Okay guys, thanks for the game Friday.
I just wanted to say a few things regarding the actual playing group, not the characters or setting.
First of all, I don't mind large groups. Many prefer small, but having run for kids at school, and some larger groups in the past, it does not particularly bother me, but there are things to consider.
1st. It is not easy. ;) I try to run very character-driven campaigns and involve your backstories etc. That is what the Renown & Relationship dice are meant to do. Given we have so many players, when next we roll these, I am going to suggest choosing 2 relationships only, rather than 3 each.
Also means I forget to do some things I had planned. I really had something I wanted to do all along for a certain PC if they every entered the Marth Forest and especially if they encountered an aberration like you did. Trying to get things rolling and getting the attention of 8 players, I completely forgot. (I might have to resolve some of that in some private posts. ;)
2nd. Thanks for your patience. With 8 of you, you all realise the spotlight cannot be on your PC all the time. The more players, the harder this balancing act is, but I appreciate players being cool with others taking the spotlight for a time… yours will come :)
3rd. Combat. I love combat. I also love a heavy roleplaying game. More importantly, I like a bit of each, as well as exploration. However, I defaulted to a couple of combats Friday. These were encounters, but I was happy for combat to take up a fair part of the night b/c we had a new player and some straight up action is an easy way for them to get involved without pressure of RPing. Also, combat ensures everyone gets their turn. In interaction situations that can be hard, and I have even resorted to using initiative in those situations with large groups (and might again). This encourages those that would otherwise sit and say nothing to actually consider something on their go, but they can always choose to say nothing. Anyway, with so many players, combat ensures you get to do something and gets attention of all.
If I had just one thing to add to this, it would be, try to be ready BEFORE your turn. I know things change etc. but having the spell description ready before your turn for eg would be great :)
Also, rolling dice together will help, but I will speak about this ;). ie roll attack AND damage at same time. Also roll 2 d20s for advantage, rather than picking up and rolling again.
4th. We are not going to get as much done with 8 people. Rarely will we achieve what I have planned. That is okay, but just be aware, progress will be slow, especially when all of you want your time to shine and interact, which you should. To help, this may mean, there are some encounters/situations where you do take a back seat. if your PC is not of major importance to a situation, let others deal with it ;) Even combat - for example, if you are at the back of the party in a corridor and get an early initiative card simply go on hold until those at the front move or sort the situation out. (I have noticed a lot of people wanting to move through combats and shoot into combat. Usually, my penalties for this are a lot worse. Remember all combatants are MOVING/evading/lunging/fighting, not standing still. So again, I know you all want to be involved all the time, but expect to start affecting other characters if trying to move near them when fighting or shooting 'through' them). ;)
5th. Another thing people can do to keep progress going is keep up to date with things here, especially the Adventure Log. Any changes to your character sheet or what happened last session does not have to take game time then. Even better, add to the PC Page or the Adventure Log yourself! That would be awesome. If someone is interested, the Adv Log could even become an actual character's journal. :)
If people want to take over their PC Sheets themselves, I don't mind. I am happy to do them and as long as I do, I will use my Word docs sorted the way they are. If this does not gel with you, feel free to do your PC however you wish, including on D&D Beyond. ;)
Anyway, just some random thoughts :D And to let some of you know 8 players is not a typical game, but doable.
βIt is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.β β Harry S. Truman