Scheduling a Session

Version: July 2019

We may tweak and change this over time, if we discover better ways. For now:

• Every Monday (or thereabouts), the DM will send out an email blast with his availability for that week.
• If interested that week, respond with your preferred date(s)/time(s) either privately or publicly in our WhatsApp group.
• If interested next week or some week in the distant future, also make that known!
• Players are 100% encouraged to plan ahead and respond as a crew. E.g. "Me, Taylor and Jill are all good for Friday."
• DM will determine priority of seat slots based on general principles listed below.
• Once a session group is locked, DM will create a separate channel with those people only, where they will discuss where on the map they'd like to explore and all the rest of the IRL coordination.
• The ideal maximum is five players. Six can work in a pinch. Minimum is two. Unlimited spectators.

Slot priority

Eight people want to play this week, but there's only room for five. How to choose?

Fairness Principle 1: early birds get worms

All else equal, people who put their hands up first will get priority. But it shouldn't feel like a race, so I'll look at it in terms of days, not minutes. As in: anyone who responds within 24 hours of the email essentially put their hands up at the same time.

Folks who scheduled more than a week in advance have highest priority, in this case.

Fairness Principle 2: balance

Priority will always go to someone(s) who got bumped from a previous week, if such a person exists. So if you don't make it in on a week you wanted to play because of whatever, we'll keep note of it and you'll have VIP status for a while. Again, within reason—this special status might not be granted if you want to jump in super last minute.

After VIPs are sorted, tiebreaks will go to the person who has waited the longest to play. (Or, if we need to tiebreak between VIPs.)

Inclusivity Principle

Novice or "Every Now and Then" players may be granted priority over weekly veterans, regardless of the ideas above. Accessibility to this wacky pastime is a top concern. Also, story and player diversity is important for West Marches in the long run, so your DM may curate this from time to time.

Positive Environment Principle

If you're a jerk or otherwise toxic on a consistent basis I will have no qualms with booting you out. <3

Priority Nutshell

1. DM override for inclusivity
2. Those who got bumped. Bumps can accumulate
3. Those who scheduled more than a week in advance
4. Those who were prompt with their response in current week
5. Those who've gone longest without playing