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When my DM duties lightened up recently, I was eager to get in on some action as a player. This lead me to the great site Start Playing Games. If you are unfamiliar, this is a site that helps connect players to DMs. The games themselves take place on Roll20, Discord, or some other platform, Start Playing Games just serves as the catalyst to get people connected. The platform supports not just D&D 5e, but other games as well. You can choose from one-shots or ongoing campaigns, too.
Because I was just dipping my toe in the water, I found a one-shot that fit with my schedule and budget (yes, the DM can charge a fee for their games, some are free). The one I signed up for was $10/person and it was well worth it! The DM, Tyler, did a great job at navigating this group of five strangers through a three-hour one-shot. We were all engaged, had our moments to shine, utilized all three pillars of D&D, etc. It truly was fantastic. That positive experience got me thinking, more games should be like one-shots. The great thing about a one-shot is the pacing. There is often a very clear objective. Characters are also often swept away into the ongoing events of the world around them. There is no time wasted meeting in the bar, haggling with a vendor, not trusting the rogue, etc. A certain set of assumptions instantly immerse the characters and set them on the path of adventure. I was so inspired by that game, that I started rewriting Lost Mine of Phandelver into a series of one-shots. I know what you might be thinking, "Isn't a series of one-shots a campaign?" Yes, and no. The idea is that a character needs not to have participated in Episode I, for example, or even Episode II, to take part in Episode III. In my rewriting of Lost Mine, Episode I is the Goblin Caves, Episode II is the Redbrand Hideout, and Episode III is Wave Echo Cave. When I run a one-shot of Episode III, players simply need to show up with a level 4 character. I give a bit of background as to the general events that lead up to the party now staring into the wide and dark mouth of this ancient cave system, and off we go. I make sure the objective is clear. For this example, get to the Forge of Spells before the Black Spider does and rescue any dwarf prisoners you may come across. Other episodes, like one just solely focused on Venomfang and Thundertree, can be adapted as well. I highly recommend the YouTube series by Matthew Perkins on how t o tweak Lost Mine to make it even better. If you are familiar with that adventure, you know there are a lot of side quests and NPCs that can be overwhelming (especially for new players). Matthew's advice streamlines the story and the action. I also highly recommend the recent video by Professor Dungeon Master, 4 Pro Secrets for Designing D&D Adventures That Don't Suck. The advice here marries well with the idea of one-shots. The four concepts are:
Let's hammer this point home by talking about The Mandalorian (don't worry, no spoilers). To me, each episode of The Mandalorian is a one-shot. Sure, there is an overarching narrative that ties the episodes together, but each is like a mini-adventure on their own. String together enough mini-adventures, you have a campaign. The show is full of action across all three pillars of play. Each episode has a climax and a satisfying conclusion. For me, personally, the show suffers from a constantly moving MacGuffin (sorry Mando, the princess is in a different castle). But the point is, the formula works for our D&D games. From this point forward, every game session I run will be prepped through the lens of a one-shot. I will make sure to have all four elements listed by Professor DM. I will make sure to rewrite or cut parts of a published adventure that detract from the whole, as Matthew Perkins suggests. I will employ more cut scenes. Meaning, instead of worrying about how the PCs get the looted goods and the injured Sildar from the Goblin Caves at the start of Lost Mine, we will jump to their arrival at Phandalin. We don't need to worry about those boring details in between. Episode I ends with the party slaying Klarg, Episode II starts with them navigating Phandalin. Jump to the action. What are your thoughts on this? Any other tips or advice to share from your experiences? Hit me up on Twitter to discuss.
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AuthorD&D 5e enthusiast. Creator on DMsguild. Supporter of creators, content and good times. Follow me on Twitter @rjquestgiver Archives
July 2021
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