As the title indicates I'm a new DM as well as new to DnD.
I now have the starter set and all 3 core rule books + DM screen yay.
Anyway, I've been running the Lost Mines of Phandelver for a few friends and in their next game they're about to arrive in Phandalin and all that.
Now, the manual thingy has there the map of the town saying what each thing is as well as descriptions for what each place does, but I am still not too sure on how to actually approach the whole thing...
I mean do I just describe the town and wait for them to tell me where they want to go?
Do I show them the map and ask what houses they want to go to?
Just a tad confused here and want to know how I should do it so that it makes sense and gives them a chance of exploring each place if they want to.
Yes, general description of the city and main features. NPC houses/farmsteads, maybe you mention that those exist and where, but become relevant only when the players have an interest.
As you enter town, you're likely coming in one of the roads (you can decide which or pick which based on where they came from, like north side or south side, likely the north and the first place the would come up to is Barthen's Provisions) -- as such the party will "see" some local building/farm/person first. Describe that place, maybe have a citizen or two walking around that area -- they can ask that citizen things about the town -- they might show up and ask where the Inn is, or if they have a specific target in mind (like the Rockseeker brothers) ask if that citizen knows them or where they might be staying.
If your party is having a tough time coming up with a question to ask, or seem to be glossing over the fact that they can do that, have the citizen approach them in a manner such as "New to town, eh? You'll likely want to rest a spell at the Stonehill Inn, but don't go over to the Sleeping Giant, nothing but trouble there."
As they proceed into the actual town, you can either show them the map, point out where they came in from and where they encountered that first conversation and show them the general "direction" to the place that they were told about or you can just continue describing things as the proceed through the town, playing up the more meaningful locations a bit more than a standard home/building.
You are their eyes and ears, and don’t forget, nose and skin...
i will tend to give a list of key points, “you approach the small hamlet, you smell the smoke curling from several cottages, and have to pick your way carefully down the road to avoid the deep wagon ruts that run along it, crisscrossing each other.”
sometimes I skip over menial npc conversations about directions to give them a sense for what’s there, they can always talk to someone else if they want more... “on your way into town you stop and talk to a friendly farmer with a limp, who tells you that Barg’s is a pretty good bet if you’re looking for good ale and that tomorrow is market day on the town square.”
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Playtesting Fugare Draconis, an epic tale of adventure, loss, and redemption
Hi guys.
As the title indicates I'm a new DM as well as new to DnD.
I now have the starter set and all 3 core rule books + DM screen yay.
Anyway, I've been running the Lost Mines of Phandelver for a few friends and in their next game they're about to arrive in Phandalin and all that.
Now, the manual thingy has there the map of the town saying what each thing is as well as descriptions for what each place does, but I am still not too sure on how to actually approach the whole thing...
I mean do I just describe the town and wait for them to tell me where they want to go?
Do I show them the map and ask what houses they want to go to?
Just a tad confused here and want to know how I should do it so that it makes sense and gives them a chance of exploring each place if they want to.
Thanks everyone :)
I would say that the way it works best for your group is, indeed, the best. Different groups may require/prefer different approaches.
I usually describe the main features of the city as well as the general layout. Then, I wait the interest of the players to undercover the details.
well, we're all new to DnD so none of us have any "best" ways of doing it xD
But so you suggest that I just describe the city and etc and go from there?
And for example, NPC houses or farmsteads will just become relevant if they have an interest in them?
Yes, general description of the city and main features. NPC houses/farmsteads, maybe you mention that those exist and where, but become relevant only when the players have an interest.
As you enter town, you're likely coming in one of the roads (you can decide which or pick which based on where they came from, like north side or south side, likely the north and the first place the would come up to is Barthen's Provisions) -- as such the party will "see" some local building/farm/person first. Describe that place, maybe have a citizen or two walking around that area -- they can ask that citizen things about the town -- they might show up and ask where the Inn is, or if they have a specific target in mind (like the Rockseeker brothers) ask if that citizen knows them or where they might be staying.
If your party is having a tough time coming up with a question to ask, or seem to be glossing over the fact that they can do that, have the citizen approach them in a manner such as "New to town, eh? You'll likely want to rest a spell at the Stonehill Inn, but don't go over to the Sleeping Giant, nothing but trouble there."
As they proceed into the actual town, you can either show them the map, point out where they came in from and where they encountered that first conversation and show them the general "direction" to the place that they were told about or you can just continue describing things as the proceed through the town, playing up the more meaningful locations a bit more than a standard home/building.
How do you get a one-armed goblin out of a tree?
Wave!
You are their eyes and ears, and don’t forget, nose and skin...
i will tend to give a list of key points, “you approach the small hamlet, you smell the smoke curling from several cottages, and have to pick your way carefully down the road to avoid the deep wagon ruts that run along it, crisscrossing each other.”
sometimes I skip over menial npc conversations about directions to give them a sense for what’s there, they can always talk to someone else if they want more... “on your way into town you stop and talk to a friendly farmer with a limp, who tells you that Barg’s is a pretty good bet if you’re looking for good ale and that tomorrow is market day on the town square.”
Playtesting Fugare Draconis, an epic tale of adventure, loss, and redemption
Thanks a lot everyone, I feel like I know what I'm gonna do now :D