Herding terrified, easily distracted cats.

I have been running a beginner group through Tomb of Annihilation. After many tedious days of travel, the players reached Camp Righteous. Now, my party is split between two types of players: the ones who get easily distracted by shiny things and just want to befriend all the animals and players that I can tell who are going to catch me on my slip ups and take the game seriously.

I brought out the goblins early because the one half was spending too much time with the axe beak. Cue pandemonium. I was running 13 NPCs (enemies and allies) while trying to teach my players combat (the druid and the rogue are the very fresh players of course) while also trying to properly challenge my other players. This was poorly thought out. I screwed up intiative multiple times.

Next was the man and the crocodile shrine. Where my players tripped nearly every trap while investigating them and two ended in permadeath. Which I handwaved because they were all just learning and it's a hard campaign for beginners. Needless to say, everyone is terrified of me now.

I had a long chat with them afterwards explaining the consequences in the game, how it's only going to get harder, and they really need to communicate as a team better.

Next game is in two weeks. Wish me luck.