DM Advice - Arcing story lines.

[Angelsboi]

Ok im trying to fallow the Joss Whedon 'Buffy Formula' and seeming to fall short. This saturday is the second game in my campaign in my homebrew world. My boyfriend and i had a HUGE problem last week and i wound up running Bogged Down from Dungeon magazine. They are about 3 to 4th level.

My world is high fantasy and im hoping to go epic eventually.

Anywho, this weekend it involves them in the warlike city of Aphis trying to 'kidnap' a young girl who wants to be kidnapped.

The party consists of:

Hafling Fighter (Bounty Hunter)
Elf Barbarian/Bard (Going to be an Arcane Archer)

I have 3 more joining. One is a fire wizard/sorcerer type.

I need to come up with an arcing storyline for this 'season' (12 episodes) and they are on episode 2 this saturday. I do know that from Bogged Down ...

SPOILERS!










































They defeated Sethellen the mummy and got his masterworkd black dragon scale armor. They also snapped Irewynn out of her daze and made a friendly druid contact. They killed the captain of the guards ini Beardens Hollow and the Councilman, Lord Dunnamen, surrendered and is being held prisoner. The cleric, Father Denethen, was helped by the PCs and they have forgotten about one Jaiman, who, has Mummy Rot.











Story Arc Help?

 

[Angelsboi]

bump

 

[The Serge]

The major problem with story arcs is that, if the DM's not careful, it robs the PCs of self-determination.

My suggestion to you is to create an overarching goal for your interests as a DM. Then, find out what the PCs are interested in. Then, weave the two elements in and out.

For example... Hopefully, you've watched Babylon 5. There was an overarching storyline that dominated the first four seasons (the upcoming war with The Shadows). The discovery of this elements loomed forebodingly throughout the show. In the mean time, there were smaller "stories" (some connect, others not) that popped up every now and again that further grounded the characters and made the show seem more "real." Individual PC histories are great resources for that kind of thing.

As for your next "episode," it depends. If this is high fantasy, perhaps go with the original mummy. Where did he come from? How'd he get that armor? What happened to the person that still has the disease? What about the priest; what's going on in the church. The sky's the limit with possibilities. Personally, I would determine which direction I as the DM was most interested in and go from there... and mix in some additional stuff based upon the PCs.

Good luck!

 

[Angelsboi]

well i had an idea for the guy who contracted the mummy rot but i read when he dies, he shrivels up to dust and dies.

Not much of a recurring villian there but i do have an idea for the captain of the guard as a Disiple of Asmodeus. But the PCs are 3-4th level and he is 11th warrior. that doesnt include 3 levels of cleric and the actual PrC.

I mean i know that to the north lies the Machine Empire with Queen Machina and she is going to try to invade Zodicia soon. But how to weave things together. Ive been out of DMing for a while, i think im losing my touch ...

 

[Desdichado]

I usually go for a vagueish "plot element" that will occur whether the PCs do anything about it or not. I've never failed to have PCs follow hooks to investigate, but you never know! The "plot element" has to be significant enough that the PCs will be forced to notice it one way or another, and it should be throwing foreshadowing and hooks at the PCs at least once a session, regardless of what the PCs are doing.

Then, I just play the details of getting there by ear. Too much depends on what the PCs are interested in doing to do much else, I think. Writing a show like Buffy is different because the writers have ultimate control over all the characters. You only have control as DM over fairl insignificant bit players or supporting players, so don't try to get too much detail. Just keep it vague and ominous to start with, and then gradually fill in detail. In fact, I'd suggest only gradually coming up with the detail, so you can take advantage of unexpected twists and turns the PCs throw on you.

 

[alsih2o]

angelsboi, you gotta start coming to the cmg dm chat sessions, lots of great ideas thrown around and it may be the oppotunity to flesh out some of these ideas, or get formulas to do so..

 

[Angelsboi]

id love to but im usually busy at those times.