Writing, managing, and expanding campaigns.
22
votes
4answers
711 views
How much to bend “the rules” about populating a world?
All right, I have a question about creating a world and populating it with appropriate monsters, etc.
I created a world a little while back, loosely based off of the world found in Michael ...
15
votes
4answers
859 views
Middle age transportation by river questions
I am playing in a medieval fantasy type setting and am trying to determine travel speeds when people are traveling on rivers. This is similar to this previous question, but that question really only ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
Are Masterplan projects equivalent to adventures or campaigns?
I started using Masterplan last time I DMed and I love what the tool brings to the table. However, I'm not certain how to use it to track my entire campaign.
Does a Masterplan adventure project ...
6
votes
9answers
411 views
What are ways player characters could awake an ancient evil? [closed]
Almost any epic level threat will do, but he/she/it should arise as a direct/indirect result of player character meddling (thereby making them responsible to destroy it). Preferable if PCs have a ...
13
votes
3answers
295 views
Is an ongoing Human Occupied Landfill (HōL) campaign possible?
Back when White Wolf ruled the land of RPGs, they released a really bizarre game called HōL on their Black Dog label. A lot of the game was obviously written as a joke, but I've felt myself drawn ...
6
votes
3answers
268 views
What system or sourcebooks should I use to run a pre Roman, Celtic Britain campaign? [closed]
Someone I know, wants to run a campaign in Celtic Britain. He normally uses Pathfinder but is looking for something more appropriate to the background.
0
votes
0answers
40 views
Writing rules and guidelines for a 3.Xe, 4e mashup system and campaign [closed]
Recently I've taken on the project of creating my own campaign and system that i hope to be combination of 4e and 3e, but distinct from each. Could anyone give me suggestions as to how to write the ...
29
votes
8answers
815 views
What are the essential features of a successful evil campaign?
Until this point, I have demanded that my players not build characters with evil alignments, as I am familiar with how to design campaigns and adventures around "good" or "redemption" themes. ...
17
votes
5answers
248 views
Rules system for playing out the details of founding and developing a city?
I want to run a campaign in which the players control individual but influential characters (maybe heads of families), with the main focus of play on the PCs building up a city over time, starting ...
3
votes
2answers
120 views
3 enchanted items to cast ritual - D&D
In planing my D&D campaign, I have an section where the group will have to find three enchanted copper pots to seal away a powerful daemon. I have an idea on how I want it to work, but not sure if ...
3
votes
1answer
95 views
How can I maintain game balance at extremely high levels of power in a point-build system?
More specifically, how do I keep the game fun when all parties involved are extremely powerful? The game I'm asking this about is a Wild Talents 2nd Edition game where everyone is built on a budget of ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
Is there any resource for side quests with which to fill out one's campaign?
Earlier I was helping to make a list of side quest ideas. Nothing like "defeat Arthur and obtain Excalibur." More like "rescue damsel in distress." Really simple stuff which is more like side quest ...
11
votes
4answers
303 views
Adding comic relief
As a GM, I would like to add comic relief to my sessions.
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.
...
7
votes
2answers
129 views
Writing a VtR Chronicle
I'm new to Vampire: the Requiem and I would like to write my own chronicle but I don't know where to start. Where can I get inspiration and how can I structure the campaign/chronicle so it's cohesive ...
7
votes
6answers
213 views
Software for diagramming branching campaign plotlines
I'm looking for something that simply allows me to connect nodes for different progression paths throughout the campaign, and that will let me connect them in arbitrary ways so that I can connect two ...
8
votes
3answers
207 views
How do I make a story based campaign revolve around a megadungeon?
I'd really like to make a more story-heavy setting in my next fantasy campaign, but I also love megadungeons. What is a good way to use a megadungeon to tell a story instead of as a place for ...
5
votes
5answers
275 views
Advice and sources for designing a fantasy political campaign?
A friend of mine is running a Middle-earth campaign and wants to make a political twist. As he knows I use to play that gamestyle (although in a contemporary setting), he has asked me to get involved ...
52
votes
18answers
3k views
I'm creating an original setting for D&D—where do I start?
Creating a new fantasy setting for D&D is daunting but I don't want to use one of the published settings. I have a blank piece of paper in front of me and a whole world to create. My friends want ...
17
votes
5answers
321 views
How can I have a mixed game of nWoD without having a thematic mess?
I'm planning on starting a full-on mixed nWoD game, but I don't know how to avoid having it feel like a fantasy kitchen sink, since that can easily destroy the feel of a game. What are scenarios or ...
18
votes
5answers
2k views
Tips for running a successful and engaging campaign WITHOUT combat?
I'm thinking of starting my own campaign with a few of my friends with me as DM, primarily because I wasn't extremely impressed with the campaign my friend was DMing. When I started thinking about the ...
27
votes
8answers
386 views
Running Parallel Campaigns
So, as seems to frequently be the case with me, more players wish to be a part of my new campaign than I'm comfortable putting around one table (maybe 8). I toyed briefly with the idea of running two ...
19
votes
4answers
445 views
Is it plausible to have a Player Character play as a villain against the rest of the party?
If anyone has experience running a game like this, what are some common errors to avoid and tips you would give to a GM embarking on such a campaign?
Specifically I intend to have a 3 PC party with 2 ...
13
votes
7answers
688 views
Are there any RPGs/settings where a character's class is not chosen but “earned” through their actions?
My experience RPGing has thusfar been limited to Dungeons and Dragons v3.5. As I've grown more experienced playing the game, I've toyed with creating my own campaign settings and am now playing with ...
24
votes
5answers
325 views
Creating the setting with the players
As far as I'm aware, the two most common ways to choose a setting for your campaign are one of these:
The GM makes it up pre-game, or
the GM has some source book containing the desired setting.
...
5
votes
4answers
246 views
How do I promote my gaming campaigns?
I have two campaigns on two different sites and I need players. So how do I promote my games in order to get more players?
12
votes
5answers
588 views
Are there any good websites which have story hooks and plots points for campaigns? [closed]
Are there any good websites which have story hooks and plots points for campaigns?
7
votes
4answers
300 views
Looking for local colour for a Cyberpunk set in Brazil
I have a plot line and with the addition of player characters' background I think I have a solid game planned. However, so far the plot could happen in any odd city in the world. I was thinking of ...
0
votes
1answer
207 views
Good sources for adventure ideas [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are there any good websites which have story hooks and plots points for campaigns?
What are the good sources for adventure ideas/plot hooks for RPG games? I am ...
36
votes
6answers
905 views
Preventing saturation in a horror campaign
I am currently designing my first horror campaign and what I've come up with so far is pretty dark and gruesome. I worry that if it is gut wrenching the whole way through, eventually the players will ...
6
votes
1answer
90 views
How can I balance and blend spotlight time between PCs of different Lodges?
Recently, one of the players in my Werewolf game has taken on the Lodge of Spires, which is effectively "Batman: The Lodge". One of the benefits of this lodge (for those who don't play, consider a ...
10
votes
3answers
389 views
How can I emulate TV Shows with only 2-3 main characters?
I watch a lot of TV. Probably too much.
Shows like Buffy the vampire slayer and Firefly have a whole slew of characters, which is perfect for a gaming party as you fill in the slots to the point you ...
20
votes
10answers
1k views
What alternative models exist for Vampire populations in WoD?
The official WoD sources say that a vampire requires between 50,000 and 100,000 people to support them, giving an upper limit of about 50,000 vampires in the entire world. I've always found this ...
12
votes
3answers
6k views
Any good premade campaigns for beginners?
Does anyone know of some good premade campaigns for a small (not more than 5) players, all of whom are new to D&D? I want to start them at low level since they haven't played before. I'm finding ...
8
votes
3answers
350 views
Role playing/plot focused one shot sessions
I am faced with a challenge with creating a one shot session for a couple of friends. From experience I can see that it is difficult to indulge players into setting, plot, world, characters in a ...
20
votes
7answers
559 views
How can I convey the nonsensicality of a dream world?
Soon I will be GMing a campaign that allows the players to move freely back and forth between the "real" world and the "dream" world. I do not want this to be a secret or try to confuse the players; ...
31
votes
11answers
1k views
What are some dangerous non-fantasy creatures?
We're running a fantasy game where the adventurers frequently travel through the wilderness. Too many of the threatening encounters they have are with fantasy creatures (like goblins, orcs, etc.). ...
13
votes
7answers
1k views
Starting the first game tips?
I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to start our very first session. Everyone, counting the DM, has yet to play the game and we are not exactly sure were to start. Our PCs are:
Drow ...
15
votes
4answers
350 views
Rules for generating a game world as you go?
As an alternative to pre-fabricated game worlds (whether published or home-brewed), I'd like to create some rules for generating a game world gradually and organically.
It would work in a manner ...
8
votes
5answers
398 views
Starting a campaign at higher level
It's been difficult for me to start a game at higher level than level 1-4 in Pathfinder.
At higher level, the scale of the game changes. In the beginning of level 1-4 you save a village or a clan ...
6
votes
3answers
3k views
Custom Race Creation for D&D 4e
The Monster Manual and Dungeon Master's Guide provides a few examples of how to adapt monsters into full-fledged PC races, but they're limited to only a few options.
Are there any resources or other ...
4
votes
1answer
145 views
Narrative options in an antique shop, old bookstore or library [closed]
I'm currently storytelling a Delta Green chronicle and, while studying various resources and scenarios, I was extremely intrigued by a scenario called "The Bookstore". That is a great opportunity to ...
27
votes
11answers
400 views
How to get better feedback from players?
OK, we started a new campaign yesterday and I really want to take quality feedback from my players. When I ask, "How was it? Do you like it?", I generally get some vague answers like "It was good, I ...
7
votes
2answers
298 views
What can I have the players do in my surreal horror scenario?
I'm gonna have the vast majority of my campaign take place in a large strange misty forest and I'm not gonna have any friendly human NPCs around too explain things.
Here is the premise:
After a ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
How to design a game for sociopathic characters?
A few years ago, I played a D&D 3.5 game in Forgotten Realms with an evil party. The characters (played by my brother and me) were sociopaths, bent on exploiting anyone and everyone. The game ...
11
votes
3answers
305 views
I'm building a science fantasy settlement in a harshly extreme environment; how do these guys survive without natural resources?
In this setting, people are living in isolation in what is effectively a dungeon. Dungeons are usually built with an ecology in mind. Standard answers to common questions such as "Where do clean air ...
4
votes
1answer
136 views
How to adapt a 3e community-building system for a larger-scale use in a 4e game?
This question is a follow up to Point buy/structured system for cooperative 4e campaign building?.
I've found a system that is quite close to what we want/need, but there's a catch: it's for 3e and ...
5
votes
2answers
241 views
Point buy/structured system for cooperative 4e campaign building?
Our group is currently building a campaign world (one nation per player) for the Pillars of the State campaign (as suggested in the DMG2 somewhere around page 170).
Today we encountered the "problem" ...
34
votes
8answers
2k views
What ways are there to anger the PC's without angering the players?
Since I got so many good ideas on my last question, here's part 2:
What ways are there to really anger my PC's -- give them that sense of unbridled rage and fury -- without pissing the players off ...
12
votes
4answers
173 views
What are some tips for writing a novel from a campaign?
I am sure there are many GMs or player groups out there with this same idea of writing a novel out of their campaign, even if jokingly. I have been GMing a campaign for some years now and I am ...
12
votes
5answers
849 views
Reasonable stats for a god (DR 25)
I'm constructing a god based on a video game boss to assist a DM friend of mine, which means that ultimately it is intended that the players may (or perhaps WILL) confront his avatar. Given this, I ...
