Hi again,
This was the post that prompted me to read your entire series. I’ve tried to play and also run Invisible Sun, one time each. I tried playing first and the Desideratum really felt impossible to honor or actually commit to. Oh, we picked one, but our arcs, interests, and foundations did not dovetail into any towards the Desideratum. We picked something to pick something and it never affected that game ever again. I could see that it happened, but you’ve identified, for me, what was the cause. In a Session Zero, the players, at that point have spent hours making semi-firm decisions, and it’s daunting if not practically difficult to bend everything towards it. Especially since the Desideratum has no reward incentive. [EDIT: And doesn’t need one, but see the next paragraph.]

Actually I just looked it up again, and the Desideratum is defined (paraphrasing) as the tone or direction the players are interested in collectively pursuing when the game begins. So, it’s not that the players have to take the Desideratum in consideration when making their characters-but they shouldn’t set themselves to be in contradiction of it (unless that reluctance is roleplaying that doesn’t obstruct the game; SEE MR. T / B.A. BARACUS GETTING ON AIR PLANES).

PC Bonds, absolutely should be front and center before the other steps. My prior experiences led to groups of really awkward PC acquaintances whose personal connections felt contrived, tacked on, and superficial. (Although I can see such a bond developing if the game survives) The thing is, I don’t think PC Bonds are that counter-intuitive in of themselves. I have seen many traditional game players do it intuitively for no other reasons than fun, and still effects their character creation and continued development. For example: Pathfinder players deciding their characters are brothers and then have fun making their characters and building little backstories. Alternate example: Just about any Amber game when players decide their characters are brother and sister or friendly (or unfriendly) cousins.

It seems quite clear now. Ahem, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already now, you wrote about it 4 years ago, I’m just echoing my experiences and you’ve added some clarity. But it’s worth commenting to say I think you were spot on. I’ll be taking using these ideas. Thank you!