Developing a new Campaign Style---Help!

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

I like the idea - basically playing two simultaneous campaigns.

Some immediate thoughts:

1) You will need to meet often enough for the players to keep everything straight in their minds - every other week probably won't do it here

2) Special thought will need to be given to the relationship between the two PC groups. Limited interaction might be best. An semi-adversarial relationship might be interesting!

3) This would be a great opportunity to explore some of the character and gameplay options in the terrific Atlas books, Dynasties & Demogogues / Crime & Punishment

4) Will you be setting the drama in the Kingsmarch? Seems like an ideal political climate there...

 

[Nightfall]

No, tome...he was reading a well respected book...and it ate him....ya, that's the ticket.....

Can't you people leave me well enough alone?!!

 

[Crothian]

Maybe intrigue is the wrong way to put it then, because what you just described sounds like pure dungeon crawling to me. I want the characters to interact with NPCs and be able to effect change just as much with social skills as with swords and spells.

Isn't that what they call role playing??

Have encounters that are not meant to be hacked through. Your right my example was very simplistic, probably too simplistic. There are different levels of intrigue and your idea has merit.

Perhaps instead of having two PCs for each player give them more skill points and abilities so they can be both fighter s and diplomats?

 

[d20Dwarf]

I like the idea - basically playing two simultaneous campaigns.

Some immediate thoughts:

1) You will need to meet often enough for the players to keep everything straight in their minds - every other week probably won't do it here

2) Special thought will need to be given to the relationship between the two PC groups. Limited interaction might be best. An semi-adversarial relationship might be interesting!

3) This would be a great opportunity to explore some of the character and gameplay options in the terrific Atlas books, Dynasties & Demogogues / Crime & Punishment

4) Will you be setting the drama in the Kingsmarch? Seems like an ideal political climate there...

1. We try to meet every Saturday, but it ends up being about 3 weeks a month, although sometimes we make longer stretches. I would definitely have to do some kind of campaign writeup every week to help everyone.

2. I think they are going to know each other and be working on a similar problem, but everyone is going to have different goals.

3. Yeah, I don't have either of those books unfortunately. The political system in Dynasties sounds interesting, I may have to look at those more closely.

4. I don't want to say why, but for several reasons I'll be setting the action in Anderland. After all, the Seven Cities are each ruled by a prince with a distinct personality and grasp on power.

 

[Agback]

It takes a lot of prep time to run a successful intrigue game, and it's harder to organize the type of slam-bang, knock-down fights that me and my players like.

Interesting. Because I find it the other way around. For a dungeon crawl I need to spend hours mapping complexes, statting monsters, selecting treasures & what have you. But for a plot-based ("intrigue") game I just drink a couple of strong coffees when the players arrive, concoct a basic situation, throw in some set-dressing, and pull the cord.

Regards,


Agback

 

[Acid_crash]

Man, having everybody with 2 characters seems like a lot, but if works for ya then I say go for it. After you play a couple sessions you can give us an update and let us know how it goes, if you feel like giving us the scoop?

 

[Nightfall]

Yeah I'd like to see how this turns out as well.

 

[Renshai]

I don't think its necessary to develop a new style. I started my Dawnforge game this last weekend (once again, great job Wil) and before the game I told my players.. "Listen guys, these characters are going to be legends, they are going to need to be able to interact with the movers and shakers of the world."

In response, each player made sure to throw some ranks in diplomacy, bluff, Knowledge (local) and similar skills.

I was satisfied with the end result. The characters were ready to face the rigors of the world, but so too were ready to deal with the social interaction that would become important.

Just my opinion

Todd

 

[Nightfall]

I don't think its necessary to develop a new style. I started my Dawnforge game this last weekend (once again, great job Wil) and before the game I told my players.. "Listen guys, these characters are going to be legends, they are going to need to be able to interact with the movers and shakers of the world."

In response, each player made sure to throw some ranks in diplomacy, bluff, Knowledge (local) and similar skills.

I was satisfied with the end result. The characters were ready to face the rigors of the world, but so too were ready to deal with the social interaction that would become important.

Just my opinion

Todd

Nice work Ren.

 

[d20Dwarf]

I don't think its necessary to develop a new style. I started my Dawnforge game this last weekend (once again, great job Wil) and before the game I told my players.. "Listen guys, these characters are going to be legends, they are going to need to be able to interact with the movers and shakers of the world."

In response, each player made sure to throw some ranks in diplomacy, bluff, Knowledge (local) and similar skills.

I was satisfied with the end result. The characters were ready to face the rigors of the world, but so too were ready to deal with the social interaction that would become important.

Just my opinion

Todd

Maybe in the end I just want to run two games at once, one a political game and the other a classic dungeon crawl. Apparently my addiction has grown to the point that I must now run 2 campaigns simultaneously just to get the high I used to get from just one.