Hi fellow GMs

I have run all 3rd edition adventures (except enemy within) and at right now working my way through Thousand Thrones which I have converted.

Needless to say, my campaign has had a number of player casualties and new characters throughout the campaign.

Anyway I found once in a while either when introducing a new character or picking up on a character who missed a few sessions, it's a fun idea to start the game session in the heat of some combat they are not aware of.

Like when introducing a new character in Ubersreik, I wanted him to be on the tail of a cult to tie him in with the ongoing plot and the group. The session started with:

"The dark robed cultists takes a swing at you and you reel back. You see your good friend Hanz go down on your right and the high priest at the alter is about to slid the throat of your naked sister at the alter"

... following up with a short exchange of blows before the leader escapes, setting the scene for the character's interest in the cult.

Or in case of introducing a slayer to the campaign... "The troll in front of you claws violently at you and tries to throw you into a nearby tree!"

If you have not tried to start up a session in this bloody way, give it a try. Much like when a movie starts up in the middle of a fight and no one really has a real clue as to what is going on. Anyone other GMs out there who throws their characters into a deadly situation while they are still getting their dice out of their bag?

This is a great idea. It really helps draw in a character to the campaign right away.

Most of one of my player's characters go out this way..and then we have to do that.

Great idea, sometimes I've used it in the beginning of campaigns or even sessions, which works really well. But it's a great idea using it for new characters. Plunging them right into the action straight away.