I'm volunteering at a library. I need volunteer hours for resume & they were offering a position as a DM.
Seeing as I'm going to be committed to the library, I'm kind of worried about problem players who I have to stick with through a whole campaign. We are having a session 0, but my favourite part of D&D is organically growing a cool story (ofc I like combat and other stuff too, just not as much), and I don't know what to do if they want a super-tactical combat game with minimal plot, and I have to DM for them for ages.
I also want to convince them to play in a setting that isn't the Forgotten Realms. I DM one group in that setting already and I'm not a huge fan, although I admit it's an easy entry point. I read like six Eberron books and would LOVE to play in it, but I'd be willing to do Dragonlance, or Spelljammer too (the library has most of the books for me).
How can I make the session 0 go well when we're stuck together?
You could try to sell them another campagn setting you're thrilled with and would love to try play with, telling some distinctives and unique aspects of it which stand out and feel different.
This falls into the realm of marketing. So many libraries and even local game shops simply don't understand this aspect. It's a bit like a movie studio or a theatre company. These companies do not ask their audiences what they want. They offer the project 'as is'. Running a game for a Game Shop or Library isn't really that different.
If the venue you're running sessions for have said it must be in Forgotten Realms - then you're stuck with Forgotten Realms that's what you signed up for. If however they've given you some creative liberties, then you run the campaign you want to run. And it's advertised as a DM created world. If the players want that world, great, if they don't that's great too.
The point here is to set expectations during session 0. If players decide to leave the group or it's not for them that's okay.
You should also get from the library an agreement of when you are allowed to remove players from the table, and what safety tools and topics the do/do not wish to be included. For example, if a player becomes discriminatory or is a bully no sane venue is going to want to see that happen. It opens them up to a liability. So you wouldn't be suck with toxic players in such instances. It is important however that you and the library are on the same page with what is expected from you, what is expected for players.
Now the likelihood is that the library don't actually understand what is involved if the library were just 'looking for someone to run D&D'. Seriously maybe I'm cynical but I've seen a lot of that over the decades. If they do however understand what is involved then it'll put you in a good light, though given that you didn't relay this information then I'm guessing that they don't. Either way emphasise that you goal is to ensure that both the event and the library are seen in a good light. So, discussed expectations and when it is okay to remove players from the table...that will help.
I'm volunteering at a library. I need volunteer hours for resume & they were offering a position as a DM.
Seeing as I'm going to be committed to the library, I'm kind of worried about problem players who I have to stick with through a whole campaign. We are having a session 0, but my favourite part of D&D is organically growing a cool story (ofc I like combat and other stuff too, just not as much), and I don't know what to do if they want a super-tactical combat game with minimal plot, and I have to DM for them for ages.
I also want to convince them to play in a setting that isn't the Forgotten Realms. I DM one group in that setting already and I'm not a huge fan, although I admit it's an easy entry point. I read like six Eberron books and would LOVE to play in it, but I'd be willing to do Dragonlance, or Spelljammer too (the library has most of the books for me).
How can I make the session 0 go well when we're stuck together?
You could try to sell them another campagn setting you're thrilled with and would love to try play with, telling some distinctives and unique aspects of it which stand out and feel different.
This falls into the realm of marketing. So many libraries and even local game shops simply don't understand this aspect. It's a bit like a movie studio or a theatre company. These companies do not ask their audiences what they want. They offer the project 'as is'. Running a game for a Game Shop or Library isn't really that different.
If the venue you're running sessions for have said it must be in Forgotten Realms - then you're stuck with Forgotten Realms that's what you signed up for. If however they've given you some creative liberties, then you run the campaign you want to run. And it's advertised as a DM created world. If the players want that world, great, if they don't that's great too.
The point here is to set expectations during session 0. If players decide to leave the group or it's not for them that's okay.
You should also get from the library an agreement of when you are allowed to remove players from the table, and what safety tools and topics the do/do not wish to be included. For example, if a player becomes discriminatory or is a bully no sane venue is going to want to see that happen. It opens them up to a liability. So you wouldn't be suck with toxic players in such instances. It is important however that you and the library are on the same page with what is expected from you, what is expected for players.
Now the likelihood is that the library don't actually understand what is involved if the library were just 'looking for someone to run D&D'. Seriously maybe I'm cynical but I've seen a lot of that over the decades. If they do however understand what is involved then it'll put you in a good light, though given that you didn't relay this information then I'm guessing that they don't. Either way emphasise that you goal is to ensure that both the event and the library are seen in a good light. So, discussed expectations and when it is okay to remove players from the table...that will help.
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Alright thanks!