Epic Campaign vs. Episodic Adventures

[Bendris Noulg]

A bit of both, really.

That is, I have a knack for putting together a half-dozen adventures, only for the PCs to suddenly realize that a small piece of this one, a small piece of that one, and a bit of another one, suddenly start to form a pattern, hinting at a much larger ("epic") plotline.

I love it when that kind of thing comes together like that...

 

[S'mon]

I run open-ended campaigns that include epic story arcs, something like the Buffy the Vampire Slayer tv show (Joss Wgedon _must_ be a RP'er!)

I don't think I've ever run a 7-week single-goal game, though I've run one-shot adventures.

 

[Barmy Gith]

Generally, I have an idea of a high-level encounter or adventure I'd like to run my PCs through, then it's just a matter of figuring out what other entertaining adventures are required to set them up to be at that point.

Currently, I'm in the early phases of trying the Githyanki Incursion campaign in FR (hoping to end it with the Lich Queen's beloved from Dungeon, tried once as a one shot and had a great time with it).

In fact, it is so early in the campaign that no one in the party has even seen a githyanki yet, and I think some of my players may not even know what they are (teaching a few rookies).

 

[Dark Jezter]

Hmmm, I think my campaign is a little of both. My campaign so far has been divided up into adventures with each adventure spanning several sessions. Some of the adventures are connected to each other, and some stand entirely on their own.

 

[tetsujin28]

The Big Campaign no longer appeals to me.

 

[Liolel]

In both the campaign I run and the one I play in its episodic. My campaign is still fairly new due to the way dm duties are rotated, but in the one I play in a better description would be a mix of unrealted episodes (usually modules when the dm is to busy to write his own adventures) and episodic story arcs. (Story arcs that tend to be revealed in smaller episodes, so one day your saving a town from the orcs, and the next your asking the duke of the region for soldiers for example.) But these story arcs are no where near campaign length. They can last a while but they are not the campaigns sole story.

 

[the Jester]

Both, with big epic story arcs and no definite overall conclusion in sight.

 

[Zappo]

I've done both. They are both viable styles.

 

[DragonLancer]

By your definition, my games are epic, always have been and always will be.

I'm not too keen on campaigns that are made up of adventures with nothing to tie them together.

 

[StalkingBlue]

My Midnight game has a bit of both - episodes provided by me, and overarching campaign goals determined by the PCs/players and supported by me.

I run episodic scenarios extending over one or two game sessions on average.

I'm also blessed with a group of fantastic proactive players who are always on the lookout for mid-term or long-term campaign goals, trying to find ways to leave their mark on the game world - broadly speaking, by winning a decisive, lasting victory against the ruling Baddies. I'd say that's epic by your definition.

To support this, I provide continuity in the form of places and recurring NPCs; I have created a rough timeline for ongoing and future world events (assuming no PCs come and meddle with it!); I work to create challenges that'll help the PCs grow into their desired role; and I'd sure like the PCs to live and finally take on one of the BBEGs of the setting (their currently favoured strategy), or make history in some other remarkable way they can come up with. I have some ideas but I'm sure they'll far outwit me in the end!

It's all open-ended. The outcome of each scenario as well as any overarching Plot hinges on the decisions, actions and successes/failures of the players/PCs. I don't drive the story solo, nor do I have a complete story arc in my head.