Pregame Warmup Worldwanking

I’m pretty particular when it comes to the demihumans of my world, but I think maybe my group could really get into the game setting and roleplaying mindset if they had a hand in describing some of the features and rumors of it. So here’s what I’m gonna try:

At game start, I recap the last session with Spencer Crittenden music. Then I pose a question such as:

• What dangers await in the purple hills?
• What factions vie for control of the wastes?
• It is said that a miracle occurred in Gropecuntelane. What is it?

I do not ask any one person in particular. I tell the group to think for just a second, while I have them roll initiative. The person at the top of initiative gets the first game turn, which consists of them saying something their character heard, and how they heard--if they want. The second person does this as well, spouting their own take on the answer. After these two, I then ask if anyone heard a different tale or rumor about the thing.

That’s it, that’s the process. I as the GM have to decide which answer is true, if any of them are, and to what degree. If I’m not sure, I could consult a die to see which is the rumor I want to focus on and its veracity. d6: 1) this answer is spot on, 2~5) this answer is somewhat true, 6) this answer is ironically quite false.

Addendum:
Those cheesy scripts that started WEG Star Wars modules? That was the only time I got a certain player to speak in any sort of accent or funny voice. Those things may bear some revisiting by GMs and designers.

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