My First Time as Dungeon Master

Setting aside the recent decision to use GM (game master) when referring to the one running the show, this post comes about as I do a little spring cleaning in the old hard drive.

I know what you're thinking: "Brian, how can you have time to purge files when you're in the midst of moving?"  Well, I'm tired.  And I was home sick today.  And I like the peace of mind that follows ditching refuse.

It happens that one of the files I decided to retain was named "BB-Magic Gate."  BB indicated it was material of personal design amongst the assorted gaming documents I had accumulated.  For clarity, I have renamed it "BB-Cape Sanvel Scenario" and dragged it into my new folder, "Old Material."  I really intend not to keep the quantity of half-conceived gaming miscellany I once hoarded on 5¼-inch plastic coasters known previously as floppy disks.  This particular file's creation date is November 17th, 2003, when USB drives were still counted in megabytes and cost $100+.

Anyhoo, what I have for you is a snippet of my attempts to be an organized DM.  This scenario ("CAMPAIGN STARTING POINT" - Ha!) lasted a single evening.  It's doom was spelled by my own amateurish notions of the PC-NPC relationship, and one player's pointed resistance to a suggestion I made regarding his elf character.  The last set of parenthesis should clue you to our resolution.

STORY DETAILS
CAMPAIGN STARTING POINT

Cape Sanvel

Tues. 09/16/03:

P     Any elves just arrived on a ship from the north on a diplomatic trade mission.  A high level diplomat heads the venture and is imprisoned for attempting to enter the city with a magical amulet (magical items are banned in the city without explicit permission).  The captain of their ship neglected to inform them of the law.

Ordinarily, anyone with magic items attempting entry would only have them confiscated, but given the relative power of the amulet and the prejudice against his race, the diplomat is being held without bail.  His attendants are left without their superior in a hostile environment, subsequent to questioning and release.

P     Unknown to the PCs, the wizard (Urin Alfgain) in charge of magical item control who confiscated Darwin’s potent holy symbol is actually the elves’ contact in Cape Sanvel.  He was unable to warn Humovust not to bring enchanted items into the city.

P     A human NPC (Nikolai) in the city to learn a trade has made a friend (Argyle the Gnome; Erik) but is preparing to head home (Perkwal) after word of Orc attacks.

P     One of the elves (Darwin; Matt) will leave the city, instructed to continue the quest for trade alliances with the region, having no success in the release of their superior.

P     Nikolai and Arygle offer to lead Darwin to Perkwal in exchange for aid they were denied by the sheriff of Cape Sanvel.

P     (Orikalcaum; Carl) has been traveling many months, and while near Perkwal is attacked by orcs.  The travelers from Cape Sanvel soon come upon the fracas.  The whole PC group should now be together and able to make decisions after the conflict.

Tues. 10/??/03:

P     Left Perkwal after defeating orc chief w/tainted magic vest.

P     Found 2 retreating orc groups; killed them.

P     Caught unawares by bandits.  Killed all the bandits but a Halfling (named ____________) who said the group had been hired by an orc tribe to the north, but knew not which.  An orc had been sent to accompany the group, but among the dead.  Halfling promises under Zone of Truth to begin life of a thatcher.

Tues. 11/18/03:

P     Ivelios arrives after searching for Darwin.  He tells him that  Himovust bids him return north with the ranger to the city of Cheresmar.  The links they hoped to establish with the southern populace have been foiled by unforeseen deeds of evil.   Ivellios does not have the details, but the two elves are to embark at once, with the involvement of no one else.  (This will allow Matt to change characters.)

P