How important is geographic stability to a campaign

[Olive]

A while back I got my players to fill out a 'how are you enjoying the campaign' questionaire. The two most experienced players both mentioned, unprovoked, the subject of geography.

One of them told me that the thing he enjoyed most was the geographic scope of the campaign. The other told me that he was most looking foward to settling in one place for a while.

How important is this as a factor? Do people like world spaning campaigns? Or campaigns based in one valley? Or somehing inbetween?

 

[DragonLancer]

My players seem to like moving about from one location to another, often crossing whole continent's. I don't know why, but it means I can show case different corners of the world.

 

[Crothian]

I think both apply as long as they are for a reason and made interesting.

 

[Olive]

My players seem to like moving about from one location to another, often crossing whole continent's. I don't know why, but it means I can show case different corners of the world.

Well I liked that too, but one of the players seemed not to.

Do you giver them a 'home base'?

 

[spyscribe]

In our campaign, the DM has had the party roaming through most of the known world (and a couple unknown bits) for the last few years real-time. It's been great fun, but I think that as this mission winds down we're all looking forward to going back "home" for a little while. It's a chance to check in with NPCs we know, and see how things have developed since we've been gone.

Which is to say that I think the two attitudes about geography can probably complement each other. After all, there's little sense of "home base" if you've never been anywhere else.

 

[DragonLancer]

Well I liked that too, but one of the players seemed not to.

Do you giver them a 'home base'?

In the current camapign which is close to ending now, they where given one but they decided to move on. I don't force them on them, if they want one they choose it.

 

[Arnwyn]

How important is this as a factor? Do people like world spaning campaigns? Or campaigns based in one valley? Or somehing inbetween?

My players seem to vastly prefer "world-spanning" - they seem to really like to travel and experience different regions of the campaign world (which are quite diverse).

I think it's their taste for variety, which they highly value.

 

[The_Gneech]

My players want stability, and I want to oblige them ... but I get so bored in any one place for more than one or two sessions. I fear I drive them crazy, teleporting them all over the continent all the time.

-The Gneech

 

[Olive]

After all, there's little sense of "home base" if you've never been anywhere else.

This is a good point. It's not entirely true, but certainly you'll appreciate home more if you've left it.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I like having a home base myself. I'm not adverse to travel, if there's a reason for it, beyond simply being teleported there against my will.

But yes, travel has a lot more meaning if there's a "home" to compare it to. I'd either say let the characters return there periodically to build up this sense of home, or start them there a long time before taking them away, to make the contrast real and compelling.