#session zero

[fouroddapples]

No one does their homework like noshir holy shit??? dude did not just write his entire backstory before session zero, he also prepared it as a whole first-person account, gut wrenching pauses and everything??? WILD.

[staysaneathome]

Watched Hank Green’s video about filming with the D20 crew and the one thing I have not stopped thinking about is the unfilmed Episode Zero, designed to ensure that when Episode One aired, every player character in Mentopolis knows at least one other player character.

Who does The Fix know?

Not Conrad, because though he’s seen him around he has no recognition of the kid in the file beyond, “this is a child”. Not Hunch, who calls him out when he’s looming in the doorway of Sugah’s as the “Strange Muscled Man”. Not Imelda, who he could conceivably know from foiling some of her more reckless behavior but acts as confused as Hunch is. Not even Anastasia, as the two treat each other with the same level of unfamiliarity that he extends to the previous three.

There is only one person the Fix actually knows prior to the start of this adventure.

And that’s Dan Fucks.

And this fact is driving me insane.

So much about The Fix’s characterization so far is that he’s a man on a mission. Sure he always spares some time for the kids, but his own living quarters have been described as him going into a closet and hanging off a bar for twelve hours, surrounded by white noise. He has a great deal of facts and affection for all of Elias’ childhood interests, but seemingly nothing for himself.

So the fact that the only person he willingly associated with before this, even as just a patron of Sugah’s, was the character that heads up pleasure and feeling good in Elias’ brain?

Maybe Fix isn’t so different from all those mechanical and synaptic workers sipping their tiny cups of oxytocin to get by at the end of the day.

[sagesariadnd]

PSA, because I got into a mild argument about this: ALWAYS TELL YOUR PLAYERS WHAT CONTENT IS IN YOUR GAME.

*ALWAYS.* If you're gonna have content in your world that might make someone else uncomfortable, or if you're going to use a mechanic that might upset someone who's blindsided by it, *BE 👏UP 👏FRONT 👏ABOUT 👏IT.👏*

"Well they should tell you in session zero what their triggers are." Yes, that is ALSO an important step. But it is NOT a perfect system!

First of all, some people may not know what to put as their triggers. Some people can barely tell anyone three things about themselves already, and now you're asking them to comb through their memory for anything that might possibly upset them. They're GONNA blank on things. Yes, there are sheets you can fill out to help fill in some of those blanks, but even that isn't perfect. I only thought of telling my DM not to include any allegories to radiation poisoning last month because there was a theme of them on My Players Said What?, and we've been playing for five years. They also can't possibly know what things to say they're not okay with that aren't the obvious ones. You might have a land mine in your premise and nobody can know whether or not they're okay with it if they don't know it's coming.

Second, the mindset that ONLY a trigger list is necessary for the game goes with the idea that you can mold the game to your players. Which is often how it's played, it's true. But sometimes you have a game where it is necessary to the premise to have specific themes or mechanics in it. If you're playing Curse of Strahd, there's gonna be horror and undead. If you're playing a game inspired by Game of Thrones, there's probably gonna be a lot of sex. If you're playing Call of Cthuhlu, you're gonna take points of madness!!! If someone who is terrified of zombies gets invited to a game ABOUT the zombie apocalypse, they're not going to be happy if you don't TELL them it's about the zombie apocalypse! You NEED to give players the chance to say "oh, this doesn't sound like the game for me." Plus, if you're advertising the game on an LFG board, if you're specific about what's in it, you're more likely to find people who ARE interested!

One of my campaign/mini campaign ideas I've had in my back pocket someday is an apocalyptic premise where magic is screwy and there are a lot of effects from the apocalyptic event that make it typically not work. I would love people to build spellcasting characters for the purposes of roleplaying what it's like to lose your powers, and to have someone who CAN cast magic to help test/figure out when and how to make it work. If I said nothing about that element of the game as people threw together their favorite wizard or sorcerer and watched them get so excited about playing them, only to then drop the bomb that their magic doesn't work? They'd be pissed! I'd probably lose those characters, if not their players entirely! When surprising your players, you have to consider whether that surprise would be appreciated.

Just. Just be up front with your players. Please.

[dailyadventureprompts]

hi! I'm starting a new campaign with 3 people I've played with a LOT and one person I've played with twice a long time ago. I've never been a part of or run a session zero before and to my knowledge neither has anyone else in this group, but I really want to do so now. my problem is I'm struggling to come up with a justification other than "the upfront investment will be worth it trust me" that shows I respect my player's time AND their desire to roll dice and play the game.

can I combine the session zero work AND the first leg of the first adventure on one afternoon/evening? should I just call it a getting to know each other / session zero dinner party and bust out good wine and a 5 course meal? do I run the s0 as an online only thing? do I have individual meetings with the players to flesh out the setting and their characters, and then do interparty relationships and bonds, plus table rules and safeties at the table for session 1?

(sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm screaming internally lol. I've only ever done single adventures and one shots so this is uuuh scary)

So, running a session zero isn't that hard, I've already done a writeup on how to, but if you're asking for reasons why, I've got quite a few opinions on that matter:

D&D is a collaberative storytelling game, and session zero is a vitally important chance to talk to your players as a fellow creative rather than in your slightly distant role as a dm. Perhaps even more importantly, session zero is all about sharing some vitally important information:

Who the fuck are these people: An underappreciated part of a game where you spend most of your time pretending to be someone else is having atleast a base understanding of who's around the table with you. Campaigns are often made up of friends of friends and you need to cement those initial social bonds before you start putting on the funny accents and asking them to wade into battle with you.

What the fuck are we doing: Talking to your party about what type of campaign they'd like to play / your story ideas is how you plant the initial seed of player investment. Because they got to have a hand in shaping how the campaign started they're likely to be more excited about seeing those initial beats play out, which gives you time to ready your plothooks and get them on ramped to your overarching campaign plot.

When the fuck are we playing: One of the most important things is getting everyone together to talk about their availability, you as the dm can organize this, but it's way easier to have everyone in the same room.

Who the fuck am I: After your party have heard the camping pitch, they can get to talking about what they want to play: archetypes, classes, all that jazz. Treat the session zero as a sort of writers room for the serialized adventure you're about to go on, do we have any strong personalities we need to build around? Do we want to set up any dynamics?

Hope that helps friend, also be sure to check out the other posts in my DM starterpack tag

[canvaswolfdoll]

reminder:

in west side story, before they met to have a fight

the sharks and the jets had a session zero to determine limits, set expectations, and schedule

if broadway dance fight gangs can do it, so can you!

[geekordgm]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, I'm so excited

So, I'm GMing a game of Avatar Legends, and yesterday we had our session zero, and it went so well. So, we are going to have a campaign paralel to the events of ATLA, because my players are going to play as a group of """mercenaries""" hired by Zuko to capture the Avatar in Omashu. And we have, a prodigy noble firebender who was acquaintance with Azula, a firebender soldier assigned to this noble, a southern water tribe girl who for some reason saw the raids to her home and decided that the water tribe were cowards, and an ex Dai Li agent, member of the white lotus, allied with Iroh, and sandwich lover.

And I love it so much, and have so many ideas!

[nobody7102]

Mutuals who play DnD and DM, message me with how you like to do your session 0’s (if you do Seasion 0’s)

[educationaldm]

Lucas Maxwell lays down how to run a Session Zero for kids and teens, especially in a school setting.

[worldsokayestmagicalgirl]

It’s been like 9 million years but I finally finished this piece from our session zero like…half a year ago.

Anyways. Them 💕 I’m obsessed

[craigofinspiration]

Session Zero is the perfect time to talk about this.

How much roleplay and how much crunch is right for your group. Ask them and talk about it. Recognize that it will change over time, and from session to session.

With some experience, you will be able to notice when it's time for roleplay or when it's time for crunch.

What do you think?

slyflourish.com

pointsofinspiration.com

[automaticchaosmilkshake]

I was kind of laughing at myself for getting so excited about Worlds Beyond Number and now it’s not even funny how much I choked up reading today’s tease about the first campaign.

[the-one-real-katyees]

Selection Level 20 Black Mythalar

I noticed that I prepared myself and demanded from my players as if we would run a camapign - make backstories, hand selected people to join, etc.

On books: I allowed the DMG, Player's handbook and Tasha's and opened to multiclassing. The one shot run by A (level 20 one shot person) only allowed the bare minimum (player's ahndbook) and no multiclasses. Only one or two magic items (which I had to bargain for later - during the game it didn't feel like we were level 20, more like level 15 with few options to barely scrape by)

(note for me: condensed post about the ishk-one shot is necessary)

Backstory: Last session, I thought they PCs lacked in backstory. I asked myself what could help to further manifest their characters into a world. Magic items. So I requested that they think at least about a few sentences where their character got that +3 longsword. Some thought in depth, others didn't, but it will suffice. I think they are invested not to die.

The goal for all my participants was to built a level 20 character in a month with three magic items in their posession and some lines of backstory- which is a serious task! I hope they had all the support on my side and are pleased with the results.

Location and time: 4 hrs, local convention. I did a quick room-move, cause the group next to us was a 6 person party and the air quality will degrade faster.

I was sure that 4 hours wouldn't be enough, I even didn't hit my mark to have the first combat-encounter finished with the 4 hours. But I did bring the monster to them!

Content warnings: Nothing too serious, there will maybe be spiders, some wizardry torture and madness. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell them, I will apologize this next session. I didn't plan everything out, like in detail how things came to be. Which is dangerous if handled incorrectly.

I did mention that the big themes will be fate and world-ending. Even possible failure (but they seem hopeful that they could save the day!)

Power-Level: Which positions me very very opposing against my fellow players. There is much much power in my hands to allow actions to affect the enfolding narrative. I could simply dismiss any idea they bring to the table. I already did in play. on one hand I don't want to discourage them to take necessary actions, on the other hand, we know that this scenario is a rail-road.

As long as we are all aware of that and no one becomes sour about this, I think we'll be fine.

Player Expectation-Tool: I did find some helpful tool in the "The Gauntlet" community toolbox. I printed the Tenor and Tone table out and set some dice on the numbers I felt fitting. The players mimicked and told me their thoughts on and why they think it differentiated from mine. The result was thatthe numbers were quite similar - which I attribute to the fact that I brought it to public. In my announcement I told them that I would be using a new tool, they had no objections to that. Transparency is key.

Of course this would lead that I pretty much destroyed individual concerns and expression, but I wanted to streamline my players thinking the same about this session asap. Next time I will be sending the table before the start, just to see what they'll really expect.

Preparations complete. On my side this is more than I normally do. For the Vaesen campaign I printed characters sheets and built them for my players, prepped the first adventure and had to learn the rules while playing. I didn't want to burden myself with those high level adventurers and then do a bad job and everyone would be unhappy about it. Any notes?

[dnd4adults]

Tales from the Great Library

Session Zero: Quid fit in balneis...

Beyond the Great Library's public gate lies the wide-open Court of Air, with the nearest structure being one of the oldest in the city. Practical as everything else here, it's simply known as the Bath & Steam House, and those who enter are greeted by the nymph-like form of Lavis.

The Androsian Empire recognized her as goddess of hygiene, who bestows the blessings of health and long life -- so, the logical mistress-protector of baths both public and private. The wisdom of that imperial practice, at least, is well-maintained in the Great Library, where Lavis' ancient image oversees the baths, and is usually mistaken for an aspect of Lady Lore. She, too, encourages regular hygiene as a matter of reason, not ritualized worship.

It is difficult indeed, maintaining the practice without its tradition, so the Bath & Steam House serves today as a place for social gathering, just as it did under empire. Everyone associated with the Great Library, from wisest masters to humblest penitents, are rendered equals here, when they're naked before the goddess. By day there's an herbalist or two on-hand, providing curatives, salves, and remedies, barbers to aid with grooming and minor surgery, a musician plucking a lyre, and those skilled in massage to ease hunched shoulders and bowed necks.

A large, communal sink occupies the back of the house with a pedestal holding the statue of Lavis in its middle. Six smaller sinks lie in orderly columns before this wide pool. The three on the right are steaming hot sinks, with changing rooms filling the wall beyond. The three to left are cold sinks. Arched doorways to the steam rooms are also left, beyond the cold sinks. Heavy canvass "doors" cover these openings, containing heat and vapor.

Night of the Vernal Equinox (Day 1):

Following a sound drubbing in combat practice that early afternoon, Sir Andros made the mistake of riding out, as well, down to the harbor whilst the very man who laid him low sought a captain sailing east. Returning late to lodging, the pair proceeded to dine together then on to the baths, washing away the dust and stench of Alkehandir, and to sooth sore-battered muscles. Andros skipped the bracing plunge into a cold sink, however, opting rather for a cushioned table and oiled rub-down-with-happy-ending from Squire Dorrik.

The fellow who delivered his earlier drubbing, Khazpar Batal, feels badly about Andros' bruised flesh and pride, yet the man was overly persistent, even in practice. He proved good as his word, even so, accompanying Khazpar to the harbor afterward, delaying the evening meal and rest, while searching for a captain willing to carry Khazpar's letters homeward. The baths are not unlike those he knew in his homeland, in fact, so Khazpar still "reclines" in a hot sink, turbaned head braced on the rim, contemplating the statue of Lavis – and the naked ogre directly beneath it.

Preceding both men (and squire) in the baths tonight, the ogre wears a large pair of spectacles pinching his bulbous nose, a shining band of gold upon his head, and holds a book seeming tiny in enormous  hands. A celebrity within the Great Library’s community -- Hyram Hoole gave him the nickname "Little One" -- the ogre soaks in the communal sink, reading whilst leaning against Lavis' pedestal.

The place is quiet at this time of night, the only sounds the steady trickle of water flowing into and out of the sinks, Sir Andros’ grunts of distress and relief, and the turning of regular pages in Little One's book . . .

. . . all broken to smithereens when Hyram Hoole and Brother Teddy cast the house door wide and stagger in, rip-roarin’ drunk!

In fact, Teddy received his formal ordination that afternoon -- new-made Brother of Lady Lore, at least, so Hyram insisted they spend the evening celebrating. Between the two of them they've consumed the entire bottle of eastern wine Khazpar offered Teddy in congratulations for his achievement. The half-elf and halfling have already been tossed out of the House of Rest, for raising commotion, and while they proved popular, indeed, singing bawdy halfling songs at The Hearth, the tavern was so roasting hot so the fully loaded pair decided a bath would help cool them down.

They aren't simply drunk, however, but sweating profusely. Already half-undressed as they burst in, Hyrams already down to his trousers while Teddy's peeling off his robe, for that was not mere wine Khazpar offered but anabith anaru, which in the Common Tongue is rendered "firewine." Made from the fruit of a desert plant and infused with dragon's blood, despite the name firewine is intended to be consumed sparingly; sipped by the dram, not tossed down in greedy mouthfuls. So, the half-elf and halfling are dripping from to an accidental overdose of dragon blood. If the toxin isn't purged quickly they'll burn to death from the inside out!

Fortunately, both Khazpar and Little One are well aware of firewine's danger, and the swiftest means of averting it: Complete submersion in cold water. The fiery effect of metabolizing dragon blood is diffused completely in cold water, ironically saving victims from immolation through near-drowning. Those suffering overdose exhibit an instinctive and violent fear of all things damp and cold, however, refusing to touch let alone submerge themselves in water that isn't steaming. Doing that only accelerates their agonizing end, however, leading to explosive combustion in 2d4 rounds!

Resolution

With the revelation that Hyram and Teddy drained an entire bottle of firewine, roll Initiative for all PCs and two NPCs

Dorrik will secures the house door and guard it.

Little One will calls advice, only resolving danger if PCs fail.

Khazpar cannot act on his knowledge of firewine’s effects until his turn in the Initiative order.

Andros, prone on a massage couch, must spend half his movement getting to his feet before acting. He is also well-oiled, so effectively covered by grease.

Teddy and Hyran are Heavily Intoxicated -- +5 on Cha checks but Disadvantage on Int and Wis checks, plus a -3 penalty on attacks and saving throws.

All PCs and NPCs are effectively naked and weaponless, so base AC and Unarmed Strikes, only.

Initiative — Teddy | Little One | Dorrik | Hyram | Andros | Khazpar

ROUND 01 Teddy: Stumbles to the nearest hot sink, still undressing (Dex 17) and does so without falling in; stands naked on the brink, ready to drop in. Little One: Annoyed by the ruckus, but keeps reading. Dorrik: Hurries to and closes the house door, shutting out a draft. Hyram: Finally naked aside from the wine bottle, tries to push Teddy in (Hit 16 succeeds; Strength -2 v Teddy 2 fails) but his hands slip off Teddy's sweaty butt cheek. (Dex 16) Hyram manages to keep his feet under him, but still staggers aside under his own momentum, to the edge of a cold sink. Andros: Watches the pair making fools of themselves. Khazpar: "Anabith anaru? Not the entire bottle!" Pushes up and out of the hot sink (Athletics 9) but slips getting traction, costing all movement getting out. "Quickly, Sir Andros! Subdue them!" ROUND 02 Teddy: (Perception 6) takes no notice of the shouting and plunges in -- 5 rounds to immolation! Little One: "You better get him outta there! He'll immolate if you don't!" Hyram: (Perception 3) steps back from the brink to look about. "Oh! Hullo there, Little One! Didn’t see you, at first. What're you readin' t'night?" Andros: Half-movement, rising from couch, then 15' toward Hyram. "You there! Cease this knavery!" Khazpar: Jumps back into hot sink, grappling Teddy to haul him out. (Attack 7 misses.) "It is made with dragons blood! They have overdosed!" Round 03 Teddy: Decides he dropped in the wrong sink and pushes up, directly into Khazpar's arms. "Well, hello. Is it lesson time again, I hope?"" Little One: "Cold sink! You gotta douse them in a cold sink!" Hyram: (Perception 5) "That’s what I’m doin’! This is a cold sink!" Andros: Runs up to grapple Hyram and (Attack 12) misses. Khazpar: Grapples (Advantage, willing target) and hoists Teddy (Attack 18, Str 14 no resistance) using all movement to carry him out of the hot sink. Teddy Reaction: Kisses Khazpar! ROUND 04 Teddy: Still kissing, not gonna stop. Little One: "Oh, you'll never catch Hyram like that!" Hyram: Darts between Andros’ legs and slaps him on the ass (Attack 17) leaving a small red handprint. Andros: Spins about to tackle Hyram bodily (Attack 20 Natural) directly into the cold sink! Khazpar: Kisses back while crossing to and dropping into the same cold sink. ROUND 05 Teddy: Struggles (Str 10) but can't resist Khazpar's hold (Str 13). Little One: "Hold tight, fellas! They're gonna fight!" Hyram: (Dex 22) wriggles free of Andy's hold (Str 12) and pops up, sputtering. Little One Reaction: "See?" Andros: Grabs Hyram's ankle (Attack 17) and hauls him back down. Khazpar: Holds Teddy down as the cold sink grows suddenly hot.

ROUND 06 WHOOSH! Metabolizing dragons blood is successfully neutralized, but a steam mephit manifests over the now-hot cold sink. It flies off at once, attacking the biggest threat around: Little One! Teddy: (Str 14) breaks free of Khazpar (Str 13) and pushes up, sputtering. Dorrik: Gapes and points at the mephit. Little One: Ray of frost hits the mephit. Hyram: Knees Andros in the crotch (Attack 19) and claws up, choking and thrashing. Andros: Holds himself and groans underwater. Khazpar: Grabs Andros (not resisting) and hauls him up, for air. ROUND 07 Steam Mephit: Attacks Little One again, missing. Teddy: Casts shield of faith, protecting Little One. Dorrik: Takes two steps, points and gapes again. Little One: Casts ray of frost and hits again. Hyram: "Burnt dumplings! Why’s it foggy in here?” Andros: (Con 13) casts magic missile but the mephit remains! Khazpar: Shouts to Dorrik, "Open! Let heat out!" ROUND 08 Steam Mephit: Turns from the frost-flinging ogre, for the miss-casting wizard! Teddy: Invokes word of radiance but the mephit is untouched. Dorrik: Opens the house door and begins "fanning" with it. Little One: Cast a final ray of frost, dissipating the mephit. As it dissipates, four men are doused with hot rain, taking 1 hp damage, each. Hyram: Yelps, panics, and nearly dives headlong into a hot cold sink (Dex 18) but realizes at the last instant and holds, on toes. Andros: Continues groaning and holding the family jewels. Khazpar: Lay on hands all around (Teddy returns a healing word.)

Fortunately, none of this commotion raised attention from the Court of Air, so the incident passes unnoticed -- with the exception of Little One. Hyram and Teddy are now dehydrated but fully sober, and otherwise none the worse for wear. Little One, however, is very cross with these antics, stomping naked to the door and muttering:

"Quod fit in domo balneum ad domum balneum!"

After he makes his way out, Teddy translates for the others' benefit:

“What happens at the bath house stays at the bath house.”

[the-faramir]

Extinction Curse Session 0

2022/10/26

The Characters:

Augustus Florian: Human/half-elf Distant Grasp psychic. Musical prodigy. Follower of Desna. Job: fortuneteller.

Dagmar Bloodbeard: Dwarf warpriest. Follower of Calistria. Job: security.

Fizzarolli: Toy poppet inventor. He has a living doll construct companion named Nefarsia. Job: mechanic and pyrotechnicist.

Galon: Human duskwalker monk. Job: rigger.

Kobrak: Deep fetchling ranger. Follower of Norgorber. Job: sideshow comedian.

Niji-iro Midori: Empty Sky kitsune Eldritch Rogue with bard dedication. Follower of Cayden Cailean. She has a kitsune star orb companion. Job: carnival barker.

Everybody starts at level 1.

[that-one-tired-tiefling]

I had an amazing idea for a campaign for my new players. It was supposed to be all around devils and demons, the war, and other fun stuff like that.

To prepare myself better, I gave them a checklist so they could mark all things they are not ok with and don't want it to be a part of a campaign. You know, anything sex-related, animal cruelty and other triggering topics.

And take a wild fucking guess what is triggering for one of the players.

I have to come up with a new campaign now. But that is percisely why you talk to your players before the campaign even starts, to avoid situations like this one. It would be hell (pun partially intended) for everyone present if I didn't ask that question.

[shrapnelstars]

It only took over 10 actual years, but I finally found another D&D group that I love listening to.

I tried out Session Zero by listening to them in the background while I finished 100%ing Vampire Survivors. I already liked 2 of the members from their other youtube channels (Josh and Callum), but that whole party is extremely lovable, and Josh is a very sweet and merciful DM. His NPC's regularly had me crying rivers, too. I will destroy this whole planet to protect Timothy, especially.

I will also nuke this world to protect Rage, as well, though she would probably end up doing that first.

The group only does improv stage shows at cons now, but goddammit, I gotta have hopium that recorded sessions will come back at some point.

Also, Josh DMing on stage is straight up Funtime Foxy. The voice, the cadence, the flourish, the mic quality, everything. He IS Funtime Foxy, full stop.