this post was submitted on 13 Mar 2025
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Dungeons and Dragons

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It’s kinda crazy for me to think about. Story time! Otherwise just ask me anything :)

Around 11 years ago, I sat in the lounge that the Video Game Club occupies once a month on college campus. I looked over and saw a group of gamers go into one of the meeting rooms attached to the lounge - but instead of laptops or gaming consoles, they had books and dice and paper. I scoffed and thought they were too nerdy and cringey - I then went back to munching Doritos, chugging MtDew, and playing Borderlands/Skyrim/Pokemon for the next 12 hours lol.

Thankfully I was saved from my misguided views. A member of the VGC invited me to try out DnD, his group had an open spot. I was hesitant, but I craved more creativity in games that just couldn’t be supplied. So I decided to try it out.

Ended up not having a great time. One player was entirely checked out for 80% of the time and was a scumbag during the 20% he was engaged. The DM either was very new, or just had some very questionable calls. There were of course some fun moments but not a great impression.

I knew the game had potential. And I knew I could run it better.

So 10yrs ago today, my Players Handbook arrived, which is when I really began my journey to learning the rules, how to make characters, and how to run the game.

I’ve since had a few successfully completed long term games, including one that was over 5 years. I’ve ran a game at a convention, I’ve done some paid birthday parties, in person and online long campaigns, even some very successful afterschool programs while I was a teacher for a few years.

At my peak, I was running 4 games weekly. Since then I’ve slowed down a bit more and focus on two good weekly games.

Willing to share tips or stories for any who ask :) otherwise I just wanted to share this milestone.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 16 hours ago (2 children)

When you said officially I imagined you had stumbled your way into becoming an official DM for WotC, running games somewhere in one of their basements, as a job.

As someone who has been a DM for 20+ years, my advice to green ones is that now is the time for you to drop just playing D&D and learn of other pastures, there is a world to explore when it comes to RPGs, or a few. Take a look at some other games/systems, it'll make you a better DM.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 hours ago

Eventually you get to the point where you're just writing your own systems and/or mechanics

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 hours ago

lol I wish

And personally, every time I have dabbled into other systems it just makes me like 5e more lol