Dice, Maps, and Chaos: Why I Miss Being a DM.

Copyright © Mark R Kelly 2026

So, I'm back, and it struck me today - I miss running role playing sessions of Dragon Warriors and AD&D.

In part, because I was out and about on a dreary, cloudy, damp day, which for me, is perfect weather for being indoors with your friends having a good session of your favourite role playing game.

I miss writing out the scenarios, creating the NPCs, drawing maps and creating floor plans of a tavern or dungeon, and populating it with all kinds of wonderful traps, creatures, encounters and a scattering of treasure here and there.

Then follows the physical routine of setting up. 

My game sessions were always run on a Sunday evening, and kick-off would be at 18:00 hours. So an hour before, I'd get the table positioned and dressed. Chairs placed, character sheets, pencils and DM screen in position, and finally make sure the kitchen was sorted for tea or coffee.

It was always great to see our friends arriving, all looking excited or curious as to what would unfold over the course of the next four-to-six hours of game time. 

Once settled, and the usual 'catching-up' was out of the way, it was my turn to go through a little re-cap of where we'd left the game at the end of last week's session. And then we were away, as I'd pick up the narrative, white board behind me, usually with last session's map in place.

Miniatures would be at the ready behind my DM screen, as was a mini battle map, should anything go in that direction of combat.

So the hours would glide by, dice rolling when needed. Jokes made, laughter filling the room, character conversations and exchanges with DM acted NPCs (some of my most embarrassing times - I'm not a man who is good at accents), along with the odd surprise thrown into the mix.

Before we knew it, time had run out. I have to confess, I would often try to end the session on a bit of a cliff-hanger moment - but not every time, as that would just lose impact. But there was nothing better than having your group want to carry on for another ten or more minutes, and as the DM, you slowly shake your head and close the DM screen and say, "That's where we end tonight's session. Until next week."

Yup, that's what I miss about running a role playing game.

I leave you with the brilliant David Bowie - "Heroes".