2007-03-04 Social Contract

While browsing the EN World forums, I happened upon a link to a blog post about social contracts for RPG groups. How strange. Then I started reading and realized how I’ve been taking many things for granted. Writing them down might allow me to reappraise them. So here goes – my notes as I read through that blog post.

EN World

social contracts for RPG groups

• *What are we playing and how are we playing it?**: We’re playing a campaign in the japanophile Kitsunemori Campaign Setting. We’re playing a group of people that starts getting involved in a great evil taking over the land. We can concentrate on fighting this new power, or we can do this indirectly using a different primary objective like the building of an independent organization (stronghold, guild, commercial venture) in these troubled times. We could conceivably also try and join the evil power, I guess.

• *How long is a session? How long is the campaign going to run?**: We’re playing 3-4h, once a week. I’m planning on the regional campaign lasting about 8 months. Before continuing to play in it, however, I plan to run an adventure path, a dungeon crawl, and a city campaign. 😄

• *What to do when someone needs to be late/absent/cancel the game?**: We’re playing a mixed group of people staying at a guest house in a small town, going on small sessions. Thus, it’s always easy to send single player characters back, or have them join the party, depending on player presence. I plan to run the campaign such that high volatility is not a problem in order to accommodate family life. We play if at least three players can make it.

• *New people**: The open group structure makes it possible for new people to join at any point. As long as we’re not regularly having seven players or more at the table, people are invited to recruit new people and bring them along.

• *Leaving the game**: Since we’re signing up for games on Doodle, no longer signing up is equivalent to leaving the game. A short explanatory notice sent via email would be nice, of course. Just keep it civil, even if you’re leaving in frustration. ;)

Doodle

• *My fun + your fun = our fun**: If something seems to be getting in the way of fun, say it. If you’re enjoying something, say it. I’ll try to do the same.

I think I should at least mention the time-frame to my players. I’ve already asked them whether they’re Ok with trying an Adventure Path or mini campaigns. They are! 😄

Another thing I should do is let my players know when I’m having tons of fun. I know that I’m always very happy when they let me know they’re having fun.

​#RPG ​#thoughts