1) Logistics

Aside from printing up the map tiles and the character sheets, I went and printed up the Character Creation list on pg. 31, the Conflict summary on pg. 29, and the lists of stuff on pg. 42 & 43 and photocopied them into player handouts.  Next time, I think the map tiles will get printed on cardstock.

2) Scenario Prep

I was really concerned with how I'm going to juggle all these different Stakes, especially since I might end up with 5 players, more than I'm normally comfortable with.  Then it struck me- just make the Stakes related...

The 3 Troll Brothers 

The oldest, Gratt, works at the Lost Quarry with the humans who work there.  Humans generally see him as an ok guy.  He also hangs out with, and protects the Gypsies from other people as well as demons.  Recently, the Quarry workers have been getting upset about the Gypsies "taking their jobs"...

The middle brother, Nalji, also works at the Quarry, but also has been making money on the side by hiring himself out as a tough for the local crew on Stivey's road.  He doesn't like having to hurt folks, but he's hoping to move him and his brothers out of the Bogslum sooner rather than later.  The other crews have decided to also escalate and hire demons as well...

The youngest, Karza, spends way too much of his time at the Cursed Tavern, drinking and gambling.  And he just got himself into deep debt with a vampire who is hoping to take over the orphanage from Madame Oz.

Stakes?  Each brother is going to count as one, since each is about to be in some deep fecal matter quickly.  Madame Oz counts as one, and throw in a figurehead Gypsy to complete the set.  And, by limiting the map tile choices, I can easily make sure these things show up in play.

I don't know if this is what you had in mind for prep, John, but I'm going to flesh it out and let you know how it all goes.

Chris

That's *exactly* the kind of prep I had in mind, Chris. A bunch of NPCs who want things, and clear obstacles that will keep them from all getting what they want (until a Stranger steps in, of course). Perfect.

I'm very concerned about having 5 players, though (you mean five plus you makes six, right?) That's just too damn many for ST. Three players is the maximum (plus the GM makes four). I honestly think you are going to have some bored players. It takes time to go around the table. The longer it takes, the more players tend to drift off and become disengaged. Unless it would cause serious problems, I recommend splitting your players into a group of three for one playtest and a group of two (or three) for another. Putting them all together in a big group is asking for trouble.

Oh, and I really want to steal the Three Troll Brothers for use as example prep in the book. Is that cool with you?

Hi John,

Yeah, 5 is more than what I wanted, but I ran with it anyway.  I'd say 2 of the players were fully engaged, and 3 less so, but everyone had fun. Plenty of cross scenes going on, and I think part of it was that though I've played with 3 of the group, only 2 knew each other previously.  My actual play post is here:

http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/index.php?topic=16384.0

Oh, and I really want to steal the Three Troll Brothers for use as example prep in the book. Is that cool with you?