DM Insights #1

In this series we endeavor to discuss the trials and tribulations behind the DM screen.

This week we will get personal as we discuss:

“Putting it all out There”

It’s no secret that in order to run a Dungeons and Dragons game week after week you have to be passionate about the craft, the subtle art that is Dungeon Mastering. Speaking for myself, I put a little piece of myself into every NPC (non-player character). I am able to act in ways completely opposite of my own personality, I am really able to expand my imagination. I can draw from different cultures and twist them and give them unique attitudes and beliefs, creating entire civilizations and religions based around history that I have made up. I am actually able to say a lot through my NPC’s that I could never say in the real world.

Rejection. Sometimes you spend hours creating this world and the people inside it and your players are receptive. That’s fine. As a DM you need to strengthen your “Armor”. Your ability to handle rejection and move on. Recently I introduced a ship captain into my world. I asked my players for the name of a ship, they gave me “The Magnificent Majestic” the very first thing I had in mind was a flamboyant Dwarf character. It wasn’t meant to offend anyone, it was literally the first character that came into my head when the ship name was settled so I ran with it. My players jumped on me. Saying “why does he have to be gay?” And “wow man.” It got me flustered and the rest of the session faltered because of it, I contemplated giving up DMing just because of this one instance.

Another example Zal Guis Brightblade: A high elf general of the Blue Guard in the city of Goldspire. I totally anticipated the group to love him, want to take him on the adventure with them, at the very least he would be a recurring NPC. My players, however, made so much fun of him just because of his name that I had to abandon my plans for him. I brought him back later in the campaign and nothing changed, just as hated. I put so much into his backstory, his position as a double agent in the Kings guard and his connection to the story I never anticipated the backlash a name could cause. I put a part of myself into every NPC I create.

When I am asked to DM I don’t just put myself into the NPC’s I immerse myself into the world. I stay up late building the world, coming up with factions and dungeon locations. I spend hours ping-ponging myself back and forth between computer screen and papers. Building, tearing apart, just to rebuild and try to fit everything I need in the world, trying to get every detail I can possibly think of. Sometimes cities, factions, even entire countries never get used.

Enter the players: No matter how much you plan, no matter how many scenarios you can imagine, your players will ALWAYS throw you a curve ball.

My last words:

Put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid of failure. No matter how many times you’ve played be prepared to wing it. Don’t ever regret your actions. As the DM you have volunteered to take the biggest burden on yourself. You should be able to do it your own way.

Catch ya next song

Rich the bard.