Roll DeM Bones

[DM Bones]

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[DM Bones]

Well met, hero's and scoundrels of The Sword Coast!

I thought I would create a sort of journal of my progress as a DM. It has been an interesting experience so far, and so I thought it would be worth sharing. Perhaps my trial and error experiences as a DM might inspire others to want to aspire to join the DM Team.

To start, I am beginning this journey as a total DM Newb.
Well, I do have experience as a DM in PnP but no previous experience as one with Neverwinter Nights. I have been a long time player of both D&D, NWN and this server, so am a veteran of the game. This is going to be a learning experience but one I am not totally unprepared for.

My first impression has been with regards to how knowledgable my peers are. I had assumed my grasp of Forgotten Realms lore was first rate. But that was until I started speaking with some of the other DM's and admin – wow they know a lot of very obscure facts!
It's good to have such solid support.
Shows we all have much more we can learn.

And all the custome changes to the game via the patching and such that goes on. Sheesh that is impressive!

I have been DMing on the server for about 3 solid weeks. Most of the time has been getting set up and also on learning the DM client. It has been a steep learning curve but if I keep practicing will soon have it down.

My short term goals are to be able to help players with any issues they are having in game. So if you see me on and have any issues or questions, please do not hesitate to ask. If I do not know how to help then I will find someone who can.

In the next week or two after a bit more experience with the DM Client, I want to start creating spontaneous random events. I feel the server needs more randomness. So while you are all out there grinding and adventuring I hope try and add some excitement.

That said, if I happen to slaughter you and your entire party, please take it in stride as I am just new guy.

I will report back after awhile to let you know what transpired with this little random encounter experiment.

ttyl

[DM Bones]

I have stepped down as DM and so I thought I would report in with you all and let you know about my failure. To sort of explain why you won't see me around.

Yeah, I simply did not have the technical skills to figure out the DM client well enough to be able to challenge high level players. I logged on almost daily for a bit over a month trying to figure it out but I simply was not able to get the hang of it.

It affected my confidence, which then made me feel less creative. So I figured instead of trying to drag it on any longer than I should, making things awkward, I thought it best to quit. It would have taken a lot of work and training that there just wasn't time for.

Going into this whole thing, I knew there was always going to be a good chance I was not going to succeed at it. But at the time, I wanted to try and help out and so I risked the potential embarrassment of possible failure to give it a try.
So, yes I am a bit embarrassed, and I am walking away feeling a bit like a loser. But I am also a bit proud of myself for trying to pitch in.

The other thing I realized while on DM side was that the DM team really did not need any help from me in the first place. It was actually sort of patronizing of me to assume they were in need of any assistance. So I hope that comes as a bit of reassurance to you all. The sausage is made by a mature bunch of volunteers that have a good handle on things.

If I find a way to become a useful asset to the DM team I would be happy to sign up again and help bring an element of danger to the Sword Coast.

But until then, this is DM Boner, signing out.

[DM Soulcatcher]

Please, do not feel ashamed, embarrassed or even consider this any sort of failure.

DMing is hard, due to multiple reasons. The DM Client is just one of the hurdles we have to fight with and it's easy on nobody- especially those who are completely new to it.

I'm sorry we couldn't help you better than we did

[Planehopper]

Personally would love a DM just dedicated to inhabiting NPCs to make them more accessible and real. Or dropping a few random placeables. A wandering monster. Etc.

I hated the DM client. I'm sure its changed since I DMd and maybe is even harder, so I feel ya.

But is it a requirement of the team to run a certain type of event? Just being present would be a huge improvement in regards to world building.

Sorry it didn't work out, but dont take it personally, thanks for the effort and see ya back player side!

[Ithilan]

Personally would love a DM just dedicated to inhabiting NPCs to make them more accessible and real. Or dropping a few random placeables. A wandering monster. Etc.

I hated the DM client. I'm sure its changed since I DMd and maybe is even harder, so I feel ya.

But is it a requirement of the team to run a certain type of event? Just being present would be a huge improvement in regards to world building.

This very much, rather than the exclusive events for the usual suspects. Having DMs actually interact with the world and players online rather than scheduled events for the same guilds always would be neat. But ive lost hope a long time ago.

Sad to see you go Bones, you gave it your best and thats all that matters, thank you for trying.

[Tanlaus]

Personally would love a DM just dedicated to inhabiting NPCs to make them more accessible and real. Or dropping a few random placeables. A wandering monster. Etc.

I hated the DM client. I'm sure its changed since I DMd and maybe is even harder, so I feel ya.

But is it a requirement of the team to run a certain type of event? Just being present would be a huge improvement in regards to world building.

This very much, rather than the exclusive events for the usual suspects. Having DMs actually interact with the world and players online rather than scheduled events for the same guilds always would be neat. But ive lost hope a long time ago.

Sad to see you go Bones, you gave it your best and thats all that matters, thank you for trying.

Just to add my voice to this, some of my best 'events' were just RPing with a DM who was inhabiting an NPC, building a story so to speak without a moment of combat. Those are memorable, valuable times for players. For me, often more so than some huge event where I'm a just cog in some massive unending combat. Not that I'm complaining about those either. They can be fun as well as long as it's balanced out by quieter moments of RP.

But that is a thought for future DMs who might want to try their hand but worry about what kind of challenge they can bring. For the present I'd just say that the effort in and of itself is appreciated more than you know.

[DM Bones]

Thanks for your kind words and words of wisdom.
Although I am feeling a bit foolish for not succeeding I have no regrets. I will say that the experience has been healthy, positive, and fun. I would do it again, even if it meant failing again.
I think it is tricky to predict what ones level of sucess would be in becoming a DM in this game. There are so many variables involved. If you are interested in giving it a shot I would definately recommend applying. Roll them bones as it were.

Okay signing off again- thanks peeps.