Starting a Campaign in media res?

[S'mon]

I had thought of a "slave" start: "You awaken naked and in chains" but I thought my players might take that the wrong way.

It's fine if you let the players know in advance, or if you're running a game like Conan where gear is ephemeral. I'd like to do a "washed up on desert island" game sometime.

 

[Pants]

Pants,

So you still want those stats? I'm going away this weekend (20th-22nd), but I can send you those stats ASAP tonight if you wish...

I'm going to borrow my friend's CCR and R&R later on. I'll let you know which Ratmen type I choose (if any).

Thanks though

 

[Nightfall]

Np Pants. Glad I could be of help...even if I'm not.

 

[woodelf]

Uh....eeeeeeeeeeew.

I guess I'm concerned that if I start players in the midst of a battle, they'll turn to me and say, "How did we get in this fight? We would have posted sentries if we'd been given the chance, and I would have cast ( ____insert spell here___ ) if I'd been given the chance, and..." etc etc.

Your responses are:

• "You were assigned to guard the ______" or "You were on your way to ______" or whatever
• Well, your sentries must've been overwhelmed, since they clearly didn't give an alarm" or "It was your sentries' alarms that gave you enough warning to gather yourselves before the attackers slew you in your sleep"
• "Ok. Cross that spell off your list of prepared spells." (or cross off a spell slot, or subtract 5 spell points, or whatever)

You've gotta have some flexibility in return for asking your players to have some flexibility.

 

[MonsterMash]

I had thought of a "slave" start: "You awaken naked and in chains" but I thought my players might take that the wrong way.

Just as long as they don't want to LARP it!