Of course, I'm a genius after all.  :p  *giggles*

On that I have no idea.  Ask Elodeir, he's a genius with rules and spells and trivia and such.  If all else fails, ask Hackdoc in the Sage thread of the OOC.  He might have something for you.

Well, there are spells that disguises an entire group, I think. . .

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/seeming.htm - as Disguise Self, but for one creature per two levels.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/veil.htm - change the appearence of a whole group of creatures.

See, I told you he's awesome.  :)

Oh, you're just biased.  :p

What?  Me?  Whatever are you referring to?  *looks completely innocent*

Oh well look at that. Those are only fifth level spells. I can cast those once I reach TENTH LEVEL! I should be able to cast that right around the time that Hell freezes over! *sighs deeply* PBP games are so slow.  :(

You know, if you become a DM, you'll pretty much be able to get every other level-up for free. . .  which is just one of the many perks of being an RoA DM, really.  ;-)



Oh, you know exactly what I mean, hon.  :-)

Again, he's a genius.  :)

*still looks innocent*  I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

_:p

I haven't yet scrutinized this statement for its validity. I'll just take you at your word. But doesn't that take the fun out of playing the game to earn the levels?

Completely and totally valid statement.  You still have to earn every other level, and since PbP does take so long I actually find it a bit more rewarding instead of NEVER getting to level at all.

The way it works, is that every month, you get a set amount of DM XPs based on the amount of regions you run as a DM.  Then, you can use those XPs on every other level-up (so, if your character starts at level 3, you can buy him up to level 4, play to level 5, then buy him to level 6, etc.).  This is very helpful if you're a low-level character in a region of established characters, I think.  It can also be used for other things, such as getting magical items for your characters.

In the end, however, it is always subject to DM approval, naturally.

I think it's a good way to reward DMs for their hard work that goes into running things here - as a DM of three RoA regions myself, I know what I'm talking about, there.  :p

And, if you've got the time/interest for it, I'd very much suggest joining the ranks of RoA DMs - if your roleplaying here is anything to go by, I think you'd make for a great DM, personally.

 - DM Annihilator

Aw, silly.  You gave me away.  Now everybody will know who I am too!  :p

Again, though, he's right.  As usual.  Get used to it.  I've had to.  :p

Actually I have thought about it. But the prospect scares me. I've tried to DM once before. It was a train wreck! I have had a few compliments on my skills as a player so I've stuck with that and actually am involved in...several games right now. Three here in RoA and four others. I guess if any of those collapse I could give DMing a try again...maybe...possibly...

If I can do it, you can do it.  :p  RoA would be a great place to try again though.  You can have a co-DM or help another DM to 'learn the ropes' until you're ready to branch out on your own.  Plus we have a lounge where we can bounce ideas off each other, ask for advice, etc.  Between Annihilator, BadCatMan and Vallah (three of the more frequent advice-givers that I've noticed) you really won't be able to go wrong.  So take your time, but when you're ready let us know and we'll see if we can't get you comfortable DMing some fabulous region somewhere.  :)

Just a few hours ago, I received an email from the former DM Fido (we've been keeping in touch somewhat since he left RPoL), discussing the current DM-situation in RoA, and here's what he had to said. . .

Hmmmm...maybe. Although right now my plate is full with games I'm playing. I did go look at the regions that are in need of a DM. There are several. I have to think about this a lot. I don't even know what kind of adventures I'd send PCs on if I were to try and be a DM.

Really, it's easy once you get past the whole "what the hell do I do?" bit. :)

Premade adventurers should be a good start for a new DM.

I was going to say the exact same thing, BCM!

Once you get started, everything just kind of flows.  Not forcing the PCs to do what you want actually gives you more to work with and makes your job a lot easier as far as the story goes.  In my opinion, at least.

And premade adventures help a lot.  I generally use them for ideas, taking what I like and changing what I don't or what doesn't fit and such.  I've got lots of them so maybe soon I could find the time to scan some in for you if you'd like to look them over.  Plus used book stores in your area might have them really cheap.  I never pay more than $3 for mine.

And I trust Fido's opinion.  If he says you need to be a DM, then he's right.

Oh, Elodeir, please give him a hug for me, by the way, and tell him I miss him and all that good stuff.  Hopefully I'll have time to email him soon.  Thank you, darling.  :)  *hugs*

*looks left and right at all the DMs circling around her and cowers*
Oh my goodness. So much peer pressure! Okay okay. I've really got to think about this now. Maybe this discussion should move to "RoA wants you to be a DM".

I'm sorry, I don't mean to pressure you.  And I know that Annihilator, BCM, and even inadvertantly Fido don't mean to either.  We just know talent when we see it.  :p

Seriously, take your time.  :)  If you have any questions or want any advice or decide you want to try your hand at it, you know where to find us.  :)

So who will be taking over this area when mike leaves us or me by the looks of it.

SO MANY POSTS!!!

I've got a lot to read, don't I?!

In the meantime, I have posted the monthly XP update.

I understand about Bethany not fitting in too well in Waterdeep or Skullport.

If I could, I would keep running the 2 regions, but it is not fair to any players to have so slow-a-posting a DM.

----------------

The X-Mas gifts are unique each year.  They have ranged from free 20's to free magic items to free magic items, and they are always posted over in the RoA OOC Forum.  DMs may make note of them in their regional OOC threads, but not always.

Someone has already answered the level question.

There are only 2-3 active PCs in the Waterdeep region at present, so the group will not be that much bigger.

And I fear Bethany may not be making the move with us (but I have not read all the posts here yet.)

Heck, THIS is a pre-made adventure!

I changed the place names, the NPC names, but other than that, this is pretty much going as the adventure was written in Dugeon magazine.

Since you are such a strong role-player, Amylarn, you could DM a region where RPing is more used than combat.  So long as the players coming into the region know that up-front and create PCs with that expectation, there should be no problem.

And we DMs help each other out all the time over in the DM's Lounge forum.