So I have a session about a week from now, and I'm looking for any last tips on how to introduce the setting and the BBEG. Any quick tips I can use when session 1 actually starts?
Other than a session 0, I only do a brief narrative about the current setting the party will start in and then let them discover things and introduce world that way. Not only does it feel rewarding, they'll remember better than if you give a long expository intro
Come to your Session Zero ready to discuss with them the type of game that they want to play. Base the experience off that. There's no point trying to push an All Out War type campaign when what they want is to be treasure hunters, or a Deep Political Intrigue game when they hope to spend their time exploring jungles.
Then afterwards, write a one-page brief for the players, and send it to them ahead of the first game. They'll need this in order to think about how the character they want to play might fit into that world. Once you know what they're interested in, create a storyline that immediately plunges them into the game, and inform them of the task they're going to be on before the first session. Some examples:
You're all on a ship, travelling to a newly discovered island
You're a crack squad of special forces serving the empire
You all arrive in a cell having been taken prisoner by gnolls
You have been recruited to form a private detective agency in a magical city
A necromancer just raised you from the dead to help him reclaim his birthright
Get everyone on the same page from day 1. This is way better than "You meet in a tavern and are approached by a stranger," which is the classic way to kick things off. When you meet that tavern dwelling stranger, you have no choice about doing what he asks you to anyway or there'll be no game. A more directed opener is much more engaging.
Don't worry, everyone; we've had session 0 and worked out the general story format MANY times now. I'm just wanting to make sure that once I actually deliver this experience we've prepared, it's the best I can make it.
So I have a session about a week from now, and I'm looking for any last tips on how to introduce the setting and the BBEG. Any quick tips I can use when session 1 actually starts?
Thanks in advance!
Have you already done a session 0, and all the things that entails?
Other than a session 0, I only do a brief narrative about the current setting the party will start in and then let them discover things and introduce world that way. Not only does it feel rewarding, they'll remember better than if you give a long expository intro
Come to your Session Zero ready to discuss with them the type of game that they want to play. Base the experience off that. There's no point trying to push an All Out War type campaign when what they want is to be treasure hunters, or a Deep Political Intrigue game when they hope to spend their time exploring jungles.
Then afterwards, write a one-page brief for the players, and send it to them ahead of the first game. They'll need this in order to think about how the character they want to play might fit into that world. Once you know what they're interested in, create a storyline that immediately plunges them into the game, and inform them of the task they're going to be on before the first session. Some examples:
Get everyone on the same page from day 1. This is way better than "You meet in a tavern and are approached by a stranger," which is the classic way to kick things off. When you meet that tavern dwelling stranger, you have no choice about doing what he asks you to anyway or there'll be no game. A more directed opener is much more engaging.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kBbJ0e9UO4E
This guy has some great ideas of how to start a campaign 👍
Don't worry, everyone; we've had session 0 and worked out the general story format MANY times now. I'm just wanting to make sure that once I actually deliver this experience we've prepared, it's the best I can make it.
1) Don't tell them who or what the BBEG is. Let them find it out through play, and probably not for many sessions.
2) Start small with the setting. If all the PCs have spent their entire lives in the same settlement then you only need to describe that one place.