Hot Starts - Capturing Players Attention

As many Order members who have played in one of my games knows, I like to kick of sessions with a HOT START otherwise known as In Media Res-the practice of beginning an epic or other narrative by plunging into a crucial situation that is part of a related chain of events. Whether it's the start of a long running campaign or even just a one-shot, I like to start things off with a bang and want my players to hit the ground running.

I create and utilize HOT STARTS to fulfill two functions for a session:

1. Drop Players right into the thick of things as things quickly spiral and escalate

2. Provide opportunities for immediate co-operative world building driven by the players.


Here are two examples of my lasts HOT STARTS that incorporate points 1& 2.




HOT START

Your party warms their hands over a small fire as a great city is engulfed by a nightmarish, blue all consuming flames in the valley far below. As screams and explosions carry on the wind you know that you are responsible for what now occurs.

What did you do that catalyzed the demise of the once majestic city far below?

HOT START

After being tasked with delivering a mighty artifact to the Royal Collegiam of Draskus, the device has now been incorrectly activated, awakening a titanic eldritch beast of legend far below the Royal City. As devastating earthquakes swallow and devour the sinking Collegium and surrounding city you now flee as wanted criminals.

What was the artifact you were tasked to deliver?

And what powerful ally contracted you to deliver it?

Within a few minutes of hitting the table we have already created a tense scene (HOT START) and have questions that can be asked of the players to help flesh out the world and the adventure that is to come.

I find that HOT STARTS like these really capture the attention of the table and keep them engaged as they contribute as collaborators to the game.