I do a thing in my games where I ask a set of predetermined questions at the beginning of the first session in order to build out the fiction for the remaining sessions. What do you think would be a good name for those questions? Opening questions? Establishing questions? Something else?
I do a thing in my games where I ask a set of predetermined questions at the beginning of the first session in order…
I do a thing in my games where I ask a set of predetermined questions at the beginning of the first session in order…
Huh, good question. They’re like personal stakes questions usually, but not always personal…maybe developing/developmental questions…?
Huh, good question. They’re like personal stakes questions usually, but not always personal…maybe developing/developmental questions…?
Setup questions?
Or establishing questions works well.
Setup questions?
Or establishing questions works well.
Jason Cordova – do those questions have a common theme (maybe they’re about location – you could name those “map questions”)?
Jason Cordova – do those questions have a common theme (maybe they’re about location – you could name those “map questions”)?
Aleksandra Sontowska No, it’s a mix. There is usually one related to a common goal, one related to the past, several related to personal stakes, and then some general, big picture setting questions.
Aleksandra Sontowska No, it’s a mix. There is usually one related to a common goal, one related to the past, several related to personal stakes, and then some general, big picture setting questions.
Starter questions? They’re pretty similar to the sort of questions you get in Dungeon Starters, right?
Starter questions? They’re pretty similar to the sort of questions you get in Dungeon Starters, right?
Robert Ruthven Yes, very similar.
Robert Ruthven Yes, very similar.
I would probably go with starter questions but if you are looking for a more specific descriptor I’d go with establishing or integration questions.
I would probably go with starter questions but if you are looking for a more specific descriptor I’d go with establishing or integration questions.
Character motivations/drives? Aren’t they often along the lines of: why are you here?
Character motivations/drives? Aren’t they often along the lines of: why are you here?
In case is anyone is wondering, this is for timecodes for the soon-to-be-relaunched Pocket Sized Play.
In case is anyone is wondering, this is for timecodes for the soon-to-be-relaunched Pocket Sized Play.
Metaplot Questions?
Metaplot Questions?
“Your journey so far” opening move
“Your journey so far” opening move
This is how I start every game of Sorcerers & Sellswords and most games of Dungeon World. I like Establishing Questions, but it sounds too formal. Seed Questions? Because they seed the fiction/the fiction grows from them?
This is how I start every game of Sorcerers & Sellswords and most games of Dungeon World. I like Establishing Questions, but it sounds too formal. Seed Questions? Because they seed the fiction/the fiction grows from them?
I do this asking for in-character replies. I call them “Character interviews”.
I do this asking for in-character replies. I call them “Character interviews”.
Character Establishment/World Building Questions would be my guess on what you should call the questions. These questions establishes the motivation of the character and helps flesh out a portion of the world being played in.
Character Establishment/World Building Questions would be my guess on what you should call the questions. These questions establishes the motivation of the character and helps flesh out a portion of the world being played in.
Campaign Prompts? I do the same thing and in my game Runaway Hirelings they are called:
“…introducing the world.”
But in other games I call them campaign prompts or go to how I call them in my game.
Campaign Prompts? I do the same thing and in my game Runaway Hirelings they are called:
“…introducing the world.”
But in other games I call them campaign prompts or go to how I call them in my game.
“The world as you know it…”
“The world as you know it…”
Jason Cordova you’re looking for something evocative or informative in your name?
Jason Cordova you’re looking for something evocative or informative in your name?
No, just sort of plain. I think “starter questions” or “establishing questions” is what I’m leaning toward.
No, just sort of plain. I think “starter questions” or “establishing questions” is what I’m leaning toward.
Groundwork questions?
Groundwork questions?
They are questions that kind of getting the ball rolling questions… Maybe something along those lines that may be more elegant than plain. Maybe something like ignition questions or lift off questions
They are questions that kind of getting the ball rolling questions… Maybe something along those lines that may be more elegant than plain. Maybe something like ignition questions or lift off questions
Maxime Lacoste or The story so far… for something less fantasy sounding.
Maxime Lacoste or The story so far… for something less fantasy sounding.
First session questions?
First session questions?
Yah the most simple and obvious answer is usually the best one.
Yah the most simple and obvious answer is usually the best one.
Context questions? ‘Seed’ is good, too.
Context questions? ‘Seed’ is good, too.
Jason Cordova I think what you may be thinking of is Exposition?
“Narrative exposition is the insertion of important background information within a story; for example, information about the setting, characters’ backstories, prior plot events, historical context, etc.”
From Wikipedia.
Jason Cordova I think what you may be thinking of is Exposition?
“Narrative exposition is the insertion of important background information within a story; for example, information about the setting, characters’ backstories, prior plot events, historical context, etc.”
From Wikipedia.
“Exposition questions” then… its sounds a bit intimidating though.
“Exposition questions” then… its sounds a bit intimidating though.
Maxime Lacoste if it were me I’d just go with Exposition. Adding questions to it makes it unnecessarily hard to say casually lol. But that’s just me 🙂
Maxime Lacoste if it were me I’d just go with Exposition. Adding questions to it makes it unnecessarily hard to say casually lol. But that’s just me 🙂
I like “establishing questions”
I like “establishing questions”
Leading Questions 😉 Tongue in cheek, but works it in some ways since you ask them as a lead in, and they serve to guide people’s thoughts to some degree.
Leading Questions 😉 Tongue in cheek, but works it in some ways since you ask them as a lead in, and they serve to guide people’s thoughts to some degree.
Jason Cordova – Since seeing this thread, I have been using “establishing questions” in conversations real and virtual. It rolls off the tongue nicely and says what it does. I want to put a strong vote in for that being the term. 🙂
Jason Cordova – Since seeing this thread, I have been using “establishing questions” in conversations real and virtual. It rolls off the tongue nicely and says what it does. I want to put a strong vote in for that being the term. 🙂