I'm going to start sending out these updates every couple of weeks just to make sure that we stay connected and moving forward in our extended pre-season. So here's the latest from the Valley of Shadows..

What I'm Working On Currently

I'm diving deep into mapping both Venturia and our pre-session 1 games as well as formalizing all the excellent character information you've come up with. Everyone is absolutely bringing it and I am so excited about how everything is coming together.

Scheduling Request

Sometime this week, please text me any dates you already know you're unavailable between now and the end of April.

Scheduling Defaults - Important

By default, I'll only be scheduling in-person sessions for Saturdays and online sessions for weekday evenings.

So assume weekdays until 6:30 or 7 PM are always dead - no need to mark those. Sundays will be backup days, so please include Sundays when checking your calendar.

I'll be importing this data into whatever online calendar service I decide to use for the campaign, and in the future you'll be able to mark dates yourself directly.

Character Development Check-ins

I don't think I need full one-on-ones with everyone again just yet, but I will be texting each of you individually this week to poke and prod at your characters for mostly mundane details - favorite foods, family information, hobbies, relationships, that kind of thing. (Kenny, I'm good on Lotan family stuff, so you're off the hook there.)

This isn't formal homework right now, but please be thinking about these details so when I reach out you'll have answers ready.

Coming Attractions

I'll also be formalizing a roadmap over the next couple of weeks that lays out everything I have planned between now and Session 1.

Speaking of...the next big item on the agenda is an online combat tutorial session - battle royale and team PVP/PVE matches in Foundry so everyone can learn the combat mechanics before we're at the table. I'm looking at doing this next week if possile with the possible dates of:

February 17th, 18th, or 19th.

Let me know which of those works best for you when you text me your dead dates.

One Shot Details

After that we will look to start our one shots!

🎲 Group up however you want. Run them solo, pair up with a co-DM, totally your call.

🔁 You can go multiple times! Want to run one by yourself AND be in someone else's group? Go for it.

⏱️ They can be as short as you want — we can knock out multiple in a single day. In-person or online, whatever works.

🎭 These don't have to be combat-heavy or even RP-heavy. If you want yours to be mostly storytelling, that's totally fine. Make it your own.

Kenny and Amy are up first and will be getting us started in early March! 🗓️

More details to come — start thinking about what you want to run!

Acttion Items

  • Text me your dead dates from now until the end of April
  • Think about your character's day to day life and what sort of things they do/like.
  • Text me what dates of 2/17 thru 2/19 could work for you for our next online session
  • Talk among yourselves and start planning your one shots! Get with me if you don't want to do it alone, but want to tell a story that doesn't involve any of the other characters. I'm happy to Co-DM any of these

Thanks!
Dustin