Starters
I’m a big fan of Marshall Miller’s Dungeon World dungeon starters. The mix of questions, impressions, custom moves, and so forth give you a foundation for a great first session, in addition to providing usable elements for the sessions to come.
I’m wondering if you could expand the starter concept to other PbtA games? I don’t think it makes much sense in the context of something like Monster of the Week, which has a very specific session to session structure, including the first session, but I wonder if you could do it for something like, say, Monsterhearts. Imagine a MH starter called “Catholic High School: 1985.” You would have some pre-made questions for your seating chart, impressions that give you the flavor of the setting, and some custom moves that handle circumstances specific to the setting.
Thoughts?
Oh, absolutely. Catholic High School: 1985? I’m in.
I mean, in SCUP one thing we have is a mythology/world creation exercise at the beginning and we’ve toyed around with the idea of creating a few set-ups where it’s like “Here’s your mythology, here’s a few starter ideas that emerge from that, here’s how you could hook each splat into this scenario, go.” I think stuff like this is especially good for new players or con play.
Oh, absolutely. Catholic High School: 1985? I’m in.
I mean, in SCUP one thing we have is a mythology/world creation exercise at the beginning and we’ve toyed around with the idea of creating a few set-ups where it’s like “Here’s your mythology, here’s a few starter ideas that emerge from that, here’s how you could hook each splat into this scenario, go.” I think stuff like this is especially good for new players or con play.
Out of this World pretty much demands starting scenarios. There’s world building for each character, but it makes them disparate because they are probably all from different sources. I’m writing Initiations which 2 or more Outsiders can opt into to start from the same source and have a bit of a situation to deal with.
Out of this World pretty much demands starting scenarios. There’s world building for each character, but it makes them disparate because they are probably all from different sources. I’m writing Initiations which 2 or more Outsiders can opt into to start from the same source and have a bit of a situation to deal with.
Todd Nicholas Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I think that’s what I have in mind. We’re doing this zine project, and I’ve been toying with the idea of each issue having a set of Fronts or a scenario for a PbtA game, but I’m increasingly not in love with the idea of front-loading the story so heavily. I prefer a collection of usable elements players can use to get their own story going quickly. An adaptation of Marshall’s starter concept is starting to seem really attractive. I think there is a way you could create them that wouldn’t interfere with a game’s normal first session process, but would rather enhance or quicken it (a lot like what you’re saying with SCUP).
Todd Nicholas Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I think that’s what I have in mind. We’re doing this zine project, and I’ve been toying with the idea of each issue having a set of Fronts or a scenario for a PbtA game, but I’m increasingly not in love with the idea of front-loading the story so heavily. I prefer a collection of usable elements players can use to get their own story going quickly. An adaptation of Marshall’s starter concept is starting to seem really attractive. I think there is a way you could create them that wouldn’t interfere with a game’s normal first session process, but would rather enhance or quicken it (a lot like what you’re saying with SCUP).
That’s exactly what I would say, Jason Cordova. Like, questions and hooks and starters more than “use this stuff.”
That’s exactly what I would say, Jason Cordova. Like, questions and hooks and starters more than “use this stuff.”
I made use of the Starter framework in prepping for my Star Wars World oneshot (I should really write that up and put it somewhere), so I think it’s definitely viable for other PbtA games.
I made use of the Starter framework in prepping for my Star Wars World oneshot (I should really write that up and put it somewhere), so I think it’s definitely viable for other PbtA games.
I created a starter with my MH K-Mart 1992 setting
I created a starter with my MH K-Mart 1992 setting
Robert Ruthven Richard Rogers I’d love to see those. Private share on Slack is fine.
Robert Ruthven Richard Rogers I’d love to see those. Private share on Slack is fine.
Oh, there’s a starter in the Indie+ Anthology up on Drive Thru. It was from my Junk World game of AW
Oh, there’s a starter in the Indie+ Anthology up on Drive Thru. It was from my Junk World game of AW
Indie+ 2014 Anthology (free download):
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/152752/2014-Anthology
Indie+ 2014 Anthology (free download):
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/152752/2014-Anthology
Richard Rogers Ok, cool, I actually think I have that.
Richard Rogers Ok, cool, I actually think I have that.
Adventures on Dungeon planet is basically just a re-skin of Dungeon world but I could see “planet starters” like carcosa or ring-world or Planet X
Adventures on Dungeon planet is basically just a re-skin of Dungeon world but I could see “planet starters” like carcosa or ring-world or Planet X
The best approach to this that I’ve seen, unsurprisingly, is in The Warren. Marshall gives us examples of Warren Worlds, and a good set of Warren questions for the GM to ask.
The best approach to this that I’ve seen, unsurprisingly, is in The Warren. Marshall gives us examples of Warren Worlds, and a good set of Warren questions for the GM to ask.
I also realy love the starting setup for In a Wicked Age, I could see using that to start an otherwise improved game
I also realy love the starting setup for In a Wicked Age, I could see using that to start an otherwise improved game
Daniel Fowler Did you mean ‘improvised?’
Daniel Fowler Did you mean ‘improvised?’
I think a filled mystery sheet from MotW would work well. The times I’ve run using a mystery sheet, there’s been a pretty big gap between the prep and session.
I think a filled mystery sheet from MotW would work well. The times I’ve run using a mystery sheet, there’s been a pretty big gap between the prep and session.
I’d say it’s easier to say what the dungeon starters format WOULDN’T work on.
I can’t think of anything off the to of my head, maybe Night Witches but even then I think it still works
I’d say it’s easier to say what the dungeon starters format WOULDN’T work on.
I can’t think of anything off the to of my head, maybe Night Witches but even then I think it still works
jim miller And, in fact, Night Witches has the ultimate starter. That first session worksheet Jason included in the play aid packet is just a highly structured starter.
jim miller And, in fact, Night Witches has the ultimate starter. That first session worksheet Jason included in the play aid packet is just a highly structured starter.
Jason Cordova agreed, and I still am trying to think on what game a dungeon starter wouldn’t work on. I actually think it’s THE way to prep for a PbtA game.
It’s also perfect for converting trad modules. I’m using it to do A1 slave pits of the undercity to DW, and it’s pretty easy (as long as you’re willing to make a custom move for a trap)
Jason Cordova agreed, and I still am trying to think on what game a dungeon starter wouldn’t work on. I actually think it’s THE way to prep for a PbtA game.
It’s also perfect for converting trad modules. I’m using it to do A1 slave pits of the undercity to DW, and it’s pretty easy (as long as you’re willing to make a custom move for a trap)