So I'm just going to say this bluntly, I have never Dmed before and have no idea where to even start. All i know is my husband wants to do a 3.5 DnD game and I know he wants me to Dm to get out my comfort zone. Any tips for planning an adventure for two? I want to surprise him with a well established game.
The cleanest games tend to be the simplest. Don't try to run a complicated intrigue plot, map out a maze like dungeon, or overburden the story with background and powerful NPCs. Start with a basic premise, like rescuing the local mayor from goblins, then use a funny-accented character to introduce the plot, pick a few monsters to stand in the way, and give out a little gold at the end. Mix in a devious trap or roleplaying challenge (like telling a magic door a story to be granted passage) if you're feeling adventurous. That's really all there is to it! Plus, it's your husband...as long as you have fun with it, he probably will too!
As for duet adventures, my #1 tip is not to present every combat as such right away...take some time to propose bargains as the evil wizard, or bluster and boast as the goblin chief, before the knives come out. This'll keep the dungeon-delving part of the game from feeling devoid of roleplay (since most of the roleplay there is usually between the PCs).
And of course, welcome to the DM side of the screen! Good luck, have fun, and may your dice roll low!
With 2 characters, you might want to help them out by giving them each a "retainer" or having an NPC along to fill in the gaps that 2 characters can't fill alone. Maybe you can have an NPC healer or something, if they need that.
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Yea i understand how the game works, though I didn't expect how much work a DM actually has to put in or take out to make an enjoyable game. It seemed so simple from the other end.
He has decided that we should do 3.5e tomb of horrors. Seems like a good choice since ToH feels more like a DM vs Player game.
@Bio he doesn't want to overwhelm me with to much work on focusing on NPCs since this will be my first game as a DM. Plus he is pretty good and doesn't mind solo playing and characters dying lol. Its all about getting my skills up
You’d have to make some changes to make it 3.5 friendly, but The Blood Hunter is a great intro to duet play. The whole thing only takes 2 or 3 hours and gives you some good practice at running a 1 on 1 game. https://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/303709
Remember, #1 rule is to keep yourself and your fun in the foreground...you're still another player, not just an entertainer. It sounds like your husband is driving a lot of the process (usually the DM gets to pick the module, for example). Please make sure you focus on making this something you enjoy, not just something for him—it's easy to lose track of that when people want you to DM!
Remember, #1 rule is to keep yourself and your fun in the foreground...you're still another player, not just an entertainer. It sounds like your husband is driving a lot of the process (usually the DM gets to pick the module, for example). Please make sure you focus on making this something you enjoy, not just something for him—it's easy to lose track of that when people want you to DM!
Yea kinda, he has just a bit more experience than I do when it comes to DMing and knowing the books, I'm used to homebrews. So I just let him pick an adventure that might help me to become more knowledgeable on what and how to DM as well as trying to keep it fun.
There are lots of good single player adventures that tend to be short. A good place to start. Just read the whole thing before you start so you know where things go and then have fun. Another idea, if you are up for creating something is cliche, but the old "Local ruler has a "gauntlet" for some hero to run through for some prize". You get some good roleplay before hand that you can control.
Some town folk can give some clues about traps or monsters and if the conversation gets out of control they clam up because they aren't supposed to give hints.
Shopping for basic dungeon crawl equipment.
Then you build a straight forward, one room at a time dungeon with nicely isolated encounters. A couple traps, a couple fights, you can throw in a puzzle if you have a good one.
We actually had a pretty good run. ☺ I think i enjoy being a Dm. On top of that I recorded our sessions and play them for our newborn while daddy is away for business. Thank you all for the advice
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So I'm just going to say this bluntly, I have never Dmed before and have no idea where to even start. All i know is my husband wants to do a 3.5 DnD game and I know he wants me to Dm to get out my comfort zone. Any tips for planning an adventure for two? I want to surprise him with a well established game.
The cleanest games tend to be the simplest. Don't try to run a complicated intrigue plot, map out a maze like dungeon, or overburden the story with background and powerful NPCs. Start with a basic premise, like rescuing the local mayor from goblins, then use a funny-accented character to introduce the plot, pick a few monsters to stand in the way, and give out a little gold at the end. Mix in a devious trap or roleplaying challenge (like telling a magic door a story to be granted passage) if you're feeling adventurous. That's really all there is to it! Plus, it's your husband...as long as you have fun with it, he probably will too!
As for duet adventures, my #1 tip is not to present every combat as such right away...take some time to propose bargains as the evil wizard, or bluster and boast as the goblin chief, before the knives come out. This'll keep the dungeon-delving part of the game from feeling devoid of roleplay (since most of the roleplay there is usually between the PCs).
And of course, welcome to the DM side of the screen! Good luck, have fun, and may your dice roll low!
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
With 2 characters, you might want to help them out by giving them each a "retainer" or having an NPC along to fill in the gaps that 2 characters can't fill alone. Maybe you can have an NPC healer or something, if they need that.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Go for it!
With the presumption that you have played before, you kind of know how the game works.
Roll openly. Don't hide behind a screen.
Keep it simple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8&list=PLlUk42GiU2guNzWBzxn7hs8MaV7ELLCP_
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Yea i understand how the game works, though I didn't expect how much work a DM actually has to put in or take out to make an enjoyable game. It seemed so simple from the other end.
He has decided that we should do 3.5e tomb of horrors. Seems like a good choice since ToH feels more like a DM vs Player game.
@Bio he doesn't want to overwhelm me with to much work on focusing on NPCs since this will be my first game as a DM. Plus he is pretty good and doesn't mind solo playing and characters dying lol. Its all about getting my skills up
You’d have to make some changes to make it 3.5 friendly, but The Blood Hunter is a great intro to duet play. The whole thing only takes 2 or 3 hours and gives you some good practice at running a 1 on 1 game. https://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/303709
Remember, #1 rule is to keep yourself and your fun in the foreground...you're still another player, not just an entertainer. It sounds like your husband is driving a lot of the process (usually the DM gets to pick the module, for example). Please make sure you focus on making this something you enjoy, not just something for him—it's easy to lose track of that when people want you to DM!
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
@VintageAquaman i will check it out
Yea kinda, he has just a bit more experience than I do when it comes to DMing and knowing the books, I'm used to homebrews. So I just let him pick an adventure that might help me to become more knowledgeable on what and how to DM as well as trying to keep it fun.
There are lots of good single player adventures that tend to be short. A good place to start. Just read the whole thing before you start so you know where things go and then have fun. Another idea, if you are up for creating something is cliche, but the old "Local ruler has a "gauntlet" for some hero to run through for some prize". You get some good roleplay before hand that you can control.
Some town folk can give some clues about traps or monsters and if the conversation gets out of control they clam up because they aren't supposed to give hints.
Shopping for basic dungeon crawl equipment.
Then you build a straight forward, one room at a time dungeon with nicely isolated encounters. A couple traps, a couple fights, you can throw in a puzzle if you have a good one.
Poof, you've run your first adventure.
Everyone is the main character of their story
We actually had a pretty good run. ☺ I think i enjoy being a Dm. On top of that I recorded our sessions and play them for our newborn while daddy is away for business. Thank you all for the advice