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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Doctor Proctor" data-source="post: 5731508" data-attributes="member: 78547">I think most everyone here is talking about challenges that are current and in front of the players. Returning Athas to greenery is not a challenge in that respect, just like saying "I want to advance the technology of the area and unlock nuclear power" in Eberron isn't really a current challenge. We're talking about things like the invisible wall, that are presently in front of players and need to be dealt with right now.  Actually, you could completely do this via character abilities... Roll knowledge check to see what sorts of creatures could aid in defeating the Kraken. Success! Medusa's gaze can turn anything to stone! Receive Magic Items/Divine Boons (depending on if we're a low magic campaign or not) Use a ritual to find the location of Medusa. Skill Challenge - Use Stealth, Acrobatics and Athletics to get close to Medusa. Failure! She's detected you, roll initiative! Use a combination of various powers and abilities, including some magic item dailies, to defeat Medusa and take her head (which is a Story Item per MME). Use the story item to defeat the Kraken! Gain 10,000XP!  You mention how games that break down into "Guess what the GM is thinking!" kinda suck, when that sort of situation is only created in an environment where the PC's can't solve things using their character sheets. Things like Story Items, needing the help of NPC's or the favor of the gods? These are ultimately still based in a character's sheet. Knowledge checks can reveal information about the Story Item you need, social skills can help you to enlist the aid of an NPC, and accomplishing quests (using your abilities) or using rituals can get you favor from the gods and other powerful beings.  It just takes creative adventure design to bring those things out and get the players to engage more than just "So what's the skill challenge?"... Ultimately though, when you go "Out of Bounds" it's going to cause problems though, because the PC's don't have a map anymore. That's when you're in danger of the guessing game.</blockquote>

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