Epic STYLE Campaigns

[NemesisPress]

I have one thing I'm going to try in my next campaign - and that is to add a lot of out-of-game time between individual adventures - anywhere from months to years. During that time, character will be able to decide what they do (train, join the military, get married, get involved in local politics, etc.) and at the same time, I'll be keeping track of greater events going on in the campaign world.

Each adventure, the characters will not only be more powerful, but also more involved in larger and larger events - events which have both a history and future ramifications, both for them and the entire game world.

By the way, I may allow the players to use matrix game arguments to accomplish this part of the campaign. For more info on matrix games, check out the following:

http://www.io.com/~hamster/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MatrixGamer/

 

[reiella]

Hmm I can also see epic greed.

KotDT come to mind really.

The Hackmasters of Evernight would really qualify for epic greed imo .

 

[Falcon]

Epic-Style to me means that the actions I take as a PC have ramifications in the world, and that I need to be aware of this. The more powerful my PC becomes, the more careful he must be, lest those of equal or greater power who oppose him set events into motion that may destroy him. Same with PC parties. Epic-Style to me is realizing what is at stake and how complicated, convuluted, and devious the whole thing is. And realizing we aren't the only ones packin' heat, and that the baddies may use that heat to scorch a city to either set us up, send us a warning, or force us to act in a way we didn't anticipate.

As a DM, Epic-Style simply means the players are caught in the currents of great plots and dastardedly intents, and that the players will be involved in these to a certain extent by their choice, and by the story arc.

It is not all about how many continents you can sink; it is rather about the realization of the complexities and ramifications of power.

 

[shadow]

Contrary to popular belief, epic level campaigns aren't just poergaming Monty Haul campaigns. I envision epic level campaigns as emulating literary epics. Characters play a major role in the developement of nations, defeat hordes of foes, and even (occassionally) challenge the gods. Think of the Iliad. A story of a huge war in which even the gods take sides. Think of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata(sp?) the great Indian epic poems. Think of legends of King Aurthor, Beowulf, and the likes. These are what an epic level game represents to me.

 

[alsih2o]

I think that's a particularly good point - but is it only altruism or generic evil? Or are there other motives you like to see played out? (Epic love stories, for example.)

no, it is anytime that the character put aside cash, flash and stash for the greater somethingorrather...imho.

free the slaves, without worrying about credit..
burn the town, without caring, just to see it burn..
slay the dragon, without a thought to its treasure...
stop the demon, because you are the one who can..

 

[NemesisPress]

And what are some examples of things you have done / might do as a dm to encourage Epic-Style play?

 

[NemesisPress]

Would you entice the players into such plotlines with suggestions of riches and power (and experience points of course) or shanghai them by getting them caught up in events even before they know their full extent (a common plotline for many movies/books)?