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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rawwedge" data-source="post: 3361757" data-attributes="member: 13610">You can please some of the players some of the timeEvery DM has to struggle with the style of play that suits them best and the style of play that the players like best.Personally, I favor epic fantasy campaigns over sword & sorcery campaigns.  When I start the first session, I already know a great deal about how it's all going to end.  I may not have all the details but I do know most of the broad strokes; I'm screwed if my party does not buy into my epic fantasy storyline lock, stock, and two smoking barrels.  That's problem number one.Problem number two.  I have one player who loves blood and guts sword & sorcery and will go anywhere I lead him, no questions asked. (I'm wasting any plot building on this guy).  I have another player who claims to be a great fan of epic fantasy and intricately woven, grand campaigns.  At the table, it is plain to anyone who is really paying attention, that he actually just loves getting together with the 'gang', rolling some dice, and a bit of whatever the DM throws his way. (more wasted effort for me)  Then I have another player who craves all the best elements of epic fantasy in his gaming.  He wants his character to evolve and grow and ultimately become one of the greatest heroes that ever lived.  He remembers all of the loving detail that a DM puts into the threads and plotlines.  He'll remember an NPC's name from many months ago quicker than I will.  Now here's the rub; this lone epic fantasy fan wants all this neatly tied up in compact, self-contained, sword & sorcery 'modules' if you will.I'm not suggesting that any of this is bad; to each his own.  The game has room for any of these flavors and more.  The problem is that we all have to game together and I need to try and please most of the party most of the time.  Futhermore, I have to please myself, otherwise my campaign is going to be weak.  If I'm not having much fun, neither will they.As a result, I lay as many of my cards on the table as I can, without spoiling any secrets, at the beginning of the campaign.  This is done before play begins.  The DM carries the heaviest load, and DM's are few and far between.  Therefore, I take the attitude that I'm inviting them into a campaign and as guests in this campaign they should meet me more than halfway.  I also commit to making the campaign as fun and interesting as possible within the scope of the compromises that have to be made.From the practical nuts and bolts of session to session gaming, I try to offer a short list of options woven into the fabric of my story but ultimately, all roads lead to Rome.  I can always use the material from paths not taken and weave them in at some future crossroads.Sorry if this is a bit long.  I don't often contribute but this is quite an interesting topic.  Most any DM can relate to the underlying problems this thread touches upon.</blockquote>

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