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DM Rules

Becoming a DM​

Any player can volunteer to become a DM by posting an application using the server's join-dm-team template and pinging @Staff.

After staff review the application, the player is given the @Junior DM role.

DM Roles​

Junior DM​

Junior DMs can run most quests, with three exceptions:

  • World Boss quests
  • Grim Hollow Transformation quests
  • Legendary item quests

After running 5 games, the Junior DM is promoted to @Dungeon Master.

For the final fifth game, it is strongly encouraged to have other DMs and/or staff members present.

Dungeon Master​

@Dungeon Master can run any quest unless the quest itself has special restrictions.

Examples:

  • Grim Hollow Transformation quests must take at least 2 hours and may be split across two days.
  • Legendary item quests must take at least 4 hours and may be split across two days.

Bonus Rewards​

A @Dungeon Master may award extra items at the end of a quest if the players performed exceptionally well.

This should be rare and reserved for cases where the party clearly impressed the DM by outplaying, outwitting, or otherwise exceeding expectations.

These bonus items:

  • can never be legendary
  • must be a rarity that the character could legally purchase as a Prize Hunt lead on the marketplace

Staff Help​

If you are unsure about a ruling or process, contact @Staff in dm-general.

Stellar Coin Rules For DMs​

@Junior DM and @Dungeon Master have additional ways to gain and spend Stellar Coins.

Ways to gain SC​

  • Participate in discussion for an approved homebrew species, item, spell, or feat: 2 SC
  • Participate in discussion for an approved homebrew subclass: 5 SC
  • Approve a character sheet: 2 SC
  • DM a quest: 1 SC per hour, in addition to normal gameplay SC rewards

Ways to spend SC​

@Dungeon Master may submit one homebrew subclass, item, spell, or feat in homebrew-submissions for 10 SC.

The cost must come from a single PC.

Special Quest Types​

Grim Hollow Transformation Quests​

Only @Dungeon Master can run Grim Hollow Transformation quests.

These quests can only do one of the following:

  • grant a character a stage 1 transformation
  • remove a stage from a transformation
  • add a stage to a transformation

Rules:

  • the quest must be at least 2 hours long
  • the session may be split across two days if needed
  • the quest must be posted in quest-approval and approved by staff before it is run

After running a transformation quest, the DM may choose one of their own PCs to:

  • gain a stage 1 transformation
  • add a stage to a transformation
  • remove a stage from a transformation

That PC must still meet the relevant requirements.

Legendary Item Quests​

Only @Dungeon Master can run legendary item quests.

Legendary item quests are Prize Hunt quests where at least one player has used a Relic Prize Hunt and selected a legendary rarity item, even if other players selected lower rarities.

These quests are intended to be difficult and should test the players against some of the strongest threats in the setting.

Rules:

  • the quest must be at least 4 hours long
  • the session may be split across two days if needed
  • the quest must be posted in quest-approval and approved by staff before it is run

After completing a Legendary Prize Hunt, the DM may choose one of their own characters and:

  • use a Relic Prize Hunt from that character, if they have one
  • receive a legendary item of their choice for that character

World Boss Quests​

Only @Dungeon Master can run World Boss quests.

World Boss quests are special quests where the party faces one of the server's approved world bosses.

Rules:

  • only level 20 characters may participate
  • the DM may bring a maximum of 5 PCs
  • the quest does not need staff approval beforehand

The DM may adjust:

  • the area around the boss
  • environmental hazards
  • additional enemies
  • other complications during the fight

The DM may also make slight changes to the boss itself, though using the approved version is encouraged.

If the players are defeated, each character gains the appropriate curse from that boss for their next quest only.

If the players win, each character may choose one of the following:

  • a new boon of their choice
  • a legendary item of their choice

Players can only ever gain 2 extra boons from defeating world bosses.

At the end of a World Boss quest, the DM may choose one of their own level 20 characters and:

  • gain a Relic Prize Hunt, if that character does not already have one
  • spend a Relic Prize Hunt and receive a legendary item of their choice

Quest Posting Format​

When posting a quest on WestMarches.games, include the following information in the quest notice:

Quest Level: <#>
Format: PBP or VC
Expected Duration: <#>

Initial quest description

DM Table Rules:
Any rules that you, as a DM, apply to your table

Possible Signup Form Requirement

Reward Handling​

When giving out rewards at the end of a quest, DMs may sign up as one of their own PCs so rewards can be applied more easily.

When calculating rewards, use the Rewards of Altharion calculator.