#dungeon master for beginners

[dungeonsandcartoons]

The Real Reason Modern D&D5e Is So Much Easier

[whataboutmysanity]

Working on my DND campaign and actually getting out of the brainstorm phase- OH MY GOD

My players are actually communicating on things they wanna see in the game and characters they’d wanna see- AAAAAAHHHHHHH

I’m finding interesting plot hooks and unique ways to create unlikely alliances with deep background plots running- AWOOGA

Not saying 2025 is the year I really find my DMing style, but this might be it hang

[craigofinspiration]

3 Tips for Death Saving Throws

When a PC is at 0 HP and making death saves it can feel like their turn was a loss because they just roll a die and move on. These three tips are meant to help add some weight to death saving throws during a D&D session.

These three tips are meant to help add some weight to death saving throws during a D&D session. When a PC is at 0 HP and making death saves it can feel like their turn was a loss because they just roll a die and move on. The first two tips are meant to make them more fun and the last one will make it easier for everyone. Every Death Saving Throw Comes With A Memory Have the player give a memory…

[charonarp]

when you accidentally make a deadly encounter so you add a homebrew rule to ensure their survival for future instances ._.

[harvestofrye]

once i figure out what happened to my password, ill log in on my laptop and start posting about DM-ing and worldbuilding

[eastsidemags]

East Side Mages - The Scamazon Warehouse

East Side Mags and Dungeons on the Go are bringing another awesome homebrew Dungeons & Dragons campaign, written by NEW Dungeon Master Jack Neugebauer!

This is THE SCAMAZON WAREHOUSE (ALL AGES, INTRO) and consists of THREE TOTAL EPISODES. 

About THE SCAMAZON WAREHOUSE: In the far future, Scamazon has taken over the multiverse, and transformed a pocket dimension into a gigantic warehouse to ship goods across the planes. As lowly Scamazon employees, you have to make sure the warehouse is in tip top shape, and defeat the monsters and interdimensional threats that pop up on occasion. A fifth-level adventure!

The dates are:

5/4 - 3pm-5pm

5/18 - 3pm-5pm

5/25 - 3pm-5pm

Entry to ALL dates is $75. 

***WE ONLY HAVE 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE*** so sign up below. Spots are given out on a first come, first served basis and we will CLOSE registration once all 8 spots are filled. Once payment is received, your spot will be locked in.

THIS IS AN ALL AGES, INTRO GAME!!!

Questions can go to jeff@eastsidemags.com.

GAME ON!!!

[jeffs-gamebox]

Six items ready to be inserted into any Dragonbane campaign. Compatible with any fantasy tabletop roleplaying game with minimal conversion required. Have fun!

[seiffer55]

So I DM a campaign with a few friends and tonight my goblin wild magic sorc player rolled a nat 20 arcana check... He then procd wild magic and summoned a unicorn.... And then proceed to roll a nat 100 luck roll...

This manifested the unicorn into existence. My goblin player... Now has a unicorn... I had to draw them arguing

[xenodile]

I think the biggest counterpoint to DnD 5e being easy to get into or beginner friendly is the simple fact that I can't find a good, free character builder online. Every option I find requires a download or a log in to a service like Roll20, Dungeon Master's or D&DBeyond, usually has limited content that wants you to buy digital licenses of books, is covered in ads and cookie permissions, and/or has a very user unfriendly UI.

Meanwhile, if I want to make a character for PF2e, the first search result is pathbuilder, which has literally everything, no ads, and a very clean format. The only paid feature is like a $5 optional tool for building familiars/minions which isn't even necessary.

Lancer has COMP/CON, which is completely free, doesn't require a log in to use, has systems to directly import characters to Foundry VTT, and links on where to get the files for both official and homebrew content.

Like it's kind of pathetic that I can't find a decent online character builder for 5e that's even close to what's available for far less popular games.

[lucydixon]

An Adventure

Masterlist 𐴱 Taglist 𐴱 Reading List 𐴱 Navigation A/N: This is part two of my Welcome to Hellfire Series. Previous Parts: 1 Series Masterlist

Summary: You offer to stay back and help Eddie clean up and two of you end up plotting an adventure

Once the excitement died down, the little ones had to rush home for curfew after profusely thanking you for coming, and the rest of the boys were stumbling out into the crowd leaving the pep rally, leaving just you and Eddie in the room. 

The two of you just stared at each other for a minute, still standing on opposite ends of the table, smiling. 

“Thanks for letting me play,” you said finally, looking like you really meant it. “Still not sure I actually understood any of it, but I had a lot of fun.” 

“Letting you play?” He scoffed, “Sweetheart, you carried the game.” 

Your cheeks warmed, and you felt butterflies fluttering against your ribs. 

“Might have to recruit you,” Eddie added. 

“I think I’ve got a lot to learn before I’m worthy of your special club.” You chuckled, pressing your thumb to each fingertip on one hand in succession. 

“I dunno, I think you’re a fast learner.” He smirked, “Managed to learn enough in an afternoon to beat my campaign on your first try.” 

“Beginners' luck.” You shrugged coyly. “Need help cleaning up?” 

“You don’t have to do that.” He waved you off, “Bad enough you got kidnapped and held hostage, I won't sentence you to hard labour on top of it.” 

“I really don’t mind.” You wondered briefly if he wanted you to leave. “Unless you’d rather be alone. I don’t want to impose on your post-game ritual.” 

“No spring break-eve party plans?” He raised a brow. 

“Not really,” you admitted, “was just gonna roam the streets, looking for trouble.” 

“Yeah?” He huffed out a laugh. “Better keep you busy then.”

You started collecting all the empty cans and candy wrappers while he rounded up the dice and very carefully folded up the map. 

“Did you make all this stuff?” You asked, scooping up a little painted figurine. 

“Not all by myself,” He shrugged. “The other guys helped.” 

“It’s really cool.” 

“Cool?” he scoffed. “I think you’re the first girl to ever refer to DND as ‘cool’.” 

“I dunno, maybe if they got to actually see it. I’d never heard of it before today.” 

“Not a subscriber to the belief of the satanic panic?” 

“Nah,” you sighed, “I’m more a live and let live type.”

“I’ve gotta know.” He said after a minute, “What did you whisper to that dice?”  

“You’d be surprised what a wholehearted ‘please’ can accomplish,” you smiled, “no secret mantra, just a please.” 

Eddie wondered what a ‘please’ could get him with you.

There wasn’t anything else to clean up, and Eddie knew that you had your own car, so he couldn’t offer to drive you home to stretch his time with you. 

“Do you really wanna learn?”  He asked. “How to play?”

“Is Eddie Munson offering to give me DND lessons?” You gasped theatrically. 

“I'd give you any kind of lesson you want if it gets me within ten feet of you this spring break.” Eddie blurted suddenly. 

Your lips parted in shock, and for a second, he was kicking himself for believing Henderson and Wheeler.

But then they stretched into a grin, and he felt like he could breathe again. 

“Could just ask me to hang out.” You told him. “Ten feet’s a little far for my taste, but baby steps, I guess.” 

“Yeah?” He smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. 

“Kinda only came in the first place cause the littles said you were the Dungeon Daddy or whatever.” One side of your mouth quirked up into a smirk when he made a choking noise. 

“You mean Dungeon Master?” He swallowed hard. 

You just shrugged noncommittally and watched his cheeks turn pink as he cleared his throat.

“Wanna hang out right now?” 

“Pretty sure we’re already hanging out, Eddie.” You laughed.

“You don’t have to be home or anything?” 

“I don’t have anyone waiting up for me,” You smirked. “Are you proposing an adventure?” 

“I might be.” 

“Okay,” Eddie flicked the lights off on your way out of the drama room, “Logistics. We have two vehicles, one destination.” 

“One vehicle.” Your cheeks immediately warmed. 

“What about your car?” his brows pulled together. 

“It was removed from my possession.” You grimaced, “and will not be returned to me.” 

“That sounds like the start of a really good story.” He glanced over at you while the two of you wandered down the empty hallways of Hawkins High. 

“How’d you know I have a car?” You side-stepped the question and narrowed your eyes. 

“Lucky guess.” He answered far too quickly. 

“Liar.” 

“You know, we’ve got classes together.” Eddie shoulder-checked one of the doors leading to the parking lot, then held it open for you. 

“I’m well aware.” You laughed

“I am also well aware.” He muttered without looking at you before opening the passenger door to his beaten-up van. “Like, arguably, too aware.” 

“Really?” You paused and looked up at him, so close that you could reach out and touch him. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Why didn’t you?” He countered. 

“You’ve got this larger than life personality,” you told him, “It’s intimidating.” 

“You don’t seem very shy to me.” 

He wondered if you just didn’t want to be seen with him in the daylight. His chest ached at the thought. 

“Usually, I’m really not.” You chuckled, climbing into the passenger seat. “But usually, I’m not trying to come up with a reason to go talk to the cute metalhead who sits across the classroom. You’re far too cool for me, Eddie Munson. I had no idea I was even on your radar.”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes playfully before jogging around the front of the van and throwing himself into the driver's seat.

“I'm starting to think you haven't got a good grasp on the word cool.” He chuckled, turning the key in the engine. 

The van sputtered to life, and you just about jumped out of your seat when Judas Priest started blaring through the speakers so loud that you could feel your teeth rattle. 

“Sorry!” Eddie shouted over the noise and rushed to turn it down, taking in your wide eyed, startled took “Fuck, I’m sorry.” 

“It’s okay,” You laughed finally. “Jesus, though. You’re gonna blow your eardrums with it cranked that loud. Have you always got it on full blast?” 

“Pretty much.” He smiled sheepishly. “Not off to a good start, am I?” 

“Would’ve been a better start if you weren’t listening to Judas Priest.” 

“You know who that was?” His brows shot up so far that they disappeared in his bangs. 

“Unfortunately, yes.” You sighed dramatically. “I can’t take Rob Halford’s screeching.” 

“What else have you got?” Your eyes scanned the front of the van until Eddie reached behind his seat and procured a little box of cassette tapes for you to rifle through, still looking a little stunned. 

You turned one of them over and smiled softly to yourself before swapping out the tapes. 

He was so mesmerized by the way you were fiddling with his radio like you’d been in his van a hundred times that he didn’t bother glancing at what you’d selected for the adventure he’d promised. 

“There we go.” You muttered, hitting play. 

Ace of Spades, by Motörhead, crackled through the speakers, and you turned it up just enough to be able to talk over it.  

“Much better.” 

“Eddie?” Your brows pulled together slightly when he just stared at you. “Are you alright?” 

“What?” He snapped out of his trance and spoke a little too loudly. 

“You spaced out.” 

“Oh,” Eddie cleared his throat and shot you a playful grin. “Sorry, I was just planning our wedding.” 

Your cheeks warmed, but you beamed back at him. 

“Where are you taking me?” 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He scoffed, facing the road as he rolled forward. “That’s top secret information.” 

You didn’t argue and settled into your seat, rolling your eyes while he sped out of the parking lot, seemingly unfazed by his erratic driving, which didn’t come as much of a surprise, seeing as he’d watched you tear out of the very same lot what felt like a hundred times. 

“You know, I’m not gonna hurt you or like, sacrifice you or anything. Right?” He felt the need to say. 

“What?” Your head snapped to the side, and he could only take the bewildered look on your face for a half second before looking away. “Why would you say that?” 

“I dunno,” he muttered, just loud enough for you to hear, clearly in his head, “I’ve kind of kidnapped you and now I’m taking you to an undisclosed location. That doesn’t scare you? I know what people say about me.” 

“Enough with the kidnapping.” You groaned loudly, “If I didn’t wanna be here, I wouldn’t be.”

“I know you’re not gonna hurt me.” You added “It’s fucked up that those assholes made you feel like you have to ask.” 

“I’m not scared of you, Eddie.” Your voice softened, and it soothed the ache in his chest. 

“Besides,” you said after a couple of minutes had gone by, “I’m pretty sure I could take you in a fight.” 

‘You think so?” His voice was laced with amusement, but you could see in the momentary glance he’d shot in your direction that he was grateful for the change of subject. “I dunno. I’ve got a good foot on you.” 

“That just makes you slower,” you insisted with a playful glare. 

“Yeah, but I’m a wildcard, sweetheart.” He scoffed, back to his boisterous self, “You’ll always be one step behind.” 

Again with the pet names. 

This man was going to ruin you. 

“Lover’s Lake?” You chuckled when Eddie turned onto the familiar, unmarked road. “How romantic.”

His cheeks burned, but he let his hair fall in front of them in hopes that you wouldn't see. 

He was having a little bit of trouble discerning whether or not your impromptu adventure was a date. You seemed interested, and he was pretty sure you were flirting with him, but he was still wary of making any moves in case he’d entirely misunderstood your kindness for something more. 

“I would have expected more cars with it being the first night of spring break and all,” You muttered, leaning forward to glance around the desolate lake.

“Championship Basketball game, too.” He reminded you, rolling to a stop and shifting the van into park, “Lots of parties tonight.” 

As soon as he’d fought his way out of his seatbelt, to your amusement, Eddie rolled into the back of the van and procured a room-temperature six-pack of beer. 

“Should we have our own little party?”

Part 3

Dividers by @saradika-graphics GIF by @cowboylikemunson

Tag request: @walleloveseve

[sundalion]

Hey! I’m Raccoon, I’ve played dnd a lot, however I’ve been without party for the past year (very sad)

SO you wanna get into dnd??

Easy way to get into the very basics would be by watching JoCat’s ‘A crap guide to dnd’ which is quick with the basic info, then maybe move to watching a dnd series to get a feel? It depends how much you want to know!! You can always find the online beginners guide book and just read through it :)

If you want to see someone else play first, just to get a feel- I could really recommend Fools Gold on YouTube which is an animated story, because it’s easy digestible and not too slow paced unlike most dnd story streams like dnd beyond and critical role. If seeing real time game play I can recommend watching Jaiden’s first dnd session here which she also animated in a shortened story here. For a longer series, there’s Just Roll With It starting with Mythborne but you can also just jump straight into Riptide, it’s goofy. And some hardcore classic dnd without much intro (but great anyways), Critical Role and DnD Beyond.

Now the hard part about actually playing it is finding a dm(and a party). No idea how to do that from a perspective without dnd friends TvT

Maybe going to some local game shop/clubs? Search in your area as good as you can if you desire to play irl, otherwise I think it’s easier to find dnd party’s online. Search it up! That’s all I can think of!! I really wish you luck!

I do hope a bit of this is of help tho!! Dnd is great but it’s also a very complex world so take it easy!!

Gosh I want to get into DND, unfortunately I don’t know where to start, better start researching

[scarfacemarston]

Looking for a new Dungeon Master for a server!

Hey y'all. I posted this months ago and sadly didn't receive any valid responses, so I thought I'd try again! We're a chill server that is mostly over 21. It is mainly beginners and people who have been playing for a few years, but we have a few advanced players, too! We're looking for someone: 21+ LGBTQIA+ Friendly Neurodivergent Friendly Chill Very welcoming and helpful towards new players! Respectful of others.

You don't have a quota of games or anything. Once a month would be nice, but hey, we're all adults, and it's understandable if not! You'd also be free with approval to do one shots. The process is just an interview with our mods.

(Btw, we're welcoming new players. Outside of dnd, we have a marvel oneshot, a pirate one shot and a few other surprises. We currently have a Star Wars campaign to give you an idea what we're doing. )

[pokeshippingweek]

POKESHIPPING WEEK 2024!

It's that time again, pokeshippers!

Last year, we announced that the format of Pokeshipping Week - one theme per day - was getting retired. We also said that we'd still put on a celebration of some kind going forward. Well, the time is here, and I'm happy to announce that we are planning a pokeshipping zine...next year!

If you'll forgive the bait-and-switch there, we have seriously talked about doing a zine, but time got away from us this summer. So, while we do hope to tackle that undertaking in 2025, for this year, we're planning what you might call an open Pokeshipping Week!

How does it work, you ask? Simple: over the years, you all have submitted a lot of potential themes for Pokeshipping Week. For every seven that got chosen each year, plenty were left behind. Well, now you can fill November 1 to 7 with art, fics, AMVs, GIFs, graphics, etc., all about our favorite Poke-couple, using any seven you'd like from the unused themes list.

Any and all contributions are welcome, and if they're tagged #pokeshipping week 2024, we'll reblog them here and on the main @pokeshipping blog. Besides Tumblr, we’ll keep our eyes out for the tag on Twitter and DeviantART for artwork, for fanfics on FF.Net and AO3, and for AMVs on YouTube (no NSFW, please).

The full list of unused themes (from years 2020 through 2023) is below the "Read More" break. Use, combine, and create as your heart desires, and we'll see you November 1!

A bad fight A day in the life  A never-ending road A ship full of shippers Alola sunset scene Amusement park Anime characters meet their game/manga counterparts Anniversary Art classes together/Drawing each other Ash and Misty in Sinnoh Ash’s hat Avatar: The Last Airbender AU Birthdays  Breakup Cameran Palace ball (as in Movie 8) Celebrating Celebrities Champions/Masters  Cheerleader Misty Childhood sweethearts Chocolate Comfort during a natural disaster Comforting each other Competition Confiding in one another Cooking disaster Costumes Criminal/Detective Crossover Crossover with game/manga-verse D&D Dealing with Team Rocket’s teasing in “A Scare in the Air” Dewpider/Araquanid Different hairstyle Disaster dates  Disney AU Double dating Elder years  Elders Ash and Misty Evolution Fairy tales/Fantasy AU Fankids Fireworks First day on the job Food Fortune-telling/foresight Game of Thrones AU Giving advice to a younger generation Grey hair Gym leader Ash/beginner Misty Halloween/horror/ghost story Hanahaki disease Handkerchief Happily Ever After/Fairy Tales Hiding Hogwarts AU Horizons Hot tub/Hot springs If Ash heard Misty’s Song If Ash or Misty weren’t from Kanto If Ash started his journey at 16 or older If Ash’s journey had ended after winning the Indigo League (in season 1) If Misty caught Lapras If one came from another region If their parents met If they didn’t meet on Ash’s first day In-universe Pokéshippers Intimacy Japanese-style confessional love letter JRPG AU (ie, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Monster Hunter, etc.) Karaoke Ladybug and Chat Noir Last goodbyes Learning a different language Lost Pikachu Love Letter  Love triangle Lovers across the multiverse Lovestruck (if Ash acted like Brock) Meeting the parents/relatives Mewtwo Strikes Back alternate ending Misty and other Pokégirls discuss their loved ones together Misty meets Goh and Chloe Misty overcoming her fear of Bug-types Misty the coordinator Misty’s Bug-type phobia Mixtape/playlist  Mystery dungeon Nervous Ash  Never have I ever Other Pokemon games AU (Detective Pikachu/Pokemon Masters/etc) Out of their element  Overprotective Misty  Perspective of Oak Ranch Pokémon on their relationship Photo shoot Pirates Plot twist Pokemon daycare Pokémon Mystery Dungeon AU PokéNav communication/Video calling Possessed/evil Misty Pregnancy/Birth Pro-gamers Puberty Reappearance of Ash’s father and/or Misty’s parents Regency Era Romance  Return to Orange Islands Romeo and Juliet Sci-fi AU Scuba diving Secret identity/superhero AU Slow Slumber party Spies AU Stargazing Studio Ghibli AU Sunshine and Rain  Superhero AU Swimming lessons Sygna suits Tabletop RPG AU Taller (height differences)  Tauros ranchers Ash and Misty Time capsule Training together Umbrella Vacation Visiting Oak’s ranch  Water and electricity/water and fire What if Ash didn’t take Misty’s bike? Yoga together Z-ring/Mega Stone

[arsene-inc]

Ttrpg blog articles to actually write (hold me accountable):

What to steal from Dungeons of Hinterberg ?

What to steal from South of Midnight ?

What to steal from Eyeshield 21 ?

Is Thirsty Sword Lesbians a generic rpg ?

No masters for these monsters : when there is no gm input for monsters actions in a fight

Theme park design and adventure writing

Across the ocean : 2 differents versions of the monster and the hunter confrontation

One page games : beginner friendly ?

[littlecofiegirl]

Well the DnD came to a final bossbattle.

In the final battle there were more than one team, I ended up playing with a dungeon master I really like in a setting/against enemies I was effective at, with other players I like playing with and I get to put in significant damage into the boss. *thumbsup*

After it the group had a big chat we drunk some alcohol and that's it. I might make a drawing with my characters just for the memory of it.

*The End*

.... with some other ppl we played the FFG Starwars rpg 'jedi beginner box' and they really enjoyed my storytelling ... so I guess I will be GM-in a jedi campaign in a month or so. Wish me luck!