Forming new gaming group and playing again.

[RobMuadib]

Hi all

Hope this isn't considered off-topic. But, wow, I have decided to try and do some gaming again. I think I was in part shamed into it by reading an endless anti-GNS type flameware deal on RPG.net, where they made the assertion that proponents of GNS and such don't actually PLAY anymore. I was also in part inspired into it after remembering many of my cool campaigns and fun had in the Profiling Thread. Oh, and the fact that there is a little game store in town now, that has been open more than year helps, as there is someplace to coordinate and network with people.

So I did some footwork today and am in the midst of getting together a gaming group. I live in a smallish rural town in Idaho, that happens to be next to an Air Force Base (which keeps it from being too small and rural I guess.) So there is some gamer types to be found. Anyway, as is often the case, it looks like we will be playing D&D3rd (the lowest common denominator of RPG's.)

Luckily, one of the people I found who was looking for someone to DM I happened to have played with a few times like 3 or 4 years ago, he even remembered particulars of the game world and stuff, and appeared to enjoy my DMing at the time. Then there is another Air Force guy who was looking to DM for a group.

So anyway, we are going to meet at the FLGS tommorrow afternoon and see about putting together a play group and a place to play and such. The one AF guy I don't know is supposed to be deploying in a month or so, but he said he knew some other people who wanted to play. Looks like I will likely be DMing, and most likely will be using my own "orginal" game world Calemboria to do it. I will also likely be adding some flourishes of my own to the D&D 3rd ed rules. (IIRC, I added a hero point option type deal to the games I played with the one guy before, that was well recieved. )

So I guess I am looking for any good advice anyone might have, as I haven't actually played an actual in-person face to face game in like 3 years at least. Sheesh.

Rob
(Who is actually kind of excited about playing again.)

[Mike Holmes]

What kind of advice? How to get the juices flowing after a three year hiatus?

Mike

[Bankuei]

Well, here's some good advice I think....

Since you're starting new, expect to be rusty.  So start with one-shots or stories in short arcs (like 2 or 3).   Give the players the option to keep or try out different characters, so they get a feel for the system and don't get way overprotectional of their characters(remember, D&D is action-adventure not a military operation...in this, you do stupid things cause they're cool).

Second, start folks off at 4th level.  This gives em enough leeway to play around, but not enough to go munchin crazy.  

Third, even though you got your massive background world all ready, don't go for the Big Campaign just yet.  Most of us don't marry someone we meet in a week, but many of us want to jump into the big commitment when it comes to gaming.  Remember, the expectations of short stories and one-shots are pretty low, so people tend to have fun, just like dates, you have room to have an off session.  When you jump in for the massive campaign to start, it works just like long term relationships with the "It needs to be perfect" attitude, you just kill it.

As far as the sessions go in general, do take note of what you like and what you don't like, what worked and what didn't.  One of the best parts of gaming on a base is that a lot of folks are bored out of their mind, and their imagination is a field left fallow for far too long :)

Chris

[RobMuadib]

What kind of advice? How to get the juices flowing after a three year hiatus?

Mike

That would be good, maybe an overview of things to consider/discuss in terms of getting people for the group, and conducting play again, as well.

Thanks,

Rob

[RobMuadib]

Well, here's some good advice I think....

<SNIP>

Chris

Thanks for the advice, you bring up alot of good points.

Rob