First time GMing, what should I be asking myself?

>>50269380
I'm going to be GMing for the first time as well. Rather than making another thread, I'll simply ask in this thread for baseline advice, shit every GM needs to know, etc. Also any system-specific advice (I'm running Pathfinder because that's what my players are used to) would be appreciated.

Sorry to shit up your thread, OP. But hey, at least you get a free bump out of it!

>>50269380
>>what should I be asking myself?
>"Am I gay?"
>"Why am I playing with little plastic dolls and pretending to be a fairy princess?"
>"Was it because mommy never showed me any love?"

Start with those. Once you've satisfactorily answered those, you might be able to GM with some competence.

>>50269380
that is the best system.
however, you should be asking your self this question
>why am I doing this with my life?

>>50269380
I think Unknown Armies might do what you're going for.

>>50270187
>The golden rule: Prepare lots, plan little.

Basically, have a world ready for your players to explore in, but don't plan an elaborate murder mystery that your players may very well ignore in order to go kill some goblins down by the river.

I like to think about it like this: DMing is all about building a path for your players to go on. How you build that path determines how good you are as a DM
-An absolutely terrible GM will have no materials prepared and their players will fall into an abyss of nothing
-A bad GM will have a path built, and will forcibly pick up their players and walk the path for them since that is the only path they have
-A good GM will have a path prepared, but is willing to build alternate paths that lead back to their main one if the players stray
-A great GM has no path built at all. Instead they have the materials ready and build the path right in front of the players as they walk

>>50273604
Thank you. I'll remember to keep it in my mind.

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>>50269380

File: Tome of madness pepsi.pdf (1B, 486x500px)

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>>50273604
Here, have some tomes of madness for them to find

>>50273785
I've always wondered if that thing was real or a hoax.

File: Tome of Madness Subgenius.pdf (1B, 486x500px)

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>>50273785

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>>50273604
This
No matter what you do, the players will catch you off guard.

>>50269380
The new DG edition is very solid, yet simple. Is it the best for what you want to play? Maybe. Other possible option would be Unknown Armies, Over the Edge, Kult, Demon City Shinjuku, nWOD, and I don't even counted generic systems.

Prepare some cults, conspirations, important NPCs and places. Then, define how they relations are. Add maybe a few recurring NPCs. This will give you some structure and safety while giving your players the needed freedom.

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>>50273785
I started reading this and though it actually made some sort of sense until I reached the last few pages.