As the Game Master, you are the architect of the Armournaut experience - the storyteller, world-builder, referee, and facilitator all in one. Your role is to create a living, breathing universe for your players to explore while maintaining the delicate balance between challenge and enjoyment. This Session Zero guide will help you establish the foundation for your campaign, align expectations with your players, and prepare for the adventures ahead. Remember that your ultimate goal isn't to control the narrative, but to collaborate with your players in creating memorable stories where their choices truly matter. The Cluster is vast and full of possibilities, and your guidance will help shape how your mercenary crew navigates its dangers and opportunities.
Begin by collaboratively defining the three pillars of your campaign with your players. First, determine the Tier (1-5) that best fits your group's desired power level and scope - will you be scrappy Tier 1 mercenaries taking odd jobs to survive, or legendary Tier 5 operatives whose actions shape entire star systems? Next, select a Progression system that matches your playstyle preferences: Sessional for steady advancement, Collaborative Milestone for character-driven narratives, or Mission Barter for a gritty, contract-based experience. Finally, work together to establish the Story framework - discuss whether you want to explore corporate espionage, desperate survival scenarios, or perhaps a grand military campaign. This is also the time to introduce key setting elements like the major factions (the tyrannical Hegemony, rogue AI cults, or the Free Colonies resistance) and discuss how they might interact with the player characters.
Guide your players through creating characters that fit both the established framework and form a cohesive team. Encourage them to consider how their mercenaries came together - were they former military comrades, criminals thrown together by circumstance, or perhaps survivors of a common tragedy? Help players develop backstories that tie into the world while leaving room for growth during play. Discuss potential character arcs and how they might intersect with the campaign's themes. Establish ground rules for party dynamics, including how you'll handle intra-party conflict (many groups choose to prohibit PvP unless all players consent). Consider having players create connections between their characters - shared history, debts owed, or common goals that will help bind the group together. This is also an excellent time to discuss character mortality and how you'll handle potential deaths, especially in this dangerous universe.
Clear communication about expectations is crucial for a successful campaign. Discuss logistical details like session frequency, duration, and attendance policies. Establish your preferred playstyle balance between combat, roleplaying, and exploration - some groups prefer tactical firefights while others enjoy political intrigue. Introduce safety tools like the X-card system and establish lines/veils for content boundaries - Armournaut's setting can include mature themes, and everyone should feel comfortable with the game's direction. Talk about technology use at the table especially as the app is intended to be used to help players and how you'll handle rules disputes during play. Consider creating a shared document outlining these agreements for reference. This is also the time to discuss any house rules or modifications to the core system you plan to implement, ensuring everyone starts with the same understanding of how the game will function.
Bring the Armournaut universe to life by painting a picture of the starting environment. Describe the sights, sounds, and smells of your initial location - perhaps the grimy corridors of a frontier space station or the war-torn streets of a besieged colony. Introduce key factions and power players who might become allies or adversaries. Then present your opening mission hook, designed to showcase the type of stories you'll be telling while allowing player agency. For example: "A corporate exec offers good credits for recovering an AI core from a derelict warship, but signs point to rival mercs and dormant security systems standing in your way." Encourage players to think about how their characters would approach this job and what their motivations might be. Consider running a short practice encounter to familiarize everyone with the core mechanics while teasing elements from your upcoming adventure. End the session by building anticipation for your first full game while remaining open to player suggestions that might reshape your initial plans.
Remember that your role as GM is to facilitate an enjoyable experience for everyone at the table. While preparation is important, stay flexible enough to embrace unexpected player choices that may lead the story in exciting new directions. The best Armournaut campaigns emerge from the collaboration between your worldbuilding and your players' creativity, so focus on fostering an atmosphere where everyone feels invested in the shared narrative you're creating together.
| Section | Key Elements | GM Actions | Player Input | Tools/Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campaign Framework | - Tier selection (1-5) - Progression system - Story theme |
Present options and examples | Vote/discuss preferences Suggest campaign ideas |
Framework reference & Tier XP table/GMSection/world_building |
| Character Creation | - Roles/specializations - Backstory ties - Group identity |
Guide character creation Facilitate connections |
Develop characters Establish relationships |
Character Creator https://game.armournaut.com/login Crew map template /Character/Character_Creation |
| Rules & Expectations | - Safety tools - Playstyle balance - House rules |
Explain core rules Set boundaries |
Voice preferences Ask questions |
Safety tools handout/GMSection/Saftey Rules cheat sheet /GMSection/Cheat_Sheet |
| World Introduction | - Key factions - Starting location - Mission hook |
Describe setting Present first mission |
Brainstorm faction ties Discuss approaches |
Sector map /Lore/Starmap Mission briefing template/GMSection/Contents |
| Session Structure | - Pacing - Spotlight rotation - Downtime activities |
Explain scene transitions Demonstrate combat |
Suggest focus areas Share goals |
Scene checklist /GMSection/scene_management |
| NPC Workshop | - Major NPCs - Rivals/allies - Faction reps |
Create 2-3 key NPCs | Name contacts Suggest traits |
NPC template cards /GMSection/Building_Blocks |
| Logistics | - Schedule - Absence policy - Tools/platforms |
Coordinate calendar Share tech setup |
Provide availability Test equipment |
Scheduling poll https://www.when2meet.com/ |