Warhammer Fantasy RPG: The Road to Mordheim

Creating your character

Session Zero is a crucial step in starting a Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay campaign. This session lays the groundwork for the game by establishing characters, discussing themes and boundaries, and ensuring all players are aligned in their expectations. We’ll begin by welcoming everyone and setting the tone for the campaign. As the Game Master, I’ll outline the setting, tone, and key themes—whether it’s a grim tale of survival in the Empire, a desperate struggle against Chaos, or a dark intrigue in the courts of nobles and cults. We’ll also cover any safety tools, such as Lines and Veils, to ensure an enjoyable experience for all. Next, we’ll discuss character creation, starting with species and careers. Will you play as a battle-scarred human mercenary, a grudge-bearing dwarf slayer, an arrogant elf wizard, or an unassuming halfling thief? We’ll explore how different backgrounds shape the worldviews, struggles, and strengths of the characters. Once species and careers are chosen, we’ll move on to assigning attributes, skills, and talents, as well as selecting starting equipment. Warhammer’s world is harsh, and no hero is without flaws—so we’ll embrace the random rolls that make each character unique. Character backstories will be developed collaboratively, encouraging players to weave their fates together. What drives your character forward? What grudges or debts weigh on them? Do they have allies, rivals, or dark secrets that may come to light during the campaign? We’ll also discuss how the group fits together—whether as a band of mercenaries, a motley group of adventurers, or unwilling companions thrown together by fate. Finally, we’ll go over game mechanics, expectations for roleplaying, and any house rules we’ll be using. By the end of Session Zero, each player will have a fully realized character, a clear understanding of the campaign’s themes, and a sense of how their party fits into the unforgiving world of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.

Preparing for the session

For a new player of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, the minimum preparation involves familiarizing yourself with the basic mechanics, understanding your character, and grasping the grim tone of the setting. Reading a summary of your chosen species and career will help you roleplay effectively, while skimming the core mechanics—such as skill tests, combat, and Fate Points—will ensure smoother gameplay. While deep lore knowledge isn’t required, having a general idea of the Old World’s dangers, from Chaos cults to scheming nobles, will enhance your immersion. Lastly, bringing an open mind is often all you need to dive into the adventure.

What Mr. B brings to the table

Players will find that as a Storyteller I have the ability to craft compelling narratives and vivid worlds. Creating immersive and dynamic settings that capture players' interests, whilst being able to modifying the story on the fly based on player actions and decisions. System-wise I am able to explain rules, settings, and scenarios clearly and concisely. Alternatively i will actively listen to players’ ideas, concerns, and feedback; Encouraging all players to contribute and feel involved in the story. Players will see that I will keep the game on track, ensuring sessions are well-paced and engaging; concurrently making sure we keep to the game times allotted. I have a FoundryVTT fully set up for the game with all the system details worked in for player ease. I have all the sourcebooks (available to peruse on FoundryVTT), animated maps (where needed), music and ambient sounds.

How Mr. B creates a safe table

Session Zero: Introduce Lines and Veils, the Luxton Technique, and the concept of debriefing. Collect initial boundaries and preferences. Ongoing Play: Utilize the Luxton Technique to maintain a safe and engaging environment. Respect Lines and Veils during gameplay. Post-Session Debriefing: Conduct debriefing sessions to gather feedback and address any issues that arose. Use this time to update boundaries if necessary.