I'm currently trying to start a campaign in a published 3rd party setting with a rich lore. All my players are experienced, and I've played with all but one previously. Still, I struggle with getting them up to speed for the campaign setting. How do I get them to create characters that fit into the unfamiliar setting without overwhelming them with a lore dump?
@pdubb9754 The easiest way I know of... Ask them about the character they have in mind. Then, present them with options that are related to the world. Example One: "I want to play a Goliath War Domain Cleric." You respond: "Goliaths come from this region and that region. Here's the basics on those regions..." "Here's a list of 3 deities that work well with War Domain. Here's some brief lore about those 3 deities." Example Two: "I want to play a human rogue assassin with the spy background... Like Jason Bourne." Here's two nations that have a cold war brewing. Here's a kingdom on the verge of revolution. Pick one of the four sides, and I'll give more lore about them."
Thanks for all the solid replies. I started down the path of @davidbilich1708. I'll present the PCs with what I have but give them opportunities to alter things in case they feel their agency has been stolen. I tried presenting options per @direden, but I think they just seemed overwhelmed or didn't have the opportunity to review. Probably should have constrained those options more. @awaytoanywhere699 has a good idea - I could imagine using pre-gens for a prequel campaign, but I simply wasn't prepared for it at this time.
No, I just think that you just have to learn that you don't have to use every single rule. And as they get older, you can just start incorporating more rules into the game and it's fine.
@@direden i disagree, i could describe a very long set of reasons to why this is, but as by chance dave thaumavore posted a video today that explains why D&D is "done".
@@bobbobbing4220 Maybe is not true we'll see how it plays out but from what I have seen I agree with your statement. I think investing time in modern D&D is a bit of waste of time. Also OSR is just better in every regard. I been learning DCC is is absolutely fantastic!
I think is a mistake to get into Modern D&D now as is slowly dying and being retconnconned to death. Is not even guaranteed that Wotc is gonna be around much longer. By the time you get into it, everyone is gonna be playing other systems. If you really want D&D type games go with OSR since are way easier to roleplay and get into, rules light, endless variety of systems and settings, many custom in house rules, many books to pull ideas from, many one shot adventures to run.
I start with the character, what they want to play and go from there.
This video really came in handy
What did you ment by crossing over?
I'm currently trying to start a campaign in a published 3rd party setting with a rich lore. All my players are experienced, and I've played with all but one previously. Still, I struggle with getting them up to speed for the campaign setting. How do I get them to create characters that fit into the unfamiliar setting without overwhelming them with a lore dump?
Ask them about their character and write the back story for them.
@pdubb9754
The easiest way I know of...
Ask them about the character they have in mind. Then, present them with options that are related to the world.
Example One:
"I want to play a Goliath War Domain Cleric."
You respond:
"Goliaths come from this region and that region. Here's the basics on those regions..."
"Here's a list of 3 deities that work well with War Domain. Here's some brief lore about those 3 deities."
Example Two:
"I want to play a human rogue assassin with the spy background... Like Jason Bourne."
Here's two nations that have a cold war brewing. Here's a kingdom on the verge of revolution. Pick one of the four sides, and I'll give more lore about them."
Yes. Or run a short 2-6 session campaign first if need is There to dive deeper into a bit of Lore or get the feel for the setting etc.
Thanks for all the solid replies. I started down the path of @davidbilich1708. I'll present the PCs with what I have but give them opportunities to alter things in case they feel their agency has been stolen. I tried presenting options per @direden, but I think they just seemed overwhelmed or didn't have the opportunity to review. Probably should have constrained those options more. @awaytoanywhere699 has a good idea - I could imagine using pre-gens for a prequel campaign, but I simply wasn't prepared for it at this time.
my best advice is "play another system"
No, I just think that you just have to learn that you don't have to use every single rule. And as they get older, you can just start incorporating more rules into the game and it's fine.
This advice applies to any system
@@direden i disagree, i could describe a very long set of reasons to why this is, but as by chance dave thaumavore posted a video today that explains why D&D is "done".
@@bobbobbing4220 Maybe is not true we'll see how it plays out but from what I have seen I agree with your statement. I think investing time in modern D&D is a bit of waste of time. Also OSR is just better in every regard. I been learning DCC is is absolutely fantastic!
I think is a mistake to get into Modern D&D now as is slowly dying and being retconnconned to death. Is not even guaranteed that Wotc is gonna be around much longer. By the time you get into it, everyone is gonna be playing other systems. If you really want D&D type games go with OSR since are way easier to roleplay and get into, rules light, endless variety of systems and settings, many custom in house rules, many books to pull ideas from, many one shot adventures to run.