In my previous post, I mentioned a Session Zero document. It is based on a handful I've seen around the internet and on Consent in Gaming by Monte Cook Games. I also added in a questions about content like Psionics, Clockwork, Spelljamming, etc. I will link to it here, but know that it is incomplete. I texted the group more information about the x-card as well as Lines and Veils along with the Support Flower, but those are not in the document yet. I am also considering the addition of Stars and Wishes because it is positive and affirming. Any advice on Lines and Veils or Stars and Wishes is welcome.

The content parts of Session Zero focus on specifics of the setting. In my first draft I asked for Low Fantasy vs. High Fantasy on a scale of 1 to 10. I realized though, that these players had never played with me, so they didn't know about The Temple of Oa, Hewcasters, The Soulless, or the Crabmen of Hlong Khagee. They don't know about the alternate ships of my Spelljammer or the competitor civilization to the Arcane.

I also realized that High Fantasy to me is really out there with flying cities, lunar colonies, and accessible portals to everywhere. The idea of aerial combat may be a '10' on High Fantasy to them. Without stating my default assumptions and asking if they okay with those assumptions, I had no real way to determining what was fun for them, much less what they wanted me to add-on.

That One Thing

The item that generated the most questions was the Coffee is Common trope. Here is how I describe it:

Coffee creates a different kind of tavern. In the real world, coffeehouses sparked great ideas, debates, and heated philosophical discussions. Alcohol sparks the appearance of great ideas, as well as debates and heated discussions or a different sort.

In other words, a meeting place that kept everyone sober had a profound effect. Some of the ideas propelled revolutions and literary movements. It doesn't mean it's all positive, but I imagine a place that fosters sober, albeit energetic, discourse would have all kinds of scientific discourse. In a fantasy world, this would undoubtedly generate discussions on magic and their traditions. If the players want high fantasy, coffeehouses become the source of a new age of magic. If they want low fantasy, it become a place of scientific progress like rudimentary steam and gunpowder.

That Other Thing

I plan to revise the document to better explain the X-Card, add Lines and Veils, and explain the no "R" or "X" campaigns. Fun is fun however you do it. I'm not telling anyone how to have fun. I just think it is fair to say upfront that Sex and Romance in a game is not my thing. If it is your thing, then I would want you to find a DM that enjoys it and does it well. I just don't like playing NPCs as a love interest, but I would be okay with PG-13 Player to Player romance, I guess. I don't allow the Horny Bard trope. I don't even have seduction as a roll or special ability. Just nope.

That 2e Thing

I plan to write a lot about my 2e prep for this group. As of this writing, the game may not happen. That said, I plan to make a big three-ring binder o' stuff anyway. Using For Gold & Glory as a base, I hope to make kits, spells, and optional rules that everyone can use. The next set of posts will feature actual gaming content. Am I worried about the players seeing it? Not really. If anything, they may start looking for these things.