I work for a youth centre in my local town and we want to start doing online D&D sessions. Sadly most of us have zero experience doing this, I've been reading up on it and we have someone willing to learn to be DM but it would be really beneficial for us and the kids we are working with if we had some experienced people around to help out.
Looking for some chill/friendly groups that the kids (teenagers) can run with and a few games the DM could probably go on to get some advice and stuff.
Really any help would be super appreciated, as we hope D&D can be beneficial to the kids and their development.
Thank you in advance for your advice/wisdom/support. Have a nice day.
Ps: Sorry if this is the wrong tag/wrong place to ask for this I'm a new poster and don't know the etiquette.
I'd recommend Lost Mines of Phandelver as the first game you can DM as, Levels 1 - 5. Generally for beginners in dnd. it maybe outdated but its the best one you can use for a module. If you want a homebrew well you have to take care of that for yourself. I suggest posting another Thread saying Need DM GMT, located UK and advice for Youth Center new comers in dnd. Get the basic rules and monster manual. Read that and take your time, no rush in dnd.
The best way to start a dnd session is by having a session 0: Generally talking about what characters are you going to play.
Here is a list of the Easiest Races / Recommended races to play as for now; each rated by their stats and how their RP Roleplay wise done and played, Human (Very Easy), Gnome (Easy), Dwarf (Easy), Elf (Normal), Half Orc (Normal), Half Elf (Above Normal).
Stats basic description:
Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma: You I will make an analogy like this.
Strength: How strong can you crush a tomato.
Dexterity: How fast can you catch a tomato.
Constitution: How well can you handle a rotten tomato.
Intelligence: How much you know its a tomato.
Wisdom: How well you perceive that a tomato is a tomato.
Charisma: How you can make the tomato happy.
Base scores for each races provided for now set it all to 14 and add their additional scores if they have any. Example Human +1 to all ability scores. Depending one what race type they choose. They will gain its benefits.
It would look like this:
Human: All stats are 15+
Gnome: All stats except intelligence are 14 and their intelligence is 16+
Dwarf: All stats except Constitution are 14 and their Constitution score is 16+
Elf: All stats except Dexterity are 14 and their Dexterity score is 16+
Half - Elf: All stats except Charisma are 14 and their Charisma score 16+
Half - Orc: All stats except Strength and Constitution are 14 while their Strength score is 16+ and their Constitution score is 15+.
Note the races above as describe have a subtype except for Half Orc. Choose their sub-race eg. Rock Gnome. Wood Elf or High Elf. Or don't if you just want to do this session 0 as a tryout.
It doesn't have to be a game, it can just be their character creation for their first session; talk about what they want to play as, and how long your going to play this eg. 10 sessions (one session is 3 - 4 hours a week).
Here's an example on how you can do your session 0 and make it fun.
You can start by getting an NPC (Commoner Stat block) - this is a NPC in dnd, name them however you want, and roleplay as if your players are in a carriage. The NPC can then ask them (Cowboy voice if possible), Where they're from, what they are, what they do, or who where they. Cue character creation while playing the game.
Example Excerpt in Character Creation for session 0 for level 1 characters:
"You all find yourself aloft in the confines of a wooden, creaking, carriage, driven by horses, manned by a gruff / pretty fellow, as they introduce themselves to be Name."
"My names is _______ , its been a ride since we've talked, never bothered to check who I am wheeling about to the main stay, [look at first player character if willing] So I'd like to ask where are you from? [Can be anywhere], Ah your from afar, I' don't recognize the likes of you folk? what Yer be? my memory is ailing me [race of player can be custom], I see . . . . what is it that you folk do? [Class]. Are you really what you are? [Confirmation that they are playing as that] And you where you from . . . . " repeat lines on next character subject to change.
Then explain the world to them if you have information on what or where they are playing (Make it up on the fly if your doing homebrew session 0).
Advanced / Optional if you want to voice act: After which the NPC you've named can tell them "Converse how you like I' be watching the road make yippy yap your sounds I don't like that is quiet here [Cue for players to talk how they want." there they can start familiarizing with their race and naming themselves, asking questions to the NPC about their race, and what they can do, if all of them are ready. Proceed with this description.
"The Coach stops the carriage, squinting ahead saying, "What in tarnation?" as they [The NPC] drop down, and look ahead before a blast of fire torches them."
Introduction to combat. Recommended Enemies for player party using enemy stat block of bandit dnd.
Party of 1 - 4 = 3 bandits max health.
Party of 2 - 6 = 4 bandits max health.
Party of 3 - 8 = 2 max health bandits and 1 bandit captain.
Introduce how movement works and how it affects each race.
Excerpt for how the players rush into battle.
"Fire spews forth as the fellow coach man is burnt (Edit they can try to save them) the party rushes forth as a _____ [race name], [race name], and a [race name]" (Interchangeable with character name)and with the following descriptions below:
Human / Half Orc - "Charges forth in determination or rage"
dwarf / Gnome- "Briskly walk in a heated manner with their stumpy foot"
Elf / Half Elf - "Elegantly proceed with bravado or grace."
Then roll for initiative = a roll of 1d20 + Dexterity modifier the higher the better for the player. Set the bandits initiative to either a 5 or 10 or 15 alternately.
Let the bandits strike first against the highest initiative and describe the action mechanics in way that it fits the game.
Example Excerpt for dodging:
"The bandit charges forth at the [player with highest initiative] drawing his bladed scimitar at them, yet swift as the bandits are, the adventurer dodges the cut of the blade." Explain dodge action to them. If they get hit explain armor class in way that is also role play or not.
"The Bandit cuts through, taking a slice at the adventurer."
"The Adventurer [Player Character Name] ducks out of the way."
or Alternately
"The bandit strikes, but clumsily drops its weapon. [Scimitar]." If ever it misses or if you want. With that explain attacking and how different weapons require different ability scores.
Explain each action via role play. There if they win the combat, which they should. They have fully learned the basics of dnd. if they choose to continue that will be for a next time, but this is a good introduction for 2 - 4 hours depending on how many they are.
While playing this Session 0 clarify rules and what an action does together.
Finally most of all have fun. Good Tidings to thee.
Do what you wish I am just here, need any more advice? Just remember it doesn't have to be the first game, it can just be the character creation part an introduction to dnd is already good.
Hello,
I work for a youth centre in my local town and we want to start doing online D&D sessions.
Sadly most of us have zero experience doing this, I've been reading up on it and we have someone willing to learn to be DM but it would be really beneficial for us and the kids we are working with if we had some experienced people around to help out.
Looking for some chill/friendly groups that the kids (teenagers) can run with and a few games the DM could probably go on to get some advice and stuff.
Really any help would be super appreciated, as we hope D&D can be beneficial to the kids and their development.
Thank you in advance for your advice/wisdom/support.
Have a nice day.
Ps: Sorry if this is the wrong tag/wrong place to ask for this I'm a new poster and don't know the etiquette.
It usually helps to say what time zone your in and what days your looking for so people can see if they are a good fit for what your after
Thanks.
We are GMT, located in UK.
Timing can be pretty flexible.
I'd recommend Lost Mines of Phandelver as the first game you can DM as, Levels 1 - 5. Generally for beginners in dnd. it maybe outdated but its the best one you can use for a module. If you want a homebrew well you have to take care of that for yourself. I suggest posting another Thread saying Need DM GMT, located UK and advice for Youth Center new comers in dnd. Get the basic rules and monster manual. Read that and take your time, no rush in dnd.
The best way to start a dnd session is by having a session 0: Generally talking about what characters are you going to play.
Here is a list of the Easiest Races / Recommended races to play as for now; each rated by their stats and how their RP Roleplay wise done and played, Human (Very Easy), Gnome (Easy), Dwarf (Easy), Elf (Normal), Half Orc (Normal), Half Elf (Above Normal).
Stats basic description:
Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma: You I will make an analogy like this.
Strength: How strong can you crush a tomato.
Dexterity: How fast can you catch a tomato.
Constitution: How well can you handle a rotten tomato.
Intelligence: How much you know its a tomato.
Wisdom: How well you perceive that a tomato is a tomato.
Charisma: How you can make the tomato happy.
Base scores for each races provided for now set it all to 14 and add their additional scores if they have any. Example Human +1 to all ability scores. Depending one what race type they choose. They will gain its benefits.
It would look like this:
Human: All stats are 15+
Gnome: All stats except intelligence are 14 and their intelligence is 16+
Dwarf: All stats except Constitution are 14 and their Constitution score is 16+
Elf: All stats except Dexterity are 14 and their Dexterity score is 16+
Half - Elf: All stats except Charisma are 14 and their Charisma score 16+
Half - Orc: All stats except Strength and Constitution are 14 while their Strength score is 16+ and their Constitution score is 15+.
Note the races above as describe have a subtype except for Half Orc. Choose their sub-race eg. Rock Gnome. Wood Elf or High Elf. Or don't if you just want to do this session 0 as a tryout.
It doesn't have to be a game, it can just be their character creation for their first session; talk about what they want to play as, and how long your going to play this eg. 10 sessions (one session is 3 - 4 hours a week).
Here's an example on how you can do your session 0 and make it fun.
You can start by getting an NPC (Commoner Stat block) - this is a NPC in dnd, name them however you want, and roleplay as if your players are in a carriage. The NPC can then ask them (Cowboy voice if possible), Where they're from, what they are, what they do, or who where they. Cue character creation while playing the game.
Example Excerpt in Character Creation for session 0 for level 1 characters:
"You all find yourself aloft in the confines of a wooden, creaking, carriage, driven by horses, manned by a gruff / pretty fellow, as they introduce themselves to be Name."
"My names is _______ , its been a ride since we've talked, never bothered to check who I am wheeling about to the main stay, [look at first player character if willing] So I'd like to ask where are you from? [Can be anywhere], Ah your from afar, I' don't recognize the likes of you folk? what Yer be? my memory is ailing me [race of player can be custom], I see . . . . what is it that you folk do? [Class]. Are you really what you are? [Confirmation that they are playing as that] And you where you from . . . . " repeat lines on next character subject to change.
Then explain the world to them if you have information on what or where they are playing (Make it up on the fly if your doing homebrew session 0).
Advanced / Optional if you want to voice act: After which the NPC you've named can tell them "Converse how you like I' be watching the road make yippy yap your sounds I don't like that is quiet here [Cue for players to talk how they want." there they can start familiarizing with their race and naming themselves, asking questions to the NPC about their race, and what they can do, if all of them are ready. Proceed with this description.
"The Coach stops the carriage, squinting ahead saying, "What in tarnation?" as they [The NPC] drop down, and look ahead before a blast of fire torches them."
Introduction to combat. Recommended Enemies for player party using enemy stat block of bandit dnd.
Party of 1 - 4 = 3 bandits max health.
Party of 2 - 6 = 4 bandits max health.
Party of 3 - 8 = 2 max health bandits and 1 bandit captain.
Introduce how movement works and how it affects each race.
Excerpt for how the players rush into battle.
"Fire spews forth as the fellow coach man is burnt (Edit they can try to save them) the party rushes forth as a _____ [race name], [race name], and a [race name]" (Interchangeable with character name)and with the following descriptions below:
Human / Half Orc - "Charges forth in determination or rage"
dwarf / Gnome- "Briskly walk in a heated manner with their stumpy foot"
Elf / Half Elf - "Elegantly proceed with bravado or grace."
Then roll for initiative = a roll of 1d20 + Dexterity modifier the higher the better for the player. Set the bandits initiative to either a 5 or 10 or 15 alternately.
Let the bandits strike first against the highest initiative and describe the action mechanics in way that it fits the game.
Example Excerpt for dodging:
"The bandit charges forth at the [player with highest initiative] drawing his bladed scimitar at them, yet swift as the bandits are, the adventurer dodges the cut of the blade." Explain dodge action to them. If they get hit explain armor class in way that is also role play or not.
"The Bandit cuts through, taking a slice at the adventurer."
"The Adventurer [Player Character Name] ducks out of the way."
or Alternately
"The bandit strikes, but clumsily drops its weapon. [Scimitar]." If ever it misses or if you want. With that explain attacking and how different weapons require different ability scores.
Explain each action via role play. There if they win the combat, which they should. They have fully learned the basics of dnd. if they choose to continue that will be for a next time, but this is a good introduction for 2 - 4 hours depending on how many they are.
While playing this Session 0 clarify rules and what an action does together.
Finally most of all have fun. Good Tidings to thee.
Note that's not the main game, that's getting introduced to dnd.
Thank you Lolths, that information is really really useful and super appreciated!
We have some of the starter books, and some other sets but I'm not at the centre at the moment so can't tell you what they're called.
Do you mind if I private message you to discuss some of this or occasionally bend your ear? Ok if not as this is already super helpful.
Thanks again :D
Do what you wish I am just here, need any more advice? Just remember it doesn't have to be the first game, it can just be the character creation part an introduction to dnd is already good.
If you need help just tell me what's missing.
Also I don't know how private messaging works here in beyond.