Session Zero: Vaesen: The Dance of Dreams

Creating your character

For character creation, we'll do a Session 0, during which time we'll walk through character creation together. Listed below is a quick rundown of how it works. First, each player chooses an archetype, which is a minimalist class. The archetypes available in the core rulebook are Academics, Doctors, Hunters, Occultists, Officers, Priests, Private Detectives, Servants, Vagabonds, and Writers. Additionaly sourcebooks add more archetypes as well, just be sure to check with me in advance if that's what you plan to build. After choosing an archetype, you choose your age. Younger characters have more attribute points while older characters have more skill points. After this you a lot points to both your attributes and skills, which you combine when making most rolls in the game. The combined number of points you have in an attribute and a skill when making a roll is the number of six-sided dice (d6s) you roll. There are four atttributes (Physique, Precision, Logic, and Empathy) and twelve skills (Agility, Close Combat, Force, Medicine, Ranged Combat, Stealth, Investigation, Learning, Vigilance, Inspiration, Manipulation, and Observation). Next, you pick a talent. Most archetypes have a suggested talent, but you're welcome to pick another talent if you prefer. After this, you'll select elements of your backstory. Each archetype has a few suggestions for your motivation, your trauma (when you were first exposed to the supernatural world), and your dark secret. You'll also decide how you know one or more of the other player characters. Finally, you'll pick your equipment, including a memento, which you can use to heal Conditions affecting you.

Preparing for the session

You'll need Discord, as we'll be using that for chat and music, but for the game itself we'll be using Foundry VTT, which I'll provide a link for you can use in browser. You will not need to install Foundry.

What Arthur brings to the table

For this game, I'll be providing rules and a virtual tabletop with tokens and maps. I often use music as a background element in my games as well as handouts. Additionally, I'll provide pre-game and in-game coaching on how to play for those not familiar with the rules. When it comes to rulings, I default towards being flexible. If a player has an interesting but implausible idea, I figure it's more fun to roll for it rather than to just say no. The rules are there in my book to make things easier to tell the story, not harder.

Homebrew rules

We'll be sticking to the rules as written for the most part, though see above about flexibility.

How Arthur creates a safe table

In Session 0 we'll go over the themes of the game, how to play, and make characters together. In addition, we will discuss safety issues including general expectations regarding behavior and what sort of content is likely to come up during play. I'll solicit feedback in advance as to what content players are or aren't comfortable with and make adjustments as necessary. In Foundry VTT, there will also be an X Card feature that players can make use of at any time.