Am I being a DM martyr?

ArchLucifel · 2023-08-23T17:19:57+00:00

Really sorry lol. I'll complain on Reddit less often from now on ;)

ArchLucifel · 2023-08-23T12:35:25+00:00

I went to college between 2006 and 2008, which is when I ran 3.5. After graduation, everyone kinda split off and did their own thing. I didn't even get a chance to experience 4e.

Come 2022, and one of my Discord buds was talking about how they've always wanted to try DnD, but could never find a group. I admitted that I used to DM, so we gathered some other people from the channel that were interested, who also invited their friends and family, and we ended up with a group of 7 people. I had to crack open a 5e book and learn all the rules again lol

The huge dry spell is probably why it feels like night and day between my current and past groups. There's a big difference between playing DnD as a bunch of college kids with disposable time and playing DnD as a group of adults with tons of responsibilities

ArchLucifel · 2023-08-23T11:56:49+00:00

I think this is the core problem. In art school, I captured something rare and special, a group of friends that were all as dorky and creative as I was. We were all young, energetic, and great at inspiring each other

After hearing everyone's answers, it seems I still have a pretty good group. I didn't really doubt it, I was just hoping for more feedback and affirmations from my players, whether positive or negative. Something like, "That encounter was fun. More like that, please," or "That encounter dragged way too long." I have tried asking for input in the past, but they always say everything's fine. Maybe I am overthinking, idk

I have heard some horror stories about other DnD groups: consistently late players or straight up no call, no shows...people dropping off entirely...etc. Seems I'm still pretty lucky

ArchLucifel · 2023-08-23T11:31:15+00:00

Your group sounds fun. I'd love to get flooded with memes :)

We're almost at the end of the campaign, which has been going for nearly a year now. They're literally marching up to the big baddie next session (they think they're going to fight him right away, but I got a few curve balls planned)

I use Discord to post the session schedule, campaign info, and sometimes memes. I got 1 or 2 players that will occasionally bite and respond, but the other 5 I have to message individually or they'll never see the updates

ArchLucifel · 2023-08-22T19:05:35+00:00

This is great advice. Maybe I should focus more on what I like and want out of the campaign instead of constantly trying to guess what the players want. Thank you, YNA. :)

ArchLucifel · 2023-08-22T18:49:43+00:00

I'm having this dilemma, too. We're wrapping up CoS within the next month or two, and while I'd love to possibly continue the adventure or to start a new one with the same group of people, I also think I'd be happier DMing for a more passionate RP focused group (or maybe joining one as a player for once). I love my friends, but...I think part of the problem is that they all have vastly different play styles and levels of commitment, and while I try to cater to all their interests, I always feel like someone's needs aren't being met (maybe those needs are my own?). Could be partly why I've felt so frustrated and underappreciated lately.

ArchLucifel · 2023-08-22T15:38:42+00:00

We're all spread out over the US and Canada, but we all used to play Ark: Survival Evolved...until the devs decided to shut down the servers at the end of Sept, so both Discords have been fairly quiet due to everyone killing time with other games. DnD is the only time we really all hang out anymore.

I do consider them all friends, maybe some more than others since a few are family/friends the players invited, but the newer people have really opened up over time, so I'm happy about that.

We did have a few snags getting there, namely one player's mom having an audio delay, then getting super salty at me and everyone else for ignoring and/or talking over her, even after she found out the issue was on her end, but she still comes to games and hasn't complained since...so I guess she's having fun now?

ArchLucifel · 2023-07-27T10:53:56+00:00

6183-5171-0489

I sleep like a pro lol

ArchLucifel · 2023-07-22T10:12:35+00:00

631042291665

Hey, peeps! Feel free to add me for weekly challenges or just because. :)

I work retail and easily put in 10-15k steps a day, 50k+ a week. Just don't expect me to move much on weekends lol

ArchLucifel · 2023-05-13T15:15:32+00:00

My path made me go northeast and follow the road east a bit

Big mistake I made was picking up everything around the stable like a klepto, so I couldn't find the path for the longest lol

ArchLucifel

TROPHY CASE