17
votes
6answers
730 views

How to encourage a player's creativity without breaking the game?

I've just started a new D&D 4e campaign with a new group of players. One of my players came straight from 2nd edition, and has never played 4e before. She doesn't seem to grasp the layer of ...
21
votes
7answers
911 views

How can I invoke actual fear in my players?

I'm a DM that focuses heavily on story, description and setting. My goal is to send players home wanting -- no, longing -- to actually be part of the mythos I've created. The ultimate goal for me as ...
1
vote
2answers
124 views

Dungeons and Dragons 1 hour game advice [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is it practical to run a weekly lunch-hour game of D&D with my coworkers? Other than don't use the system what advice do you guys have for playing Dungeons and ...
0
votes
0answers
165 views

Old School gamer attempting to get back into it…with some trepidation [closed]

I use to play D&D since Version 2, when it was banned at schools because it was thought to be devil worship, then later after a few people went a little nuts and used their "character personas" as ...
7
votes
1answer
705 views

Are there any rules or guidelines for creating original magic items and rituals?

I am running a D&D 4E campaign, and I particular enjoy that a lot of the 'man-made' spells that the PCs encounter--when for example, raiding wizards' hideouts--can be described as "you can get a ...
18
votes
5answers
2k views

Tips for running a successful and engaging campaign WITHOUT combat?

I'm thinking of starting my own campaign with a few of my friends with me as DM, primarily because I wasn't extremely impressed with the campaign my friend was DMing. When I started thinking about the ...
17
votes
4answers
4k views

How to randomly generate a village or town for old school D&D game?

There is a lot of material written on random generation of dungeons for play. But inevitably characters have to return from the to spend those ill-gotten gains. And where else but a nearby ...
17
votes
16answers
463 views

Experience for Role Playing

Ok so I haven't played in a while (since the 2nd edition) but do any of the newer D&D editions' books (most likely the DM Guide) have guidelines for granting experience for exceptional role ...