[The Mountain Witch] "Of Wolves & Tengu" Demo

[timfire]

Hi y'all,

I've written a script for my 15-30 minute tMW demo. You can download it [here]. This is demo I used at GenCon, so I know it more or less "works".

I have two reasons for posting this here. First, I just want to present an example of how to run a short demo. But second, I have a couple people who are going to run demos for me, so wanted to get some feedback on the document. Does anyone have questions on the demo? Is it understandable? Is there any way I can improve the presentation---as in, the understandability---of the content?

Though I would like the discussion to focus on the presentation of the content, if people have suggestions for how to improve the demo as a vechicle for generating sales, feel free to discuss that too. But I will say that since the demo spans two scenes, it does run a little longer than some people's demos. I can live with that, so don't bother bringing that up.

Oh, and one observation about the demo---even though the game runs better with more players, the demo runs better with less players.

Thanks!

[timfire]

Oh, I also meant to say, the script is semi-rigid. Though it's not intended to be followed word-for-word, having done demo upon demo at GenCon, I developed a very concise method to express/explain things. The demo actually covers quite a bit of ground, and it's easy to get caught up and end up taking alot more time than you meant to. So you should be careful about what you say.

Also, is there anyone here who did the demo at GenCon? What did you think of both my performance and of the demo in general?

Thanks again!

[dindenver]

Hi!
  Not trying to be a jerk, but maybe you need to add the music from the "Cliff Hanger" "Price is Right" game to your demo.
  Seriously though, it looks well done.

[Jason Morningstar]

Hi Tim,

This is very interesting to me.  I have no experience running focused demos, so seeing a structured example is helpful.  Your document seems clear and straightforward.  One comment - I didn't see any verbiage indicating to the players that, as a demo, their options are necessarily limited.  Maybe a disclaimer or something, to keep them from getting off the rails?  Or is this understood?

--Jason

[cdr]

Very good demo, thanks for posting it.  I have a couple of small suggestions: one would be to have name cards that can be printed on cardstock, cut apart, and folded in half so they stand up, so that each player can see at a glance the names of the other characters.  An extra bonus for that would be to put the zodiac name (or symbol) on the name cards as well.

The second would be to put the starting trust on the character sheets, to save another minute or two.

Not related to the demo, but very helpful to have as PDF downloads on your website, would be 1) a character sheet based on the one in the demo (the one in the book is difficult to use because half of it is oriented in portrait and half in landscape, and the part to write on is obscured by the underlying symbol), and 2) a one-page summary of the twelve zodiac signs, ideally with a little drawing at the top of the wheel of the zodiac, which shows very handily how the allies are 120 degrees apart and enemies 180 degrees apart.

I'm running a single-session 8-hour game at DunDraCon in February (Saturday morning at 8am), so I'm very glad to see this Demo script to give me a better idea of how to introduce the rules.  Thanks!

Now if I can just find a source for six colors of plastic poker chips.  5-color pro chips are easy to find but too heavy to lug to remote conventions, cheap chips only seem to come in 3 colors.  (I've thought about using glass life tokens but they don't stack.)

[timfire]

The second would be to put the starting trust on the character sheets, to save another minute or two.

I've thought about this... it wouldn't be a bad idea...

Not related to the demo, but very helpful to have as PDF downloads on your website, would be 1) a character sheet based on the one in the demo...

I just put my old zodiac-specific charsheets up on my webstite like a week or so ago. Feel free to download them.

I'm running a single-session 8-hour game at DunDraCon in February (Saturday morning at 8am), so I'm very glad to see this Demo script to give me a better idea of how to introduce the rules.  Thanks!

I didn't think about doing it that way for a Con game, but that 's a good idea. You will, of course, want to give a more detailed explanation of the rules, though, if it's for a longer session.

Now if I can just find a source for six colors of plastic poker chips.  5-color pro chips are easy to find but too heavy to lug to remote conventions, cheap chips only seem to come in 3 colors.  (I've thought about using glass life tokens but they don't stack.)

Unfortunately, I can't be much help. I was having trouble myself, and ended up buying my chips from a vendor at GenCon. I should probably try to find an online source and post the link on my website.

Thanks!

[Yokiboy]

Now if I can just find a source for six colors of plastic poker chips.  5-color pro chips are easy to find but too heavy to lug to remote conventions, cheap chips only seem to come in 3 colors.  (I've thought about using glass life tokens but they don't stack.)

You should get the 10 gram (standard casino weight) Casino Dice Composite Poker Chips from 5stardeal.com, they're a great value, and the store offers very good service.

I haven't finished reading the demo yet, but was wondering if it would be possible for me to run it if I still only own the old freebie version of the game?

TTFN,

Yoki

[Gordon C. Landis]

Now if I can just find a source for six colors of plastic poker chips.  5-color pro chips are easy to find but too heavy to lug to remote conventions, cheap chips only seem to come in 3 colors.  (I've thought about using glass life tokens but they don't stack.)

If you want full-size plastic chips, I found this site:  http://www.kardwell.com/.  I know you can get multi-colored small chips too, because I bought some (brown/yellow/white/red/lt blue/drk blue), but I can't find the site I got 'em from at the moment.