Intended Length of the Campaign at the Beginning

[karlindel]

It depends on the campaign. I have run one shots, mini-campaigns, and campaigns that have lasted up to 2 1/2 years (my current campaign will end near the 3 year mark later this year).

Generally, for mini-campaigns, I plan an overarching story arc, let the players know enough about it to build appropriate characters, and as play goes on I will add in side missions or the like depending on the characters and what they are doing, and tailor the story to the characters.

For normal campaigns (i.e. those that I don't plan a set end for), I plan a story arc or three for the early levels, throw out some information about the world, and see what the PCs do. As the campaign continues, I start weaving threads from the early days into later adventures and call that the overarching plot. Those threads extend out and become longer as the PCs spend more time working on them.

 

[howandwhy99]

I design for 1st through 10th, but higher levels are possible.

New PCs always start at 1st level regardless. I plan by game hours ~about 1000 or so, but like any cooperative game length depends upon how the players play.

I plan low through high level during campaign planning, but I don't plot arc. And the game doesn't finish with the end of a plot arc. It finishes whenever all the players wish to retire their characters.

 

[Haltherrion]

These days, I always plan such details. Sometimes there is a particular destination in mind, not so much a story arc as a "I'd like to see the PCs be able to kill dragons in this world" and I think the campaign concept is probably good for X months. I can then set a certain pace on level advancement that matches that goal.

We don't always see a campaign through, sometimes either life or disenchantment with the game cuts it short. But I and my fellow ref have a pretty good track record so seeing the plan through.