How much info do you give the PCs ?? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How much info do you give the PCs ?? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
icemanjmw
06-15-04, 12:21 PM Hey everyone, I have DMed a lot in the past, and I am really excited about starting a new campaign in Eberron I'm looking for some opinions.
I plan on starting the group off in Sharn I think, but this would apply no matter which city I started them in. How much information do you give the players about the surrounding areas? None of the players will read the book ahead of time, and they will be starting at 1st level so how much about the world, continent, region do you think I should tell them. Also would it matter which race they choose to play as to what I should tell them. Thanks just looking for some other DM opinions on this.
ieattrollsforbreakfast
06-15-04, 12:32 PM I think it should vary from character to character. Not based on race or class, but on background.
It is likely that the characters will know a decent amount of history of their own nation, since they have grown up there and the knowledge will likely be told to them in some form. It will vary though, a character who has had some kind of real education will know a lot more history than someone who has only hear a few tales from others.
I think they would know a little history of surrounding nations also. You dont have a war with another nation for hundred years and not pick anything up. Those who have actually fought in the Last War will probably be more familiar with their enemy's war related culture. For example a Thrane knight is likely to know of the importance of Dragonhawk riding wizards of Aundair, or the undead platoons of Karrnath.
Race will likely affect how much they know, but again only based on background. An elf raised in Sharn will not know as much about the Undying Court as an Aerenal or Valenar elf, but are likely to know a decent amount.
Takasi
06-15-04, 12:44 PM You don't have to give them any background info if you don't want to. Have the setting present itself. If you really want to impress your group, create a few pages of the Korranburg Chronicle and have an NPC sell it to them. In many campaigns you just sit into a tavern and listen. Later in the story if your players get stuck solving something then you can recommend a knowledge check and jog their memory a bit. Another trick is to start them out with an NPC companion, perhaps a relative or old friend who likes to talk about the past.

Specifics on what you want them to know varies depending on their characters and your campaign.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
icemanjmw 06-15-04, 12:21 PM	Hey everyone, I have DMed a lot in the past, and I am really excited about starting a new campaign in Eberron I'm looking for some opinions. I plan on starting the group off in Sharn I think, but this would apply no matter which city I started them in. How much information do you give the players about the surrounding areas? None of the players will read the book ahead of time, and they will be starting at 1st level so how much about the world, continent, region do you think I should tell them. Also would it matter which race they choose to play as to what I should tell them. Thanks just looking for some other DM opinions on this.
ieattrollsforbreakfast 06-15-04, 12:32 PM	I think it should vary from character to character. Not based on race or class, but on background. It is likely that the characters will know a decent amount of history of their own nation, since they have grown up there and the knowledge will likely be told to them in some form. It will vary though, a character who has had some kind of real education will know a lot more history than someone who has only hear a few tales from others. I think they would know a little history of surrounding nations also. You dont have a war with another nation for hundred years and not pick anything up. Those who have actually fought in the Last War will probably be more familiar with their enemy's war related culture. For example a Thrane knight is likely to know of the importance of Dragonhawk riding wizards of Aundair, or the undead platoons of Karrnath. Race will likely affect how much they know, but again only based on background. An elf raised in Sharn will not know as much about the Undying Court as an Aerenal or Valenar elf, but are likely to know a decent amount.
Takasi 06-15-04, 12:44 PM	You don't have to give them any background info if you don't want to. Have the setting present itself. If you really want to impress your group, create a few pages of the Korranburg Chronicle and have an NPC sell it to them. In many campaigns you just sit into a tavern and listen. Later in the story if your players get stuck solving something then you can recommend a knowledge check and jog their memory a bit. Another trick is to start them out with an NPC companion, perhaps a relative or old friend who likes to talk about the past. Specifics on what you want them to know varies depending on their characters and your campaign.