So I am a big fan of keeping an open line of communication with my party. I always ask the stars and wishes from the previous game (whether they all reply or not is a different story lol). We are completing a storyline soon and I want to get a gauge of where they are at with their characters but don’t know a lot of questions to ask. The only question I can think of is, “where do you feel your character is going” and “what are your current goals for your character?”
what questions would you ask? I want to use these to add more elements to the game. I am even thinking of having private meetings with each player. Let me know what questions you would ask (or even reword mine). I want to develop a story that doesn’t feel like it just hits my beats and what I think their story beats are but also elements of what they hope to see without just giving them the knowledge that im adding it.
If you want to ask more specific questions, you could go with something like “Which [previously seeded plot hook, if there have been any] is you character most curious about following up on?” Or “What is your character’s current, short-term greatest fear?” And those could help lead you into the next arc.
You could also ask about inter-party relationships, and straight up ask “what is your relationship/how do you feel about each other party member?” With that information you could play into drama, or know which party member everyone else’s characters would be fine with helping/having a character focused arc about.
If your players gave you backstories before the campaign, ask about which elements from their backstories they’re most curious/worried/excited about (which ties back into the previous two sets of answers). these weren’t the most hyper-specific questions in the world but I hope they help!
"what do you want for your character out of the next section of the campaign?" "Do you feel like there is anything from your character's backstory which you think has been missed or were hoping to be built upon more?" "What are your characters goals over the next few months/years/>timescale of campaign here<?
As you're trying to get the world before them to interest the characters (IE not giving the barbarian a library) just be direct but don't ask for specifics - they shouldn't be saying "I want to find an immovable rod", they should be saything they want more magic items (prompting quests into more magical places), for example.
Ultimately, you know what you want to know, so ask the questions that give you the answers you seek!
Fate has a good mechanic for character goal setting which Chronicles of Darkness has stolen and which I would encourage you to steal. Those systems ask characters to have three or more goals, at least one of which should be something the character can complete next session and at least one of which should be something the character can't complete without investing multiple sessions worth of effort. It's good guidance for players to be asked to consider the things that matter enough for their characters to invest in, and it's also good guidance for players to be reminded that not every quest is epic. Sometimes, you can't get the ring closer to Mordor so you have to settle for making a new friend.
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So I am a big fan of keeping an open line of communication with my party. I always ask the stars and wishes from the previous game (whether they all reply or not is a different story lol). We are completing a storyline soon and I want to get a gauge of where they are at with their characters but don’t know a lot of questions to ask. The only question I can think of is, “where do you feel your character is going” and “what are your current goals for your character?”
what questions would you ask? I want to use these to add more elements to the game. I am even thinking of having private meetings with each player. Let me know what questions you would ask (or even reword mine). I want to develop a story that doesn’t feel like it just hits my beats and what I think their story beats are but also elements of what they hope to see without just giving them the knowledge that im adding it.
thanks in advance :) and happy gaming!
If you want to ask more specific questions, you could go with something like “Which [previously seeded plot hook, if there have been any] is you character most curious about following up on?” Or “What is your character’s current, short-term greatest fear?” And those could help lead you into the next arc.
You could also ask about inter-party relationships, and straight up ask “what is your relationship/how do you feel about each other party member?” With that information you could play into drama, or know which party member everyone else’s characters would be fine with helping/having a character focused arc about.
If your players gave you backstories before the campaign, ask about which elements from their backstories they’re most curious/worried/excited about (which ties back into the previous two sets of answers).
these weren’t the most hyper-specific questions in the world but I hope they help!
:)
"what do you want for your character out of the next section of the campaign?"
"Do you feel like there is anything from your character's backstory which you think has been missed or were hoping to be built upon more?"
"What are your characters goals over the next few months/years/>timescale of campaign here<?
As you're trying to get the world before them to interest the characters (IE not giving the barbarian a library) just be direct but don't ask for specifics - they shouldn't be saying "I want to find an immovable rod", they should be saything they want more magic items (prompting quests into more magical places), for example.
Ultimately, you know what you want to know, so ask the questions that give you the answers you seek!
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It’s probably worth checking in on style. Do you like the amount of combat, role playing, etc?
And some broad, open ended questions, like what do you think of the campaign so far? What would you like to see change?
A favorite, if you really want to get into it is: What question did I not ask but should have?
Fate has a good mechanic for character goal setting which Chronicles of Darkness has stolen and which I would encourage you to steal. Those systems ask characters to have three or more goals, at least one of which should be something the character can complete next session and at least one of which should be something the character can't complete without investing multiple sessions worth of effort. It's good guidance for players to be asked to consider the things that matter enough for their characters to invest in, and it's also good guidance for players to be reminded that not every quest is epic. Sometimes, you can't get the ring closer to Mordor so you have to settle for making a new friend.