RPG tip from the archive: Start your session zero with the basic rules of the game. In particular, characters exist to go on cooperative fantastic adventures with their companions.
RPG tip from the archive: If things are feeling directionless, it might be a good time to work out, with the players, what the current open quests are.
@slyflourish one of the only good things to come out of the 5e Spelljammer books is the attitude table. I really like to use it in random Encounter tables.
Some example rolls: 1d6, 1d10, 1d12, 2d6+3, ...
Just take a look at the probability curve. Do you want even distribution? 1d12
More scewed to indifferent? 2d6
Only indifferent and friendly? 1d8+4
RPG tip from the archive: Copy and paste or highlight useful bits of lore from published material you can expose to the characters as secrets and clues.