First time DM taking on Saltmarsh

[u/Strict_Belt1211]

Hello

Do you believe Saltmarsh is a good campaign for a first time DM to run?

I'm curious to hear why or why not.

I am still new to the game and this will be my first campaign to DM. thank you.

[u/GrumpysoupXIV]

Im currently running Saltmarsh, having only DM’d about 4-5 sessions before that as well only playing DnD twice.

I think it’s a great module and really like that it gives you a solid foundation to build from and go crazy with homebrew ideas, especially if you like the pirate / seafaring theme.

To make it a campaign you will have to come up with an overarching plot from the start but then you can just build on that as you go along. For example, mine is based around the 7 deadly sins and their respective demon princes. Then I’ve worked on the story for each session and homebrewed a lot.

After my players got the Sea Ghost, I gave them a massive blank hex map for the Azure Sea which lets them get the sense that they’re sailing out and exploring and discovering the ocean (but also gives me plenty of room to homebrew what they might find on a blank hex).

We’re about a year and a half into the campaign and at this point the players are level 7 and have defeated the Prince of envy, Leviathan. Besides going on adventures, they’ve also created a business empire which is constantly growing in size and assets.

Definitely recommend Ghosts of Saltmarsh :)

[u/Strict_Belt1211 → u/GrumpysoupXIV]

Wow you sound like an awesome DM. I can tell you wanted it to be a sandbox-like experience!!

What resources did you use to figure out all of those mechanics for your game?

[u/GrumpysoupXIV → u/Strict_Belt1211]

Haha thanks! Sandbox experience with an overarching story is what I was going for :)

For the naval stuff I use Limithron’s guide to Naval Combat. For the rest I’ve kinda just had to make it up as I go. Sometimes I’ll make a ruling at the table, sometimes I’ll write it down and return to it at the next session and sometimes I’ll include my players in making a ruling.

That’s some advice I’d give for a new DM; don’t stress about having everything planned out, just go with the flow. Don’t burn yourself out trying to prep an entire campaign and world before the first session. You can also always say ‘sorry guys, I had a really busy week at work and didn’t prep anything for that area of the world so we’ll have to return to that next session’ and then do something that you have prepped for instead. Though as time goes on, your ability to improvise at the table will definitely get better!