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How to Run a One Shot
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<blockquote data-quote="Evilhalfling" data-source="post: 1745865" data-attributes="member: 16991"><p>All the best one-shots I have played in or ran revolved around both a tight story and lots of character interaction.</p><p>This applies best when the DM is creating the characters. Each character should have a secret, relationships to some of the other characters, and a goal, which can be radically different than the parties stated goal. </p><p></p><p>For con games I try and go with the format of an introduction scene, a minor fight, a noncombat problem, mystery or heavy Role-play bit, and a climatic combat and resolution where some party secrets are brought out into the open, and a wrap up period where everyone finds out what was actually going on. </p><p></p><p>I usually have a second minor fight to throw in right before the climax if necessary. IE players are very story driven and ignore character hooks.</p><p></p><p>A party for a oneshot does not have to stick togeather for more than 4 -6 hrs </p><p>and is free of a lot balance issues. I had a party that was a noble family thrown into a haunted house - Parents, adult son, bodygaurd, steward, coach driver, that ranged from 7th -4th level and had a dense network of lies, disguises, strained relationships and an internal sabatuer. I have run it 3 times and it has been great. </p><p></p><p>Running a new system can be tricky if you don't know it very well, but with d20 its easy to play in one.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Evilhalfling, post: 1745865, member: 16991"] All the best one-shots I have played in or ran revolved around both a tight story and lots of character interaction. This applies best when the DM is creating the characters. Each character should have a secret, relationships to some of the other characters, and a goal, which can be radically different than the parties stated goal. For con games I try and go with the format of an introduction scene, a minor fight, a noncombat problem, mystery or heavy Role-play bit, and a climatic combat and resolution where some party secrets are brought out into the open, and a wrap up period where everyone finds out what was actually going on. I usually have a second minor fight to throw in right before the climax if necessary. IE players are very story driven and ignore character hooks. A party for a oneshot does not have to stick togeather for more than 4 -6 hrs and is free of a lot balance issues. I had a party that was a noble family thrown into a haunted house - Parents, adult son, bodygaurd, steward, coach driver, that ranged from 7th -4th level and had a dense network of lies, disguises, strained relationships and an internal sabatuer. I have run it 3 times and it has been great. Running a new system can be tricky if you don't know it very well, but with d20 its easy to play in one. [/QUOTE]
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