My Next Campaign - I have some ideas, wanna help me out?

[weem]

Brad L and Aaron C... skip this thread



Seriously






I am starting a new campaign in a few months so I'm starting to put together some ideas now (in my head). I wanted to put some of these loose ideas out there and get some feedback, maybe some ideas from you all, etc. Maybe you can help me connect some dots, and give me some advice on what you think will/won't work and why - all that good stuff!

So, let me just drop the ideas here - very loose, very unfiltered, brainstormin's...

1) Getting them together. I'm thinking someone (we'll say "Bob" for now) approaches each PC separately and tells them he needs to talk to them at midnight - something very important, can't discuss it now, meet at X tavern. They meet up that night (first time the pc's meet each other) - he takes them to a back room (somewhere private) and pulls out a list of names... 8 names (there are 4 PC's)... the 4 PC's names are on there, plus Bob's which leaves 3. He explains someone tried to kill him 15 nights ago, but that he was able to fend off and kill the attacker, who was carrying this list. Bob has spent the last few weeks looking for each name on the list (this would all take place in a small-ish town). He found the 4 PC's but not the other 3 on the list. PC's ask for evidence, all he has is the list and a cut on his arm from fending off the attacker... his body? Bob dumped it in the river.


2) Heroic Tier. The PC's would be starting at level 3, and I'm imagining the first 3-4 levels (so levels 3 to 6-7) investing the list, looking for the other people on it, running into trouble at every bend... whoever is behind this list is pulling some major strings, etc.

Somewhere later in the Heroic Tier, levels 8-9 or so I'm thinking they have a run-in with a very popular person - he's wealthy, he's charming, seems to have a lot of friends... somewhat of a celebrity - but someone who has only recently come to this town so no one seems to know anything about him except he is the guest of a local wealthy merchant. Depending on who you ask he is independently wealthy, or a Prince, etc etc - no one seems to know for sure though and he always has odd company. When they first meet him for example, he may have a Gnoll with him - the only one anyone recalls seeing who behaved in a civilized manner and even speaks common... well in fact!

Through a series of circumstances over the next level or three (going into Paragon Tier) they get to meet him face to face and talk to him (not sure how/why - maybe some deeds they have done get his attention). So he invites them to the estate of the wealthy merchant in town. They go and it turns out he is the Captain of a famous airship (airships are not common, but they will be known to exist, just not seen in these parts) - basic inspiration from the Princess Ark (Mystara).

3) Paragon Tier. The PC's are asked along to help with something in some other region by the captain. I see the beginning of this tier as involving a lot of traveling with this man and his crew and ship - very large ship, very busy. They may every once in a while do something directly for this man, but mainly it hits ports, they get off, get involved in something and get back to the ship somehow later etc see lots of locations, get into various themed adventures etc (jungle, desert, etc) - there are also other "non crew" here on the ship to contend with in various ways (not all of them "good" by any means). I see a lot of activity on the ship too like new faces, adventures, rp events, combat! etc.

At some point in this tier i want the list to come back into play (they may have forgotten about it by now as it will not have turned into much back when they investigated, plus many other things will have come up that took priority). They may find that the captain had something to do with the list and so there would be conflict there depending on why he is involved (see #5 and #6 below).



That's what I can lay out in somewhat of a chronological order. Here's some more loose ideas (no particular order)...


4) The PC's are reincarnations of former beings - gods perhaps, or very powerful mortals.

5) The list was generated based on some magic that could narrow down the reincarnated beings to a large number of names and possible locations. They may find during their investigations that the list they know of was one of many and that many people on those lists have disappeared or turned up dead.

6) Various forces are looking for these listed people (maybe 100 people or so across all lists total) - some to kill all of them, some to protect them... the captain could be from either side really (or not from a side at all)



With that said, here is a brief vision for each Tier based on the above...

Heroic - Investigate List, Explore, Adventure, Get to Know Each Other (and while list investigation is primary objective it will fade towards the end of the tier either by giving up or believing they discovered the truth about it, which would be a false truth they get fed, etc).

Paragon - Regional travel aboard the air ship. See lots of locales, explore them - explore the ship, get to know the many people on the boat - i want there to be a number of familiar faces - i want the ship to feel like home in this tier. As they grow in power, they begin to discover they can do more than most other adventurers (they are discovering they have hidden powers of some kind)

Epic - PC's know they are special - the hidden power is growing within them and evidence suggests (and theories presented) that they are reincarnations of powerful beings - memories are stirring within them from another past. This tier would be leading towards something big - a showdown with some great power/entity who want to (perhaps) finish the job he/she/it attempted long ago vs the original beings (now PC's)


WHEW! - that's the first time I have written these ideas out and sadly I was trying to keep it short (and failed).

Here's what I am looking for specifically...



1) From a players perspective, does this sound fun?

2) From a dm's perspective, does this spur any ideas you would mind sharing?

3) As a DM have you done something like having the PC's be part of a crew of a ship (air, water, anything) or something else very mobiel for a prolonged period of time and if so, what are important aspects to keep in mind? EX: flesh out important NPC's on-board that the players can get comfortable with and get to know well (already a plan)

[kitsune9]

Originally Posted by weem

Brad L... skip this thread






I am starting a new campaign in a few months so I'm starting to put together some ideas now (in my head). I wanted to put some of these loose ideas out there and get some feedback, maybe some ideas from you all, etc. Maybe you can help me connect some dots, and give me some advice on what you think will/won't work and why - all that good stuff!

So, let me just drop the ideas here - very loose, very unfiltered, brainstormin's...

1) Getting them together. I'm thinking someone (we'll say "Bob" for now) approaches each PC separately and tells them he needs to talk to them at midnight - something very important, can't discuss it now, meet at X tavern. They meet up that night (first time the pc's meet each other) - he takes them to a back room (somewhere private) and pulls out a list of names... 8 names (there are 4 PC's)... the 4 PC's names are on there, plus Bob's which leaves 3. He explains someone tried to kill him 15 nights ago, but that he was able to fend off and kill the attacker, who was carrying this list. Bob has spent the last few weeks looking for each name on the list (this would all take place in a small-ish town). He found the 4 PC's but not the other 3 on the list. PC's ask for evidence, all he has is the list and a cut on his arm from fending off the attacker... his body? Bob dumped it in the river.


2) Heroic Tier. The PC's would be starting at level 3, and I'm imagining the first 3-4 levels (so levels 3 to 6-7) investing the list, looking for the other people on it, running into trouble at every bend... whoever is behind this list is pulling some major strings, etc.

Somewhere later in the Heroic Tier, levels 8-9 or so I'm thinking they have a run-in with a very popular person - he's wealthy, he's charming, seems to have a lot of friends... somewhat of a celebrity - but someone who has only recently come to this town so no one seems to know anything about him except he is the guest of a local wealthy merchant. Depending on who you ask he is independently wealthy, or a Prince, etc etc - no one seems to know for sure though and he always has odd company. When they first meet him for example, he may have a Gnoll with him - the only one anyone recalls seeing who behaved in a civilized manner and even speaks common... well in fact!

Through a series of circumstances over the next level or three (going into Paragon Tier) they get to meet him face to face and talk to him (not sure how/why - maybe some deeds they have done get his attention). So he invites them to the estate of the wealthy merchant in town. They go and it turns out he is the Captain of a famous airship (airships are not common, but they will be known to exist, just not seen in these parts) - basic inspiration from the Princess Ark (Mystara).

3) Paragon Tier. The PC's are asked along to help with something in some other region by the captain. I see the beginning of this tier as involving a lot of traveling with this man and his crew and ship - very large ship, very busy. They may every once in a while do something directly for this man, but mainly it hits ports, they get off, get involved in something and get back to the ship somehow later etc see lots of locations, get into various themed adventures etc (jungle, desert, etc) - there are also other "non crew" here on the ship to contend with in various ways (not all of them "good" by any means). I see a lot of activity on the ship too like new faces, adventures, rp events, combat! etc.

At some point in this tier i want the list to come back into play (they may have forgotten about it by now as it will not have turned into much back when they investigated, plus many other things will have come up that took priority). They may find that the captain had something to do with the list and so there would be conflict there depending on why he is involved (see #5 and #6 below).



That's what I can lay out in somewhat of a chronological order. Here's some more loose ideas (no particular order)...


4) The PC's are reincarnations of former beings - gods perhaps, or very powerful mortals.

5) The list was generated based on some magic that could narrow down the reincarnated beings to a large number of names and possible locations. They may find during their investigations that the list they know of was one of many and that many people on those lists have disappeared or turned up dead.

6) Various forces are looking for these listed people (maybe 100 people or so across all lists total) - some to kill all of them, some to protect them... the captain could be from either side really (or not from a side at all)



With that said, here is a brief vision for each Tier based on the above...

Heroic - Investigate List, Explore, Adventure, Get to Know Each Other (and while list investigation is primary objective it will fade towards the end of the tier either by giving up or believing they discovered the truth about it, which would be a false truth they get fed, etc).

Paragon - Regional travel aboard the air ship. See lots of locales, explore them - explore the ship, get to know the many people on the boat - i want there to be a number of familiar faces - i want the ship to feel like home in this tier. As they grow in power, they begin to discover they can do more than most other adventurers (they are discovering they have hidden powers of some kind)

Epic - PC's know they are special - the hidden power is growing within them and evidence suggests (and theories presented) that they are reincarnations of powerful beings - memories are stirring within them from another past. This tier would be leading towards something big - a showdown with some great power/entity who want to (perhaps) finish the job he/she/it attempted long ago vs the original beings (now PC's)


WHEW! - that's the first time I have written these ideas out and sadly I was trying to keep it short (and failed).

Here's what I am looking for specifically...



1) From a players perspective, does this sound fun?

2) From a dm's perspective, does this spur any ideas you would mind sharing?

3) As a DM have you done something like having the PC's be part of a crew of a ship (air, water, anything) or something else very mobiel for a prolonged period of time and if so, what are important aspects to keep in mind? EX: flesh out important NPC's on-board that the players can get comfortable with and get to know well (already a plan)

1. Sure, it does sound fun.

2. Don't meet at the tavern for the start of the campaign...ever. Have Bob require the PC's to meet him at an abandoned manor, at a super large oak tree outside the city in the middle of a thick fog, at a curio shop, at the Old Colliseum that is a ruin these days because no one does gladitorial stuff anymore or games, or in a graveyard. There are many places for privacy and going to a tavern actually gets you noticed.

Should the PC's balk at going to some lonely location X in the middle of the night because they have trust issues with Bob, that's fine. You as the DM does know that the PC's name is on the list so anyone who doesn't go gets a visit from a very low-level assassin (like a commoner thug or something). The PC's will find evidence that the assassin was to take care of Bob too

[fba827]

This is just initial thoughts after a first read through...

I'm kind of rambling here, so apologies for not being more coherent.

Originally Posted by weem

1) From a players perspective, does this sound fun?

Overall, yes, I would find it fun. Nice work.

One thing jumped out at me as I read it ...
at the start, do not have Bob actually approach the individual PCs.
a) you'll have PCs that try to follow him (or maybe even attack him!) there is just too much chance for the unknown to happen
b) it just sounds like such a typical setup "I have something important to tell you but can't tell you right now ..."
So, instead, have them each receive a letter. Perhaps at each of their respective homes, or as each of them is passing through town.
OR maybe Bob has access to "Animal Messenger" to deliver the message to the scattered PCs.

Originally Posted by weem

2) From a dm's perspective, does this spur any ideas you would mind sharing?

for the paragon tier discovery of hidden power that you mention, you may want to just have it be the equivalent of a magic item type power (perhaps even taking up a magic item slot?) ...
Of just have them treat an item as a particular magical bonus of appropriate level (i.e. let's say one of the PCs was a pyromancer in a past life therefore anytime he wields a weapon it's treated as a flaming sword (or whatever) of the same level as the PC

also, you have a LOT of people who are on these lists (which is a good thing -- it could account for future replacement PCs if one dies!) but then it begs the question, why these specific individuals? Is it just a natural yet selective thing? Or perhaps all these individuals were (in a past life) part of a particular society/city. Maybe that society was cursed and so people want them dead (to avoid the curse) or studied (to understand the inherent magic involved in their past life transference).

Do your players generally pick human and the like? If so, perhaps everyone on the list is the same age (which would further play in to the theory that they were all part of some older civilization, perhaps it was destroyed by a magical meteor and after a century the stars were aligned with the astral sea to allow their spirits to return to the mortal plane). This gets a little hard to do if the players pick long-lived races etc since that makes age-matching more difficult.

Originally Posted by weem

3) As a DM have you done something like having the PC's be part of a crew of a ship (air, water, anything) or something else very mobiel for a prolonged period of time and if so, what are important aspects to keep in mind? EX: flesh out important NPC's on-board that the players can get comfortable with and get to know well (already a plan)

I am a player in a campaign where we are part of a crew on an airship. The crew size is around 15. At some point, yes, we did want/need to know who the NPCs on board were (we had to figure out who we trusted to be in charge and what not). However, the flipside of it was that it did add a little extra complexity, turning in to a human resource management type exercise when we (the PCs) had to make decisions in the captain's absence.

And then (because we are wuss PCs that always seem to want help from outsiders ) we would occasionally ask if any of the regular crew could come help us fight.

So I don't know how big of a crew you'll have, but if the PCs will ever have to make command decisions then it could get a little tedious (though, if your players enjoy that sort of thing, but all means, go for it!!!!)
Also, you'll have to decide how many (if any) are 'combat capable' and expect that feature to get exploited by your PCs once they become aware of it.

Also, be prepared to have one ship to ship combat. And at least one ship to creature combat. Both are inevitable to do at least once, but don't overdue it beyond that. If you do either of these though, ship size specs become more and more important (if there is a balloon sack like a blimp on the ship, then how high is the top of the sack relative to the deck, etc since some fighting may occur up there and so on).




Anyway, if I think of other stuff, i'll add it later.

[aco175]

From a players point, I would like this idea.

Why start at a higher level? 1st and 2nd level was always where I found that you find out who your character is and what he is shaping out to be. Although, higher levels get cooler abilities and magic faster if your time is limitedas to how long you can play the campaign.

I would also like a ship, mostly an airship, series of adventures. There is always room for sidetreks such as a month long dungeon crawl, or a few weeks in the city sewers, arena, wherever. Don't forget the gem of an idea of crashing. Needing to repair the ship to leave the desert oasis, or the remote island to find civilization.

[weem]

kitsune9 said...

1. Sure, it does sound fun.

2. Don't meet at the tavern for the start of the campaign...ever. Have Bob require the PC's to meet him at an abandoned manor, at a super large oak tree outside the city in the middle of a thick fog, at a curio shop, at the Old Colliseum that is a ruin these days because no one does gladitorial stuff anymore or games, or in a graveyard. There are many places for privacy and going to a tavern actually gets you noticed.

Should the PC's balk at going to some lonely location X in the middle of the night because they have trust issues with Bob, that's fine. You as the DM does know that the PC's name is on the list so anyone who doesn't go gets a visit from a very low-level assassin (like a commoner thug or something). The PC's will find evidence that the assassin was to take care of Bob too

Yea, the tavern was just a quick selection to represent "a public place" but yea, maybe even public is not a good idea.

Good idea to come after them as well if they don't go


fba827 said...

Overall, yes, I would find it fun. Nice work.

One thing jumped out at me as I read it ...
at the start, do not have Bob actually approach the individual PCs.
a) you'll have PCs that try to follow him (or maybe even attack him!) there is just too much chance for the unknown to happen
b) it just sounds like such a typical setup "I have something important to tell you but can't tell you right now ..."
So, instead, have them each receive a letter. Perhaps at each of their respective homes, or as each of them is passing through town.
OR maybe Bob has access to "Animal Messenger" to deliver the message to the scattered PCs.

Great idea about the letters and solves the problem from earlier of where to meet bob.

fba827 said...

for the paragon tier discovery of hidden power that you mention, you may want to just have it be the equivalent of a magic item type power (perhaps even taking up a magic item slot?) ...
Of just have them treat an item as a particular magical bonus of appropriate level (i.e. let's say one of the PCs was a pyromancer in a past life therefore anytime he wields a weapon it's treated as a flaming sword (or whatever) of the same level as the PC

also, you have a LOT of people who are on these lists (which is a good thing -- it could account for future replacement PCs if one dies!) but then it begs the question, why these specific individuals? Is it just a natural yet selective thing? Or perhaps all these individuals were (in a past life) part of a particular society/city. Maybe that society was cursed and so people want them dead (to avoid the curse) or studied (to understand the inherent magic involved in their past life transference).

Do your players generally pick human and the like? If so, perhaps everyone on the list is the same age (which would further play in to the theory that they were all part of some older civilization, perhaps it was destroyed by a magical meteor and after a century the stars were aligned with the astral sea to allow their spirits to return to the mortal plane). This gets a little hard to do if the players pick long-lived races etc since that makes age-matching more difficult.

Great ideas here again. The large number of people on the list just felt more intriguing and yea it allows for backups in the event of a death as well as an easy way to incorporate guest gamers.

Still not sure about race selection and the like - only one of the 4 is sure what he will be - but then again we won't be starting for over a month

fba827 said...

So I don't know how big of a crew you'll have, but if the PCs will ever have to make command decisions then it could get a little tedious (though, if your players enjoy that sort of thing, but all means, go for it!!!!)
Also, you'll have to decide how many (if any) are 'combat capable' and expect that feature to get exploited by your PCs once they become aware of it.

It will be a relatively large crew. I'm not sure they will want to make command decisions but even if they do, they will not be in any place to make them for some time. None of the crew will be very combat capable off the ship. There will be other adventurers/npc's on the ship that come and go - everyone will be expected to defend the ship (part of the terms of use for the ship you could say) but they will all (for the most part) have their own agendas etc and will not be keen on helping anyone but themselves/their group.


aco175 said...

Why start at a higher level? 1st and 2nd level was always where I found that you find out who your character is and what he is shaping out to be. Although, higher levels get cooler abilities and magic faster if your time is limitedas to how long you can play the campaign.

We will be doing deep background stuff prior to the game so that will help. And the reason to start at level 3-ish is to simply be that much closer to paragon tier. We have all done a TON of heroic - but almost no paragon (just various one-offs).


Thanks all - anymore feedback would be much appreciated!

[Engilbrand]

I didn't read what you wrote, but I have a recommendation on your number 4. Have them look at the Epic Destinies and choose a connection to one. Maybe the Fighter was trained by an Undying Warrior. Maybe the Cleric is a follower of a recent Demigod. Stuff like this. Or maybe they're even working expressly towards these goals from the very beginning, rather than deciding on them when they're a level away.

[NinjaDancer]

I just finished running a campaign where the PCs had a flying ship and traveled around different planes. Of course, they owned the ship and could decide where it went, so that's rather different from your idea. I think the joy of a ship-based series of adventures is how easily you can get to new places. You'll definitely need to map out the interior of the ship as combat is bound to happen there at some point. And if it's a flying ship and it's attacked while flying, there's all the three-dimensional aspects to take into consideration.

[weem]

Originally Posted by Engilbrand

I didn't read what you wrote, but I have a recommendation on your number 4. Have them look at the Epic Destinies and choose a connection to one. Maybe the Fighter was trained by an Undying Warrior. Maybe the Cleric is a follower of a recent Demigod. Stuff like this. Or maybe they're even working expressly towards these goals from the very beginning, rather than deciding on them when they're a level away.

That's a good idea - I think I will ask them what they had in mind - these guys are generally into it enough that they have a good idea where they want to head with their characters - especially when it comes to Paragon path.

Thanks

[weem]

Originally Posted by NinjaDancer

I just finished running a campaign where the PCs had a flying ship and traveled around different planes. Of course, they owned the ship and could decide where it went, so that's rather different from your idea. I think the joy of a ship-based series of adventures is how easily you can get to new places. You'll definitely need to map out the interior of the ship as combat is bound to happen there at some point. And if it's a flying ship and it's attacked while flying, there's all the three-dimensional aspects to take into consideration.

Yea, I will be building a ship layout via cardboard (basically drawing out the various levels and cutting them out - I'm moving this coming weekend so I will have plenty of boxes). They won't be 3d or anything, but I can lay them down on the battlemat really easily.

I have a lot of ideas for adventure on the ship, some combat, but mostly not

[GandalfMithrandir]

I like the idea a lot. As a player I would find it interesting and as a DM I would also have fun with it. What I would do earlier in the adventure would be to throw a couple of weak assassins at the players, and very gradually work up the overall power of the assassins, so it becomes clear to the players that someone wants them dead, rather than just one assassin that is easily defeated and no more come 'til much later on. I think it would be much more interesting to have to repeatedly fend off assassins, it will also make the players work harder to achieve the overall goals of the adventure. The PCs will also be more trusting of a neutral location such as an open field where they can be relatively sure they won't be ambushed when entering the abandoned manor, for instance

just some random thoughts.

[weem]

Originally Posted by GandalfMithrandir

I like the idea a lot. As a player I would find it interesting and as a DM I would also have fun with it. What I would do earlier in the adventure would be to throw a couple of weak assassins at the players, and very gradually work up the overall power of the assassins, so it becomes clear to the players that someone wants them dead, rather than just one assassin that is easily defeated and no more come 'til much later on. I think it would be much more interesting to have to repeatedly fend off assassins, it will also make the players work harder to achieve the overall goals of the adventure. The PCs will also be more trusting of a neutral location such as an open field where they can be relatively sure they won't be ambushed when entering the abandoned manor, for instance

just some random thoughts.

Great ideas, thank you I did intend for them to be on the run initially and this would be one of the ways to push that -- it also makes becoming passengers on an airship even more appealing later, hehe ("let's gtfo!")

[Quickleaf]

#1. Yep, sounds like a lot of fun. Since reincarnation kind of tweaks with the player's concept, you might want to broach the topic with the players beforehand. Of course, you know your group best. Also, since you all seem to be itching to play paragon-tier, why not start the game at 8th or 9th level and RP how the PCs get their paragon paths?

#2. Heck yeh I've got some ideas...

The names are generated by a magic skein and are woven by an ancient hag. The "Weaver" then distributes the names to her patron(s), who distribute incomplete lists to their henchmen (to avoid any one discovering the connection between the names).
Taking a cue from the movie "Assassin" you might have a secret order developed around the skein, with a leader selecting targets for political reasons rather than those the Weaver reveals.

Certain individuals (deva? diviners? psychics? immortals?) have the power to recognize the reincarnated souls and may respond to the PCs as if they were still their previous incarnations.

Curse of the "written one" (from a planescape short story I read in Dragon somewhere), basically a PC/NPC is being replaced with a trapped character - this could even be a PC's previous incarnation which has somehow gained its own sentience and life. The replacement appears as magical tattoos/writing which begin to consume the PC's/NPC's body until the trapped NPC is freed (either possessing or replacing the PC/NPC).