WADY 15: One Shots Part 5: A Guide to Running One-Shot Sessions

Apr 25

Welcome to Episode 15 of We Aren’t Dead Yet, a podcast throwing magic missiles into the ttrpg, gamer and speculative fiction sphere and seeing whether we come out alive at the end.

Every Thursday will be WADY Day, a celebration of something gamer, literature or culture shocking with three friends who found each other online via World Anvil and went “Hey! Let’s talk”. We found out we all have a lot to say and different approaches to the same questions.

We have a veteran Dungeon Master, an award winning World Builder & Media Producer, and a bestselling cyberpunk + mythpunk author, here to snark, speak and speculate on fiction, creative professions and games.

Today’s episode… One Shots Part 5: A Guide to Running One-Shot Sessions!

In this episode, we focus on session preparation and dynamics, exploring the importance of session 0s and working collaboratively with your players to craft the best possible experience. Learn how to set clear expectations, establish boundaries, and create a collaborative environment that fosters creativity and engagement. Next, we get into the nuances of improvisation as a GM, discussing strategies for thinking on your feet and adapting to unexpected player actions. Discover how to embrace spontaneity and turn unforeseen challenges into opportunities for memorable storytelling and player-driven experiences. Tune in and level up your GM skills as we explore the secrets to running unforgettable one-shot sessions!

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Have a question you want to ask about the episode, the writing sphere or table top role playing games? Hit us up with comments on substack, down in the comments section below, or by throwing a question up on X @usurperkings or @e__armstrong.

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Cheers for now,

We’ll see you next week for a sneak peek at Sapha’s newest release: Book of Revels! Come celebrate with us!