[3.5] My communial backstory sheet. Please tell me what you think.

[Pika...]

*Reposting this since the mods did not move it*


Prelude:
This sheet is meant to help me, the DM, be able to better plan and focus myself when world building and planning the upcoming campaign we will all be participating in. An hour of our joint time might mean the difference between an awful and enjoyable campaign.

In the past I have tried to focus things around individual characters, but I am now going to experiment with a more group oriented mindset for the campaign.



Instructions:
This process will take about a half-hour to a hour when all players who will be playing are present. One player will be nominated to fill out this sheet on behalf of the group.

1. The first fifteen minutes will not consist of filling out this sheet, but instead will consist of everyone merely talking about the following subjects with the DM.

a) What is each player looking for out of this campaign?
b) What style of game do you expect this to be?
c) Are you OK with the style the DM runs?
d) How much do you want the game focused on each character?


2. The second fifteen to thirty minutes will consist of the players discussing among themselves the following.

a) Which of my homebrewed settings do you want to pay in? (I will explain them to new players)
b) What part of my homebrewed world/setting that you have chosen do you want to start in?
c) What will be the joint theme/goal/mission/organization of the party/group? One must be chosen.
d) What are things the party is trying to achieve?
e) Why?
f) Do you already have a group villain/counter organization/cause to fight/cause to fight for in mind?


3. The players as a group will then proceed to fill in the following as a group, with the appointed member jotting it down.


Question: What setting of mine will we be playing in?

Answer:

__________________________________________________ ___________

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Question: Where on this setting will the campaign begin?

Answer:

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Question: What is the theme of the campaign? (aka. All the same race, all of the same organization, all brought together by the same event, all fighting for/against the same cause, all working for the same NPC or fighting the same adversary NPC, etc, etc, etc).

Answer:

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Question: What is the driving force/goal/mission of the party? Or what are things the party would live to achieve either soon or as things go on?

Answer:

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Question: What style of game are you all preferring? (World building, political, dungeon crawl, ect, etc)

Answer:

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Question: How long have the characters known each other? How did they meet?

Answer:

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Question: If a friendly organization was chosen/invented, please describe it to me.

Answer:


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Question: If an enemy organization was chosen/invented please describe it to me.

Answer:

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Question: If any friendly NPC were created please describe them to me.

Answer:

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Answer:

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Question: If any adversaries were created please describe them to me.

Answer:

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Answer:

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Question:

Answer:

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Question: Things players are sensitive too/are taboo to them, or which I should otherwise should keep from weaving into my games? (Child abuse and rape are already permanently on the list, and will get players banned from my games)

Answer:

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Question: Anything else you would like the DM to know?

Answer:

__________________________________________________ ___________

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4. Each player on his free time please fill out the following and weave the group project into it: Your character's background (http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/origin/wikis/your-characters-background-and-portrait) and Your character's Stat Block (http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/origin/wikis/your-characters-stat-block)










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OK, now people please give me your thoughts on this please.

[Fitz10019]

It's more information that I've ever been asked for -- but that's not a criticism. Asking for a lot of input from your players is a good thing, as long as you as DM have the adaptability to use all the information you're asking for. Spending a whole session voicing expectations and getting everyone on the same page is the right way to start a campaign.

I think "Your Character's Stat Block" is brilliant. Get the players used to reading stat blocks during combat, and now you've got backup DMs.

[NotScaryBats]

I agree that I haven't asked for such cohesion in the past - but I like the idea. This way you can make the game focused on the group which is a dynamic I have not done too much of.
In short, I have little experience with what you are asking for, but it looks like you are on the right track.

[Yora]

This process will take about a half-hour to a hour when all players who will be playing are present. One player will be nominated to fill out this sheet on behalf of the group.
Good idea. Players will never prepare anything, no matter how often and nicely you ask. :smallbiggrin:

I try to talk to the players about such things every time I start a campaign, but the six or so times I've done it so far, the reply is always the same "we're okay with anything you chose for us."
At least it helps with getting characters that don't decide to betray each other and steal their money halfway into the first session, so it's not completely in vain. :smalltongue: