Sessions — At the Table
Western Horizon sessions are self-contained expeditions. A player posts intent, the GM preps the quest site, the party ventures out, engages with the content, and returns. Most sessions resolve in a single sitting.
In This Folder
| File | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Running Sessions | Adjudication principles, pacing, improvisation within the prep |
| Recording | Audio setup, Discord bots, in-person options |
| Post-Session | Transcription, wiki updates, faction clock advancement, seeding future hooks |
The Self-Contained Expedition
Sessions start in medias res. Not “you’re in a tavern” — “you’re three hours into the Thornwood.” The party declared their destination days ago. The GM prepped that destination. The session runs the content.
This eliminates the need for stalling tactics, back-pocket encounters, or improvised hooks. You know where they’re going. You prepped what’s there. The only surprises are what they do when they arrive.
What the GM Does During a Session
Three things only:
Adjudicate — Rule on player actions within the established world. Can they intimidate the guard? Does the knowledge check reveal the inscription? Adjudication is synchronous. This is where “what happens” gets authored.
Simulate — When the party does something that has consequences beyond the immediate scene, simulate the world’s reaction. The merchant they threatened will tell someone. The faction they helped will remember. Track these for post-session.
Stay present — Don’t prep during play. The content is already generated. Trust what you built.
Recording and Post-Session
Detailed procedures pending. Planned coverage:
Recording — Audio setup, Craig bot for Discord, in-person options, staying present during play.
Logging Discoveries — Quick capture during play, what constitutes a pin-worthy observation, canon implications.
Post-Session Duties — Transcription workflow, processing with Claude, wiki updates, advancing faction clocks, seeding the discovery pool for next session.
Where This Connects
Sessions execute what Quest Prep generated. What happens at the table feeds back into the Wiki as pinned canon. Faction clocks advance after every session, which seeds the Lore layer for the next round of intent declarations.