Getting started as a GM with TorontoDnD

So you've decided to throw your hat in with us and run some games for the community? Well you're in the right place! Read on for all the details...

Why Run Games for TorontoDnD?

Aside from being a whole lot of fun, running games has a few benefits:

If you run at least one game per month you can request access to our dndbeyond account with all content enabled. You can use this in your home games as well, which can be immensely valuable! Once you have claimed a table just request access and we will set you up! Note that our library of content includes all 1st party content available on the platform.
If you have GM'd in the two weeks leading up to an event going live you get 24 hour advance access to purchase tickets. Every time you GM allows you to get early access for two events. Our games sell out very quickly so this can be a great way to make sure you get the seats you want!
Everytime you GM an event you also get a session credit that you can apply to any of your characters. This lets you quickly level up your favourite PC!
You get to help all sorts of great people find games to play in! It's also a great feeling and a great way to meet new people and maybe recruit them for your home game!

Getting Started

First up, you'll need to create an account on our website if you don't have one already. If you're not registered you'll see a very creatively labelled "Register" link in the top right corner of the website. Click that thing!
Once you are registered you will be taken to your profile page. On this page turn on the switch labelled "I am interested in being a GM occasionally". This will allow you to sign up for games and you will get the occasional email from admin about upcoming games that need GMs etc.
Next up, take some time to review these documents

Content Standards: This document details what sort of things can and cannot be included in our games.
Code of Conduct: Basic etiquette to bring to and expect from the table.
Event Guide: What to expect and what we ask of you on the night of your event.
Persistent World Guide: How our system of balancing and character progression works.

When you're ready head on over to the Events Page. There you will see a list of upcoming events and tables that we are running. Click on any of the "GM Needed" links to claim that table.
Show up on the night of (ideally a bit early to setup) and have a blast!

Top 10 Tips for TorontoDND GMs

Running games for TorontoDND is a bit different than running a home game. Read through these tips to help you get the most out of your games!

Engage your players:
You need a strong hook and an interesting premise from the jump to get people excited about your game. This can happen as early as including tags, an evocative title, and a short logline in the event description.
You are running a game for strangers:
People's play preferences, experience levels, and character optimization will vary greatly. Be clear about your style before sitting down at the table, use website tags to signpost player expectations, and check in with them.
Make your combats challenging, but winnable:
Be a fan of your players, not an adversary - they should win at the end of the night. Their victory should be earned through effort, but it is your goal.
Players' actions should drive the vehicle of the story:
Write an adventure with clear narrative boundaries - NOT a sandbox - where the impact of player decisions is obvious to everyone at the table. While there should be many ways to get from Point A to Point B... they're getting to Point B.
Pace your adventures to no more than 3.5 hours:
Every GM has been surprised at just how long combat rounds can last. Keep an eye on the time - there should be a sense of resolution by the time anyone gets up to leave.
Be flexible with your timing and difficulty:
Be prepared to cut content, add or remove monsters on the fly, add a clue to your mystery, or add a helpful NPC to keep events flowing. Take the temperature of your table to feel out what adjustments need to be made and when.
Set up your players to do the cool thing:
Everyone at a TTRPG table - no matter the system - wants to do ‘the cool thing’ that their character is best at. Try to encourage and engineer these moments at the table.
Communicate to your players often what their objective is:
Characters might be conflicted - but players should have a clear idea of what is going on. Even a known unknown is better than 'what are we doing again?'
Avoid getting into rules conflicts:
If there is a disagreement at the table about the game, make the fairest ruling you can, and move on. It is better to maximize play time than spend time looking up rules at the table.
Know the rules you are sure will come up at the table:
You don't need to be a master of all laws, but you should have a handle on how to keep the combat encounter moving. The rules are your vehicle for fun - you need to know at least where the gas and the brake pedals are.

What's Next?

Hop on over to the event schedule and sign up for some games! When the monthly schedule is put together you will get an email from us to let you know!