I'm currently super behind on preparing stuff for my main campaign, so of course I was asked to DM for my family over Christmas as my Christmas present to everyone. It's in general a good idea (and definitely cheaper), but that means figuring out a bunch of stuff that I'm not good at figuring out.
First, the players: Sister-in-law: The instigator of this mad venture. I don't think she ever played any kind of game, but is likely excited about the storytelling potential? I didn't really get much out of her about what she's imagining, but we might maybe go for a pirate adventure on an island seeking treasure? Brother: Has been playing Magic TCG since he was little. Takes forever on his turn to figure out what to do. Always wins exactly because he uses that time to think through every single possible variable. Dad: Might need constant surprises? Watching tv and movies (if he can) he just fast forwards super often (saying: "eh, it's obvious where this is going."). I played Lost Mines of Phandelver once with my parents and during the second battle he forced us to skip it "because we already understand how it works". Mom: During that Lost Mines session, she kept suggesting she'd stay behind, even pushing an NPC (who was trying to push them towards the right direction, because they ignored stuff, like the remains of the ambush in the very beginning) into going with my dad's character to take care of the stuff they were talking about.
Oh also I'm assuming they won't want to look at rules beforehand. They'll want to just jump in and play.
So, what I take from this is, we want some NPCs (some crew? Rival pirates?), really hard puzzles (but super simple at the same time?), and constant surprises??? Maybe I tell them that they're in a race against other pirates (which they occasionally meet some of??) to find a treasure, crew lands on island, fight some animals, follow a map and solve a riddle to find a secret dungeon, dungeon has a series of puzzles maybe with alternate paths. They confront rival captain at the end, get the treasure, maybe it's a magic lamp and each of them gets to wish for something.
I guess I should pre-prepare character sheets with specific spells and actions listed (do this if hurt. This is the main "hurt things" spell. etc.). Maybe, dunno, level 5, but with most features removed with just the essentials?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I have no idea. This kinda came out of nowhere. This could be a single night, could be several times across the holidays, could be next Christmas they go "CONTINUE!" (but at that point I'd have had a year to prepare, I assume :P)
I'm currently super behind on preparing stuff for my main campaign, so of course I was asked to DM for my family over Christmas as my Christmas present to everyone. It's in general a good idea (and definitely cheaper), but that means figuring out a bunch of stuff that I'm not good at figuring out.
First, the players:
Sister-in-law: The instigator of this mad venture. I don't think she ever played any kind of game, but is likely excited about the storytelling potential? I didn't really get much out of her about what she's imagining, but we might maybe go for a pirate adventure on an island seeking treasure?
Brother: Has been playing Magic TCG since he was little. Takes forever on his turn to figure out what to do. Always wins exactly because he uses that time to think through every single possible variable.
Dad: Might need constant surprises? Watching tv and movies (if he can) he just fast forwards super often (saying: "eh, it's obvious where this is going."). I played Lost Mines of Phandelver once with my parents and during the second battle he forced us to skip it "because we already understand how it works".
Mom: During that Lost Mines session, she kept suggesting she'd stay behind, even pushing an NPC (who was trying to push them towards the right direction, because they ignored stuff, like the remains of the ambush in the very beginning) into going with my dad's character to take care of the stuff they were talking about.
Oh also I'm assuming they won't want to look at rules beforehand. They'll want to just jump in and play.
So, what I take from this is, we want some NPCs (some crew? Rival pirates?), really hard puzzles (but super simple at the same time?), and constant surprises??? Maybe I tell them that they're in a race against other pirates (which they occasionally meet some of??) to find a treasure, crew lands on island, fight some animals, follow a map and solve a riddle to find a secret dungeon, dungeon has a series of puzzles maybe with alternate paths. They confront rival captain at the end, get the treasure, maybe it's a magic lamp and each of them gets to wish for something.
I guess I should pre-prepare character sheets with specific spells and actions listed (do this if hurt. This is the main "hurt things" spell. etc.). Maybe, dunno, level 5, but with most features removed with just the essentials?
What are your suggestions?
This sounds like a one-time thing correct or will it be ongoing?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I have no idea. This kinda came out of nowhere. This could be a single night, could be several times across the holidays, could be next Christmas they go "CONTINUE!" (but at that point I'd have had a year to prepare, I assume :P)