Confessions of a Professional Dungeon Master

And what you should think about before becoming one

It was hour number 6 as we sat around in my friend John’s garage, character sheets and coke cans all over the pool table (sorry Mr. Hopkins), dice flying furiously, howling laughter raising the roof, for what would be one of our many dnd all nighters.

I know, in those moments, I wished I could stay here forever instead of going back home to my alcoholic mom. Don’t worry, I won’t dwell here, but if we’re going to talk about confessions, let me get this one out of the way.

I played dungeons and dragons, like many other young people my age, to escape the insanity and tragedies of real life.

Push ahead 30 years as I sat at a table in a comic book store playing Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 or Pathfinder 1e. I took a break from gaming for a long time to focus on my family and my job (which will be another confession all together).

As I sat at the table, there was a woman, maybe only a few years older than me, and we laughed and bemoaned our characters plight. She mentioned she would really like to play the adventure path Legacy of Fire and before I had a chance to think I said, “I’ll run it”.

I had limited experience DM’ing so I have no idea why I volunteered to do this, but somewhere inside me, I felt her saying, “No one wants to run what I want to play” and decided it was my job to make that happen and I did, over the course of two years making some new friends along the way.

Flash forward to about three years ago when I discovered Start Playing and that people would actually pay me money to run role playing games. I, again, without really thinking, said, much like Lucy in the Fallout series, “Okey Dokey” and suddenly, I was a professional DM/GM.

Ok, backstory concluded, here’s what you came here for, the confessions

Why I do it

Selfishly, I do it for the gas money. I try to play at least one game on line and one game in my local game store a week. Also selfishly, I want others to be able to escape the insanity and tragedy of their world and I think I can help do that. I’m cheaper than any bar tab.

I Don’t Really Do It For Money

I’m not getting rich and I don’t plan on it. I charge $20 to $25 a game. It’s what you might spend going bowling or to the movies. I think gaming is the superior entertainment choice because movies, these day, are easily forgotten and bowling is, well, bowling.

Fun fact, I almost chose professional bowling as a career out of high school.

I Am Anxious Before Every Game

People are paying me good money for a good experience and do not like to disappoint. Three years later, I like to think I’ve I haven’t at least based on the review. I take game prep very seriously and minutes before going live, I take a deep breath and think about how much fun everyone, including me, are going to have.

If you’re thinking about becoming a Professional Dungeon Master, here are some more confessions you might want to hear before jumping in with both feet.

Getting people to the table is still tough

For as many people who want to play or learn to play Dungeons and Dragons, getting the timing down is no different than unpaid game where you try to get together with your friends.

It'll Do A Number On Your Self Esteem

Start Playing is a great place to start, but the algorithm drives me to madness.

Is it the thumbnail?

Is it the copy?

Do people not like what I’m offering or do they not like me?

Yes, your ego will get in the way, if you let it.

I’m learning to let go.

It’s A Business

And you must be a professional. It takes time and effort to draw people to your games and build a reputation for good game play, much like a restaurant build a reputation for good food and service.

As I said above, you have to do graphics, write copy and stay on top of things.

I bring a set of skills from my full time job that makes this an easy transition and if you can’t or are unwilling to

• prep your game well

• get to know and use the technology of VTTs

• like and serve people

• be flexible

• gently guide and correct selfish players (it naturally comes to teens)

• not make it about you

you may want to pass on being professional DM. This is what sets amateurs apart from professionals, we exchange a service for money, we have to show up. If amateurs don’t feel like it, they can just cancel.

People are still going to “suck”, they will,

• cancel games

• be selfish spotlight hogs

• be petty

You know, all the people things. You have to be willing to let it all flow like water off a ducks back .

I think that is all the confessing I am going to do for today.

If you want DM advice (or ramblings) check out my Youtube Channel.

Do you have questions? Things you’d like me to confess to that you’ve always wondered about professional DM’s?

Leave your question(s) in the comments. Until next time.