DeadlyLuvdisc
2012-12-14, 01:40 AM
Hi. I'm new!
New to D&D, new to GitP, and new to being the DM. I've only played in as many sessions of D&D 3.5 as I have fingers on my left hand, and yet my thirst for more has lead me to persuade my two siblings to play in my campaign. They have no experience at all, but we are also bringing one friend each who at least have some experience. However, in spite of my own lack of experience playing D&D, I am a compulsive optimizer and character creator, and I love to write stories, which is why I feel ready to DM. That said, I still feel nervous about my lack of experience with all the rules and I am seeking advice.
My plan for the first session is for each PC to get thrown into a small, simple dungeon to learn the basics of combat, get them to problem solve, and roleplay with each other. I want each member of the party to have a different specific reason for ending up in the dungeon, which will be an oubliette just beyond the town square.
1. Wakes up already in the oubliette and feeling woozy. This is because the drink they had last night was poisoned for reasons unknown, and they were deposited in the dungeon. Poison symptoms could be identified by a check, but I'm not sure what sort of check that would be, or what poison would be used.
2. Gets conned into performing a crime. I'm thinking a bard or rogue will trick them into attempting to steal some item from a wizard who is wearing a Robe of Eyes. "That man stole my [valuable spell component]! You have to steal it back for me. We can't alert the authorities because he is actually a high ranking official and none of the guards believe me." Etc...
3. Accidentally breaks a ridiculous law. I happen to know with a fair degree of certainty that one of my players will put ranks in Perform [dance] and will probably try using it in the first session. I plan on using this as an opportunity to hook this player by alluding to the plot of the musical Footloose.
4. Is the victim of racial profiling and gets accused of having committed some sort of crime for which they are completely innocent. For this reason they are arrested and thrown into the dungeon at the same time as #2 and #3.
5. Is accidentally pushed into the oubliette while the guards are struggling to throw #2, #3, and #4 into the dungeon. Something valuable of theirs will be stolen from them in a crowd, but they will recognize a figure leaving. Investigation will find that a figure matching that description was seen yelling for help from within the oubliette earlier. Turns out that #1 woke up having the stolen item planted on them by agents unknown and did not in fact steal it.
These seem like sufficient opportunities to introduce basic role playing and social skill mechanics like Bluff and Sense Motive.
Also, I have many ideas for encounters for the dungeon, but I'm wondering what memorable ideas the playground can give me. I want to make sure I hit all the bases on combat. Tactics, initiative, stealth/scouting, and attack actions besides attacking.
EDIT: And if it is relevant, I'm using Core 3.5 + Tome of Battle + approved variants only.
New to D&D, new to GitP, and new to being the DM. I've only played in as many sessions of D&D 3.5 as I have fingers on my left hand, and yet my thirst for more has lead me to persuade my two siblings to play in my campaign. They have no experience at all, but we are also bringing one friend each who at least have some experience. However, in spite of my own lack of experience playing D&D, I am a compulsive optimizer and character creator, and I love to write stories, which is why I feel ready to DM. That said, I still feel nervous about my lack of experience with all the rules and I am seeking advice.
My plan for the first session is for each PC to get thrown into a small, simple dungeon to learn the basics of combat, get them to problem solve, and roleplay with each other. I want each member of the party to have a different specific reason for ending up in the dungeon, which will be an oubliette just beyond the town square.
1. Wakes up already in the oubliette and feeling woozy. This is because the drink they had last night was poisoned for reasons unknown, and they were deposited in the dungeon. Poison symptoms could be identified by a check, but I'm not sure what sort of check that would be, or what poison would be used.
2. Gets conned into performing a crime. I'm thinking a bard or rogue will trick them into attempting to steal some item from a wizard who is wearing a Robe of Eyes. "That man stole my [valuable spell component]! You have to steal it back for me. We can't alert the authorities because he is actually a high ranking official and none of the guards believe me." Etc...
3. Accidentally breaks a ridiculous law. I happen to know with a fair degree of certainty that one of my players will put ranks in Perform [dance] and will probably try using it in the first session. I plan on using this as an opportunity to hook this player by alluding to the plot of the musical Footloose.
4. Is the victim of racial profiling and gets accused of having committed some sort of crime for which they are completely innocent. For this reason they are arrested and thrown into the dungeon at the same time as #2 and #3.
5. Is accidentally pushed into the oubliette while the guards are struggling to throw #2, #3, and #4 into the dungeon. Something valuable of theirs will be stolen from them in a crowd, but they will recognize a figure leaving. Investigation will find that a figure matching that description was seen yelling for help from within the oubliette earlier. Turns out that #1 woke up having the stolen item planted on them by agents unknown and did not in fact steal it.
These seem like sufficient opportunities to introduce basic role playing and social skill mechanics like Bluff and Sense Motive.
Also, I have many ideas for encounters for the dungeon, but I'm wondering what memorable ideas the playground can give me. I want to make sure I hit all the bases on combat. Tactics, initiative, stealth/scouting, and attack actions besides attacking.
EDIT: And if it is relevant, I'm using Core 3.5 + Tome of Battle + approved variants only.