Hey all. I''m gonna be DMing my first Forgotten Realms game soon(I've only ever DMed 3 other games period) and was wondering if anyone out there had a few pointers. If they're really long email me at Jay_Al_M@hotmail.com :)

Think on your toes. Use note cards.

Check with more experience DMs than I. :)

Cool, thanx man. Would you happen to know any more experienced DMs at this bulletin board?

im not a dm and try to never be 1 :) but i think if you just try none complex ones at first and dont try to base it on a plot thats cool just be original.

I haven't played or DMed for almost a decade, but I used to DM a lot of first edition games and then second edition games later on.

Things go much smoother if you just keep it simple. Dungeons work very well, and you can quicky draw up a nice little tomb or series of catacombs without much trouble. Keep things interesting for all players by mixing it up -- creatures the party has to interact with (instead of hack to little bits), traps and riddles make role-playing what it is.

With the Realms it's easy to get caught up with all the existing personalities from the books, which can ruin a session very quickly (Players get bored when Drizzt and co. show up to finish everything off for them!). There's a lot of great work that's gone into the Realms, but I still say it's best to be as original as you can. Use the materials as references and backdrop, but don't try to recreate plotlines from the stories.

Play also goes much smoother if you let the players dictate the tone and pace. This goes for any setting.

Have fun!

[This message has been edited by Gnolyn Lochbreaker (edited July 03, 2001).]

Thanx for all the great help guys!! :D

There were a lot of tips in a old topic in this section on DMing. But here are a few quick points from my experience of DMing.

get a DM screen - bought or made - with quick reference charts.

Perpare your plot in advance but be flexible.

Write down things - keep track of NPCs you make up on the spot and places the party goes. Use them again in the future.

Have Hooks - keep things connected and moving. Don't let the party get stuck in details.

Remember you are the DM - Fudge rolls when necessary and keep things on track.

Have fun but keep it balanced - don't give away to much powerful stuff you will regret it later. Keep the fights and treasure in balance for the XP of the party.

Let me know it you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them. DMing takes little while to get used it but after a while it's lots of fun.