Before the Quest – A Session 0 Backstory Game
0
Play a game and build character backstories at the same time.
Wizard of Adventure Auke shared this little gem on the Roleplaying Tips Discord #gm-help-requests channel:
I recommend a co-operative backstory-building improv session.
Sit around a table with a large sheet of paper and co-create a mindmap.
Start by writing down all the PC names.
Then take turns adding things [Locations, NPCs, or Events] and connecting them to other things already on the map, as you tell some part of your PC’s history.
Draw lines (connections) between something you put down and something by somebody else, building narrative links.
DM’s turn: Go ahead and connect something interesting and ask a player how that happened. If you see a PC isn’t well-connected, add a connection and ask.
Outcomes: Players get to share, hear, and forge backstories and bonds. DM gets to introduce NPCs/factions, too.
Afterwards, write up this matrix as a combined party origin story.
(And in secret, DM adds other villains and connections, not known to the PCs, that sets up historical – and future – conflicts.)
Awesome tip! Thank you, Auke.
Cheers,
Johnn
roleplayingtips.com
Join the RPT Discord: https://discord.gg/6MxTRAqQ76
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