#Giving them a few starting options, but hint that there's more

GM: "The way into the city passes through a massive gatehouse. This is where normal people enter the city, but you might to run into guards who ask questions. Is that the way you want to take or do you want to look for a more subtle entry into the city?"

 

Players: "Er, let's take the subtle entry."

 

GM: "Alright. What are you thinking of?"

 

Players: "I don't know. What other ways are there?"

 

GM: "Oh, lots. But which are the good ones? Do you want to climb over the wall, perhaps?"

 

Player 1: "Yeah, I'm good at climbing. Let's do that."

 

Player 2: "Wait, won't there be guards on the walls too? Climbing seems more conspicuous than simply taking the road everybody else takes."

#Big Random Tables

#Designing a good table of random stuff

#Ask the players about the world

Giving them a few starting options, but hint that there's more

GM: "The way into the city passes through a massive gatehouse. This is where normal people enter the city, but you might to run into guards who ask questions. Is that the way you want to take or do you want to look for a more subtle entry into the city?"

Players: "Er, let's take the subtle entry."

GM: "Alright. What are you thinking of?"

Players: "I don't know. What other ways are there?"

GM: "Oh, lots. But which are the good ones? Do you want to climb over the wall, perhaps?"

Player 1: "Yeah, I'm good at climbing. Let's do that."

Player 2: "Wait, won't there be guards on the walls too? Climbing seems more conspicuous than simply taking the road everybody else takes."

Big Random Tables

Designing a good table of random stuff

Ask the players about the world

Anyway, there's a few different approached you could take:

Giving them a few starting options, but hint that there's more

When they want to infiltrate a city, you could tell them: "The way into the city passes through a massive gatehouse. This is where normal people enter the city, but you might to run into guards who ask questions. Is that the way you want to take or do you want to look for a more subtle entry into the city?" Players: "Er, let's take the subtle entry." GM: "Alright. What are you thinking of?" Players: "I don't know. What other ways are there?" GM: "Oh, lots. But which are the good ones? Do you want to climb over the wall, perhaps?" Player 1: "Yeah, I'm good at climbing. Let's do that." Player 2: "Wait won't there be guards on the walls too? Climbing seems more conspicuous than simply taking the road everybody else takes." etc.

Big Random Tables

Designing a good table of random stuff

Ask the players about the world

Anyway, there's a few different approaches you could take:

#Giving them a few starting options, but hint that there's more

When they want to infiltrate a city, you could tell them:

GM: "The way into the city passes through a massive gatehouse. This is where normal people enter the city, but you might to run into guards who ask questions. Is that the way you want to take or do you want to look for a more subtle entry into the city?"

Players: "Er, let's take the subtle entry."

GM: "Alright. What are you thinking of?"

Players: "I don't know. What other ways are there?"

GM: "Oh, lots. But which are the good ones? Do you want to climb over the wall, perhaps?"

Player 1: "Yeah, I'm good at climbing. Let's do that."

Player 2: "Wait, won't there be guards on the walls too? Climbing seems more conspicuous than simply taking the road everybody else takes."

etc.

#Big Random Tables

#Designing a good table of random stuff

#Ask the players about the world

You're trying to give them options by withholding options. You want them to explore the Verisimilitude of the world by not describing the world. I can understand this makes sense in your head, but it doesn't at the table. Particularly with new players.

You're trying to give them options by withholding options. You want them to explore the verisimilitude of the world by not describing the world. I can understand this makes sense in your head, but it doesn't at the table. Particularly with new players.