Letters to home (per Iridia)

[jdrakeh]

In the latest issue of the Iridia fanzine, Christian introduced me to a really nifty concept in form of letters. Specifically, he awards bennies to his players for writing in-character letters to family or friends in his campaigns. As he notes, this seems to be an excellent way to get players involved in developing the world from a character perspective (as they can 'create' new facets of the world in the form of people written to, locations mentioned, etc). Likewise, these letters conceivably provide the DM with some very personal plot hooks for PCs. So. . . has anbody else utilized the 'letters to home' schtick in their own games?

 

[HelloChristian]

Oh, hey! I'm glad you enjoyed the article. I wish I still had some of the letters the characters wrote. They really got into the idea. The way they fleshed out their families and home towns provided so many plot hooks. By writing the letters, they basically created their own little corners of the campaign world.

The most memorable letter was written by one player on behalf of another player's character who was killed in an adventure. "Dear Goodwife Bowe, I want to tell you of your son and the great deeds he accomplished..."

 

[SiderisAnon]

I have only ever had one player write any letters home. I thought it was a great thing for her character to do. Unfortunately, she might not do it any more as some things she put in her last letter has resulted in a situation where when the party visited her homeland, her father forbidding her to return to the life of adventuring.

But it should still be interesting to see what happens.

 

[HelloChristian]

...some things she put in her last letter has resulted in a situation where when the party visited her homeland, her father forbidding her to return to the life of adventuring.

Heh. That's pretty funny.

Father: Go to your room!
Adventurer: You can't put me on restriction!
Father: Why not?
Adventurer: Because I have a +2 longsword and 58 hit points that say so.
Father: Good point. Off you go then.

 

[Tonguez]

Father: Go to your room!
Adventurer: You can't put me on restriction!
Father: Why not?
Adventurer[/B]: Because I have a +2 longsword and 58 hit points that say so.
Father: I don't care if you a the Grand High Paladin of St Goodboy and the hero of Homlett, I am still your father and you will do as you are told!
Adventurer: Yes papa, sorry papa
Mother: Its all right dear, I'll have a talk to him