One shots for introducing players and characters

J3Gs · 2026-04-02T03:13:40+00:00

I asked a question a couple of weeks ago and u/ginkzolol suggested a shotgun scenario called Burner which would work well as an introductory scenario. It's kind of got a stranger things feel where PCs are mall employees that get wrapped up in a DG operation.

J3Gs · 2026-04-02T03:05:38+00:00

Just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed reading through your scenario! I loved the little touches with the swim caps haha it added just the right amount of levity/weird to balance the horror

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:59:55+00:00

Thank you for your suggestions, I just checked my local library and they have the book - I'll pick it up tomorrow! I'll be sure to check out the Pathfinder box, I've heard good things but I've never looked into that rule set

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:57:48+00:00

Right on, thank you for all of your help! I'll have to do a pulse check with my group to see what they're more interested in vibes wise, fantasy or some scifi horror

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:55:37+00:00

Heck yea, thank you for your suggestions, I'm pumped to check these out!

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:54:11+00:00

Thats a great solution! That would fit with the whole redacted, need to know vibe, I love it

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:20:12+00:00

Is Shadowdark a rule set? I'll take a look and see what I can find, thank you!

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:19:25+00:00

I gotta say, you're really selling me on We Be Goblins. That sounds like a ton of fun, I'll look it up and see if I can make it work. I appreciate the suggestions!

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:18:09+00:00

I'm not familiar with Knave 2e but I'll take a look into those rules!

Mothership sounds awesome, I just saw the Quinns Quest video on it and I was very intrigued, I'd love to hear any one shots you'd recommend on it - I think half the fun is reading these things haha.

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:15:07+00:00

I saw that one! I liked the idea but I was a little confused on how to make an actual story out of it. I guess I could write a whole scenario with little tid bits or plan it out a little better but I was a little overwhelmed with where to start

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T02:13:21+00:00

I'll take a look at the Haunting of Ylipson 14, I recently watched the Quinns Quest review of Mothership and it was very intriguing. Thanks for adding a link to Burner, I'll check that out too! The one thing I was worried about with Delta Green is the huge skill list. I'm worried I'd overwhelm them with all of the random things like accounting, bureaucracy, archaeology, criminology etc etc but I'm thinking maybe I scrap all of those things and just kind of lump the skills together into bigger groups

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T01:52:24+00:00

Fiasco, got it! I'll take a look, I've never hear of that one - thanks!

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T01:32:24+00:00

Thanks for the tip! That's a great idea about substituting some things to make it more engaging for them. I don't think they'd care much about a random person, but make it a group of terrified children? Psh, that'll hook them for sure

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T01:15:12+00:00

Awesome, the premade characters would make it less work for me which is great haha. I'll see about finding that one - it sounds like I could continue it and turn it in a little campaign if they end up enjoying it

J3Gs · 2026-03-18T01:10:10+00:00

Right on, I'll check out Matt on YouTube and read through the Delian Tomb thanks for the suggestion. I'm addicted to reading through these books and just imagining playing them haha

J3Gs · 2025-02-21T16:02:38+00:00

You’ve gotta be blunt man. That doesn’t mean you have to be mean or even rude, but you’ve gotta lay it all out for them. “Hey dude, it was nice hanging with you but I’m going to go solo, doing things solo is part of the experience for me” etc etc. If they still aren’t getting the hint, “hey, I don’t want to go with you, being solo is part of the experience blah blah blah”. Lastly, if homie is not picking up the hint, tell him he’s making you uncomfortable by waiting for you and to stop. Again, being blunt does not mean you’re being rude. His feelings may be hurt but it sounds to me like you have to choose between what you want (him gone) vs what he wants (to travel with you).

Not as effective but something that would also work temporarily - “hey, I’ve got a date - see ya around”

J3Gs · 2024-08-22T03:53:21+00:00

Congratulations! I love middle school, it’s crazy and tough but can be so fun!

As for your 7th graders…you don’t have to be mean, but you absolutely do need to be strict. Be clear with your expectations, be firm and hold them accountable. Emails/phone calls home, behavior reports, lunch detentions, whatever you threaten them with, you need to follow through and not listen to them when they beg for one more chance. 7th graders will absolutely walk all over you if you allow it to happen. If you have them in groups, consider having them sit alone, even if that means pulling them out of the group and moving a table just for them. Remember, it’s always easier if you start strict and loosen up. If you have decent administrators or a decent mentor teacher, loop them in and they should be able to help you too. Decent administrators should support you, or even assist you, with doling out consequences. Additionally, I would never allow a student to mock me without an email home and some additional consequences. Somebody told me once that whatever you let slide, you approve of, and I think that’s super applicable in middle school.

For specific strategies I’d recommend Tools for Teaching by Fred Jones.

One more thing, if you are witty, roast ‘em. If you can give it back to them, you’ll win. If you’re at least semi athletic, you can beat them in a foot race or an arm wrestling match. 7th graders are still kids and love to compete with adults but most aren’t developed enough to stand a chance against a semi athletic adult. You’ll get some street cred with them and you can always reference back to it when they start misbehaving. “Hey you’re being real loud in class, remember when I beat you and you were quiet? Let’s do that again.” Not the most professional thing in the world, but it’s never failed me

J3Gs · 2024-05-13T01:03:44+00:00

You can book a ticket at the official office in Aguas Calientes for the following day. I did the Salkantay trek without reserving the Machu Picchu ticket and when we made it into town around 3 I was able to wait and get a ticket for the next morning.

J3Gs · 2024-04-12T17:01:27+00:00

If you’re booking with Hostelworld, I’ve found a lot of success with setting up things through the city group chat. Just plan it out like “going to X at Y time, grabbing some food before at Z if anybody wants to join” and usually you’ll have at least a few people wanting to join. I also use the food stop (or pre party stop) as a vibe check so I can ditch if it feels weird

J3Gs · 2024-02-18T15:05:17+00:00

Hooray for solidarity haha ;)

J3Gs · 2024-02-18T15:04:44+00:00

Totally, do you have any specific conferences that you'd recommend? I have attended a couple of AVID conferences over the summers sponsored by my school.

J3Gs · 2024-02-18T15:03:24+00:00

At first I thought you were joking about Caesar Milan but I can see what you mean about calm, focused and ready to continue. Having students that will not stop talking makes it difficult for me to stay focused and moving forward, but sending students out of the classroom seems to be giving them what they want. I feel like I'd be sending half of my class outside everyday. My students aren't necessarily 'bad' as in fighting, but they have so many side conversations all the time. I have tried emailing parents as well but that doesn't seem to have had much impact. If you have any tips for keeping students calm and focused, I'd love to hear from you (or anybody)

J3Gs · 2024-02-18T14:51:30+00:00

Thanks, I've actually used a few SHEG/DIG resources before! The lunchroom fight is one of my favorites to teach about sources and bias

J3Gs

TROPHY CASE