Comments on: Primal/Within Chronicles: Election Day, Part One

By: ChattyDM

ChattyDM — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:01:44 +0000

@Eric: As Yan said, talking about it in advance allows me to share with players the tone and theme of the upcoming adventure. I’ve long abandoned working with a campaign plan based on ‘reveals’ and secrets. While I will throw curveballs during a game session, players start with some basic knowledge of what to expect.

Its a bit invenitable as my players read the blog and at least one follows me on Twitter.

By: Eric Maziade

Eric Maziade — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:06:31 +0000

@Yan You can say that again! We're a same sized group (6 players) and I don't think 2 players are looking for the same thing in the game. Hopefully, this little "preview" will help focus things a bit. Eric Maziades last blog post..The Court of the Final Might

By: Yan

Yan — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:59:58 +0000

It does set the expectation and help with the focus during the game.

We are a fairly large group (6 players) and keeping focus and a decent pace is a not always easy.

By: Eric Maziade

Eric Maziade — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:31:04 +0000

I wonder... how does your "heads up" affect your player's mental preparation for the game? I have an inkling that it helps bunches... I'll try and weave that in concept in my session designs : an elevator speech for the session to help put my player's mindsets and expectations on the "right"* track. * The word right is used loosely and without prior or explicit consent from its legal owners. Parental supervision is advised. Eric Maziades last blog post..Meet Eldak "Grissom" Serpenthelm

By: ChattyDM

ChattyDM — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:56:06 +0000

I’m looking forward to writing it.

Just so you know, I don’t spell out the plot to my players, I give them a heads up like “Hey guys, this week we’ll have elections in the City Within and you’ll be involved, expect lots of intrigue and roleplaying, spiced with combat as usual”

I’ll share your props to Mike.

By: Flying Dutchman

Flying Dutchman — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:53:46 +0000

This sounds like a great set-up, I’m anxious to see how it goes! The gold is a fairly high reward there, that’s a sure motivator, but I think your players are hooked enough even if they were to be rewarded with two buttons and a half-eaten piece of bacon.

By the way, I am curious; don’t you get the feeling that you’re kind of ‘spoiling’ the plot if you discuss it with each other in advance? I never tried it, so I wouldn’t know, but that’s the first think that came to mind. Of course, it all depends on the manner in which you discuss it and what information gets revealed, but still. Sidestepping from that, I let players give suggestions at what they think would be cool, but I leave it in the middle whether or not to act on them; but then again; I like the occasional “my character doesn’t want to do that”, provided it is well-motivated.

And props to Mike for giving love to house Atreides and the Fremen