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<blockquote data-quote="Dykstrav" data-source="post: 5638890" data-attributes="member: 40522"><p>First of all, let's keep in mind that everyone is going to have their own idea about what "epic" means. Some people think it means high-powered or high-level characters. Some believe that it must include legendary elements like artifacts, battles with the deities, and so forth.</p><p></p><p>For me personally... I believe that "epic" properly refers to scale and drama. Clashes between armies of hundreds of thousands, journeys across half the world, thwarting the machinations of a unique, powerful villain.</p><p></p><p>In that sense, I include "epic" in every single campaign to some degree. My very first campaign under the second edition rules involved a centuries-long war between two empires that each spanned a continent, yet the characters started at 1st level and had real opportunities to affect the outcome of the war by their actions and choices during adventures. The war tied up when they reached 5th level, but there was still plenty to do after the fighting. That campaign ended with the characters around 16th level or so once they tied up their individual destinies and founded kingdoms, dynasties, and the like.</p><p></p><p>My first third edition campaign was similarly "epic," it focused on the characters thwarting Baalzebul's efforts to obtain an artifact that could transform any spellcaster into a lich under his control. It started at 1st level and ended with a battle in the seventh level of Hell with the characters at 22nd level.</p><p></p><p>Although I don't think that character power has anything to do with how "epic" a game is, it can figure into the equation since higher-level threats are far more uncommon (and many are unique, such as demon princes, archdevils and the like). Generally speaking, my ideas about character power are roughly as follows:</p><p></p><p><strong>1st-4th level:</strong> Low-level, local heroes. You are known in your hometown or are one of several others like yourself in a metropolis. People watch your career with interest.</p><p></p><p><strong>5th-8th level:</strong> Mid-level, national heroes. People have heard of your deeds, the local king considers you an ally (or a threat), you're looked to in times of trouble.</p><p></p><p><strong>9th-12th level:</strong> High-level, famous heroes. You're one of a select handful of powerful adventurers in your kingdom, people have heard of your deeds across the entire continent. You could rule a kingdom (or similar prestige and power, such as leading a religion or powerful trade guild).</p><p></p><p><strong>13th level and up:</strong> Very high-level, legendary heroes. Characters rarely get as powerful (or more powerful) than this, in part because few creatures and threats seriously challenge them and partially because such challenges are exceedingly rare in the world. Characters interested in further adventuring can find it on the planes, where truly legendary challenges await.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dykstrav, post: 5638890, member: 40522"] First of all, let's keep in mind that everyone is going to have their own idea about what "epic" means. Some people think it means high-powered or high-level characters. Some believe that it must include legendary elements like artifacts, battles with the deities, and so forth. For me personally... I believe that "epic" properly refers to scale and drama. Clashes between armies of hundreds of thousands, journeys across half the world, thwarting the machinations of a unique, powerful villain. In that sense, I include "epic" in every single campaign to some degree. My very first campaign under the second edition rules involved a centuries-long war between two empires that each spanned a continent, yet the characters started at 1st level and had real opportunities to affect the outcome of the war by their actions and choices during adventures. The war tied up when they reached 5th level, but there was still plenty to do after the fighting. That campaign ended with the characters around 16th level or so once they tied up their individual destinies and founded kingdoms, dynasties, and the like. My first third edition campaign was similarly "epic," it focused on the characters thwarting Baalzebul's efforts to obtain an artifact that could transform any spellcaster into a lich under his control. It started at 1st level and ended with a battle in the seventh level of Hell with the characters at 22nd level. Although I don't think that character power has anything to do with how "epic" a game is, it can figure into the equation since higher-level threats are far more uncommon (and many are unique, such as demon princes, archdevils and the like). Generally speaking, my ideas about character power are roughly as follows: [B]1st-4th level:[/B] Low-level, local heroes. You are known in your hometown or are one of several others like yourself in a metropolis. People watch your career with interest. [B]5th-8th level:[/B] Mid-level, national heroes. People have heard of your deeds, the local king considers you an ally (or a threat), you're looked to in times of trouble. [B]9th-12th level:[/B] High-level, famous heroes. You're one of a select handful of powerful adventurers in your kingdom, people have heard of your deeds across the entire continent. You could rule a kingdom (or similar prestige and power, such as leading a religion or powerful trade guild). [B]13th level and up:[/B] Very high-level, legendary heroes. Characters rarely get as powerful (or more powerful) than this, in part because few creatures and threats seriously challenge them and partially because such challenges are exceedingly rare in the world. Characters interested in further adventuring can find it on the planes, where truly legendary challenges await. [/QUOTE]
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