Can a Guardian and a DM Meet Before a Session?
Yes. Guardians are welcome to meet a DM before booking or before their child's first game, and DMs are welcome to offer it. We call this a get-to-know-you consult. It is a short, friendly conversation so a Guardian can put a face to the name, ask questions, and decide whether this DM is the right fit for their child.
Consults happen on a Zoom link that StartPlaying issues, and they are recorded.
Everything else about them is flexible.
The Basics
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Who joins | The Guardian and the DM. The Young Hero can join too, as long as their Guardian is present for the whole call |
Who can ask | Either side. A Guardian can request one, and a DM can offer one |
Cost | No charge. This is a complimentary service, offered at each DM's discretion |
Where | A Zoom link issued by StartPlaying, requested by the DM |
Recorded | Yes, the same as every Young Heroes session |
Length | Up to the DM. Most consults need fifteen minutes or less |
This Is Not a Session Zero
The two get confused, so it is worth being clear about the difference.
| Get to know you consult | Session Zero |
What it is | A short conversation to meet the DM and ask questions | Actual play preparation with the group: characters, table expectations, safety tools |
Who is it for | The Guardian, with the Young Hero optionally sitting in | The players at the table (Young Heroes) |
Cost | Free | Can be charged |
How it is set up | The DM requests a call link from us | Built into the DM's adventure template like any other session |
If what a Guardian is asking for is really character creation or table setup, that is a Session Zero and it belongs in the adventure.
How To Set One Up
If you are a Guardian: message the DM through StartPlaying and ask about a consult. Mention roughly when you are free and whether your child will be joining you. The DM will handle the rest and send you a Zoom link through StartPlaying messages before the call. If you email us for a link yourself, we will point you back to your DM, since the request has to come from them.
If you are a DM:
Agree on a time with the Guardian through StartPlaying messages.
Email youngheroes@startplaying.com with the Guardian's name, the adventure, and the date and time. We reply within two business days, so ask as soon as you have a time in mind.
Send the link to the Guardian through StartPlaying messages and let them know the call is recorded.
Join at the agreed time and keep the whole conversation on that link.
Offering consults is up to you. Some DMs offer one to every new family, some offer them on request, and some do not offer them at all. All of those are fine.
What the Call Is Good For
Bring to the call | Leave off the call |
How the DM runs a table and what their style is like | Personal contact details for either side |
What the adventure involves and the age band it is written for | Any payment arrangement outside the platform |
Content a Guardian is unsure about, and how the DM handles it at the table | Any invitation to continue the conversation somewhere else |
Accommodations or accessibility needs | Anything either side would not want on a recording |
What a Young Hero should have ready, and how a session runs start to finish |
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Why the Call Is Recorded
Consults are recorded for the same reason sessions are. If any issues about a conversation is ever raised, there is a record of it and nobody has to work from memory. That protects the Young Hero, the Guardian, and the DM equally.
DMs, tell the Guardian the call is recorded when you send the link, so it is never a surprise when they join.
Everything Stays on StartPlaying
Question | Answer |
Can we use a personal video call or messaging app instead? | No. The link we issue is the only place the consult happens |
Can a Guardian and DM exchange phone numbers or email addresses? | No. All contact stays in StartPlaying messages |
Can a Guardian pay a DM directly for a consult? | No. There is no charge for a consult, and all payments go through the platform |
Can the conversation continue after the call? | Yes, in StartPlaying messages. The DM can also request a second call link |
DMs, if a Guardian keeps pressing to move the conversation elsewhere after you have explained this once, email youngheroes@startplaying.com and tell us. You do not have to manage that on your own.
If a Safety Concern Comes Up
Guardians sometimes raise something serious on a consult, either about their own child or about a previous game. DMs, let the Guardian talk, do not promise an outcome, and report it as soon as the call ends. Guardians, you can raise a concern with us directly at any time. See the safety reporting article for the steps and our response times.
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