Hello to everyone out there. It’s time to get back and it’s time to share some experience!

A few weeks ago I got the chance to be the Dungeon Master. For the first time in my life.

We decided to play a written story from Dungeons&Dragons, which takes place in the city Waterdeep. The book is called Waterdeep Dragon Heist and it contains several chapters, where you can guide a group from level 1 to level 5.

For those of you, which want to play it by themselves, this blog post may be full of spoilers from Dungeons&Dragons Waterdeep Dragon Heist.

Long Story Short

To give you a little wrap up:

Waterdeep is a coastal city with a harbor, several guilds, adventurers and (of course) a blackmarked. There are two main story points:

First: It’s said, that there are half a million gold coins hidden somewhere in the city.

Second: There is a “war” going on between the two (unofficial) guilds Xanathar and Zhentarim.

My group started at the well-known tavern “The Yawning Portal”, where adventurers on level 5 or above could enter the dungeon under the tavern and start to find various treasures. So long, so good.

What I want to say

I felt really, really uncomfortable at the beginning. I’m a super self-critical person and so, the whole time, I had a feeling of not being prepared enough. And surprise: I wasn’t. But as I know from a lot of people: You will never be prepared enough as a DM, ‘cause the group will always do unexpected things.

What my problem was at that point:

I had no idea about the city. I had no idea about the characters, that live in the city. I had no idea about their relationships nor their knowledge. And I had no idea where everything was on the map.

It was not a big deal to improvise a shop, where my players could get health potions.

But it was super hard to think about the background of characters, which are already written. But with a lack of information, which you could maybe find in further chapters. I haven’t read yet.

You got my point?

I will finish the Waterdeep story, and before we got to play the next time, I’ll be ready. With everything. Then it’s my turn to rise and shine guys!

Somehow I think it’s easier with a story you write by your own, ‘cause you’re aware of all the details and you can react more easily on the behalf of some of your players. But it’s a lot more work to do, than taking a written story. But I will try! Sometimes… (I already got an idea on what I want to do as a story)

Beeing a Dungeon Master

Is definitely worth a try, but not made for everyone.

I also would say I’m not perfectly made for being a DM, but I want to create a story and I want to guide my team through it. I’m sorry for the players that got involved in there.

Did you ever play a Pen and Paper? And when you did, where you a player or the Game Master?

Write it down in the comments below and let’s start talking about it a bit!

See you next time.

Kim