The Walking Dead Universe | Fractured Roads | Season 2

Creating your character

During (Session) Episode 0 we will meet, talk mechanics and storytelling for the game, and build characters. They will be built at the base level. Characters are created entirely by picking a survivor template (who you were before the apocalypse), allocating points to your skills (numbers that determine how many dice you roll), and assigning traits (special moves for your character to edge the game in your favor). The final bit is creating current relationships with the other players and survivors in your group. This affects the drama and the decisions you make. We will work together to form a campaign based anywhere along AMC's tv series The Walking Dead's timeline. From the beginning, middle, or end of any of the seasons 1-11. It will affect the world's current state. The beginning of season 1 is VERY different from the end of season 11. I will lay out a broad scope of how the world is at each stage. Finally, depending on when you choose you just might come across a character from the show! We will build your characters, pick NPCs (others in your group run by me), and build a Haven (your place of refuge...if you can hold it). There's no homebrew in this game. I will provide a pdf copy of the core manual to each player (on the basis they will not redistribute or sell it in any way) and we will build from that. Otherwise, all tools are still available in Roll20. We will utilize the Roll20 platform for the character builds and the game itself. All rules will be covered, the builds are easy, and everything is provided!

Preparing for the session

You will need a Roll20 account to access the game. Once you are signed up for this game via StartPlaying, I will send you an invite into the Roll20 game. Additionally, we will be using Discord for our communication purposes both during and in-between episodes. Once you are signed up for this game via StartPlaying, I will send you an invite to my Discord server. I will assign you the #Start Playing Cast Member role and invite you into the private room we will use for the game. You will need your PC and internet along with a mic and camera. Having your camera on is preferable so we may see each other an better act the dramatics of the game. Being able to see each other's facial expressions and body language are extremely valuable when you have a back-and-forth narrative. It is the essence of the game!

What Lucas G Variety brings to the table

I run games through the Roll20 platform for character prep and play, and Discord for in-between and during game play. Additionally, our video call will be done through Discord for both mics and cameras. I will be recording the sessions for my records, notes, and safety. I have no intention of live streaming these episodes. Additionally, Episode #0 is FREE! Expect a balance of heavy roleplay and intense, tactical combat where choices are rarely easy—and sometimes impossible. I may use music to heighten tension and atmosphere, but not always. I rely on the immersion of the players in stressful, meaningful situations where their decisions shape the story. This is a game where you provide a lot of the narrative dialogue. I turn the story into your hands when you take out an enemy, do daring feats like running through a hail of gunfire and walkers, or even when your character dies. You take control and finish the scene the way your character would do it! My game prep is light, and open. It's a giant sandbox that involves you leaving or defending your Haven, going on dangerous missions, and fighting back against both the dead and the living. My job is to put obstacles out in the world, and react to you reacting to them. Together we build an intense, crazy, and unforgettable story! I like to get into character for all my characters, using gentle accents and vivid descriptions to bring many races, cultures, and personalities to life. My sessions play out like the tv show's episodes of The Walking Dead—from one episode to the next playing out a full spin-off season of main show. It will have recaps, commercial breaks (really refreshment breaks), and cliffhangers designed to keep you on edge and excited for what comes next. I follow Rules as Written most of the time, but I’m not afraid to lean into the Rule of Cool when the moment calls for it. My goal is to create a gritty, cinematic experience where roleplay and mechanics work hand-in-hand, giving you the feeling of living inside the story rather than just playing a game. If the mechanics interfere with that, especially at a crucial moment, we may just roll a die and see what happens!

Homebrew rules

Like The Walking Dead Universe says, follow the rules but be ready to nix them if they don't fit the narrative of the story we're all telling. When you're in the moment, decide something or make a quick dice roll. Don't let the rules hold you back from the action and drama that is The Walking Dead.

How Lucas G Variety creates a safe table

I'll set clear guidelines with Lines and Veils clearly beforehand and during our Episode 0. I will also use Aftercare, Debriefing, Breaks, and the X, N, & O cards. The X, N, & O cards will done during a session as a private, direct message to me (or the group) in Discord.