Ask One.

I'll explain.

If it were that easy, you'd have it made, right? You might be able to acquire DCs, events, rewards, NPC attention, and all those things that you 'need' to get from this game. But getting any DM to go with your idea may feel like pulling teeth, waiting for a random DM event can be a chore and participation might not even be possible, and even if you do get one, things might not go according to your plan. You put a lot of effort into thinking it out, and no response might be as far as one could get.


There used to be a thread called the DM-Help-Request thread in the DM-Story forum. This was where players would post general requests for intervention. Realistically speaking, in all probability these requests were ignored, and the thread eventually stopped. The thread still exists, but not in its old format. Now what exists reads as follows:



So what happened? Was there a concerted effort to deny or ignore player requests? Do we hate you? Do we go out of our way to disparage players we don't know or don't like?

No.
All you need to get a DM: you have to ask one. One. One DM.

Why One? If I ask for a DM in the general case, won't that improve my chances of getting help? There might be more than one DM available. I don't want to pressure only one of them. Won't it help if I ask more than one?

No.

Asking the same request of multiple DMs at the same time immediately introduces you to a situation called a volunteer's dilemma. To put it short, a "somebody else's problem" scenario.

An impersonal request is very easy to ignore, assuming that the one requested thinks that someone else can do it. Considering that it takes a DM time and effort to complete any request, time that they could have spent on their own plans, it should be no wonder that making a request is difficult and often left incomplete.

I claim it's impossible to get anything done by asking all of the DMs. So here's what you should do:

Ask one of them.

It doesn't have to be the same DM every time. Someone you've worked with in the past, or someone who has seen your RP will be more likely to know that you have something to offer, knows your style, and can make something suitably fun. You shouldn't mommy-daddy DMs about rule violations and punishments, but go ahead and repeat the request to another DM if the first doesn't have time to complete your idea or doesn't specialize in the area of lore that you're working with.

So what's the catch?

Asking one DM has its downsides.

You cannot expect the following:

The DM in question has complete knowledge of the situation.
The DM can make a world-shattering event (Changing the module requires Dev. Work and often needs the agreement of other DMs)
The DM has the same schedule as you do.
The DM will like, agree with, or follow your plan.

There's another downside: Who do I ask, if I only should ask one DM?
Me, for one.
I'll volunteer.
I see something I perceive as a problem, so why shouldn't I help resolve it?

Every DM is more than willing to help with player events, of course. Offering explicit details about their schedule and style of DMing is strictly voluntary and at their discretion. Other DMs can be PMed as it said in the Events topic, if you have a preference.

That is what I have to say about what I see. Now for some details about my offer:

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Private-Message me a request of any planned event you want. I will complete them in the order that they are received. Certain criteria I have specified for a request will make this easy on me:

The event must be somewhat brief. (<2-3 Hours is optimal)
It can't cause a tremendously drastic change to the module (I would need to plan this with other DMs and Devs)
You should offer sufficient details about when you are going to be online to participate. My University and Work schedule, as well as prior commitments have priority over what I can do with my time.
Background details are helpful, as well as a general sequence or plan for the event. Expect significant deviations, or leave the request open-ended.

A little bit about me if you need to know to make the request:
You can call me Robert/Leggy. I have a strong preference for intrigue and traps rather than supervising massed combat. I will tend to make events that have a sense of humor that is either situational, dark, or just plain weird. I'm on the last leg of a bit of a tough year at the University, so weekends are easier for me to complete events. Otherwise, late at night (Pacific Standard Time).

I might regret making this offer explicit first, so be gentle.

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Those trees won't burn themselves down. (by Maryn)

Seconded: I'm game.

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Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?

Oh, thank you! The thread was very enlightening.

Considering the areas you want to "create for", I think one of my recent frustrations might be solved by you. That is, if I am right in thinking that what one of my characters is trying to do, is intrigue.

I need to make a better elaboration of the whole thing, since I never considered involving DMs and tried to make it happen only player-to-player and was unable to make it move, but I will be PMing you soon.

I do not expect you to fully solve my problem, honest! But perhaps you can help me see what I might be doing wrong and why.

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BlackDahlya

Once Upon A Time Played
Adr'ael Ken'rahel, Auron Teken’ath, Aurora Mesodias, 'Daniel' Daoskinaxarijikkym, Eilin'ira, Helena Rios, Layla Faircurrent, May'Une Do'Ndar, Mellinda Tellus, Michael of Cliffside, Rizzen of Twilight, Valkirya d'Claddath

On my part: this isn't, wasn't, and will not be a condemnation of any of our players, or of other DMs. I would like to make this my suggestion for future work that I can help with, and an making an adjustment to what I do to facilitate that. I couldn't say there's anything being done that is 'wrong', but there are things that could be made better.

As well, I would be happy to try and work with any details you send me. Thanks!

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Those trees won't burn themselves down. (by Maryn)

But now we can't harass you in game because the "DMs Online" list was removed from the forums. If I wish to have DM at this very moment, how can I choose one to stalk?

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Characters:
Hunar Iroff, The red-bearded, grumpy dwarf with a bastard sword. Chair of Military Issues
Daren Sten, High Inquisitor of the Eternal Order of Kelemvor on Amia

You can see there is A DM online, which is enough. Some of us do not want our names displayed, for various reasons.

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Davion Telemos - Monk of the Four Winds
Korthan Isharnos - Dragon Shaman of Thunder Spirit Zamasham

Everyone PM Tormak.

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I keels u with my axe!

"Do ye know where the Holy-Flamin' Frost-brand Gronk-slayin' Vorpal Hammer o' woundin' an' returnin' an' Shootin'-Lightnin'-out-yer-bum is?"

But then the point of this thread is nulled. He just said NOT to use the DM channel to ask for DM assistance, but to send a tell (or a PM that might take ages to be read, or they might not want/be able to help me in game) to a specific DM.

Someone clarify if there's some smart catch beyond what I understand.

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Characters:
Hunar Iroff, The red-bearded, grumpy dwarf with a bastard sword. Chair of Military Issues
Daren Sten, High Inquisitor of the Eternal Order of Kelemvor on Amia

Just put some sort of tag on the PM like [Suggestion of Plot]

This way, the DMs are (I think!) more likely to check it first, before reading any others.

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BlackDahlya

Once Upon A Time Played
Adr'ael Ken'rahel, Auron Teken’ath, Aurora Mesodias, 'Daniel' Daoskinaxarijikkym, Eilin'ira, Helena Rios, Layla Faircurrent, May'Une Do'Ndar, Mellinda Tellus, Michael of Cliffside, Rizzen of Twilight, Valkirya d'Claddath

No, he said to ask a single DM. DM channel works. Grab the attention of one and go from there.

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Davion Telemos - Monk of the Four Winds
Korthan Isharnos - Dragon Shaman of Thunder Spirit Zamasham

Oooooookay, as you say.

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Characters:
Hunar Iroff, The red-bearded, grumpy dwarf with a bastard sword. Chair of Military Issues
Daren Sten, High Inquisitor of the Eternal Order of Kelemvor on Amia

The message is mostly about how to ask through the forums. When a DM is in-game, you do have the advantage of knowing for certain about when they will be DMing (Immediately! ) but you don't have their exclusive attention and the DM might be quite busy. Don't let that discourage you from attempting hailing frequencies, though!

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Those trees won't burn themselves down. (by Maryn)

With DMs DMside, whenever you toss a DM CHannel message asking for something (as opposed to a 'hello'), either the DM Online will nudge you (if there is only one), or in our weird little habit, we'll say 'Gots' or 'Not It / Busy' to eachother, to ensure a non-busy DM gets to it, or other DMs know its being handled.

Stops things from being hung up. Sadly doesn't help if all DMs are busy.


TO be back on topic; feel free to PM Me about little things. NPC Possessions, etc. Right now I've got alot of other things to take care of, so I can't promise any big events.

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Mostly Retired

I wasn't aware that the Personnel page had expired contact info for me. I've updated it and added my MSN/IM.

Since I'm kind of lazy and generally forgetful, feel free to use this to bother me into getting to your event. It's quite effective:

zerglingpwnage101@hotmail.com

(Note that I mentioned I won't be available until Monday, after this weekend, so it may be a bit to get to you)

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Those trees won't burn themselves down. (by Maryn)

I'm up for this as well.

I posed new, updated contact info/the sort of DMing style I prefer on the Personnel thread in Rules&Lore. I went a little bit overboard but that's basically everything you need to know about me as a DM, hehe.

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Is there a suggestion for how long one should wait before "jumping ship" to try to raise another DM on hailing frequencies, so as to not be calling in every direction? Is there a safe general waiting period which can be assumed?

I ask because of the following, and I want to clarify now that the intention of this is not to whine or kvetch, or to make the DMs appear derelict. I fully understand that my PMs were read (as the sent messages/outbox can attest) and then other things happened or drew their attention before they could make a reply, and it simply became forgotten about amidst other IC/OOC/IRL things vying for their concentration. The intention of this is to explain why I asked this, and to draw attention to the request.

I sent a PM to Yossarin on July 4th, asking for his help for feedback for IC research being done on a loot item to develop some IC answers on it and explore the feasibility of some options regarding it, both OOC and IC. I can extrapolate that Yossarin is usually busy with other matters, so while I had high hopes for getting a favorable response, I didn't necessarily expect it either.

By July 11th, I worked on the assumption that Yossarin was simply too OOC/IRL busy and sent the PM to BrainSplitter, who also appeared busy, but with IC happenings, visibly. I haven't received a response from either of them as of yet. My waiting time is likely shorter than a general rule; I was hoping to secure at least a "Not interested" from one of them in short order as this IC research was put into my characters lap by another PC, who I have yet to be able to get back to. That is my discomfort, and has nothing to do with the DMs.

My choices to single out those DMs was a preference of their styles and their involvements with related events and arcane RP, and the patience/interest for IC research. In this regard, Leggomi, I will forward my request for help to you.

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How much more must I hurt you to help you?
- Qirlan

I -always- respond to people who buzz the DM channel.
But if I'm busy, I'll let you know. After I'm done, I normally make a shout saying I'm available for random requests. Alternately, MSN is a wonderful thing.

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Persephone Ashallin - Persistant Salandran
Vrok - Cudgel?

Let me be the one who says thank you very much for doing this. I know DMs are busy, and truly, even when I'm just rping, I hate to have to reply to a tell if I'm busy. That said, it's a huge help to get a reply from a DM if they're busy or can't do it, instead of just getting no reply. I feel rude if I repeat myself in DM channel, like I'm spamming them.

So, thank you very much!

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