Category: Powered by the Apocalypse

Apocalypse World – session zero.

So we finally got to play AW last night. Our group consists of –

Paul as Boo, an Angel.

Rick as Marlon, a Driver.

John as Sundown, a Brainer.

Bard as Emmy, a Maestro’ d.

Dave as Keeler, a Gunlugger.

After playbooks were chosen, moves picked, and looks decided on, we did the Hx thing, going round the table. I frantically wrote notes on index cards, to detail the relationships, but also recorded the session on an MP3 player, so I can listen again if I need to.

The group are based at “The Pig Pen”, which is the Maestro’s establishment. The main attraction is the fights, supplemented by booze and sex. We’ve got bare knuckle brawls and mud wrestling babes in two rings in the bar. The bar is in an old roadhouse at back of a rundown gas station (pre-fall this was a common amenity along the roads).

Nearby, about 12 miles away, is the town of New Jerusalem. It’s run by a preacher called Moon, and presided over by the local Sheriff. The folks there don’t tolerate booze, sex or fighting in town limits, so regular old battered, battery powered buses run out to the pig pen, so the townies can get their jollies. Naturally some folk are not best pleased about that.

We also have a biker gang run by Jackson, who unknown to most, is the preachers half brother.

I set a few scenes where the players could role play their characters, but was dissapointed by the lack of any real buy in. I had the driver and brainer approaching the town, in the big old muscle car, engine throbbing in the sunset, along the arrow straight road. Cue players – go! Nothing! OK, so what do you guys talk about? “Nothing – we can speak volumes with a single glance”. OK, cool, let’s note that one for the future.

We had the others in the bar, watching the fights and wrestling. OK you’re all there drinking – go! Nothing! Maybe I should have thrown an NPC in their face, all drunk and nasty?

All the group seemed to totally ignore all the relationships formed during Hx, and expressed strong dislike for any “inter party conflict”. Hmm, so I’ll have to provide all the impetus and antagonism they need. I think we’re missing out on a big part of the game there, but will make a story of “us vs them” to accommodate. After all, it’s their story. I’m sure conflict will arrive soon enough, and I’m really looking forward to find out how the story develops…

Did I have too high expectations from the group maybe? Any advice on how to encourage role play appreciated. Any other advice you guys can provide also appreciated. I’ll be doing threat maps etc. later this evening (+1 GMT here, UK time).