Welcoming New Adventurers to Greyhawk: Session Zero Tips for the Common Ground Guild
The Common Ground Guild of Greyhawk is kicking off its first Guild Day this Sunday, January 12th, at Common Ground Games in Dallas, TX! With nearly 30 adventurers signed up, it’s going to be an exciting launch for our West Marches campaign in the Greyhawk setting. For many players, this will be their first foray into a campaign of this scale—or even into Dungeons & Dragons itself. That’s where a well-run Session Zero comes in.
Here’s how we’re preparing to welcome new adventurers, set the tone for the campaign, and ensure everyone has a fantastic experience.
What Is a Session Zero?
A Session Zero is the foundation for any great D&D campaign. It’s a time to:
- Introduce players to the world and campaign structure.
- Create or finalize characters.
- Clarify expectations for gameplay, rules, and communication.
For a West Marches campaign like ours, where multiple groups share the same world, Session Zero is also about building a community and creating shared excitement.
How We’re Running Session Zero for the Common Ground Guild
1. Introducing Greyhawk
The Greyhawk setting is a classic D&D world filled with rich lore, dangerous dungeons, and political intrigue. During Session Zero, we’ll:
- Share a brief overview of Greyhawk, focusing on key locations like the Free City of Greyhawk, the Wild Coast, and the Borderlands.
- Highlight the campaign’s player-driven exploration format, where adventurers choose their own quests.
- Showcase faction opportunities, such as joining the Circle of Eight, the Scarlet Brotherhood, or local guilds.
Example Resource: Provide players with a one-page summary of Greyhawk’s history and key regions. You can use resources like the Greyhawk Wiki (Canonfire) or the original World of Greyhawk Gazetteer for reference. We will be using our Obsidian Portal page for most of this content.
2. Character Creation Support
With 30 players signed up, we expect a wide range of experience levels. To help everyone hit the ground running:
- Pre-made characters will be available for newcomers.
- We’ll have DMs and experienced players on hand to assist with character creation, ensuring everyone’s backstory fits seamlessly into the Greyhawk world.
- Character guidelines include instructions on how to create a character and which resources are available.
Tip: Encourage players to create characters with clear motivations, such as uncovering ancient secrets or proving themselves to a faction.
3. Setting Expectations for West Marches Play
The West Marches format is different from traditional campaigns, so we’ll explain:
- How sessions work: Each session is self-contained, and adventurers form their own groups based on interest and availability.
- Player roles: Players choose quests, set goals, and record their discoveries in the Adventure Log of the Obsidian Portal.
- The Bounty Board: Quests will be posted weekly, providing a variety of challenges, from dungeon crawls to wilderness exploration.
Example: A group might pick a bounty to explore the ruins of Castle Greyhawk, but the success (or failure) of their mission will impact future players who venture there.
4. Community Building Activities
With so many players, fostering a sense of community is key:
- During Guild Day, we’ll have a session recap board where players can share highlights from their games.
- A dedicated Discord server will allow players to coordinate future sessions and roleplay between games.
Example Resource: Create a Discord channel specifically for first-time players to ask questions and get support.
Making Session Zero Unforgettable
Tips for DMs:
- Start with a short, fun introductory encounter to immerse players in the world. For instance, a runaway cart in the market could involve skill checks, roleplaying, and a hint of Greyhawk intrigue.
- Keep a focus on inclusivity. Make sure every player feels welcome, whether they’re a veteran adventurer or a first-timer.
Resources for Players:
- D&D Beyond (www.dndbeyond.com) for character building.
- The Greyhawk Grognard blog for deeper dives into the setting.
- Roll20 Compendium for quick rules references.
Join the Adventure!
If you’re one of the 30 adventurers joining us this Sunday, we can’t wait to see you at Common Ground Games. Bring your dice, your imagination, and your sense of adventure as we embark on this incredible journey together.
Not signed up yet? There may still be time to grab a spot! Reach out to Common Ground Games or visit us in-store to learn more.
Let’s make the Common Ground Guild of Greyhawk the best adventuring guild Dallas has ever seen!