I have decided that I am going to run Epyllion for the first time (eek) at a con (double eek) this weekend (triple eek) as the first game I have ever run in a public setting (quadruple eek).
I know that it is not the best idea to come up with constructed plots and to let the story just happen, but I am a little nervous about not having some things planned in advanced and was looking for a bit of advice!
My main concerns are; this is probably the first time a PBTA game has been run at this con, so I will likely have players that are used to GM direction/prompting instead of taking on the coolest part of the PBTA system which is helping to shape the story. My other concern is that I won’t be able to come up with something on the fly (hazards, NPC goals/desires, solutions to problems) or come up with a satisfactory wrap up when the session is up.
Would it be better for me to come up with 3-4 hazards/plot hooks, a bunch of NPCs with problems, desires and goals and then just pick from that list based on how the session is running? For example, if I get a group that is really interested in exploring the traditions of Dragonia, I’d pick a hazard that remains in the city, or if theya re more interested in an adventure, I’d pick a hazard that has to do with exploring the wilderness.
Thoughts?