Hello all.

With a game falling to RL, as they all eventually do. I was wondering if people would be up for an idea I used in one of my old groups.

6 people. Each taking turns (at least those who want to) as GM.
Either making up your own adventures (troubles in chinese takeaways with monk was one such)
Or using set adventures (especially useful for those new to GMing)

Last time we did this we had about 10 people and two potential GMs. Once people saw how easy it was, people were actually fighting to GM next! :) Lets hope we can get that going again!

Currently I'm asking for interest and any issues/problems people could see with this.


6 people is a good number to aim at, as it means 1 GM, 5 players (so if one person is away we've still got 4 players - which is doable)

I've a TON of set adventures, I've not read them on purpose, so people can use them. But of course if anyone wants to start GMing more permenantly and others are happy with it, we could always evolve it into a set game.


The way we did it before, when you GM, your character takes a back seat, this way no GM-metagaming can go on. XP would be given to your character (so a GM character doesn't fall behind) but I think we just gave out group XP, rather than individual. Lets face it, XP is always an issue! :)

I was thinking of starting with the Age of Worms group (as going to run it the same time, eg fortnightly on wednesdays) which would give us 4 people. But no idea if they are interested/busy etc. I myself may be busy but as the idea has worked before, even if I can't run it/join in others can. But hoping to be the pivotal starting force at least! :)

One thing you CAN be lacking, is the epic campaign going on in the background, as if there are rotating GMs (we found normally an adventure lasted 3-4 sessions) but it CAN turn into a mass epic game, with campaigns coming in every few months, and rather than one epic battle your heading for, there is 4 of them! :)

So... comments? Interest? Players, GMs, both?

6 people. Each taking turns (at least those who want to) as GM.
Either making up your own adventures (troubles in chinese takeaways with monk was one such)
Or using set adventures (especially useful for those new to GMing)

Getting a regular group together for various D&D based games is a smashing idea. It gives oppurtunity for people to drop in and out. However this causes problems to. Some people may drop in and out more than others and the games structure could get dis-jointed. Some may prefer a long campaign and want proper commitment from the others who are/maybe reticent to offer the same level of dedication.

Last time we did this we had about 10 people and two potential GMs. Once people saw how easy it was, people were actually fighting to GM next! :) Lets hope we can get that going again!

I run a game and let one of the players run his scenario within my game. I did not like it. Not that the scenario was poor, in fact it was really good, and I have had a few spin off scenarios based upon it. I didn't like someone else running my world. This may make me sound like a megolomaniac or something, but it was like letting your mate drive your own Aston Martin. This of course would be cured by running pre written scenario's, but I don't particularly like them either. I much prefer the DM to have a splendid imagination and run his own world.

6 people is a good number to aim at, as it means 1 GM, 5 players (so if one person is away we've still got 4 players - which is doable)

I agree with these figures, and 5 players is good for the DM.

I've a TON of set adventures, I've not read them on purpose, so people can use them. But of course if anyone wants to start GMing more permenantly and others are happy with it, we could always evolve it into a set game.

As said before, I think this lacks imagination from the DM. Players also want and need scope to "wander" from the pre-written paths to find their own way in the world. Having said this, I have played a few pre-written games and have enjoyed them. They were all done with very good DM's and that leads me to another point. The DM must be able to make his/her game attractive. The game should have good levels of story, intrigue, combat and the DM should take care of his players, ie not kill them on whims or because he got annoyed with them. The DM needs to understand that roleplayers get attached to characters. There is no point in having a DM who kills characters every week. I understand of course, that bad luck and stupidity kills characters, but the DM shouldn't.

The way we did it before, when you GM, your character takes a back seat, this way no GM-metagaming can go on. XP would be given to your character (so a GM character doesn't fall behind) but I think we just gave out group XP, rather than individual. Lets face it, XP is always an issue! :)

XP is always an issue if you let it. Ask those who have played Armagada or Bandaluthia. XP is not an issue at all.

I was thinking of starting with the Age of Worms group (as going to run it the same time, eg fortnightly on wednesdays) which would give us 4 people. But no idea if they are interested/busy etc. I myself may be busy but as the idea has worked before, even if I can't run it/join in others can. But hoping to be the pivotal starting force at least! :)

I would love another game, but will not commit until I think I will enjoy it, and see it has a future. I will not play with a load of "powergamers" and "ruleslawyers" or with a DM who does not know what they are doing.

One thing you CAN be lacking, is the epic campaign going on in the background, as if there are rotating GMs (we found normally an adventure lasted 3-4 sessions) but it CAN turn into a mass epic game, with campaigns coming in every few months, and rather than one epic battle your heading for, there is 4 of them! :)

I would certainly give this a try, but would not commit my long term future until I know it will work, and I will enjoy it.

So... comments? Interest? Players, GMs, both?

I would prefer to play or DM, probably not both. Most likely play!

Or... just volunteer to GM and away we go!? :)

In the group we did this with, it made it always interesting as things changed. The idea was to have set players. And revolving GMs if need be - thus people wouldn't "drop in or out" hence making it more standard and fixed.

As for GM clashes, maybe, but it wouldn't be ONE persons game, so you can't ruin 'their game'. Set it in Forgotten Realms for example. Those that want to GM can get together to see if their ideas clash with anyone else, but otherwise go for it.

My adventure (level 1) was to be continued at level 6 and level 12.. So in the meantime it could fit around other people giving it a go!

XP - I remember we used to level up at the end of an adventure. Therefore everyone was the same and no problems. We never bothered with XP. Also makes it easy to keep track of things.

I guess it all depends on if we can find one GM to runa normal game, people fancy giving this a go. The group I was in, I started the first adventure, but another person was going to take over the second. People got interested and it could be a good testing ground for people who would like to give GMing a go, but aren't sure if they can commit to GMing all the time. It also means you're not stuck in a GM position!

Pre written adventures don't NEED to be sticked to, and it can be fun working around the gaps. But it was there as an option, especially for people who need to give it a go.


As for powergamers. One way we could play, if everyone is up for it, is to take it back an edition. 3D6 per stat, as they fall. Your stats would then let you know what classes you could play!
We could work out some minimums, but the only minimum I'd impose is CON of 8.



Update: So far I have one yes (from the Wellingborough meetup group) so 2 people... and maybe Mike?! :)

I would need times and dates before commiting. I would love to say yes straight off, but a wife who doesn't like D&D and 2 kids under 5 makes my social life less than convienient. I had to bargain with my to get her to agree to Age of Worms. I work some Tuesday nights, (I am here now, not working!) and play Beholder on the others. The Age of Worms slot would be ok (I think) but do you have a venue in mind? As I play at home Thursdays, I wouldn't be able to do anything there.

Do you have a venue in mind? I would certainly meet up with you say next Wednesday (it would have been AOW's) to see what we can come up with. Maybe meet in town somewhere for a drink?

Getting interested people together would be good.

Venues are either a place in town, or I can do my house. It's near the centre of Leicester.
Should be easy for people! :)

(I wasn't just coming up with the idea)

But not yet told housemate... still it is my house! :)


And yes, thinking AOW times. Either weekely or fortnightly.

AOW's was this Wednesday wasn't it? Can't do tomorrow now! Maybe next week if interest is shown?

lol I meant wednesdays.
Or was only fortnightly wendesdays availiable?!

Depends upon my diplomacy skills but I guess the Wednesdays we had AOW's on fortnightly for me. It would be more likel. I have commited to other things tonight. Maybe meet up after you are done on the piste?

Well currently we have 3 people total. So will need more!

Guess we just have to wait for interest! :)

Considering its just M&M at the minute posting. I thought I should mix it up a bit.

There at least someone else has now posted... :P

But seriously... I thought of this a wwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy back and tried to stimulate interest by putting myself up as a DM. Problem is and this is the fatal truth... People only want to play with people they know. And as such you will constantly see the same sorts of groups of players forming everytime around the same people hosting. This is human nature, but it is worth noting that it is our ability to open up and take chances with people we don't know that as lead to these groups of friends/associates forming in the first place.

I really think one of solution to this problem is exactly how you have suggested mark, encourage people that have no direct association with one another to mix and match games. This allows for better diversity of group better chances of people finding a group and better chance of new groups finding people to join.

I am... going to be shortly hosting a "test" games with some people I know, I will on conclusion of this short campaign possible open it up to a larger and different group of people to join. But this a few months off as of yet.

But anyway keep us informed to your progress, I am interested.

Goodluck.

-Jon