Since you are here, I am going to make a few assumptions: you have kids interested in playing a Table Top Role Playing Game, and that you have little to no experience in playing or running a TTRPG style game. If you have played in the past, but never ran a game, or it has been a long time since you have done either, this post will still have some use for you, although you may be able to skim parts of it.
What is a Table-Top Role Playing Game?
Think of board games you’ve played. There is a set of rules defining how the game operates. There are conditions for winning, which inform your choices during the game. In some games, you have to work cooperatively with the other players to meet the win requirements. Sometimes, it’s player against player. TTRPGs operate much the same way. At the most basic level, a TTRPG is a big game of pretend with some rules added in to keep things moving and fun.
There are two types of players, or roles, in most TTRPGs: the player characters, or PCs, and the player that is in charge of running the game and making the ultimate decision about how the game rules should be interpreted and applied, the game master, or dungeon master. This second role, the dungeon master, is the one we are going to focus on.
First Step
One of the first things I like to do when I start out on any kind of project, is make a list of the skills I have. Then I can look at what skills apply to the thing I want to do, and make an informed decision on whether I am ready to start, or have some things I need to work on first. I am going to do this a little differently for this project. While I still want you to really dig down and make that list of skills, (See my post here, for details.),I am going to give you my list of skills I think are necessary to run a game. Take a look, see how it compares to the list you made, and then decide if you are ready or not.
Skills Needed to Run a TTRPG
- Ability to read. (I think you have nailed that one!)
- Basic Math Skills, i.e. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Percentages
- Ability to understand rules.
- Have an Imagination.
- Ability to listen to others and communicate.
- Like having FUN!
My list seems short and silly, doesn’t it? Just like any game, it really takes minimal effort to get started. Oftentimes, the biggest hurdle to our getting started is our inflated estimation of what it is we need to do. In other words, we make things out to be way harder in our minds than they are in reality. I was so nervous when I began running games 10 years ago. I made it way harder than it needed to be! You are already the coolest parent ever for being there for your kids, don’t sweat not being the worlds best dungeon master! I know how hard that is to see while you’re in the moment, but it is still the truth.
Homework
Yeah, I always hated homework, and school for the most part. But you need to start getting familiar with TTRPGs if you are going to do this for your kids. I am giving you a link to the free, basic rules of Dungeons and Dragons: https://dnd.wizards.com/what-is-dnd/basic-rules. Give it a read through, keeping in mind that this is a game played with dice and imagination.
You can also search on You Tube for Dungeons and Dragons content. There are more tutorials and examples than I care to link for how to run a game. You will also find numerous channels just playing the game for your amusement. I want to caution you about that last set. Often the people playing D&D or other games, are not really ‘playing’ the game, but running with a script. They are performing for your entertainment, but not genuinely just playing a game. Watch them with a healthy dose of skepticism. You can glean some ideas from them, but they are not going to be a good example of game play, for the most part. Also, the NSFW crew has a fair representation in this hobby, so use discretion.
Closing
Running role playing games for your kids is so rewarding! Don’t sell yourself short on your ability to do this for them. We all start at zero, and that is a beautiful place to be. I have cherished these years with my kids! I just know that you will with your kids as well!
Leave your questions and discoveries in the comments below. I’d love to hear what you find, and I’d love to answer any questions you have!
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