Where Evil Lives – Rotating DMs

[bold axle]

Hello!

I believe I’ve seen this kind of game floated before, but it didn’t work with my time zone, so I thought I’d check for interest. Basically, the idea is that 6 of us get together, each make a PC (perhaps members of an adventurers’ guild or mercenary company to explain the changing cast), and we take turns to run the lairs from Where Evil Lives as one-shots, with our own characters sitting out when we DM. Then in between sessions we level up our PCs, distribute loot from previous lairs, and get ready for the next one – perhaps we can chat about what they’ve been up to since we last met. Could be a fun way to explore the book and give everyone a chance to run and play. Since it will be a series of disconnected one-shots with rotating DMs, it will be action-centric with only as much story as each one-shot/lair provides, but at least if we keep our characters, they will get to know each other and have a chance to roleplay and grow together as we go through this montage of their adventuring careers.

I am in the UK (GMT/BST), and I would like to play on weekday evenings or at weekends. Could be weekly, biweekly, or just as often as we can all make it. We'll be aiming to play Thursdays 19.00 or 20.00 GMT biweekly (or as near as possible). My preference would be to use discord voice chat and roll20 for VTT, but I’d be open to others’ preferences.

For my part, I’ve been DMing for 10ish years now, and am very comfortable with D&D 5e. Ideally everyone should have at least some experience DMing as well as playing (I think the rotating DM position will go smoother this way) and we would aim to divide up the lairs as evenly as possible.

We can talk more about specifics when we have a full squad.

EDIT: We've now got a full squad for this!

[haughty hearth]

This sounds like a great way to run the lairs, I’m not sure if it’s too late to join in but I would be interested!

[bold axle]

You are the first to respond so far!

[marble nebula]

Time zones might be an issue for me, but I'd be happy to join in if we can work out the timing! I have a fairly flexible schedule during the week that'll hopefully work for everyone

[bold axle]

Great! I can be relatively flexible since I control my own working hours, we'll just have to see who else we can rope in and what time we can work out

[silver goblet]

depending on the day i may be interested in doing this!

[bold axle]

Awesome, that's potentially four of us so far

[wispy ocean]

I am in the EU timezone and could do this in later evening times or on weekend evenings.

[bold axle]

Great, if we get one more maybe we can start talking times

[zenith stream]

I wouldn't mind throwing my hat in the ring but I'm an Aussie so might depend on times, but I'd be keen to join in when I can

[sharp owl]

I'm very interested in a group like this, been waiting to run and play some dungeons from WEL! The issue is I'm not a super experienced DM, I've only done a couple of sessions, but I'm looking to improve. Would I still be a fit for something like this?

[zenith stream]

So there's this great youtube series you should check out....

[sharp owl]

Unfortunately for me, watching all the episodes of running the game was easier than getting my friends to play consistently haha

[marble nebula]

Scheduling: the true BBEG

[bold axle]

the plan is now to play on Thursdays at about 19.00 or 20.00 UK time, ideally biweekly (should show your time but ignore the date: <t:1699556400:t> - still looking for people to play (and optionally DM) a that time

[serene wigeon]

I’m east coast US and that time is great for me… but Wednesday and Thursdays are no good. If you ever choose a different day, I’d be really interested in DMing for y’all. Sounds found and I’m sure the feedback would help me improve.

[spiral merlin]

I would love to be a part of this! I'm now running 3 different WEL 'campaigns' for various groups, and can't get enough. I have most of the maps in Roll20 already and am working on creating the full MM there too. Is there still room? BTW I have around 9 years of DMing experience with a 7 year long-running campaign.

How long are we thinking for each session?

[bold axle]

I think the availability we have is either 3 hours or 4 hours - so it's possible some lairs will end up two-shots rather than one-shots

[bold axle]

glad you're enjoying running them - are there any you haven't run yet though? or would you be able to play and enjoy lairs you've run three times?

[spiral merlin]

I haven't actually run any except Jagged Edge Hideaway. I did create a Level 1 Kobold-focused boss dungeon with the same feel if that helps too.

[bold axle]

oh in that case awesome! I think we're currently waiting for confirmation from one invitee so I'll get back to you as soon as they reply?

[bold axle]

Ah sorry the time doesn't work for you! always the hardest part. I think there's probably quite a few people who would be interested in this kind of game in a different timeslot though so hopefully more games will be available

[rancid escarp]

Hi 19 GMT would work for me on weekends. Monday would work for me starting in 2024 (campaign i currently GM for ends December of this year right before holidays).

[bold axle]

Sorry! just realised I didn't put the day in the main post only the time. It's thursdays I'm afraid!

[fiery nova]

I'm interested

[low hill]

Interested