What is important in defining a setting

[Crothian]

See, that's good. Start out in that 1/8th if possible.

I am and there's a lot there. I'm trying to get everything down that they've heard about and know about and hopefully use these as a way to give information they already should have.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I am and there's a lot there. I'm trying to get everything down that they've heard about and know about and hopefully use these as a way to give information they already should have.

Not to be a retard, but ... why?

Why not just lift the traditional ban on meta-game knowledge? RttToEE did that. If you played ToE you were permitted to use all the meta-game knowledge from that module.

Just start them out in that area, pull together a one page summary of what they "should" really know, and tell them if they remember anything from when you talked about the world or previous games then they're allowed to use that knowledge. If they had a character game in a one shot in your world, simply rule that their new guy remembers that adventure as a bard's tale or whatever.

It'll save you time, it'll save them heartache.

 

[Desdichado]

Remember, a good world builder is not an exhibitionist, a good world builder is more of a back-room stripper exotic dancer.

BG, I love you.