campaign-trackers/session-zero.md

---
tags: [dnd, session-zero, campaign-setup]
campaign: 
date: 
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# Session Zero Worksheet

*Use this before the campaign begins to align expectations between DM and players.*

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## Campaign Pitch

**Elevator pitch (2-3 sentences):**

**Starting situation:**

**What kind of story is this?**
- [ ] Dungeon crawl / exploration
- [ ] Political intrigue
- [ ] Epic heroic journey
- [ ] Mystery / investigation
- [ ] Horror
- [ ] Sandbox / open world
- [ ] Other: 

**Planned length:** One-shot / Short arc (3–6 sessions) / Medium campaign (10–20) / Long campaign (20+) / Open-ended

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## Tone & Expectations

**Tone** (mark all that apply):
- [ ] Gritty / realistic
- [ ] Heroic / high fantasy
- [ ] Comedic
- [ ] Dark / horror
- [ ] Political
- [ ] Lighthearted / casual

**Expected session length:**

**Session frequency:**

**Table rules** (phones, food, side conversations, etc.):

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## Safety Tools

**Safety tools in use:**
- [ ] Lines & Veils
- [ ] X-Card
- [ ] Open Door Policy
- [ ] Stars & Wishes (end of session)
- [ ] Other: 

**Lines (never included):**
- 
- 
- 

**Veils (can happen, but off-screen):**
- 
- 
- 

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## World & Setting

**Setting:** Homebrew / Forgotten Realms / Eberron / Ravenloft / Other: 

**Starting location:**

**What does the party know at session start:**

**What level do characters start at:**   **Method for HP:**   **Stat generation:** 4d6 drop lowest / Standard Array / Point Buy

**Starting equipment:** PHB defaults / Starting gold / Other: 

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## Character Creation

**Allowed sources:**
- [ ] Player's Handbook 2024
- [ ] Other books: 
- [ ] Homebrew (DM approval required)

**Allowed races / species:**

**Restricted races / species:**

**Allowed classes:**

**Restricted subclasses / classes:**

**Alignment:** Used / Not used

**Backstory requirements:**
- Minimum: 
- Must include: 
- At least one connection to: 

**Character secrets / bonds:** Each player provides the DM with one secret and one goal

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## Party Cohesion

**How does the party know each other?**
- [ ] Pre-established (players decide)
- [ ] DM provides a framing event
- [ ] They don't yet — first session brings them together

**Framing event (if applicable):**

**Questions for each player about their character:**
1. Why is your character an adventurer?
2. What does your character want more than anything?
3. What does your character fear?
4. What is one secret your character keeps?
5. Who does your character trust, and why?

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## House Rules

| Rule | Details |
|------|---------|
| Critical hits | 2× dice / max die + roll / other: |
| Healing potions | Action / Bonus action |
| Flanking | Yes / No |
| Encumbrance | Variant / Standard / Ignored |
| Resurrection | RAW / Harder / Other: |
| Other | |
| Other | |

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## Expectations Check

*Each player and DM answers these:*

**What are you most excited about in this campaign?**

| Player | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| DM | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |

**What do you want more of at the table?**

| Player | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| DM | |
| | |
| | |

**What do you want less of?**

| Player | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| DM | |
| | |
| | |

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## Contact & Scheduling

| Player | Character Name | Preferred Contact | Scheduling Notes |
|--------|---------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| DM | — | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |

**Session day / time:**

**Platform / Location:**

**Backup contact method (cancellations):**

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## DM Notes from Session Zero