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Message: <blockquote data-quote="soulcat" data-source="post: 1902186" data-attributes="member: 22304">I DM for a group of three in Forgotten Realms.I deliberatley chose Realms for the group, because the back story is well known and then I could just place my campaign ideas over the top of it, and allow them to make informed choices based one their knowledge.This works for the group.My original quest for them (way back when they where 1st level) is still happening now that they are 16th level. They keep getting side tracked by choices they make.The last choice they made (5 months ago, and 4 levels ago) has led to some of the best roleplaying they have done ever. They where confronted by a Zhentarim mage (who I was expecteing them to fight) they where intimidated by his Black Dragon mount and decided to agree to a trade agreement with the Zhentarim. This mage has since become a Lich and has broken the non agression pact and the trade agreement, and now they are on the edge of a huge conflict involving The Zhents, Cormyr, Sembia, and probably the Dalelands.  I remind them every now and then that they are supposed to be taking out a Dracolich on behalf of the Dwarven Clerics God, and reclaiming Thunderholme for the Dwarves, and to there credit they really want to do that, but they (and I) really enjoy all these side stories that keep coming up.There are still 3 NPC's from the past who I always intended to make a return with, and they are still planned for the future, also I have story archs planned for the Bladesinger and the Dragon Disciple, that keep coming up through prophetic dreams, but while they're having fun, and I'm having fun who cares.The problem with this open system? Burn out. After a year and a half non stop, I am on my first break. inventing new story cycles every 2 weeks, on the spot has taken its toll. Of course now I get a couple of months to flesh out some new ideas we probably won't use, before diving back in refreshed and ready.So a good mix of Planned story/campaign arch, and player choice is what I recomend for anyone. Even if you ignore the campaign arch, it gives you somewhere to return to when the side tracks ends. One day they might kill the Dracolich, whos knows... The fun is finding out.</blockquote>

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