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Improved Initiative: Initracker

August 6, 2009 by newbiedm

I have been searching far and wide for an initiative and condition tracker for fourth edition. For my condition, I’ve been using a modified version of the Alea Tools magnetic markers: For initiative, I’ve been using a sheet I created for my New DM Starter Kit. It’s just a run of the mill Excel spreadsheet, […]

Running your large D&D party

August 2, 2009 by newbiedm

I’ve been running a large party since I started DM’ing 4th Ed., and while I appreciate the fact that I’m able to play and have friends willing to play with me, running a large party has its ups and downs. In this article, I hope to give you several tips to manage the table filled […]

Beginner tips for effective narration

July 26, 2009 by newbiedm

For a newbie DM, the scene can be a daunting one: you’ve got your binder open in front of you, minis or counters ready to go, your players are sitting at the table, the battle map is laying there, and all eyes are focused on you. All that’s left is for you to begin narrating. […]

Don’t make the PC’s ride your newbie railroad!

July 25, 2009 by newbiedm

One of the pitfalls I discovered in my early days as a DM, was the tendency to “railroad” or lead my players on a track right into a storyline that I thought I needed them to follow. This, my beginner DM friends, is not a good thing. Players want to have free will. They do […]

The DM binder, folder, or notebook

July 10, 2009 by newbiedm

In the world of scripted television, writers have what’s called a show bible. The bible serves as a reference for better understanding the characters, settings, and plot situations of that particular showe It also serves to teach new writers how the “universe” of that show works. Great, Mr. TV. What does that have to do […]

A couple of free mapping and landscape visualization tools for new DM’s

June 24, 2009 by newbiedm

I wanted to throw a couple of tools your way, just in case you weren’t aware of them. Yes, I’m talking to you, “Mr. New DM who has no money to pay for expensive mapping software”. These are free and kick ass. One is for maps, and the other renders out cinematic landscapes to use […]

Table Drama: Handling PvP & angry players

June 22, 2009 by newbiedm

I went backpacking through Europe for a month back in 1996. I was 23 years old, had a couple of hundred bucks saved up, so I decided to take the plunge. I went with 3 other friends, and spent the month traveling from hostel to hostel aboard rickety old trains. It was a great time, but […]

All things being equal…

June 15, 2009 by newbiedm

I have been running a 7-8 man group for a year now, although it has recently leveled off to 7 players being the norm, with usually 1 missing a session here or there. Some players came in later, and I had the bad idea (although well intentioned) of starting them a few levels behind the […]

Fire tokens

June 2, 2009 by newbiedm

My party fought some Runeflame Skeletons this weekend, and they have a tendency to set things on fire. Basically, they can go insubstantial and move 8 squares, setting everything on fire as they walk around it. The fire then blocks line of sight. They also have a nasty aura that stacks, causing damage to those […]

Compiling useful stuff (My 100th post) & a contest.

May 22, 2009 by newbiedm

EDIT FRIDAY NIGHT 5/29/09 11:59:59PM -The contest is now over! Random.org tells me the winner is Aaron, who is a big fan of the momentum bonus and the counter making tutorial! Aaron, I’ll be reaching out to you soon. For all of you that entered, thank you for taking the time, and thank you for […]