Hey Nomad,

From my experience, you always let the players make characters, its such a compelling part of this system. But yeah, restrict the number of playbooks, really just dropping some of the complex ones which may not normally become effective or most interesting until later in the campaign.

Have a strong setting in mind, and something immediately threatening to the characters. Don't let them wonder what to do in those first moments, there must be something threatening them, their community,their loved ones. Something un-ignorable. It can be overcome (or not) quickly, but get the characters struggling against something from the start, forcing them to choose sides, work together, risk their lives, take risks.

I've done a couple of con scenarios, would be happy to talk to you about them.

Scott (Yes, that Scott)

Is there a chance the new version could be made available? I'm wanting to run this. Thanks much!

A couple things I've learned form running at cons:

It's a good thing to have an un-ignorable urgent thing which needs the players attention. This isn't necessarily the "plot" of the scenario, but it's needed to get things moving and avoid the black "what do we do" stares at game start. Maybe in your case this is the other group of players, but I'd probably have something important immediately at stake.

Probably shouldn't allow both sides to take the same playbooks. Making them available is ok if they can agree which one gets it, but don't let both sides have an Angel, for instance.

Suggest avoiding an entirely PvP game though, after all they're all just trying to survive against scarcity and what's out there, right? Maybe a common goal or greater evil?

This is total hocus territory. Speak the truth to the crowd and roll+weird.

It's worth pointing out that especially on a failed roll you don't need to define "the fire" specifically. When a player fails a roll it's the MC's opportunity to make as hard a move as she likes. If that means something related to the manipulation, bonus, but it needn't be, any more than any other failed move.

Been playing on Snail's Pace as well, yes I agree with Christopher, it's got some real advantages and of course limitations. There's some games over at RPOL, too.

It's great to be able to really narrate what your character does, but also what they think and feel. Don't get that so much in a live game.

Live gaming is always best, but forum gaming can be pretty darned good. just different.

Chris, I was wondering about that, too. Running a convention game, hitting the natural 12 on the roll made everyone go like YEAH! And yeah... it was more awesome than a plain old 10+.