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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 7795045" data-attributes="member: 6801845">Good advice.  Personally I always run in my home campaign world and don't use published mods other than as inspiration but many of my steps are the same.  Some of my steps are skipped based on the group, but the following assumes it's a new group or a bunch of new players.During a session 0 we talk about what types of characters everyone is going to run and a very general theme.  Depending on how we're organizing, this may be handled mostly online. But this is very general at this point, what region and if anyone wants to do a "theme" campaign such as running all elves or ship-based adventures.Have an intro game.  This is kind of a session 0 combined with some gaming.  It gives people a chance to interact with each other and get a better feel for the group.  A lot of times I will throw people into the fire such as the town they're in is under attack or similar.  This gives me a chance to show how I run combat and a bunch of other interactive scenarios.  I try to give a mix of encounter styles, and introduce a number of plot hooks and possible campaign directions.  I always try to ask people what they want to do next at the end of a "chapter" or if there's a decision point at the end of a session.After the first game session or two (depending on the intro) we get more into details.  More RP based or hack and slash?  Join forces with the authorities or go independent? Hopefully at this point we have a better feel for everyone at the table and my DMing style.Then we go from there.  I may have an overarching campaign theme and a general plan on what external forces goals are along with a general timeline.  I don't go into a lot of detail yet because I adjust based on what the group does and what they choose to pursue.  I may think investigating the orcs with purple hats is exciting but if the group just yawns I'll toss the idea.I use the same general concepts as Zardnaar when it comes to groups and their motivations.  I'll add details as needed when I need them.A side note on how I plan encounters and adventuring days.  I have general notes on who's who and their motivations, but if I know they're going to talk to Jimmy the Nose, I'll prep a little more detail.  What Jimmy knows, some ideas on his attitudes, etc.For combat encounters I always think of some "generic" encounters that I can throw in that would fit the general theme but that I don't know if I'll use or not.  So I may figure out a bandit encounter with a leader.  For the number of standard bandits I'll jot down how many I need for a medium, hard or deadly encounter (I usually just narrate easy encounters).While I may think of scene for the bandits above, it's really general.  There will only be one or two fights I figure out detailed settings and encounters.I also have some improv tools.  Generate a list of names for people of different races, tavern and business names, even town names.  If I use them I note where and how.  Saves me from having BobTown with Bob's Tavern run by Bob.</blockquote>

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