Well, I got a little off track there, so anyhoo, back to how I’m learning how to be a dm. I’ve been simultaneously learning how to play Dungeons and Dragons and how to be a dm, prepping for a one shot, and planning elements of a homebrew world I’m starting to build. Yikes! Just reading that makes me sound insane to myself.
The truth is, the part about playing DnD for me is the storytelling and world building, it kinda goes with the “I love to write” thing, and it also scratches the itch to be creative. But to do that part, I have to learn the ruuuuuullllles *eyeroll *sarcasm.
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How I’m Learning to Play DnD
- Watching YouTube tutorials and gameplay.
- I’m reading the new (#ad) DnD Player’s Handbook.
- Exploring DnD Beyond.
How I’m Learning How to Be a DM
- Watching YouTube tutorials for beginner DMs.
- Watching videos of experienced and popular DMs to see how they handle situations and run the game, and also marvel at thier excellence.
- I’m reading the new (#ad) Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Prepping For A One Shot Adventure
We’re going to play the Grammy’s Country Apple Pie oneshot by Jennifer Adcock before we get into a campaign. This will give me a chance to practice my DM skills in a lowstakes adventure and will let us all get used to how the game flows. It sounds cute and it’s highly praised by beginners and more experienced players. It’s great for kids and adults, which may be helpful information if you’re trying to find something for your kids.
To prep, I’m reading the adventure and I’m organizing it in Obsidian, which is where I’m going to do my prep and world building. I also found a really cool playlist to go with this adventure. I don’t think I’ll use the whole playlist, but I’m going to at least use it in a few spots. (I’ll figure that out ahead of time.) Since there’s ads on some of the selections on the playlist, I’ll get them to the right spot and pause them, then leave them in a tab on my computer until I am ready to play them. I can’t wait to see how this turns out!
Planning My Homebrew World
I am planning pieces of my homebrew world for fun a little at the time in Obsidian. I have some cute ideas for NPCs I’m developing and some setting descriptions that are coming together. I also made notes of things my sons want to see in our campaign and I’m figuring out how to use them. It’s been a lot of fun to just switch over to obsidian when I need a lil break or a an idea come to mind. I’m glad I’ve got a place I can just plop those ideas and explore them later.
Any Tips For A Beginner DM?
Feel free to share anything that helped you learn to be a DM or share things you wish you’d have known when you were learning. Do you have any cool DMs you like to watch? Any adventures or recources you recommend?