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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mort" data-source="post: 8208110" data-attributes="member: 762">Some D&D situations/tropes are so cliché that you want to groan/run away the moment you encounter them!With that in mind, how about listing out those situations/encounters but adding a twist that turns it from a cliché to a fun memorable experience.So list one (or more if you really want) and then explain how you would change it to be a great experience instead.I'll start:Cliché: The campaign begins in a tavern. The hooded stranger who has summoned the players beckons them to his table and begins to explain how he wishes to hire them for an important assignment. This can be hammed up for all it's worth.Subversion:Just as the players are about to go along with it or, more likely, as they are about to revolt from actually being subject to this scenario - A massive dragon's tail sweeps through the wall and slams the "stranger" into opposite wall - mid speech. The Inn is under attack from a dragon. The players have to run, get patrons/employees to safety, negotiate, or otherwise deal with the dragon. I did this with the start of my last campaign and the players had a ball - plus it led to an immediate hook of what the heck just happened and why.</blockquote>