Wanted: DM's Tips and Ideas

Question: "I'm a DM so, I was wondering if you might send me ideas for crazy adventures or on being a better DM. So if you could do that for me I will be very happy."

Answer: Some of our readers have responded to this question, and their answers will be posted both here and in a new DM's Tips section on our main Advanced Dungeons and Dragons page. We would also like to hear what you think on the subject.

"Well, I haven't been a DM for long, but I have learned that (despite what some DMs think) you don't need to spend a LOT of time on towns and their government and stuff. I mean, you could design a whole new kingdom, your PC friends may think "Cool, a new place to check out," but I don't think they REALLY care about politics and the working systems. In fact, last time I made an adventure take place in a newly designed city, I could of sworn I heard a yawn everytime I mentioned how Duke So-and-So was trying to make Prince Blah Blah look bad. So, just keep in the dungeons and dragons in hand and don't worry about the boring government and stuff. ... we get enough of THAT stuff at school!" --Unsigned

"Things I have picked up as a DM. Player characters like getting advanced quick. So make 'em feel like their important in matters going on. NPC bards don't want to write poems about Willium Lightblade the man who defeated the farm pig with rabies! No, they want to do something that makes 'em feel they kicked some major butt! But PCs don't have to slay dragons to be heroic. I personally like to start 1st level PCs off with an adventure about cleaning out a small rogue goblin camp underground. Sure, goblins can pushovers, but when the adventure is done, the PCs have that feeling to stand with their fists on their hips and don gold medals for heroic deeds. And that's what I think DMing is all about, seeing the PC's smile for what they did just then, but knowing the biggest smile is inside the DM." --Robert N., Tucson, Arizona