You've likely arrived here because you’re venturing into the world of Dungeons & Dragons for the first time ever, or finally taking that step out of the PC seat and stepping in the role of Dungeon Master.
You’re likely feeling like I was a few months ago, excited, of course, but also overwhelmed by the feeling that you are reaching into a bag of holding and pulling out various spell components from infinite websites, books, podcasts, and YouTube channels to slap together your first session and make it something that entices and excites your players.
And, while there is no doubt that D&D is a much more accessible game now than it was for those in the early days (aka The Great Old Ones), the breadth of information available has become daunting. There are literal centuries of combined wisdom available to you from seasoned adventurers who have been playing this game for nearly five decades. Which is amazing, truly. Still, it can feel like searching the shelves of Candlekeep for that singular tome your party needs to continue their epic journey.
When I set out to run my first campaign for a group of complete strangers I met on Reddit, I found myself lost amidst a sea of guides, tips, tricks, and more from seasoned veterans who knew the ins and outs of every edition since AD&D. While these guides were infinitely helpful, and I plan to sing many of their praises in future posts, I often felt like the authors’ immense knowledge made me feel like I had to have an equal amount of knowledge on the topic.
The reality was, and still is, I didn’t possess that knowledge, I am a self-proclaimed novice. I’ve read the Dungeon Master’s Guide, the PHB, and a few monster manuals, played in a few short campaigns, and listened to a handful of the most popular actual play podcasts, but I had/have barely dipped my toes into this magical world. And I’m imagining many of you are in that exact same place.
Being where you are now made me realize the need for a sanctuary—a place where one could find guidance from someone who understood the struggles of unraveling the intricacies of D&D when you're just starting out because they were currently in the middle of those struggles.
Thus, I've endeavored to create such a sanctuary—a haven where no question is too trivial and where I aim to equip you with the essential tools to craft that unforgettable first session. Whether you're conjuring fun for friends or taking on the noble task of guiding a group of strangers through an adventure, this is the place for you. You can view me as your own personal 10-foot pole, guiding you around traps and pitfalls by stepping in them myself.
Here, you'll find the bare minimum knowledge I wished I had when embarking on my first campaign. No more hours spent leaping from website to book to video to podcast just to create a mere three hours of adventure. Together, we'll forge a community of fellow new Dungeon Masters, supporting one another as we navigate the vast tapestry of this enchanting tabletop role-playing game and beyond.
So grab your dice, sharpen your pencils, and prepare to unlock the boundless realm of imagination. Let us embark on this grand adventure together, where stories come alive and dreams become reality. Welcome to a world where magic and camaraderie know no bounds—welcome to the wondrous world of Dungeons & Dragons!