I watch videos from a lot of other sources. But the one thing I constantly notice with Mike's videos is that he is always on topic, he never strays from the topic and it is all wrapped up neatly in one single video, with no fluff. It really is the Lazy Dungeon Master's UA-cam channel.
Definitely this. No tangents, no wierd inside jokes only he gets. And thankfull he cut's those five to twenty minute intros of dead air on his Twitch stream uploads.
100% agree I just started using this idea about 6 months ago. I usually DM as a FLGS and frequently have a kind of rotating attendance that makes a session zero less than ideal. A document like this helps a lot on day one, but even more when players inevitably show up to join the campaign midway.
I used your DIA document for my own game. Another tool I've been using as something I call "Drawing Straws". Basically, I include a list of people, places, or things that link into the campaign. For example, for DIA you might include Candlekeep, interplanar travel, Tiamat, or the Vanthampur family as "straws" the players can draw when making their characters.
I have used this method few times now and it gives me way more confidence. It has become a must have for new campaigns. One thing I've added is the Social Contract bullet points and any relevant Game Customization questions from Tasha's, especially if there are players who I haven't played with before.
It would be nice if Dms took up this idea and shared them. Seeing a dozen versions on how to run a published module might be very valuable in making it more interesting but would be especially useful when folks share their homebrew stuff. 1-page is light enough to just seed the creativity.
Player agency is a must. Thanks for the reminder. I’m looking for more ways to give players freedom and agency late in a game when they’ve gotten into a rut
Interesting seeing this video now. I was just thinking about giving the players sort of 'starting options' for the type of campaign they want. I've been apart of a few campaigns, and DM'd one prior to this one I plan on doing. All of them had the same issue. "Why are my players even with these people?" I asked the question as a player. A player in my one time DMing asked the same. I don't want that issue. PS. Enjoying Return of the lazy dungeon master.
Our campaigns trend to last for years, and my players want too play through to level 20. I wish I'd get to do this (starting new campaigns) more often. Thanks for sharing, Mike!
I have the odd players out that enjoys bundles of world lore before getting started, so I prepare a lot (and I love doing it, so it's quality time for me). How do you present special player options in such a small amount of space? For example, a list of deities and other relevant stuff?
I don't know how much comment traffic old videos get... but fingers crossed: I am returning to a 7 year old campaign. My group has 2 players from the original recreating/updating original PCs, and 3 new players with new PCs. I've never done one of these guides, but it seems like a cool idea. Since characters already exist (new players have already done char.gen. on a pizza/not-exactly-session-0 night), what useful info could be provided for that section?
Very much like corporate strategy, vision , if people do not understand it in 1 easy sentence without using crazy buzzwords don’t bother . KISS keep it simple and stupid
They can only see themselves, the space around them lit by their lantern and on occasion the path they’ve drawn behind themselves. We must illuminate the world they face ahead with each of their steps.
I watch videos from a lot of other sources. But the one thing I constantly notice with Mike's videos is that he is always on topic, he never strays from the topic and it is all wrapped up neatly in one single video, with no fluff. It really is the Lazy Dungeon Master's UA-cam channel.
And no rambling, losing the thread, and restating the same thing over and over!
I try!
Definitely this. No tangents, no wierd inside jokes only he gets. And thankfull he cut's those five to twenty minute intros of dead air on his Twitch stream uploads.
@@SlyFlourish You succeed!
Incredible content, Mike!
Our DM did this for us when we started our Curse of Strahd campaign. Extremely helpful tool!
100% agree
I just started using this idea about 6 months ago. I usually DM as a FLGS and frequently have a kind of rotating attendance that makes a session zero less than ideal. A document like this helps a lot on day one, but even more when players inevitably show up to join the campaign midway.
I used your DIA document for my own game. Another tool I've been using as something I call "Drawing Straws". Basically, I include a list of people, places, or things that link into the campaign. For example, for DIA you might include Candlekeep, interplanar travel, Tiamat, or the Vanthampur family as "straws" the players can draw when making their characters.
Like 13th Age icon relationships!
I used the SF example for RotF as a base and redesigned it for my Witchlight game. My players loved it and gave me lots of compliments!
Awesome!
I have used this method few times now and it gives me way more confidence. It has become a must have for new campaigns.
One thing I've added is the Social Contract bullet points and any relevant Game Customization questions from Tasha's, especially if there are players who I haven't played with before.
Great video!
this actually helps me to keep my campaigns that i been holding off for so long in focus. now i know what to do
It would be nice if Dms took up this idea and shared them. Seeing a dozen versions on how to run a published module might be very valuable in making it more interesting but would be especially useful when folks share their homebrew stuff. 1-page is light enough to just seed the creativity.
As always, thank you for the great videos. I've got a homebrew session zero tomorrow and this will help me simplify the information I need to convey.
Player agency is a must. Thanks for the reminder. I’m looking for more ways to give players freedom and agency late in a game when they’ve gotten into a rut
Interesting seeing this video now. I was just thinking about giving the players sort of 'starting options' for the type of campaign they want. I've been apart of a few campaigns, and DM'd one prior to this one I plan on doing. All of them had the same issue.
"Why are my players even with these people?" I asked the question as a player. A player in my one time DMing asked the same. I don't want that issue.
PS. Enjoying Return of the lazy dungeon master.
Our campaigns trend to last for years, and my players want too play through to level 20. I wish I'd get to do this (starting new campaigns) more often. Thanks for sharing, Mike!
Sounds like a good problem to have.
@@Bluecho4 Yes, you are right, it probably is.
Great content as always - thanks Mike!
This is really great stuff. I will definitely be doing this for my next game
Excellent Mike ty
Nice video ! Thanks for it !
Glad you liked it!
I have the odd players out that enjoys bundles of world lore before getting started, so I prepare a lot (and I love doing it, so it's quality time for me). How do you present special player options in such a small amount of space? For example, a list of deities and other relevant stuff?
Good question!
Sounds like you have a group of doctors , lawyers and enterprise architects like I do 😂
As a 13th age player, would a group patron work well with the Icons? I'm assuming it would if the party has a recurring icon.
Sure!
i do have a question. is it possible to write a 1 page guide for a west marches campaign?
I don't know how much comment traffic old videos get... but fingers crossed: I am returning to a 7 year old campaign. My group has 2 players from the original recreating/updating original PCs, and 3 new players with new PCs. I've never done one of these guides, but it seems like a cool idea. Since characters already exist (new players have already done char.gen. on a pizza/not-exactly-session-0 night), what useful info could be provided for that section?
if im not mistaken this can apply to any tabletop rpg system right?
Sure!
Does that works for any RPG ?
Probably!
Very much like corporate strategy, vision , if people do not understand it in 1 easy sentence without using crazy buzzwords don’t bother . KISS keep it simple and stupid
The players are NEVER into the campaign as much as the DM so yeah don't waste your time with too much info.
They can only see themselves, the space around them lit by their lantern and on occasion the path they’ve drawn behind themselves. We must illuminate the world they face ahead with each of their steps.
This appears to be a slight refinement of the campaign outline from RotLDM
Pretty much!