Advices needed! Best start to become a good NWN-DM?

[AyounTheDark]

Heya!

I'm not only asking for a hyperlink to where I can do another search, but need some good clues as where to start out to learn more about, how the mechanics works being a DM here..

I've been PnP DM for 12 yrs, and have begun to feel the interest in getting more into trying it out here as well..

I'm not a toolset geek, or a software programmer, but I've always developed quests, storylines, NPC's and such for the worlds I've been playing.

So..

1) What role could I possibly get in a community like Avlis? (Questbuilder? Creating NPC's? whatever?)
2) What is the first steps to get more accustomed to being a DM in the NWN engine?

Thanx for listening.

[Thalarian Arc'Thass]

If you want to join the Avlis team, send an email and you will get an application form.

Learning your way around the DM-client is actually the easiest part of DMing here (or on other PW worlds I guess).

It is just a tool and does not make one a good DM automatically.
You could search for the DMFI DM tutorial mod, I found that very useful to get started with the basic mechanics of the client.
Just start experimenting with the DM-client on a local mod and you will see that is actually not that difficult at all.

[GHENGIZ.KHAN]

As for number 2) the only advice I could give is to practice using the DM client in a local module, or host a module and ask a couple of friends to log in as players and practice running small events on them. Its good practice for getting used to the client and friends usually give helpful constructive feedback.

[Thalarian Arc'Thass]

Here is the link:

http://nwvault.ign.com/fms/Download.php?id=6041

This should make you familiar with the basics.
Everything else you will learn from the other DMs.

*remembers pausing, saving or resetting the server during events, shouting console commands, DPing whole groups by accident and many many worse mistakes when he started..*

[Deider]

What Thal & GK said.

In addition, the DM client is a tool, and like all tools, the more familiar you are with it the better you can use it. There are some tips on Bioware's sight, and we have our own tip thread in the Avlis Team forums as well as the CoPaP DM forums, stuff we've all compiled from years of using the client.

You don't have to be a whiz with the client to be a great DM. A lot of fun can be hand simply by possessing NPCs and speaking through them. But for some of the more complicated stuff - placeables, visual effects, tweaking combats and creatures to challenge your party - you need some skizzils. But that really just comes with time; practice makes perfect

[loki70]

Here is the link:

http://nwvault.ign.com/fms/Download.php?id=6041

This should make you familiar with the basics.
Everything else you will learn from the other DMs.

*remembers pausing, saving or resetting the server during events, shouting console commands, DPing whole groups by accident and many many worse mistakes when he started..*

*remembers all these things too* Actually, some of the best DMs I have seen on Avlis were klutzes with the wand when they started, but had good ideas, a desire to make it fun for everyone, and were willing to listen to the cues of the players. In my opinion, that is what seperates a good DM from a great DM.

[AyounTheDark]

Thanx for the advice guys

I'd bet one can interact with the players alot without being the best with both toolset and the client, but I still feel the need to get more into such before sending an application. So I know a bit about what I'm to expect..