5/30/2019 Update: I'm no longer actively looking for DMs since I've found what I need. But I am still accepting applications if you still want to apply -- you would be contacted if the campaign falls apart and I need to look for a replacement DM. As the title says, I am looking to enlist a DM to run a campaign (D&D 5E) with a single PC (me) at the rate of $50+/session. This is not me attempting hire a DM so that I can play a D&D game where I can do whatever I want -- I am looking for a willing DM who wants to work alongside me to create a deep and engaging story that is fun for both of us. Why are you doing this? Although roleplaying and interacting with other PCs is an integral part of D&D, there are some benefits to a one-on-one campaign. For example, with only 1 PC to make decisions, these campaigns are much faster paced, and both the player and DM can dive much more deeply into certain areas that interest them. Furthermore, the campaign can be much more custom-tailored with only two people in it. I've enjoyed my experiences playing with other PCs, but I would like to try out a campaign where I alone have a ton agency over how the adventure proceeds. No, I mean why are you willing to pay $50 per session? This can be split into two parts: why am I paying, and why am I paying that much? The answer to the former simple -- I don't think I could even get a DM if I didn't pay. As for the latter, $50 actually isn't that much if you consider that some paid DMs probably earn that much or even more for each game they run. Although I want this campaign to be fun for both of us, I still expect a minimum amount of effort and quality from the DM, and the $50 is to compensate them for that effort. Okay, so what can I expect from you as the only PC? Like I said above, this is not an excuse for me to create some horribly evil character and roleplay terrible acts in a D&D campaign. I will work with you to determine everything from setting to theme to things you want banned from the campaign. When there are only two people in a campaign, it's extremely important that both players are happy. However, as the person initiating this campaign, I hope that you can be relatively accommodating with certain elements of the campaign that I really want included. I am not a defensive person and am extremely open to constructive criticism at any time. If you aren't happy with any element of my behavior, I am more than willing to talk with you, even if it's something that most people would consider offensive to say. Furthermore, I am very much willing to change any part of how I behave as long as you back up your requests with some reasoning. I can't claim to be an exceptionally charismatic person in real life, but I will promise you that I will try to create unique and interesting characters. Alright then, what do you expect from me as a DM? As mentioned in bullet point #2 from the section above, there are some elements to the campaign that I would really like to see included at the very least. Not having some of them will not make or break the campaign for me, but I would prefer to see as many of them as possible. I will include as many as I can think of in a list at the bottom. I would like you to be patient for the first few sessions as we hammer out some of the details. I expect there to be some awkwardness since there will only be two of us, and we're playing D&D together for the first time. Related to the point above, I hope you can also have an open mind for constructive feedback. With good communication, I'm confident we can resolve the majority of issues that pop up. Finally, because I am paying you, I do expect the same level of professional behavior that you see from paid DMs. That means arriving on time having done the necessary prep work for the adventure. Hmm okay, I'm interested. What's next? Before you apply, a few logistical things to note first: My availability is (all times are EST): Monday ~ Friday: 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM to 12 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM | 2 PM to 11 PM Games will be at least once a week, but I am more than willing to play more than that. Sessions should run for 3 hours at minimum and maximum length can be decided after discussion Discord for voice chat (required) and video chat (optional), Roll20 for everything else. Campaign will run for as long as we are both okay with it. Got it, that all works for me, but what about the payment? How does that work? I'm paying via Paypal, but I'm open to other reputable methods if you prefer. The $50 per session can be negotiated higher, but you should have a compelling reason to ask for more. Some examples include willingness to run longer sessions or having the ability to create and roleplay interesting and funny NPCs. For the first session, you will be paid in advance if you can provide enough evidence that you are legitimate DM who has experience with paid games, otherwise you will be paid half in advance and the other half after. For the second session and beyond, you will always be paid in full in advance. You can decide how many days before the session you would like to be paid. Come on man, this is starting to get really long! How do I apply? Reply to this post or send a private message to me with the following details. Please note, I will contact you for a casual interview via discord if I think you might be a good fit. Based on the interview, I will make the final decision. You can take that chance to ask me any questions in-depth. Also feel free to ask questions here or by sending me a private message. Anyway, here are the questions: What is your name or what would you like to be called? What is your experience with running D&D as a DM? Specifically, have you ever run a one-on-one campaign? Is there anything in particular that you would like to see in this campaign in regards to setting, type of story, themes , etc (list only the major ones if possible)? Are you okay with the $50/session payment? If not, why do you believe you should get more? Based on my available times, what times also work for you? Are you willing to run more than 1 session per week? When is the earliest date you can start playing? Finally, is there anything special you think you can bring to the table that makes you an especially good fit? Or is there just anything else you would like to say? Thanks for reading this far! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to private message me or reply below! I hope that we will meet again in game! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Appendix: General list of things I'd like to see in a campaign, grouped by category (will be discussed in more detail if you are selected as the DM) General campaign parameters Even mix of combat and noncombat encounters, perhaps slightly weighted towards noncombat Fairly high level of difficulty that requires some creative thinking PC death is 100% possible but should be the result of poor decisions, not just poor luck Use of grids in combat and use of visual aids (maps and art) out of combat A focus on actually RPing as a character Generally follow RAW but flexible in some situations DM willing to change things on the fly to balance for having only one PC and not creating encounters that can instantly wipe out a lone PC with a bad saving throw Setting Urban-type setting (Ravnica maybe?) with tons of politics, intrigue, and warring factions A living, dynamic world that changes even when the PC is not in the immediate area Setting should be slightly on the dark side Verisimilitude is not necessary, but internal consistency is very much appreciated Story Story should be more on the serious side of things The overarching story should be grand in scale Mostly sandbox unless the DM has a story idea they want to explore The PC Start at level 3 Enhanced power level of PC to compensate for a lower party size and need to fill multiple roles Accelerated leveling speed Campaign Elements As PC grows stronger, their increased power/influence should reflect how they can affect the world and how the world reacts to them in a noticeable way Potential to join organizations and rise up the ranks or for the PC to start their own organization/kingdom Themes I'm down for any theme! Seeing how far someone will go just to protect their loved ones? Exploring the human condition by saving the poor and wretched? Losing oneself in neverending pursuit of power?
