in terms of rules, i tell them my house rules beforehand.
Why? because when i started this game up, i already told them what system it was using, which is me telling them the rules. if i intend to change those, i ought to be telling them.
BTW, i have had house rules for every game and every system i ever ran.
When it comes to adding new material, like new monsters or new spells and so forth, i make a decision based on its role. If its a unique or "new to the area" thing, than it comes as a surprise to them, unless one of their backgrounds is relevent. if it is an old existing part of the setting, i give them an event in gamr to make sure they get "reminded" of it, like the old woman who rattles on after the first mangled body is found about the legends of the beasts in the hills.
Why? because when i started this game up, i already told them what system it was using, which is me telling them the rules. if i intend to change those, i ought to be telling them.
BTW, i have had house rules for every game and every system i ever ran.
When it comes to adding new material, like new monsters or new spells and so forth, i make a decision based on its role. If its a unique or "new to the area" thing, than it comes as a surprise to them, unless one of their backgrounds is relevent. if it is an old existing part of the setting, i give them an event in gamr to make sure they get "reminded" of it, like the old woman who rattles on after the first mangled body is found about the legends of the beasts in the hills.