much emphasized on DM presence. A raid of Starwood would be suicide without NPC support, of which I didn't exactly have a lot of and an opportunity presented itself.

The remnants of Lord Greywood's forces who were in Castle Blackhearth swore they would stand beside the Stargazers. A particularly vocal Lathanderite Paladin leading the charge against my actions.

I had a PC enemy. Bingo. I shifted my entire pursuit. It was no longer about Starwood. It was no longer about their war. It was about a Civilized Paladin being a Savage-Sympathizer. I declared war on the Paladin, and gave them warning that I would be raiding Castle Blackhearth. This lead to ample debates with goodly PCs from the Paladin's faction, as well as increased pressure from the Stargazers and Druids alike.

The DM support I was offered was simple - Lord Stenton, a prominent slaver lord said "Collect me stargazers and you will recieve 1,000 gold per slave brought in". Emphasis for spreading more conflict. "Succeed in taking castle blackhearth and you will receive Patrician status"  A plot nudge in the right direction.

This was after I had already began conflict with the Stargazers, after I already began conflict with Castle Blackhearth, and I had a single conversation with a DM possessed NPC.

Eventually on the eve of the invasion I was killed by the Druids of the isle. All PCs.

While that is a somewhat expended point the idea is simple from any PC perspective: The More PC's you involved on your side, the more proactive you are and fleshed out your idea is, the more PCs who rally to stand against your PC, and the more you are willing to shift and twist your goals to avoid DM oversight the more things will work for you in EFU.

A PC plot has the potential to be just as thrilling and just as fun as a DM Plot.

The important thing is if you are having fun, and if those with you are having fun. That is first and foremost in my opinion what matters. If a DM sees all that fun they're more likely to go "Oh man, that looks fun, how can I get in on that?"

Also the more you can string out conflict, build tension, and avoid just "Hey, Let's PvP that guy for standing against us", the better story you tell and the more people both PC and DM who want to get involved.

[The Beggar]

Reasons why Howland wins at his posts:

Short.

Succinct.

Non wall of text.

Thank you Howland, for your example.

[DangerousDan]

I like the idea of explaining specialisations.

My own area of expertise is area building (something that I probably can't help you with) and setting writing. The latter is pretty much my forté, so if anyone has any questions about server history or setting I am your man.

[Damien]

we need to hire more dms :(

i havent seen a single dm on GMT for the past three days

cough make that hadnt, dms were on last night

[Nightshadow]

More DM's is always good, in my opinion. There does seem to be a bit of an imbalance at the moment, and the only one I tend to see these days is LPFF (thank you, by the way!). Though I tend to play for a long time these days, and I notice that some people's timezones are fairly dead as far as DM's go (though I could be wrong).

Getting back on topic, though. RwG has it right, if you want to be something, you have to go out and do stuff, attract people to your cause, have a goal (ones that involve conflict with someone else tend to be the best, in my opinion), and take it as far as you can go.

As for DM'ing, I DM a lot but rarely on NwN, typically PnP. It's stressful and at times annoying but I like it when people get really wrapped up in my plots and enjoy it.

[Letsplayforfun]

Howland’s post is a jewel. Just a quick input from one of the newest DMs on the team (one year already, time flies, hopping around the module, forums or irc).

[hide="PW DMing”]

DMing on EfUA’s my first PW DMing experience, and it’s really, really great.

It’s nothing like PnP dming, in which you easily control anything that happens, from setting to dice rolls.

In a PW, each thing you create is set loose. Areas are autonomous. PCs are set loose. NPCs are freed. Interaction is greatly impredictable. Plots are not just your own, but they have to fit in the module’s context. Quick manipulations are necessary. Preparation helps a lot, but once it’s IG, it’s rolling with or without you, and there’s tons of â€"other- demands to see to that what you logged in for.

It’s not much like LAN DMing for friends, either.

You avoid pauses. Building areas/modules needs be more than just appropriate. Most players on aren’t your RL friends. You’ve even got to treat for some you don’t like that much. DMing for 4 isn’t like DMing with 15-20 people. It’s not your module to modify at will, but the team’s module. No, actually, it’s the team’s module, and you have to fit in. You’re exposed & held responsable publicly every time you do/don’t do something. And there’s so many tools to use that i’m still learning everyday.

In other words, it’s much more demanding, yet really rewarding.

[/hide]

[hide="About DMing”]

There’s DMs you ‘see’ because they spice, run plots, etc. You call them active. There’s others you don’t, but who make, run, build, debug the server/module and actually allow you to play.

All of us like to play too. Sometime where’s questing right alongside with you, and there’s a bug, and we can’t help else we’ll just have to drop the PC/account. And you go like ‘Damn, DMs are never available”

DMs specialize in what they like doing, which is not necessarily what you need/want get done. As for me I like building/running small events/short plots. You have a group concept (and a group), you want a prelude? Tell me about it. You’ve gathered a group to go to [Insert concept], shoot me a pm. You’re exploring for something specific -not just for your PC-, but for your group, contact me.

We sure are at your service, but we’re here to have fun too, and can’t/won’t spend too much time fixing stuff that’s boring. The grunt work all eventually gets done, and rather quickly too, but it’s still grunt work.

We (I) don’t like stepping in on another DM’s plot. We know what other DMs are up to, but not necessarily the detailled events, the NPC’s personnality, how they want to get there, etc...

Some things require team approval (ex: real estate for PCs, apps, etc), and are not a single DM’s call.

We have RL. Just like players can afk, you can have DM logged on that are also afk. We can have a guest knocking at the door and quit what we were doing. Have exams and not be there a month. Be bored. Whatever.

We don’t kill PCs for fun or because we’re out to get you. We don’t blacklist you unless you really make us. We decide lots of things as a team, so you may have pissed off one DM, but if you pissed off the team, maybe there’s actually something wrong with you.

We don’t want/need thanks, but we don’t need/like whiny complains or rants or useless remarks. Basically, you want us to entertain you, but it may not be exactly as you expected.

[/hide]

[hide="About Playing”]

There’s a delay between your requests and the time it gets done. Catch us before you reach that NPC (so you don’t wait ages in front of him). Send a pm so we can prepare ahead of time (ask other DMs, setup a quest, etc). Ask nicely and clearly.

Use all available means to communicate. IRC, forum pms work great. Don’t hesitate to ask, but don’t spam either.

We (I) prefer spending time on groups rather than individuals. Or on players we prefer, because, yes, there’s some that entertain us more than others, or that entertain other players at the expense of mechanic considerations, and that’s really cool.

If you ask/ get attention, but then perma on the next quest-death/rage quit, it doesn’t  encourage us to stick with your pcs, either.

Don’t assume negative things. Mainly about other players. Sometimes DMs. It spoils â€"your- fun, and leads to bitter rants, OOC miscommunication, etc, and ends up being whiny and spoiling other people’s fun. And loosing our positive attention.

We get to know the players, too, and your bad sides can easily outshine your good side if you keep at poor attitude. Poor attitude shines. Good attitude is actually normal, not granting you the right to something.

You can rage quit. You can be sad. Maybe someone spoiled your plans ahead of time. You can OOCly not want to go on a quest. But whatever the issue, be fair play and constructive.

One thing i’ve noticed too, is that players tend to think if they “RP” really well they’ll get/ should have attention. Well it’s not how well you RP that attracts most attention, it’s how well/many other players you entertain. Keep that in mind for apps, too.

[/hide]

The thing is, never hesitate to ask something , but accept other answers than what you hoped for, too.

Damn that’s a long post. Sorry.

[Nightshadow]

We don’t want/need thanks

??? You don't want us to thank you for spicing up a quest or running something awesome? Too bad. :P

[GoblinSapper]

I'm curious what the team looks for in prospective DM's.