I’m sure this has been asked before: any tips for creating a starting situation for a one-shot game?

I’m sure this has been asked before: any tips for creating a starting situation for a one-shot game?

I’m sure this has been asked before: any tips for creating a starting situation for a one-shot game?

8 thoughts on “I’m sure this has been asked before: any tips for creating a starting situation for a one-shot game?”

  1. The situation should demand action right now. Not on the morrow, not after a trip to ye olde shoppe, not after we talk about what to do – right now. A knife at their throat, a patrol around the corner, the king asked you a question. :-). …then roll with it.

  2. You could always ask the players…

    Why are your characters in town?

    What do people say is in the old mine?

    Where did the old hag say the treasure was?

    Why did the mayor send you to the old house?

    What was it the professor wanted you to retrieve?

  4. A one-shot is strangely like an episode of Quantum Leap.  The episode opens in the middle of a charged scene that demands immediate action.  There’s no exposition or back-story, just the opening scene. The way it is resolved and the next scene or two allow everyone to find out who the main characters are and what problem faces them – some questions are answered.  You discover more about them and their history throughout the episode.  The rest of the show is about facing those problems. 

  5. Our traditional game start, one shot or campaign, is (to the fighter or most fighter like character) “Your weapon stabs/smashes/cuts into the horrible beast. What color is its blood?”

  7. I find it easiest when some or all of the characters know and care about each other.  Some fun hooks in character generation.  You know two of the other PCs, describe a quick event with that PC.  This way there are fun ties and you don’t end up with, “Oh Bob is in trouble?  Oh well he shouldn’t have run off so half cocked.” and more like, “OK Bob’s impulsiveness has got him into trouble again, time to pull him out of the fire.  He will owe me one, but I know he is good for it.”

    It is also helpful when people are part of an organization. 

    “The boss hand picked this team to ———-“

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