My friends and I recently started a rotating DM-style game; each session a different player DMs (so far we have a 5 dm rotation, but that may increase), and a player is a randomly selected as the "focus" character for the session. So far, it is working well, but we are about to hit level three, and keeping up with leveling may become complex. Any ideas?
I'm not sure why its about to become more complex - can you be more specific?
To my mind, either:
You're using XP, the character(s) are "doing stuff", and they get XP for for it, and the math tells you when they go up in level.
You're using Milestones, and everyone goes up a level at the end of story arcs
The only possible complication I can see is what happens to the current DM's character - and in that case, I'd say give them XP along with the party. Either they're an NPC ( and get a share of the experience/loot ), or are "off camera" having their own adventure ( and getting their own XP ).
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I think we are doing milestones, but we have not really determined when a milestone will hit. So far, each session has been self contained, with one tying thread. Not a major issue, but trying to figure out the best way to identify and mark milestones. The lack of multi-session arcs may get make the milestone marks a bit harder to ID, so any advice about how to determine when a milestone hits (to help each dm figure their appropriate challenge level) is welcome.
I think Milestones work best when there's some sort of overall narrative structure, and you can the end of major story "phases". That's hard to do with a string of single-session adventures - and I don't see how you could set up a larger adventure arc with Players all taking turns at being the DM; all the Players would have inside knowledge of the plot.
Perhaps some sort of hard-and-fast rule like "every 3 self-contained sessions is a Milestone" would work - although be willing to give double or half credit for particularly involved,or simple sessions as well.
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Dear Beyonders,
My friends and I recently started a rotating DM-style game; each session a different player DMs (so far we have a 5 dm rotation, but that may increase), and a player is a randomly selected as the "focus" character for the session. So far, it is working well, but we are about to hit level three, and keeping up with leveling may become complex. Any ideas?
Fenchurch, Gnome Wizard, Red Skies in Mourning
I'm not sure why its about to become more complex - can you be more specific?
To my mind, either:
The only possible complication I can see is what happens to the current DM's character - and in that case, I'd say give them XP along with the party. Either they're an NPC ( and get a share of the experience/loot ), or are "off camera" having their own adventure ( and getting their own XP ).
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I think we are doing milestones, but we have not really determined when a milestone will hit. So far, each session has been self contained, with one tying thread. Not a major issue, but trying to figure out the best way to identify and mark milestones. The lack of multi-session arcs may get make the milestone marks a bit harder to ID, so any advice about how to determine when a milestone hits (to help each dm figure their appropriate challenge level) is welcome.
Fenchurch, Gnome Wizard, Red Skies in Mourning
I think Milestones work best when there's some sort of overall narrative structure, and you can the end of major story "phases". That's hard to do with a string of single-session adventures - and I don't see how you could set up a larger adventure arc with Players all taking turns at being the DM; all the Players would have inside knowledge of the plot.
Perhaps some sort of hard-and-fast rule like "every 3 self-contained sessions is a Milestone" would work - although be willing to give double or half credit for particularly involved,or simple sessions as well.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I think that is what I am doing to do. Thanks so much.
Fenchurch, Gnome Wizard, Red Skies in Mourning