Running LFR mods at Conventions introduces the time constraint as a potential limitation to the gaming experience.  Generally, an adventure slot will be 4 hours; that includes the time it takes to handle administrative considerations, deal with character generation , etc.  We really can’t eliminate these necessities but there are some tricks that allow us to minimize their impact on the game.

New Players & Character Gen

Attracting new players is one of the goals for a Convention, and everything should be done to make these folks feel welcome and help them get the most out of their gaming experience.  However, character generation can be a long process, particularly for the uninitiated player, and can really eat into playing time.  There are a couple of ways to address this depending on time and resources:

• Character Generation session.  If you can speak with the tournament organizer ahead of time (via e-mail, etc.), suggest that one or two experienced gamers set up a very visible table to help new players create characters.  This will minimize time spent during the run handling this function, it will provide some experienced players the chance to teach the game, and it will give new players a chance to craft a persona they will be eager to play.

• Pre-make Characters.  I know there is some work involved, but take the time to create some pre-built first-level characters.  You don’t have to get crazy with concepts and burn through a bunch of great ideas you were saving for yourself; instead, you can focus on some of the fundamental class-race combinations that new folks will likely be familiar with:  Human and Dwarf fighters, Elven wizards and rangers, etc.  The WoTC Character Builder is pretty good for this purpose and can cut creation time down pretty significantly.  While I wouldn’t worry too much about background or history (let the player have some free reign), I WOULD probably list three or four common actions for the player and detail the game mechanics behind them.  This simple and short summary will help the new player grasp the core of his new character quickly.

Administrative Details

We all have paperwork details to complete for each run in order to report the event properly, etc.; many of these can be streamlined as well.

• Complete as much of the Session Tracking Log ahead of time as you can.  While players get seated and are still moving things out of their backpacks, pass this around for player names, RPGA numbers, etc.  I always attach a couple of blank RPGA cards and instruct my players to grab a card if they don’t already have one.  I also attach blank Adventure Tracking Logs for the same purpose.  This gets all of the paperwork out of the way during a bit of dead time and gets folks focused.  If you are really pressed for time you can also be reading the boxed text prologue simultaneously.

• Pre-make bundle cards.  Take some blank index cards and list the various treasure bundles available at the end of the module.  Go ahead and list them all (low and high).  Once the players have determined which path they will run you can cross off any inapplicable bundles.  Then, at the adventure’s end, you can give each player a card and they can tell you which bundle they select.  This speeds up the process and makes sure the module pages with the bundles don’t get tattered or lost.

• Prepare index card adventure summaries for each player; this summary should have the name and number of the module being played, along with room for gold and treasure bundles.  At the end of the adventure, the players claim their treasures and you can mark the summary cards and distribute them.  This allows the players to complete their Adventure Tracking Logs at their leisure without taking up valuable time at your table.

Most of these tasks can be completed with 20-30 minutes of prep work and can save you that much time each session.  And at a Convention, that time could be the difference between getting a real lunch or grabbing vending machine fare (again)

Tags: Conventions, Preparation, Supplies