First time DM

So a while ago I wrote a basic hey first time player! Style post, so here is hey first time DM! post. So the aim of this is to give you a game where you are not worrying over every last thing, so we are going to build a basic set up get the game underway.

So open your browser or another tab just over to the right here and search for random DnD dungeon generator. Now don’t worry about edition, set to level 1 and make it. Print it out.

You can update the monsters and traps to their 5th edition counterparts.

This is your game for tonight. The players are going to wake up in one of the empty rooms in the dungeon and their kit is stored in another empty room nearby.

They are underground and will have to make their way up to escape so all stairs here lead up.

Okay so why are we doing this?

As a new DM you most likely are a little anxious, want it to go well and suddenly your friends all seem like rule lawyering sharks hell bent on picking up on every error. I can tell you this is not true, not helping much is it?

So we are doing this, there is no plot for the moment and that is fine, survive and get out is the plot. There is no world but the dungeon. The players have choices, but they are heavily constrained. Go left or right, listen at the door, pick the lock. 

Because you worry less you can listen to your players more. They will do some role play, they will let you know what bits of the dungeon they are liking (or hating) and what is boring. They will also come up with odd plans. Listen to it, decide if it stands a chance or working and apply some tests as needed. DC 10-15 for the most part.

Jot down what they liked and hated and any schemes they cook up, this is for you later in the campaign, do they have ideas on who dumped them here? Do they hate the goblins, love the traps, whatever it is, hey looks like that might be useful for the future, am I right?

Also jot down what is cleared and what got away or they avoided, this is for next session, so you can pick up where you left off without huge problems.

When they go up the stairs go back to your generator and create level 2. Print out…. You got the idea.

I like to set them about 3 levels below ground, but you do you, make it 6 if you are all having fun doing this.

Now before they reach the surface find a town generator online and hit generate and place it close by. This will have an adventurers guild which will give locations of new dungeons (which you generate).

It will also have some shops and an inn and that is about it for the moment.

When you got all this going well, well then time for you to add things. Try a little town scenario, or a little journey to the dungeon where something happens on the way.

Add stuff at your own rate, seriously this basic set up was how old school parties would get to level 20...eventually, it is a whole campaign if you want it to be. Or you really branch out and start doing your own thing and never see another dungeon again, whatever suits you.

Seems a bit basic? Worked for Skyrim and many other games. This is a simple set up, gives a reason for the PCs to party up and leaves you time to breathe and learn in chunks rather than everything, all at once, that seems to be in vogue these days.

Good luck DM, welcome to the team.