Learn to RUN D&D: 101 Class: Beginner Game Master Lessons
So, you want to be a Game Master? This course is intended to help players and people interested in becoming a game master get experience doing so.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
Bi-weekly / Thursday - 1:30 AM UTC
Session Duration / 2.5–3 hours
Campaign Length / 4–7 Sessions
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Have you ever considered being a Dungeon Master but don't where to start? This experience is for you! Learn about: Session 0 Running a game Demystify common myths Have fun Eperiential Learning on how to be Dungeon Master! If you have ever wanted to run a game of Dungeons and Dragons this short course will help potential Dungeon Masters begin to build on the skills necessary for running games and managing players. All in a place where practice is easier and the guidance comes from a professional as well as peers. This will be a focus on the 4 levels of play. We will run a number of sessions = to the number of participants +1. (I anticipate 6 sessions) At least one session covering the following levels Level 1 Level 2 Level 7 Level 12 Level 17 We will discuss in person tools and will be using online play skills to help with how to prepare for games and find resources. Each member will play and run for each other. I will run and guide. Each week we will focus on a new level of play and players will be evaluating the varius rules as a GM from the players side.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Heavy
Rules as Written (RaW)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(58)
3 years on StartPlaying
258 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Rule of Cool
Average response time: 16 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
A focus on fun! I am a parent of 3 boys. My oldest in 2021 asked to play and was hooked on TTRPG's since. We have a blast in our home games. This experience brought back memories of playing D&D 3.5 in the community college cafeteria. A too short lived experience but super memorable. I have come to love new systems and have played a lot with Monster of the Week, Call of Cthulhu, and am learning Candella Obscura. That narrative style of game play has shaped my approach to my 5e games as well. I am a 46 year old cis white guy. I am also a therapist, parent and magic enthusiast (Tricks not the TCG, though I've played that as well). I am a husband and a parent and all of those roles help shape who I am as a person and as a GM. That therapist part means I have all clearances for my state and my background helps me feel comfortable working as a GM for teens, and families.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character Creation will vary. We will be using D&D Beyond. We will be using Roll20 for our games. But we may explore Owlbear Rodeo and D&D Maps as well. Each week a member of the group will run an adventure at a different level of game play. Each week the other soon to be DM's will play in your game.
Looking to start 4/1/26 EDT Instant Bookable is off to ensure that people understand this is for GM'ing leesons and will not be a typical campaign. If you have genuine questions feel free to ask by SPG Message.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
🎤/🎧 Discord and Microphone/Headset: Voice is required. We will use Discord for voice. I highly recommend the app over the in-browser option. It tends to run way better from the app. A mic/headset, while not required, reduces outside noise and offers a better experience for the other players and the DM. 🌐Reliable Internet Connection: You will be running a Virtual Table Top (maps and other handouts will appear and be of use on your screen), Discord, and D&D Beyond at the same time. Additionally, you may be opening other web pages to look at spells and skills rules. It is essential we are able to communicate effectively and you can use all the tools we provide. 📝Learn the Character Sheet While I will help with this, you can help yourself by understanding your skills, features and traits. Remember there is a difference between what the character knows and what the player knows. You can close that gap by understanding what the Characters can do. It may not be a character you use in the game But I highly recommending using the D&D Beyond tools to build your own character to get a sense for how it will work together. 🖥️🖥️Optional, but helpful 2 screens: This reduces page swapping and allows to balance combat and rolling on your turns. This may not be possible for many situations, but it can be helpful. YOU MAY ROLL YOUR OWN DICE. BUT HONESTY MATTERS Accounts needed to prepare: Roll20 https://roll20.net/ D&D Beyond https://dndbeyond.com Discord: https://discord.com Extension Beyond20: https://beyond20.here-for-more.info/?_sm_au_=isVfNFpkS4JMHFJRHCMVNKQKRs7Vq
What Adam brings to the table
📚Character Options from PHB 2024 and most of the "expanded" options 🎲D&D Beyond Master Tier 🗺️ Roll20 Pro 👥Shared Compendium For first time sign up's here's a referral for $10 off your first game: https://startplaying.games/referral/clb3zuvp40010mk0872us3u3n I bring a positive attitude and a willingness to assist players through struggles. While we'll be running from modules I will do my best to lean into the rule of cool and allow you to do those crazy off the wall things you may want to try. Always ask. Sometimes it will be YES! Sometimes no. I'm no voice actor, but I will try to bring the world to life with various voices, inflections, and sounds. I will bring a quick pace to the game and will work with the group in order to speed up combat while also trying to bring something interesting to the combats as well. I am always willing to pivot if something isn't working. But I will always try to provide challenging combat and encounters. This game is Wizard's ideas through my lens and navigation while the players drive. My philosophy is we do this together. I want you to succeed, but I also want you to feel danger. Largely, I want you to feel a sense of fun, whimsy, and accomplishment. I will do everything in my power to have that happen for you.
Homebrew rules
Not Homebrew necessarily I will offer a Bastion for the group. We will run largely rules as written with the exception being you may recieve the Bastion earlier than level 5. And it will likely have some modifications. We will be using Heliana's Guide to Monster Hunting as well. Nat 1's and 20's: Combat: A 1 is always a miss. A natural 20: Max damage on first die. Roll a second for the base attack and add relevant modifiers: All other additions is simply double the amount of dice. Skills/Saves: A 1 is not a fail: A 20 is not a crit. I will give you the DC in most but not all cases. I like to scale based on rolls. So a higher roll might mean more or the same based on the situation. This is not hard and fast but based on GM fiat. We will flag and agree on other rules as they come. Rulings not Rules is an important moniker for me.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Adam creates a safe table
We will do a lines and Veils document. I will honor that with fades. I have lines as well. Active slavery and sexual abuse are things that may be mentioned but never graphically. Never in the moment and I will not dwell on them. You can always X card and I will honor that. Members need to be ready to receive honest but fair feedback. Members need to be ready to give feedback. We need to be communicative in a way that helps us all grow. In addition to traditional safety tools we will be doing group goals at the beginning of each session to ensure that we are getting what we need from this training.
Content warnings
Safety tools used