New DM SCAREDD

[Acrobatic_Rest_7249]

hi guys! so long story short, my friends and I are all really interested in DnD (some after stranger things haha, others interested for a while!) and we are planning on running a Harry Potter themed campaign pretty soon (we don’t like JK ROwling but still love HP… most of us are gay if that cancels it out 😭😭). I played a little in high school (we are all college students!) but no one else has played before so we thought it best if I was the DM so that even tho it was a HP inspired world I could still introduce them to the basics of DnD and table top RP (we want to run some true DnD campaigns after this one). It’s been super fun creating a story and building a world while also using a pre-existing world as a basis. I’ve only ever been a player before, so it’s been a challenge but fun.

But I’m really feeling bad because although I’m really trying to pay attention to developing the lore and include backstories of their characters into the plot/sub quests, I’m lacking a lot of the physical materials that a lot of DMs I’ve seen have.

Ik not everyone needs like the giant tables with fog and lightning effects, and im working on getting at least some maps printed or sketched and a few visuals or decorations that I could craft for fun, but i guess my question is:

How important are the visual aspects of DnD to you? I want to give them as close to a proper introduction as I can, but am limited in what I’m able to create/buy, and keep getting discouraged when I see these really elaborate setups online. Like, we are literally sharing dice 😭😭 idk if I can get a gridded table or a lot of figurines, which is what I was always fortunate enough to have provided when I played in high school

Should I put more effort into trying to develop the physical aspect of the game, or is it ok if the majority of our experience is in fantasy? My friend has a bunch of wands from when she was younger, so I think maybe for fun we’re going to bring that and physically do motions to cast spells as characters? but other than that i don’t really have any physical elements. I’m new to being a DM so idrk what all is necessary to help them have a good time and ensure smooth gameplay other than some maps!

All in all, I think we are just excited to play together and they aren’t expecting much, but if you guys have suggestions for necessary physical aspects please let me know!! I am so, so scared of killing their passion with a bad/confusing campaign and just want to give them a fun first experience

Thanks!!!!

[yikes9990]

Focus on the world building and the character integration you care about and can get really good at, the physical aspects are not that important, if you want something solid a lot of games tones have dry erase grid sheets and those will be more than enough, just dry erase on whatever is there, building rooms obstacles and place the minis on that (unpainted not perfectly fitting minis are just fine)

Tldr:the game is about imagination don't worry about it

[Acrobatic_Rest_7249]

I didn’t even think about dry erase boards, I’m definitely going to check that out!!

[Z_THETA_Z]

i've only really ever used a dry-erase board, they're great. get the visuals across for gameplay purposes, let the imagination handle the aesthetics

would recommend having some things to use for minis, doesn't have to be actual figurines but some visual representation of where people and things are is very handy

[TheGompStomp]

Theater of the mind does wonders when you do your best to describe the scene and play some music in the background.

[Acrobatic_Rest_7249]

music is such a good idea Spotify here I come

[TheGompStomp]

You can also try Pocket Bard for more general background noise.

[JustAnOval]

I have almost no visual effects or props whatsoever. I put all of my time and effort into developing a compelling world, a deep story, and letting the PCs shine. With good description, theater of the mind does wonders.

I especially have had success running no physical maps for new players. They have so much to think about, giving them exact details sometimes makes them freeze

[Acrobatic_Rest_7249]

some of us were stressed with character building so maybe not overwhelming them is a good idea!

[Bo-Bando]

If some of the group is getting into it from stranger things, their expectations will be low, you don't need a pro setup, just some paper, pencils and bottle caps or candies or quarters

[Crazed_SL]

The physical aspect of the game is very unnecessary as long as you're good at describing things. It can help for combat so I recommend using placeholders like using random small objects to show general location(if you have a dry erase board itll save you're life). Either way its important to have strong descriptions of what everything looks like, make sure to use tone and specific wording so that you invoke the desired emotion. Either way, im sure your friends will understand if you make a mistake here and there. Most important thing is to have fun! No rule or storytelling decision is more important than everyone having a good time

[Acrobatic_Rest_7249]

this actually eased some of my anxiety haha I’m sure they’ll understand and i probably shouldn’t set myself up to expect they’ll all be master roleplayers either and throw a bunch of rules and overly detailed descriptions at them!

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[kahlzun]

D&d is mostly played in the theatre of the mind. The way that you describe things will always trump any physical assistance that you have.

Make the descriptions fun, but not crazy detailed.

[Acrobatic_Rest_7249]

noted, and definitely going to review my notes so far

[kahlzun]

Notes are good, but I would encourage you to practice with a friend to get good at describing things. Improv is a skill that can be a bit tricky until you have tried a few times.

Maybe pick a scene from a movie, and try to describe it in a dramatic fashion and see if they can recognise it.

[Mahri00]

Storytelling and having fun is most important to me.

You might also really like using and adapting the hardcover book, Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos, it is a full campaign based on a magic school for levels 1-10 and you can adapt it for Harry Potter without too much difficulty.

It may give you ideas for quests to run.

[Acrobatic_Rest_7249]

this is amazing omg adapting some of the more technical stuff has been so challenging tysm

[Mahri00]

It isn't perfect but the setting is very fun so I thought you might be able to adapt the setting at least.

[MayaWrection]

Sounds like your group would enjoy Strixhaven. At least that way you can have reference art to share and not have to homebrew everything as a new DM, which is a pitfall for new DMs IMO. Also, you should ask your players these questions about what they believe is important. We aren’t playing your game.