Hey folks
Following up on my post about how my seven player table came to be, I decided I would upload the general rules I use to keep the table flowing smoothly. Feel free to let me know if you have similar rules, or why you think some work or if I've gotten something wrong: I want to keep getting better!
My wife as we wait to start the next session
Table Placement
This may seem like an odd one to start with but actually it's really important at a large table like this. Our table has some strong personalities and some quieter ones. We have a child with their stepfather. It's a thing. I try to keep the table placement at a quiet-strong-quiet-strong-quiet-strong-quiet formation, for two reasons:
-the stronger personalities are also D&D veterans, they are able to help the quieter ones who also tend to be newer players
-when the strong personalities are next to each other, they end up faffing and joking around constantly interrupting myself and other players.
Combat and the Whiteboard
Combat with seven players can become tricky in a number of areas. Which is why I use a portable whiteboard for each session and on it I write down the initiative order for the party members and the enemies so that the players can start planning ahead.
Another thing is pushing the players to make decisions. When it comes to a player turn, I give each player 2 minutes (even if they don't see my mental timer watching the clock) to give me an indication that they have a plan of what they want to do, 5 minutes maximum to actually do something otherwise "Dodge" action. Combat needs a flow otherwise it's a spiral to analysis-paralysis.
Social Interaction
Seven people can get rather chatty, but also language levels can differ. Based on the fact that we have a minor at the table, the one basic rule is to keep language at PG13 level with minimal foul/curse words. The other thing is that I try to talk as little as possible when it's not an active combat or NPC engagement. I want players to engage with each other.
However, when it is combat, very strict one person talking at a time, so that everybody can be respected in their views and chances to talk, but also just as a practical measure to keep attention and flow of progress going.
Scheduling Game Time
I think I mentioned this in my previous post, but the scheduling of games is set as a regular once a month meeting. We have agreed from the start that the game goes for the first Saturday of the month from 2-6pm each month, regardless of players cancelling. We have to play, otherwise we will never play. Also, seven players is plenty of coverage so that even when a couple of players do drop out for a session, it's not like a gaping whole in the party's capability. I know it sucks to play when not everyone is there, but the other thing is that having a regular session lets people plan events around D&D but also it adds a level of value to the event. It's not something people may or may not do if they have the time and nothing cooler comes up; it's a commitment.
And that's it from me folks. If you have any ideas or additions please let me know!
Yours enslaved to a Drow socialite in the Menzoberranzan
tomster-17
THat is a huge workload for a DM.
Nice screen, btw.
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Yeah it's definitely complicated. That's another reason a month between sessions helps, it lets me have some space to think and balance stuff.
I actually recently got a new screen, I can include it in my next post
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Good post - that all sounds very sensible ! One refinement you could try is to make sure the two spots closest to the DM are for quiet types. That would (hopefully) enable them to tell you what they are doing without the stronger types trying to dictate their moves to you.
How do you let people know which seat will be theirs ? Our group tends to just come in and sit down at whichever chair they fancy, first come, first choice....
Oh I just mean it's my preferred pattern of seating. At this point (a year into the campaign) most people are pretty settled on where they sit, but I do try a bit of subliminal messaging "Oh yeah I wanted Player A there because he may need to leave at X time" etc.
It would be nice to have two of the quieter players there but then also that leaves me trying to help them see what their options are while I'm also trying to DM stuff behind the screen. It's all very complicated.
but maybe I will try some assigned seating and see how it goes!
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