PC Centered Campaign

[kigmatzomat]

I voted "other" because it depends on the players. I can't (or at least, don't) force players into any particular path or role. I guarantee they will get swept up in some events but there are plenty of opportunities to hide from the public eye and stay "small time."

My current campaign has them on the edge of "central" and "swept up." The players are directly involved in large-scale events but mostly through accident. (Really, I didn't plan for them to release millions of undead on their world. That was 100% them.) On the flip side, they willingly hurl themselves into major situations. (Again, I didn't plan on them trying to "rescue" an entire nation, their idea.)

I guess they are closer to Han in Star Wars when he comes back to attack the Death Star. He's not so much swept up as jumping into something he didn't really start and has only a limited amount of control. But having a limited amount of control is better than none.

 

[Nifft]

Events are happening.
PCs are around to see them.
If the PCs want to get involved, well, then events might just notice PCs...

Basically, the campaign begins with "Events > PCs" (at low level), and ends up with "PCs drive events" (at high level).

-- N

 

[Galethorn]

In my last campaign, the PCs were just cogs in a larger machine. It was sort of...meh.

In my new campaign, I've gotten them onto the path towards being in charge of one piece of what's currently a contiguous (but soon to be factionalized) kingdom...and all of the factions will be forced to make peace when an evil sorcerer, bent on revenge, attacks the entire region. Whether the PCs end up literally at the top or not is up to them, but they're going to be in a position where, basically, there isn't anyone better suited to be king than the PC who so recently was betrothed to an important noble's daughter.

Long story short, I like it when the PCs start out on the sidelines, but end up being at the heart of the important stuff.

So, I voted for other: I like it to shift around throughout the campaign, usually with the PCs starting out as just 'average Joe' type guys, and being central to the setting by the end..

 

[arwink]

All of the above.

 

[Templetroll]

I just started a Greyhawk campaign for my wife and daughter. Their characters are going to be involved in the Shield Lands; one is a citizen, trying to help free the lands lost in the War and another is a tiefling seeking to find family - some might be on the enemy side. Should be fun.

The events are there and they are choosing to be involved. Hopefully, they will be able to achieve some goals - I'll run scenarios to give them that chance.

 

[Starglim]

To some extent it depends on level, but I think the best answer is that a good campaign should be in a volatile state that can easily be swayed by even small actions of seemingly insignificant people.

1st level PCs won't decide great events, in the usual historical sense, but the things that they do at 1st level may well alter the course of great events later.

 

[MonsterMash]

PCs are central to the story. They can become central to the setting if they do things and work that way. They might just get caught up in the events if they choose to particp[ate in events. I've had PCs that choose to ignore world events. PCs are never secondary to the events though they might feel that way as they are not always able to effect change, there is chance for PC failure or success but not the success they want.

I voted "important but secondary to events". 2 points though:

1. The PCs are _always_ the central focus of the gaming session. The game revolves around the PCs, even if the world doesn't.

2. PCs become more central to the setting/world as they rise in power. Successful PCs acquire positions of power & influence in the world - High King, Imperial Magist, Deity, etc. Few PCs begin play as son of the Emperor's deputy (Luke) although long-lived PCs may turn out to have interesting backstories - ie IMC, just as in Star Wars, the 1st level farmboy PC doesn't begin play with "son of the Emperor's deputy" on his PC sheet, but it's not impossible that this could later turn out to be the case...

Pretty much how I do things. I don't build the world round the characters or have one overarching story - there are lots of stories and events going round the world the PCs is just one, but its the one that's in the foreground. I like to start PCs at first level so they aren't in a position to affect the wider world for a fair amount of time.

PCs are primary to the events in their daily lives.

edit: Every PC poos.

But I don't deal with every event like that in detail!

 

[DragonLancer]

I've run campaigns around both models, but I prefer games where the characters are not "larger than life" and are not the centre of the world. The world goes on around them, and while they may make a few changes, it does not focus solely on their exploits.

 

[deltadave]

The PC's may become central to world events if they choose to do so. The entire campaign can run with the characters pursuing a side event storyline while the real important events are going on around them. I throw hooks for them to switch over to other storylines if they want, but IME they are mostly ignored in favor of their involvement in the current event line.

I do make it difficult to be heroic and many players aren't up to the challenges facing true heros, but that makes the truly heroic storylines stand out all the more.

BTW - the game sessions _always_ center around the PC's. The other stuff is introduced into the game by way of rumor, bards, newspapers and TV depending on the setting.