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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Xetheral" data-source="post: 8218915" data-attributes="member: 6802765">I find that the key to a high-level campaign is to make sure that the players feel, through-and-through, that their characters are actually crazy powerful. The best way to do this isn't to throw them up against equally powerful foes repeatedly, it's to let them curb-stomp lesser foes repeatedly, and only on rare occasion put them up against something that's challenging to defeat in combat.Yes, following this advice means that most combats aren't tactically challenging--they're just a chance for the PCs to show off how far they've come. But the campaign itself can still be challenging if the PCs have to make hard choices about which conflicts to win. The key here is plot-weaving: have multiple, mutually exclusive priorities demanding the PC's attention, including both the PCs' own goals and external threats and opportunities. So, for example, the PCs might be simultaneously faced with:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Intel that an old enemy is sneaking spies into the staff of the PC's stronghold, that needs to be addressed without revealing the source of the intel.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Reports of an adult dragon raiding villages to the north.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">An invitation from the king to attend a formal ball at the capital.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A PC planning to start a side quest to retrieve a rare component for enchanting a magic item.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Learning that a powerful visitor from another plane is briefly visiting the material, presenting an opportunity to network.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A request for aid from old allies that are fighting a defensive war.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Rumors of a spreading, subversive cult engaged in demon worship.</li> </ul>Sure, 20th level PCs can easily and quickly deal with any of these threats--none of them is even a minor challenge. But dealing with all of them at the same time is trickier. Either the PCs pick and choose which prioirties to address in a timely fashion, or maybe they get clever and find a way to stretch their resources.Dealing with half a dozen minor threats/goals scattered geographically, only to teleport into the capital, wash off the blood, and attend the formal ball the same evening is Epic. And if the party can't find a way to simultaneously address every plotline, some of them will have immediate consequences (e.g. loss of tax revenue from northern villages, loss of reputation from failing to help allies, delays in the PCs' projects, an insulted king, etc.) or grow more potent over time (e.g. stamping out a cult that now enjoys popular support, sabotage from agents-in-place, etc.).While you also don't want to overdo the number of simultaneous plots, it makes sense that, as high-level characters, NPCs will be coming to the PCs for help, or that the PCs' extensive network of contacts will keep them up to date on a wide range of topics. To make it more realistic and avoid turning into a superhero-themed game, make sure some of the competing plotlines are opportunities for the PCs, rather than threats or calls for aid.</blockquote>

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