Journey to the Kingdom

Session 0:

Hook:

While there were rare sightings from time to time, the world of Mutonia had been relatively free from monsters for going on 5 millenia now. Adventuring was an unknown career path to many until around 30 years ago when various monstrosities began attacking populated areas with increased frequency.  No one knows what led to the sudden spike in monsters but a legendary team of adventurers known as the A-List were able to tackle and subdue most of their adversaries.

During the uprising, a burgeoning trade in monster parts was founded and the magical technology (magitech) created by their components became highly valuable to society. The A-List was coerced by local politics to not drive the monsters into extinction and those thought to be of a lesser threat were instead kept under population control; while the more dangerous foes were shipped to the D-List Kingdom.

As time went on, adventurers were ritually invited to the island in order to forage and gather valuable resources and while it has been some time since you last heard of an invitation, you received a letter of that exact nature addressed to yourself this morning... 

Welcome to the D-List! 

Will you lust after the fame and glory that returning successfully will bring or are your motives for getting on that ship less clear? Whatever the reason, you boarded last night and are expected to hit the island tomorrow...

Introduction:

“As a new hero of the realm you were surprised to find yourself among the 36 warriors drafted to the annual D-List. A list of the lands most promising adventurers, the D-List comprises 36 chosen ones who are shipped off to the D-List Kingdom in order to prove themselves and fight for glory and an as yet unclaimed mystery prize. While there are many rumours as to the true nature of the D-List Kingdom, you find yourself sleeping amongst the other contenders, unsure if they will be your allies or enemies in the time to come...”

Ask the players to to introduce themselves as they wake up in their bed on the ship towards D-List Kingdom, players can keep as many character secrets as they want to but encourage everyone to at least give a description of:

• What someone would see when looking at their character

• What other players should call their character (this can also be included in character)

• What they player was dreaming about just before they woke up

Players can also include parts of their backstory including hinting towards any secrets they may have but make sure players do not overshare at this early point.

“You were given very little information last night after boarding, other than a brief chance to introduce yourselves to one another, you were told to congregate on the deck for enrolment at the morning bells. The bells which you now hear tolling across the walls of the wooden berth you find yourself in...”

Allow the characters to gather on the deck of the ship, once the characters reach the deck of the ship introduce them to the Witty Phantom* and have them give the following speech (if some characters choose to stay in the berth inform them that they do not get to see the Phantom however they are still able to hear it’s words echo across the ship as if projected):