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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BookTenTiger" data-source="post: 9240968" data-attributes="member: 6685541">Note: This thread is an offshoot of one I started <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/starting-a-new-campaign-tomorrow-thoughts-and-house-rules.701960/" target="_blank">here</a>, a thread which focused on preparing for Session 0 for my new campaign. In this thread, I want to focus more on the setting the players made, and start brainstorming ideas for it.Last week I had a fantastic Session 0 with four new-to-TTRPG's players, two coworkers of mine and their significant others. It went great! Everyone was super enthusiastic and we were able to make characters and get things rolling for our first adventure next weekend.As part of Session 0, I did something I've been wanting to do for years and years and years. I guided the players in designing the setting. To do this, I created a questionnaire, <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Mf5N6-nunIClUZx9wDchNvmqK6Cav2ZyeYamI8sCZQ/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">which can be accessed here</a>. I'll also post it in spoiler tags. The questionnaire has questions and suggestions for Gameplay, Setting, Magic, Threats, and First Adventure. I took notes as the players talked, made suggestions myself, and made sure everyone had a voice at the table.[SPOILER="Campaign Creation Questions"]GAMEPLAYWhat is the tone of our campaign?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Heroic Fantasy: This is a time of adventure. You will play as rambunctious, quirky, perhaps even foolhardy heroes, seeking out fortunes and getting into scrapes. The themes will be lighthearted, thrilling, and sometimes humorous. Inspiration: Pirates of the Caribbean, Guardians of the Galaxy, Three Musketeers.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Epic Fantasy: This is a time of darkness. You will play as ordinary heroes carrying the light of hope against the spreading shadow of evil. The themes will be corruption, optimism, and fighting back against greater odds. Inspiration: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Witcher.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Exploration: This is a time of discovery. You will play as travelers exploring new lands, uncovering mysterious ruins, and returning to civilization laden with treasures and lost knowledge. The themes will be travel, wilderness, and survival. Inspiration: Legend of Zelda, Lewis and Clarke, Studio Ghibli</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Political Fantasy: This is a time of intrigue. You will play as the agents of a court, growing your power through diplomacy, scheming, or war. The themes will be politics, warfare, and conspiracy. Inspiration: Game of Thrones, Renaissance & Medieval History, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What level of risk will our characters face?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">High Risk: this is a deadly campaign in which the odds are stacked against us. Enemies do more damage and may be out of our league. Death is a high possibility.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Some Risk: this is a challenging campaign in which death is a possible consequence. Though we are able to defeat most enemies, some will be very powerful. Death may occur.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Low Risk: this is a fun campaign in which it is highly unlikely characters will die. Enemies might be defeated through combat, but there are usually other solutions. Death will only happen when it best serves the story.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">No Risk: this is a relaxed campaign in which characters do not die. Combat is only one of many ways to solve a problem. Even if the worst happens, characters will be imprisoned, lost as sea, or permanently scarred rather than dying.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What is the level of technology in our campaign setting?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Standard fantasy: swords and armor, catapults and castles, wagons and sailing ships.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Standard Fantasy: A world of knights, peasants, and castles. Combatants are clad in metal armor and use swords, bows, and crossbows. People travel in wagons and sail on ships.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Primeval: Stone, bone, and wood make up most weapons and tools. Combatants wear thick hides or leather armor, and fight with bows, clubs, and spears. Beasts pull hand-drawn carts, and iron tools are rare.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Steampunk: Gunpowder, steam technology, and industry have revolutionized the world. Combatants use dragoon pistols, blunderbusses, and electrified rapiers. People travel in floating dirigibles or steam-powered trains, lit by flickering electric lights.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Magitech: Magic, not electricity or coal, power the technology of the world. People travel in flying airships and go to distant realms through portals. Magic-powered robots build cities of impossible dimensions. Imagination is the only limit.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>SETTINGWhat is the dominant environment of our campaign?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The sun-baked desert stretches to the horizon, broken by harsh badlands and blessed oases.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Thick forests or jungles climb steep mountain slopes; rivers rush through verdant valleys.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Islands dot the cerulean sea, the boundless horizon only occasionally marred by a broad, sandy coastline.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The arctic winds blow constant snows over the harsh peaks, steep fjords, and stark forests of these cold lands.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What is the power structure of our campaign setting?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A single major sovereignty rules over most of the realm; power is divided between various counts, barons, and governors.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Rival city-states vie for power, forming and breaking alliances and always threatening war.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The realm is ruled by petty warlords and fierce chieftains; will a single power rise to unite the fractured populace?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Divine or supernatural beings rule over the people; some are worshiped, while others demand sacrifice.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>Who are the common folk of our campaign setting?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Almost everyone in the realm identifies with a single dominant culture; they speak the same language, celebrate the same holidays, and view outsiders with wonder or suspicion.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Banners and flags mark the territories of many different cultures; the food, music, and even currency changes as one crosses the many borders of the realm.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The realm is divided between two rival cultures; each has its own customs, laws, and tangled history.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The cultures of our realm were once diverse, but have recently become united under a single banner; some welcome the unification, others rebel against it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>MAGICHow common is magic in our campaign setting?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Magic is just another tool like a hammer or sword; even common folk use magic rituals to help their crops grow and to protect their homes.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Magic is common among those with training, such as priests, scholars, and guards.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Magic is rare and much respected; those who wield arcane power command much respect or terror.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Arcane magic is almost universally associated with evil, chaotic, or suspicious sources, such as demons, dragons, or the undead; those who use it may be the target of fear or ire.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What is the nature of gods and divinity in our campaign?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Most people worship a single god or goddess, though different sects or saints may teach varied tenants.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The gods exist in their own distant realm, though they make their presence known through visions and miracles.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The gods walk the land in the forms of giant beasts, immortal beings, or living elements.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">There are no gods; divine magic comes from belief in one’s community, the wilderness, or ancestor worship.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What is the balance of nature and civilization in our campaign?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The darkness of the wild is feared; great beasts and monsters lurk there, and only the strength of our walls and the bravery of our soldiers keeps us safe.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Civilization and nature are united; buildings are made up of living trees or are built into dunes or caves, and the world outside of nature is viewed with suspicion or malevolence.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Civilization is split between those who live in the cities of stone and those who live in the refuge of nature.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Some nature is wild, other has been tamed; the true danger is in the areas of wilderness corrupted by necromantic, chaotic, or demonic magic.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>THREATSHow dangerous is our campaign setting?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The realm is relatively safe, outside of normal threats such as storms or bandits; only when disturbed do the true forces of destruction arise.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We are safe behind our walls or on our well-guarded roads; stepping out into the wilderness, however, is to step into a second, dangerous world.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The world is a frightening place, full of danger; most folk stay safe behind thick walls, barred doors, or magic barriers.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The realm just recently survived a time of great terror; peace has settled for now, but there are always signs of new threats on the horizon.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What is the nature of the mortal foes our characters will face?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Raiding parties of beserkers breach our borders and pillage defenseless villages; their lust for gold, blood, or captives knows no end.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Radical religious cults seek worshippers to join their flock, or sacrifices to the terrors they call on for power.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The greatest danger is the wilderness itself; the beasts, plants, and wild spaces are the true foe of travelers.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Bandits, robbers, and corrupt merchants harry travelers, and may have powerful allies guiding their attacks.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What supernatural forces threaten the realm?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Great monsters and their spawn rise from depths of the wild with a hunger than can only be sated with mortal flesh or glittering treasures.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Outsiders from other worlds have breached our realm; their corruption spreads and threatens to unravel the bonds of civilization.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Powerful spellcasters summon supernatural servants to spread their power, seeking immortality or sovereignty over the realm.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Curses and enchantments warp the minds of travelers and sovereigns; folk fear the devious desires of spirits made of magic itself.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>FIRST ADVENTUREWhere does our first adventure take place?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We begin in a small settlement at the border, the great frontier stretching out to the horizon.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We begin in a major city, surrounding by the bustle of merchants, nobility, thieves, and infinite opportunities.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We begin in a caravan, traveling between settlements.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We begin returning to our home town, a village where we are well-known.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What is the connection between our characters<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The characters know each other well; most are family or old friends.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The characters belong to the same order, guild, or business venture.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The characters all owe a great debt to the same enigmatic figure.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The characters were brought together by greater forces, and start as prisoners, recruits, or survivors.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>What is the motivation of our first adventure?<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We are following rumors of a great treasure hidden away or guarded by dangerous forces.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Someone close to us is being threatened by a terrible enemy or mysterious curse.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We find ourselves in the middle of a dangerous situation, and will try to escape with our lives!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We are hired to recover a lost heirloom, slay a dangerous beast, or capture a devious foe.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">_____________________________________________________</li> </ul>[/SPOILER]It took about two hours for us to go through the questionnaire. Here's what the players came up with:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Epic Fantasy: This is a time of darkness. You will play as ordinary heroes carrying the light of hope against the spreading shadow of evil. The themes will be corruption, optimism, and fighting back against greater odds. Inspiration: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Witcher.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Some Risk: this is a challenging campaign in which death is a possible consequence. Though we are able to defeat most enemies, some will be very powerful. Death may occur.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Standard Fantasy: A world of knights, peasants, and castles. Combatants are clad in metal armor and use swords, bows, and crossbows. People travel in wagons and sail on ships.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Thick forests or jungles climb steep mountain slopes; rivers rush through verdant valleys. (The players also wanted some desert, ocean, and arctic!)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A single major sovereignty rules over most of the realm; power is divided between various counts, barons, and governors.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The cultures of our realm were once diverse, but have recently become united under a single banner; some welcome the unification, others rebel against it.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Magic is rare and much respected; those who wield arcane power command much respect or terror.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Most people worship a single god or goddess, though different sects or saints may teach varied tenants. Player Addition: This is a false religion created by a corrupt leader. In the past, gods walked the land in the forms of giant beasts, immortal beings, or living elements.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Some nature is wild, other has been tamed; the true danger is in the areas of wilderness corrupted by necromantic, chaotic, or demonic magic.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The realm is relatively safe, outside of normal threats such as storms or bandits; only when disturbed do the true forces of destruction arise.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Radical religious cults seek worshippers to join their flock, or sacrifices to the terrors they call on for power.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Outsiders from other worlds have breached our realm; their corruption spreads and threatens to unravel the bonds of civilization.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We begin in a small settlement at the border, the great frontier stretching out to the horizon.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The characters were brought together by greater forces, and start as prisoners, recruits, or survivors.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">We are hired to recover a lost heirloom, slay a dangerous beast, or capture a devious foe.</li> </ul>Here is a summary of the notes I took while the players talked:While I helped two of the players make characters, the other two helped design a the starting town, <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T8YwdmWh803nLCmewbKo2xqtT5njx0mzIyNJr2FUXQE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">using this form I made</a>, and this <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tuJ8NYJDAUvfA3MbOJQ2k343haitDeq4xGCd_Bk4tQE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">recording sheet.</a>[SPOILER="Settlement Design Sheet"]Settlement Name: _____________________________________________Population Size:<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Hamlet 20 - 400</td><td>Village 400 - 900</td><td>Town 900 - 4,000</td><td>City 4,000 - 15,000</td><td>City State 15,000 - 50,000</td></tr></table>       1 Feature         2 Features               3 Features        4 Features        5 FeaturesFeatures:<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Major Temple</td><td>Black Market</td><td>Thieves Guild</td><td>Entertainer's Hall</td><td>Popular Pub</td><td>Strong Fortifications</td><td>Busy Market</td></tr><tr><td>Bustling Town Square</td><td>Knight’s Training Hall</td><td>Palace</td><td>Inn Full of Travelers</td><td>Port</td><td>Academy</td><td>_________ _________</td></tr></table>Reputation: The settlement is known for being… (choose two)<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Remote</td><td>Historic</td><td>Shadowy</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Isolated</td><td>Strict</td><td>Wealthy</td><td>Violent</td><td>Fortified</td><td>Peaceful</td></tr><tr><td>Beautiful</td><td>Chaotic</td><td>Abundant</td><td>Opulent</td><td>Strange</td><td>Divided</td><td>Magical</td><td>Cultured</td><td>Busy</td><td>______________</td></tr></table>Common Folk: Choose up to three…<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Dragonborn</td><td>Dwarf (Hill) (Mountain)</td><td>Elf (High Elf) (Wood Elf) (Drow)</td><td>Gnome (Forest Gnome) (Rock Gnome)</td><td>Half-Elf</td><td>Halfling (Lightfoot) (Stout)</td></tr><tr><td>Half-Orc</td><td>Human</td><td>Tiefling</td><td>Goblinoids (Goblin) (Hobgoblin)</td><td>Orcs</td><td>__________</td></tr></table>Leadership: The settlement is lead by…<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>a single…</td><td>a pair of…</td><td>a small council of…</td><td>a colloquium of…</td></tr></table><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>priests</td><td>mages</td><td>merchants</td><td>nobles</td><td>warlords</td></tr><tr><td>knights</td><td>sages</td><td>elders</td><td>supernatural beings</td><td>__________________________</td></tr></table>who are known for being… (choose two)<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>aloof</td><td>generous</td><td>smug</td><td>clever</td><td>suspicious</td><td>ambitious</td><td>intolerant</td></tr><tr><td>timid</td><td>cunning</td><td>kind</td><td>charming</td><td>oblivious</td><td>cautious</td><td>resourceful</td></tr><tr><td>anxious</td><td>powerful</td><td>cruel</td><td>wise</td><td>young</td><td>religious</td><td>violent</td></tr></table>History: Before it was a settlement, the site used to be…<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Mines or a lumber yard</td><td>A lost civilization, of which only ruins remain</td><td>A busy trade route</td><td>An abandoned temple to some forgotten god</td><td>A criminal hideout</td></tr><tr><td>Untouched wilderness</td><td>A site for a religious pilgrimage</td><td>An abandoned palace, stripped of its wealth</td><td>A safe harbor on a dangerous coast</td><td>A small, pastoral gathering of farms</td></tr><tr><td>An oasis in a wasteland</td><td>The final resting place of a legendary hero</td><td>The site of a miracle</td><td>An ancient graveyard</td><td>________________________________</td></tr></table>Market: What unique item can be purchased at this settlement?<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>potions</td><td>common magic items</td><td>scrolls</td><td>fancy clothing</td><td>homes</td><td>unusual mounts</td><td>rare weapons</td><td>strange armors</td><td>special tools</td><td>gems</td></tr><tr><td>odd instruments</td><td>poisons</td><td>trained animals</td><td>rare books</td><td>robust drinks</td><td>divine foods</td><td>blessings</td><td>curses</td><td>vehicles</td><td>maps</td></tr></table>Troubles: Choose 1 for a Hamlet or Village, 2 for a Town or City, and 3 for a City State…<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Natural disasters</td><td>Dreadful omens</td><td>Rival residents</td><td>Lost heirloom</td><td>Revolt against leader</td><td>Vengeful outcasts</td><td>Brutal weather</td><td>Missing citizens</td><td>Halted production</td><td>Unjust leader</td></tr><tr><td>Disastrous accident</td><td>Cursed past</td><td>Corrupted by dark magic</td><td>Scarce provisions</td><td>Sickness run amok</td><td>Attack is imminent</td><td>A leader has fallen</td><td>Beasts on the hunt</td><td>Haunted by spirits</td><td>Trade route blocked</td></tr></table>Important NPC: Who is trying to solve the challenges?Role:<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Healer</td><td>Criminal</td><td>Scout</td><td>Performer</td><td>Worker</td><td>Mage</td><td>Priest</td></tr><tr><td>Sailor</td><td>Adventurer</td><td>Leader</td><td>Guard</td><td>Artisan</td><td>Warrior</td><td>Merchant</td></tr></table>Beliefs: Choose two…<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Charity</td><td>Revenge</td><td>Change</td><td>Power</td><td>Faith</td><td>Glory</td><td>Honor</td></tr><tr><td>Freedom</td><td>Respect</td><td>Might</td><td>Destiny</td><td>Community</td><td>Order</td><td>Family</td></tr></table>Actions: They are trying to…<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>obtain an object</td><td>make an agreement</td><td>seek a truth</td><td>cure an ill</td><td>find a person</td><td>seize power</td><td>create an item</td></tr><tr><td>travel to a place</td><td>rebel against power</td><td>protect a person</td><td>defend a place</td><td>avenge a wrong</td><td>fulfill a duty</td><td>gain knowledge</td></tr></table>[/SPOILER]Here's what they came up with:All in all, great stuff! I've had a lot to think about over the last week. In the next post I'll write my own interpretation and ideas.I think this Session 0 was a real success. The players were so excited about the setting they created, and I had so much fun with the collaboration.</blockquote>

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