Hindsight# 00

Hello hello hello!

New issues are always weird to write. This format is rather new to me but I hope it is something you all will enjoy.

I thought I would start things off with a look back at my previous game and some things I would do differently. Especially with the start of this New Year.

Session N0 n0

Group games are fun, but they can be rather overwhelming starting out. New DM's can easily bite off more than they can chew without realizing it.

A military budddy of mine approached me with a proposition, way back in 2018. "I have people who really want to play DnD. But no one wants to DM. You think you'd be up for giving it a shot Mr. Storyteller?"

Now I'd been watching Critical Role and we'd been trying to get a game going since before I'd left the military. So a chance of a life time was before me (atleast how I saw it) I can finally spring my world on people and let them loose!

I was so excited anyone and everyone was invited to the table. My first game had a total of nine players. NINE! This isn't a knock on my enthusiasm, it isn't even a knock on running a game that large. However, my eagerness and inexperienced didn't take into account the vast duties of the DM. Needless to say things quickly fell apart.

Why?

Looking back I ran what I thought was a session 00. But it was no where close. I hadn't set expectations of my players nor told them what kind of game I wanted to run. Or maybe more importantly what kind of DM I am. Some of these things are easy to figure out. But when you've never run a game then how do you sus out these? My group was gracious enough to allow me some level of trial and error. Awesome as that was probably not the smoothest or most fun to be apart of.

What would I do now?

Figure out what kind of DM I wanted to be First and foremost. Mark down the stories I want to tell, the games I want to run.

Huh?

Literally what inspires me

fantasy

anime

music

weird cosmic horror

speculative fiction

podcasts

movies and more!

Pay attention to all the media I consume. Then tell those stories the way only I could tell them.

Boundaries

I'd set expectations for my table. This might be the hardest thing starting out. You think you shouldn't have to talk about something like this but.... Alas we are human.

How far explicit behavior and content can and will go at the table.

Setting up parameters for when your players do not feel comfortable or safe at the table.

Not just talks about what races, and classes are allowed or how much gold your character gets. While this is important to play. What is more important is building a space where you can feel comfortable exploring with others.

Because isn't that what we are here for; To explore something other than ourselves?

Thanks again for signing up. Please share this newsletter with whoever you think would enjoy it! Also don't forget to check out the website!

I'll be diving into ‘Abandoning your Babies' next issue. Remember every 1st and 3rd Monday.

Get full access to Ink n Bones at theinkyard.substack.com/subscribe