My Session One

Pre-Game

• Post a link to the pdf (but assume nobody will read it)
• Get snacks (or make dahl if you're feeling fancy - everyone loves dahl)
• Put water and glasses on the table
• Dice, rubbers (or 'erasers' in American), pencils, and coins
• Plan smoke-breaks (even if you don't have smokers)

Intro

Hide the beers until the game's started. Beers mid-game works fine. Pre-game beers do not.

Let people chat a bit, then put a blank character sheet in their hands. Once someone takes the character sheet in hand, they know the time to start has arrived.

Explain the world, but not too much. Players only want information relevant to character concepts. All other concepts should emerge during the game, or not at all.

Suggest character concepts, and make sure everyone start their character with a defined concept. Best to ask someone to play a different character before they've gone through all the trouble of making it.

Don't explain the rules unless asked.

Keep track of everyone's progress. Focus on anyone who's struggling. If two people seem behind, ask a player to help one.

Start

Set the scene, and ask each player why their character has come, then start some rolls.

Combat cannot introduce a new system, because it contains too many parts. The first actions have to show players the standard rules - searching for an object, operating a device, persuading someone to speak, getting to the other end of a crowded bar without spilling the drinks - anything which resolves in a single roll.