Campaign Overview Document?

[Morrow]

Every DM that I know produces some kind of campaign information/ character creation document when beginning a new campaign. For a new player such documents can be very valuable, allowing you to get a feel for the campaign and provides some guidelines for generating character ideas before the first session. However, when I DM I always have a lot of trouble putting such a document together. I also feel like I either don't provide enough information, or I'm drowning new players in useless data.

I'm looking for a little guidance. As a player in a new campaign, what kind of information are you looking for? As a DM, have you developed a format that works well for you?

Morrow

 

[pogre]

I'm looking for a little guidance. As a player in a new campaign, what kind of information are you looking for? As a DM, have you developed a format that works well for you?

Start with bulleted lists - don't try to create a literature masterpiece. Write what is important to you at the top.

 

[Emiricol]

I agree, bulleted lists are great. First, the sources approved for use in PC creation. Then, anything relevant that is NOT in the list of approved sources. Then, anything IN the list that should NOT be used - the exceptions. A paragraph on the overview of the world. A paragraph on the overview of THIS campaign. If it isn't a published setting, then I list out common knowledge items. That's about it...

 

[Nifft]

Here's mine:

http://klimt.cns.nyu.edu/~fishman/DnD/rules.shtml

-- Nifft

 

[dave_o]

Here's mine:

http://klimt.cns.nyu.edu/~fishman/DnD/rules.shtml

-- Nifft

Nifft, run a PbP, immediately.

I really dig your stuff.

 

[Kichwas]

List it out like so:

I.
...a. Method of stat generation.
...b. Restrictions on class, race, or alignment.
...c. Allowed resources (what from d20 / core is or is not allowed)
...d. House Rules.

II.
...a. Rules of the table (smoking, drinking, ettiquite, etc)

III.
...a. Campaign Setting (name it, give it a one sentence desc.)
...b. Campaign brief (type of game you desire)
...c. Initial starting setup (where and how it begins)

Try and keep each of these as short as possible, but with references to where they can get more info.

For example is the setting is home built, end your note with "A fuller handout available upon request". That fuller handout would then include everything about the world you've written that players are allowed to see. The brief above though should not exceed one or two paragraphs.

Published things should end with a page number to find more details. Like giving the page number to the point buy section under stat generation.

 

[Bloodsparrow]

Nifft, run a PbP, immediately.

I really dig your stuff.

I agree, very nice

 

[reiella]

One thing to consider is to talk with the players about the setting and what they want to play, and include that in the document .

It makes it easier to get the relavent information to the player, and also helps you flesh out items that you may have not had much back thought on.

 

[haiiro]

I've done it differently in the past (with varying degrees of success), but for my current campaign I took the website approach. I don't like to bog people down in too many details, but things like character creation I tend to spec out as far as necessary -- things go much more smoothly with a good foundation in place.

Anyhoo, here it is: <a href="http://3d6.org/guidelines.php">http://3d6.org/guidelines.php</a>. That section includes all of the basic guidelines, but the rest of the site is also intended to provide an initial campaign overview.

Enjoy.

 

[Morrow]

Good suggestions, all.

For character creation I feel like there is a fine line to be drawn between solid, usable information and restrictive, overkill detail. ("I'm creating a 1st level character and he's telling me about what parts of the Epic Level Handbook he uses? And I I've never even heard of this Big Tome of Gnomish Magic and Kobold Recipes that he keeps referring too. Arggh!") Any thoughts on where to draw the line?

Morrow