Session Zero

Hi all - posting stuff here ahead of Session Zero so you can read and think ahead a bit, especially about the sort of character you'd like to create.

General Stuff:

Quick Agenda:

• World Overview and any questions - check in that everyone is happy to play in this particular sandbox.
• Gamestyle:
• Sandboxy - the map is open, so you can go anywhere and do anything, including places above your pay grade. NPCs might try and warn you away, but they won’t necessarily stop you. If you pay attention to plot hooks etc, you shouldn’t be led to them, so be wary of going rogue. Also, just because you see something bad happening, doesn’t mean that common sense shouldn’t apply.
• Similarly, you can go full murder-hobo, but there will be in-world consequences

• Homebrew, wacky decisions and rules lawyering.
• Some ideas to address issues in previous games like items costing way more than the amount of gold adventurers are actually earning and entire sessions being spent as shopping episodes.
• If you have any pet peeves, please bring to discuss and we'll see what can be done to keep things moving in session.
• Roleplay is welcome, but don't feel pressure to put on voices and whatnot if it isn't your thing.
• Metagaming - some is completely fine in game...but let's try and limit it in combat where possible so a 30 second combat doesn't take weeks to resolve. Similarly, if the party is standing around arguing with each other while trying to sneakily infiltrate a castle, it might affect the chances of going undetected.
• Some optional rules for consideration if people are up for it: Ancestral Weapons and Lingering (not permanent) injuries.
• Anything that we might want to limit or keep off the table (body horror, spiders, excessive bad language etc.)
• Scheduling etc. - also what to bring to sessions, how long will they be, snacks etc.

Characters:

• 2024 ruleset - stuff from 5e is open as it’s hypothetically backwards compatible, but some builds might be tweaked a bit so the progression is even across the board. Where there is a 2014 and 2024 version of something, 2024 takes precedence (if it's been removed from a character class, generally assume it's off the table, while spells are likely in)
• If you want to keep it simple, stick with things from the 2024 PHB
• Starting at Level 2
• Character background stories
• Please think about this and provide anything you think relevant (or even irrelevant), all player backstories are potential delicious plot hooks for DMs, but also help you to put yourself in the characters skin as you know more about them.
• Any background is game, provided that it hasn't turned you into a broody lone-wolf type in the present. Unfortunately, it's just a constant battle for them to not abandon the party to pursue their own goals and for the others to not want to kick them out in-game.
• What if my character is no fun to actually play?
• We can always tweak them, or kill them off and replace them with something else if you aren't having fun, so don't worry about creating the 'perfect' PC. If it's fun for you, then it's perfect enough.

Some questions to help think about when imagining your character (all of these are optional and to help if you get stuck):

• What does your character look like?
• Where are you from? Geographically? Culturally?
• If you could describe them in three words, what would they be?
• What is your greatest fear, and how does it influence their decisions or behaviour?
• What is your most cherished childhood memory?
• What motivates you to adventure - wealth, glory, vengeance or something else?
• Who or what do you care about most in this world?
• Do you have any secrets that nobody knows? What are they?
• How do you feel about authority figures like kings or city guards?
• Do you have a moral code? Are there any lines you won't cross?
• What flaws might you have?
• What is your relationship with your family like?
• Do you carry any sentimental items? What are they?
• What is a goal you're hoping to achieve in the near future?
• How do you handle trust? Do you give it easily or must it be earned?
• Do you have any strange quirks or habits that others might notice?
• How might you react to betrayal or disloyalty?
• Do you have any present or past connections to any factions, guilds or other organizations?
• How do you feel about wealth and material possessions?
• What is a past mistake you've made that you fear might catch up with you?
• What is a skill or ability you wish you had but lack?
• Does your character believe in any legends, prophecies or conspiracy theories?