The Pavis and Big Rubble group. Sessions Zero and One.
I finally gathered enough people for a Runequest 2 (Here after RQ) game set in Pavis and Big Rubble. I had five players online from all around the world.
Session Zero went well, but I felt some people were very quick to gloss over things that could be issues. I also had not yet learned that this was the point to talk about expectations besides online safety (Lines, veils, X card). I thought certain things were just default expectations.
Well, I was wrong I later had to ask a player not to read the Campaign book (which had Maps, encounter charts, price lists, secrets, rumors, and adventures I want to Game Master), especially during play. I course corrected that by very politely broaching the topic with the player, and asking them to stop reading the Campaign book.
We wrapped up session Zero very quickly, and the players were eager for a game so I spun one out of whole cloth. I have not had to do that in a while so that was fun for me.
I gave the players the chance to help someone return a religious artifact to a temple from which it had been stolen. Religion (referred to as Cults in RQ) is a big thing. The players jumped at the chance for adventure.
My take aways from this session. One, basically assume your players will do anything, and I mean anything not spelled out (like reading Campaign settings you're currently GMing for them). Two, make it clear from the start how closely you will be hewing to the rules. If you're using House rules give out handouts for your players to refer to. Three, always show up ready to run a game even from session Zero, everyone will enjoy a game, even a short one.