Getting ready to run a one-shot AW session next week. I’ve run AW a few times, but this’ll be my first one-shot. I like Hatchet City a lot, but it didn’t quite jive with me and I’ve seen some folks complain that it doesn’t quite do the trick for a one shot.
Then I found this: http://ramblingsofjacobanddelos.com/2015/04/10/apocalypse-world-one-shot/
Awesome idea! Here’s my attempt at something pretty similar…
I’m calling this iteration “Gravelpit”. The characters all live in a compound made up of a racetrack, the adjacent mall, and the water cistern underneath the two structures. I’ve got roughly four primary “roles” for the scenario that can be filled by one of three different playbooks.
“The Governor” is the person in charge (could be the hardholder, the chopper, or the maestro’d). “The Thorn” is the person that is the pain in the ass for The Governor for one reason or another (could be the brainer, gunlugger, or battlebabe). Then there’s “The Performer” who is the main attraction at the arena (as played by either the skinner, driver, or faceless). Next is “The River” who is the person in control of the water supply in the cistern (either the angel, savvyhead, or maybe the hocus and their weird water cult).
Any extra players will be one of “The Outsiders” and can pick from any remaining playbook save the hardholder or maestro’d (as those playbooks imply some kind of established position, and obviously not an outsider).
Anyway, the whole point is front-load the situation and create some PC-NPC-PC triangles right off the bat. The Performer and The River (along with any Outsiders) are sort of meant to be wildcards in the situation that could go either way.
What do you guys think? Any glaring issues?
I think you’ve got a lot of great ‘pre-loaded’ ideas which is ideal for a one shot. The challenging thing will be managing the PvP interactions and helping the PCs navigate how this works in AW especially if they are new to the game. There is already an inherent tension in the Outsider versus Invested community members dynamic. Have fun 🙂
Excuse me, what is that mindmap app?
Sweet! Considering making some love letters to help convey the sitch to the players.
Francisco Blanca That one is called MindNode. I used iPad to make it, but I think they have desktop versions too. https://mindnode.com/
Zack Wolf thanks
Zack Wolf wondering how your game went 🙂
It’s coming up this Thursday. 🙂 I’ll report back!