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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Sep 2003 : 12:34:10
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Hi there,
well as most of you know, I have never dm'd so much as a cheese match, but all that is about to change. I finally found some people who want to play with me (minds out the gutter please ) and as such, I want to start a play by email thingy
can some wise and learned member *cough*sage, wyrm,alau,malan*cough* please help with telling me the whos, whats why and hows of doing this?
Bear in mind I know nothing, and have no idea where to begin, other than to ask for help here.
Thanks in advance!
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MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2003 : 19:09:31
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| No idea on how to run PbeM games either MuadDib.... shame that Mumadar isnt still in Candlekeep as Im sure he would be able to help. I know that Brian K Flood is a big PbeM DM though, maybe contact him for advice. He doesnt visit the forums much I dont think, but he has a lot of material on the Candlekeep site itself in the Campaign Logs area, maybe drop him an email. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Edited by - Lord Rad on 07 Sep 2003 19:11:01 |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2003 : 03:11:04
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I don't have that much to offer, really. The only experience I've had with it, really, is just roleplaying the prologue to the section of the story I was in. Complete setup: I walk in, see that I have few choices at which to sit in the crowded inn, decide to sit next to my future party-mates, and join up. There was a lot of role-playing in just that, but I wouldn't know how it was on Mumadar's end. Especially because he only made two posts in that time, and then all was silent.
However, on actually doing something, I might be able to help. I can at least aid in keeping the story going. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2003 : 07:38:39
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MuadDib, I really don't have time to go into it here (since I am still in another state, and therefore a long way from my material), but I do have a file that states all the ends and odds for running a PbeM campaign. They only problem is, it is designed for a different gaming system other than D&D, but the basics are generally the same. As a bonus, I have added some notes that I have collected about running these types of games, they're with the file as well.
I will email it to you as soon as I get back to Perth.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2003 : 13:27:15
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As ever, my deepest gratitude to you and wyrm
much appreciated it is... |
MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2003 : 06:45:52
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Not in the least 
Just a quick question, to play this PBEM, will I need things like dice and all the other character sheets and all that stuff? |
MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2003 : 07:27:51
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For me, it really all depends upon the emphasis you personally place on this type of campaign. I have ran two PbeM previously, which are wholly fluff campaigns, with noe rolling of die whatsoever. In this regard there is little difference between a PbeM and a PbP (Play-by-Post), but for Planescape campaigns, they are a lot of fun.
Most PbeM campaigns though have dice, and some form of PC record.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2003 : 14:16:55
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wow, i think i will wait till you get back to Perth so you can explain it in full....
im postively boiling over withe excitement, and anticpation for this experience....
*bounces up and down* |
MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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Cult_Leader
Learned Scribe
USA
337 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2003 : 14:33:59
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| I dont do much PBeM. However I have ead some of them. Personally I think the best wa to go about the said thing is always to take in midn the chars stats. Think of them like super heros in a commic, or Super Heros within a book for one. Keep in mind what their str is and such, and enforce what they can and cannot do. If someone has like a +20 to a jump check from his ranks etc, and already has like a +5 dex bonus, its safe to say he will probably pull off the said action, so let him pull it off, however, also keep in mind that even then someone can make a mistake. Thats just an idea I have thought of when thinking about PBeM-s. |
"Madness you say! Do you fear me? Are you afraid of what I might do, of what I might say? What a fascinating reaction. Don't you find it somewhat encumbering?"
Piddles assumes a deep and resonant voice. "Space...the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the starship...Garou. It's mission: to slay Wyrm creatures where they live and breed. To accumulate more Garou than the world's entire population. To produce metis like no one has before." - Piddles
"Aren't you people supposed to be doing something? Like, entertaining me, the fascist wizard?" - InleRah
I have the passwords to the minds of everyone and the cheat codes to the universe - Me |
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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2003 : 07:01:40
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| Would i sound really stupid if I said I dont know what a jump check is? |
MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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NightElf
Seeker
![]()
United Kingdom
97 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2003 : 16:38:19
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Don't wory yourself ovr it MuadDib, I have no idea either. I assum it would have something to do with your characters Dexterity to see if they can land the jump well...
I don't know...
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"Those who watch their backs meet death from the front" |
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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2003 : 06:49:37
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I sort of get the whole concept of beating the checks to succeed at feats and so on...I also get concepts like AC, battle rolls etc from paying th ePC games. I just have never used them in practise on my own...
I need to get a D&D for Dummies book... |
MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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Salabasha
Learned Scribe
Portugal
216 Posts |
Posted - 07 Oct 2003 : 21:25:49
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Jump Check is basically occurs when you need to jump a gap or something like that. It can also be used to jump from moving thing to another thing. Also used in traps (sometimes). The choice of what is needed to roll is usually based on the DM. Skill points is what increases the trap.
Also, play by post is a lot easier (in my case) then email.
Finally, this may a good idea for a character sheet incase your players need them (or the DM needs them from a player.
Used this on another site...
Player:
Physical Description
Name:
Class:
Race:
Alignment:
Level:
Diety:
Size:
Age:
Gender:
Height:
Weight:
Eyes:
Hair:
Skin:
Stats
Str:
Dex:
Con:
Int:
Wis:
Cha:
Total Mod =
Hit Points:
Armour Class:
Hit die:
Speed:
Initiative:
Size Mod: Base Attack:
Saves
Fort:
Ref:
Will:
Attacks
Melee:
Ranged:
Special:
Skills (00 Skills Points)
Feats
Languages
Carrying Capacity
Light = up to lb.
Med = lb
Heavy = lb.
Funds
GP =
SP =
CP =
Equipment |
Life is like a box of chocolates. Once you eat the poisoned one you die. |
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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2003 : 06:57:46
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wow thanks salabasha.. I will start filling some of them out.
I will also let you know where i get stuck, there are one or two of those things i dont know... |
MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2003 : 15:07:05
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I tried posting this last night, but I couldn't seem to get it through. It was like the site was down, but I don't see a message from Tethtoril to that effect. I guess it was on my end.
A jump check is a skill check. In any skill check, you roll a d20 and add the character's ranks for that skill and the addition of that character's corresponding ability. Usually it's set up against a DC of some sort, but the 3e Jump skill is a little confusing at first. (Took me a long time to figure it out.) The example in the book helps some, but not as much as it should have.
With Jump, you still make the d20 roll, adding ranks and the ability score (in this case Strength), but there's no DC to beat. Instead, you always jump a minimum distance, depending on what kind of jump it is. For instance, with a running jump, you move at least five feet. Then, if your Jump check exceeds 10, you add more. In the running jump, it's one extra foot for every one point after ten. (If the check is 17, the character moves 5 feet + 7 feet, or 12.) No matter what, though, the character can't jump more that six times his height, unless he's an experienced monk or has magical assistance (like the jump spell, or boots of striding and springing).
That's the running jump, remember. The other jumps are different in minimums, maximums, and how many extra feet are jumped.
In 3.5e, though, the Jump skill is a lot easier to figure out. It actually has DC values, so you don't need to do as much calculating.  In the new version, the rolls are matched up to a DC that either equals the distance attempted (for long jumps) or the distance x 4 (high jumps). Or, as I think it should be stated, the distance travelled is equal to the result of the check on long jumps, and equal to the check divided by 4 on high jumps.
That's with running starts, though. If it's standing jumps, then the distance you travel is halved. (Or, as the book says, the DC is twice as high.)
Character speed affects the checks as well. For instance, if the character has speed 20 because of load, race, or magic, he gets a -6 penalty. For every -10 feet, another -6 is added. If he's faster than 30 feet per round (because he's a barbarian, a monk, or affected by magic) he gets +4 per extra +10.
As I said, it's easier to understand than the original. But it's missing the maximum distance! There's nothing I can see to stop a character from jumping a physically impossible distance if he gets a roll of 20. In 3e, the longest mundane jump could be no more than 33 feet -- and that only for a 6'6" tall human. In 3.5e, a barbarian (speed 40) with 18 Str, a synergy from 5 Tumble ranks, and the Acrobatic and Run feats gets the maximum die roll on a Jump check, he can make a running jump for more than that without any jump ranks whatsoever.
I don’t know why they removed the maximum distance restriction. If you ask me, it’s one of the stupidest ‘fixes’ they made. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2003 : 15:16:47
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MuadDib, I've got a chart (a Word file) that lays out all the things that Salabasha did, and more. It's a slightly modified version of something Artalis sent me. It says it's copyright "J. HIRVONEN" and I've left that in. It's a very useful file.
It's also 638KB, so I won't send it unless you want it. I don't want you to get an overloaded mailbox. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Candlekeep Webmaster
Webmaster
United Kingdom
131 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2003 : 18:48:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
I tried posting this last night, but I couldn't seem to get it through. It was like the site was down, but I don't see a message from Tethtoril to that effect. I guess it was on my end.
Youre quite right Bookwyrm, the site was taken down for approximately 45 minutes around 22:15GMT. Apologies for the inconvenience. As mentioned in another topic, there will be periodic downtimes with the site over the next week (this coming Monday in particular). Service will be back to normal soon once the maintenance and upgrades have been performed. |
Jay
Candlekeep Webmaster
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2003 : 03:27:50
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| Ah. I missed that one; I was offline for a few days. When the site went down, I of course wasn't able to complete my little stroll through the Active Topics page . . . . |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2003 : 07:02:19
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Bookwyrm: I would like that document very much thank you
*bows deeply*
but could you send it to alex@dit.net please? |
MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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elven_songstress
Learned Scribe
126 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2003 : 15:57:11
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Good Eve Ladies and Masters, it seems that you need people who know a bit about how to run a PBEM game. *waves her hand* I the elven songstress have no life. *Lol*
Anyways when you start work on a play by e mail a few things are very important to remember your not going to have your voice to inflict the situation so your going to need words.
It helps like in a table top game to read, through your adventure ahead of time decide what you want for player characters and what you don't, as its always alot of work to do just that.
Next is the actually stats and level, like a normal game of D&D your going to want boundries so no one power games or cheese mongers.
You can type up the events and have people respond to them, if a roll needs to be made you have the option of letting them do it roleing there own dice or rolling it yourself, the other option is this, Electronic Dice Rollers.I have a few links to some good ones if anyone is interested.
Moveing right along, your going to want a place to host it, PBEM's are good to play at http://www.topica.com or www.groups.yahoo.com, there may be a few other's out there but those are the two I have played the most on.
After that all you need to do is advertise to get some players and once that is done your ready to begin your adventure.
If anyone has an specific questions I am happy to answer them I am open to e mails, chat that sorta thing, elven_songstress@yahoo.com is where I can be reach at.
Or post them here I do not mind trying to help.
elven-songstress |
We need to be reminded sometimes that a sunrise lasts but a few minutes,but its beauty can burnin our hearts eternally." |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2003 : 21:40:11
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::claps::
Good show, Songstress. Concise and informative . . . I can never get those two together.
MuadDib, I'll send that along soon. I'll need a bit to make a few changes (I thought of some things that Mr. J. Hirvonen didn't put in), and then a while for my *&^% 56k mo-- er, I mean, portal to send the form along. ( It's so slow . . . .) |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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elven_songstress
Learned Scribe
126 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2003 : 23:04:02
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*bows*
"My thanks Lord Sage , i just can not for the life of me recall what I am missing. I know there is likely something but it will come to me at the oddest time and I will post it here.*chuckles*
Anyways, I recall now.
A PBEM is only as good as its players, a DM can put all the work in the world into his game , but if the players aren't motivated it dies very quickly, so make sure you have go getters as players, a background is usually good so you can start the group off knowing something about them.
Larue ~Elven songestrss of Mithril Hall and the North.~ |
We need to be reminded sometimes that a sunrise lasts but a few minutes,but its beauty can burnin our hearts eternally." |
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Salabasha
Learned Scribe
Portugal
216 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2003 : 03:39:01
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I have never actually seen or finished a campaign in the set of PbP or PbEm. Either, as songstress said, the players leave, the dm leaves, or the thing just blows apart into lots of little pieces (FUN)
Still, if ya ask me the best way to play would be a good ol fashion shing ding... I mean chat room. *Looks at the library
And I think it would be a good idea for this here site.
(Once again the Bookwyrm stealing my thunder and making me look like yet another boot polisher) |
Life is like a box of chocolates. Once you eat the poisoned one you die. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2003 : 06:41:54
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Me stealing thunder?  How can one steal a sound . . . . You can copy sound, such as with magic mouth, but never steal it . . . .
Actually, it sounds like I'm doing it twice, once from you, once from the guy who actually wrote the original. Perhaps I have a few levels of thief in me . . . .
Of course, I can't really be stealing anything if I'm making it even better . . . so how about I send it to you as well? Then you can give it out instead of me next time.
After all, I can't have any allegations of theft harming my stirling reputation. Nothing harms a public figure like the truth lies. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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elven_songstress
Learned Scribe
126 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2003 : 19:49:49
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I wouldn't mind taking a look at it too, could you also send it to me as well BookWyrm Please...
I would be interested in seeing it, another way would be to start a game on here in a post just for fun, we did that on a friends board and it lasted from 1999-2002 it was a great game and one of the most impromptu ones that was ever played by yours truely.
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We need to be reminded sometimes that a sunrise lasts but a few minutes,but its beauty can burnin our hearts eternally." |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2003 : 05:13:29
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| Okay, I'll do that. I've been a bit delayed for that, due to Real Life problems. I should have it ready before Monday. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2003 : 17:07:57
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quote:
Originally posted by MuadDib
Hi there,
well as most of you know, I have never dm'd so much as a cheese match, but all that is about to change. I finally found some people who want to play with me (minds out the gutter please) and as such, I want to start a play by email thingy
can some wise and learned member *cough*sage, wyrm,alau,malan*cough* please help with telling me the whos, whats why and hows of doing this?
Bear in mind I know nothing, and have no idea where to begin, other than to ask for help here.
Thanks in advance!
Hehehe Rad, I haven't moved to Kelemvor's Realm yet. Mystra has granted me access to the Weave again, and therefore I'll be back on occasion.
MuadDib, you have received some good advice from the forum members, yet I'll add a little to it.
DM-ing is like telling a story. A story in which the main characters are in an interactive role. Not the story teller but the characters decide what they do. The only thing the story teller can do to keep the characters more or less on the right path, is to guide them.
Don't force them, but use NPC's and encounters as the proverbial carrot to move them along. Be descriptive as if indeed you're telling a story. Remember, you as the DM are the eyes, ears for the characters. It is up to you to make the setting come to life in vibrant colors, sounds and feelings.
And this still has nothing to do with a set of rules... In a PbeM the rules really are secondary to the game. Only the DM really has a need of the rulebooks and the dice.
Since managing a game is indeed a little more complicated than a cheese match, I strongly would advise you to read a copy of the Dungeon Master guide of the D&D version in which you intend to run the game. This is more or less some necessary training each DM will have to go through.
Don't let the rules discourage you from running a game. Free-winging it can be very rewarding, as long as you're consistent in your decisions and the players are willing to submit themselves to such a regimen.
The other advice I can give you, and which you have already learned some of, is to ask. There is no stupid question but the one which is not asked.
Good luck on starting your career as a PbeM DM.
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 19 Oct 2003 : 13:36:55
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 All this studying within these great halls must have impaired my vision..... surely thats not Mumadar Ibn Huzal I see before me, returned at last with a vast amount of scrolls and tomes?!
Good to see you back Mumadar, youve been missed |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2003 : 20:35:55
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And starting on the wrong foot by replying off-topic, but yes, I'm back. Though not as frequently as I have been before.
I have some other duties as well now... per 10/28 I'll be acting as husband and around x-mas as a 1st time father... |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 20 Oct 2003 : 22:13:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Mumadar Ibn Huzal
And starting on the wrong foot by replying off-topic, but yes, I'm back. Though not as frequently as I have been before.
I have some other duties as well now... per 10/28 I'll be acting as husband and around x-mas as a 1st time father...
Congrats are in order then Mumadar.....although im not sure if Alaundo will accept such as an excuse for neglecting your Realmslore |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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PBEM - help please
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