End-of-Session XP Distribution
Summary
The End-of-Session XP Distribution occurs at the conclusion of Session 3, after the party escapes the caverns beneath the Rex Tree. Shawn guides the players through the Dungeon World advancement system, evaluating alignment fulfillment, bond resolution, and collective achievements. Each player character earns experience points through multiple avenues: Vasso for protecting weaker party members, Katniss for freeing the Sniff Lord from bonds, Safia for eliminating unnatural menaces, and Sucks for leaping into danger. The session also marks the first bond resolutions of the campaign, with Sucks and Safia both creating new bonds after resolving old ones. The party collectively earns four XP for learning about shapeshifting and technology, and for overcoming notable enemies including the Sniff Lord, Cultists, and burglar geese.
Details
The XP distribution begins with Shawn instructing everyone to review their alignment. Each player examines whether their character fulfilled their alignment requirement during the session.
Vasso's player Dayna reviews the Lawful alignment requirement to "endanger yourself to protect someone weaker than you." Shawn confirms that Vasso protected both Monster and Sucks during the session, awarding a point of experience.
Brad, playing Katniss, discovers the alignment mechanic for the first time when evaluating the Chaotic requirement to "free someone from literal or figurative bonds." Brad admits not knowing this was a mechanic, but Shawn confirms that freeing the Sniff Lord qualifies, awarding Katniss a point of experience.
Safia's player Erin reviews the Good alignment requirement to "endanger yourself to eliminate an unnatural menace." Shawn awards experience for Safia's actions against both the Sniff Lord and the Cultists.
Sucks's player Abdul evaluates the Chaotic requirement to "leap into danger without a plan." Shawn confirms that entering the goose room and the dark cavern both qualify, awarding Sucks a point of experience.
The evaluation then moves to bond resolution. Sucks resolves a bond with Safia, since the entire party now knows about the shapeshifting secret. Sucks earns XP and writes a new bond: "Safia has outsmarted me. I will find out how." Safia resolves a bond with Vasso after revealing shapeshifting abilities and teaching tree technology, also earning XP.
Shawn then awards collective experience, asking three questions. For "Did we learn something new and interesting about the world?" the party earns two points for discovering shapeshifting and potential technology. For "Did we overcome a notable monster enemy?" they earn two points for defeating the Sniff Lord, Cultists, and burglar geese. For "Did we loot a memorable treasure?" the answer is no—the party intends to return repossessed items to their owners rather than keeping them.
The session concludes with players learning they need eight XP to level up and gain new moves from their playbooks.
Participants
- Shawn — Game Master, guides the XP distribution process and adjudicates alignment and bond fulfillment
- Dayna — Player of Vasso, earns XP for protecting weaker party members
- Brad — Player of Katniss, learns about alignment mechanics and earns XP for freeing the Sniff Lord
- Erin — Player of Safia, earns XP for eliminating unnatural menaces and resolves a bond with Vasso
- Abdul — Player of Sucks, earns XP for leaping into danger and resolves a bond with Safia
Consequences
- Vasso gains one XP for alignment fulfillment
- Katniss gains one XP for alignment fulfillment and learns about the alignment mechanic
- Safia gains one XP for alignment fulfillment and one XP for bond resolution, totaling two XP
- Sucks gains one XP for alignment fulfillment and one XP for bond resolution, totaling two XP
- All party members gain four collective XP (two for world discovery, two for overcoming enemies)
- Sucks writes a new bond: "Safia has outsmarted me. I will find out how"
- Safia resolves her bond with Vasso after teaching tree technology
- The party learns that eight XP are required to level up and gain new moves
- The party confirms they will return looted items to owners rather than keeping treasure