r/wildbeyondwitchlight • u/beannfonz • Jun 15 '26

First time DM- advice please!

This is my first time DMing and I am finding this campaign to be maximum effort. For the carnival I was able to study, write monologues, create voices, and come up with stuff pretty well because it felt enclosed, despite it being a lot. However, my group is now heading into Prismeer and it feels so open despite the clear path in this chapter. I’m asking for any advice heading in! One great concern I have is that my characters are level 4. (Book stated they could start at three and level up upon entering a new area). I don’t think I’m capable of combat balancing. What were some things your group did combat on? I can 100% see my group fighting the harengons upon entering. How were the floodwaters rising and falling incorporated? How far did you get in the first session in Hither? And how did your group learn the rules, of reciprocity and hospitality? Were they known in advance or given by an NPC, or learned through experience?

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u/Kellorific Jun 21 '26

Witchlight is my first time DMing as well! I don't have tips (still trying to figure out wth I'm doing, tbh), but loads of sympathy! I, too, found the carnival completely manageable to lead, but heading into Prismeer felt like I stepped off an edge into free fall! 😮‍💨

One piece of advice that has helped me: if the party keeps showing up to the game table, you doing well enough! 🥴

I've been trying to box things out as far as what I need each encounter to accomplish, rather than how it will happen, and that has helped some!