Hi, I'm relatively new to DMing and thought of this really crazy, potentially stupid, idea. What if I start out the players at "Level 0" and have them play out their backstories from their perspective? As they are playing their backstories out they can get into character more and actually put emotion behind it. Plus it will allow for myself, or any DM, to get the much needed lore of the world in without worrying about losing your ensemble cast within the first session. (The players of course won't know that. OwO) So what do you guys think of this idea? Should I move forward with this or should I just drop it before I get burned?
If you and your players think it's a good idea, then it's a good idea! Ideally, it is always helpful to have a "Session Zero" in which the characters are made and the DM can introduce their campaign setting to the players. This is usually done as a group, for convenience, and so everyone gets to meet each others characters at that time. But if you're willing to invest a lot more time and effort, you could conduct a separate Session Zero for each player, giving them a chance to really flesh out their character and to see how their backstory may fit into your campaign world.
It's a lot more work, and may be difficult to finnagle, scheduling-wise, especially in these Plague Times. But if you're willing to make the effort and the players are willing to play fully three-dimensional characters, then go for it! Absolutely.
Thank you, Anzio for your answer! When I came up with this concept I had finished watching through the first season of Arcane on Netflix. It really had me think more on the character's backstories a lot more because previously in the games I've played the backstory has largely been glossed over due to it having little to do with the playing of the game which looking back was probably a detriment to our characters. The character's backstory as I have come to see it is basically the foundation of the character which ultimately is the lens through which the character sees the world in which they live.
As far as scheduling, I'm gonna talk with a couple people in my gaming group to see if they would like to co-DM with me as they have more experience running the game. I will say though I won't just do all of their backstory just the bit of the backstory that leads up to them choosing to become an adventurer with some references further into their backstories. For example, if the reason for your character becoming an adventurer is due to a rather brutal invasion by some Orcs coming into your village then, you would start before the invasion to get to know the characters in the village and your place in it where upon the invasion happens wherever you happen to be at the time. The story will largely be linear but, the DM can throw in some surprises and even let the other players play secondary characters for the time being. (the secondary characters can die but, the primary will not during that session.)
When I get enough money, or it gets cheaper, I'm gonna buy TaleSpire to help with worldbuilding and such. (I'll still use this site for inspiration and tips for homebrew content.)
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Hi, I'm relatively new to DMing and thought of this really crazy, potentially stupid, idea. What if I start out the players at "Level 0" and have them play out their backstories from their perspective? As they are playing their backstories out they can get into character more and actually put emotion behind it. Plus it will allow for myself, or any DM, to get the much needed lore of the world in without worrying about losing your ensemble cast within the first session. (The players of course won't know that. OwO) So what do you guys think of this idea? Should I move forward with this or should I just drop it before I get burned?
If you and your players think it's a good idea, then it's a good idea! Ideally, it is always helpful to have a "Session Zero" in which the characters are made and the DM can introduce their campaign setting to the players. This is usually done as a group, for convenience, and so everyone gets to meet each others characters at that time. But if you're willing to invest a lot more time and effort, you could conduct a separate Session Zero for each player, giving them a chance to really flesh out their character and to see how their backstory may fit into your campaign world.
It's a lot more work, and may be difficult to finnagle, scheduling-wise, especially in these Plague Times. But if you're willing to make the effort and the players are willing to play fully three-dimensional characters, then go for it! Absolutely.
Anzio Faro. Protector Aasimar light cleric. Lvl 18.
Viktor Gavriil. White dragonborn grave cleric. Lvl 20.
Ikram Sahir ibn-Malik al-Sayyid Ra'ad. Brass dragonborn draconic sorcerer Lvl 9. Fire elemental devil.
Wrangler of cats.
Thank you, Anzio for your answer! When I came up with this concept I had finished watching through the first season of Arcane on Netflix. It really had me think more on the character's backstories a lot more because previously in the games I've played the backstory has largely been glossed over due to it having little to do with the playing of the game which looking back was probably a detriment to our characters. The character's backstory as I have come to see it is basically the foundation of the character which ultimately is the lens through which the character sees the world in which they live.
As far as scheduling, I'm gonna talk with a couple people in my gaming group to see if they would like to co-DM with me as they have more experience running the game. I will say though I won't just do all of their backstory just the bit of the backstory that leads up to them choosing to become an adventurer with some references further into their backstories. For example, if the reason for your character becoming an adventurer is due to a rather brutal invasion by some Orcs coming into your village then, you would start before the invasion to get to know the characters in the village and your place in it where upon the invasion happens wherever you happen to be at the time. The story will largely be linear but, the DM can throw in some surprises and even let the other players play secondary characters for the time being. (the secondary characters can die but, the primary will not during that session.)
When I get enough money, or it gets cheaper, I'm gonna buy TaleSpire to help with worldbuilding and such. (I'll still use this site for inspiration and tips for homebrew content.)