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<blockquote data-quote="kigmatzomat" data-source="post: 2228069" data-attributes="member: 9254">When it works it's fun. I'm 4 years and 18 levels into my current campaign and it gets easier as it goes.&nbsp; Things I keep in mind are:*No sacred cows.&nbsp; No npc is irreplaceable, no plot can't be derailed.&nbsp; You need player buy-in and for them to have an impact on the setting, they need to have an impact on the setting.*Establish the fact actions have consequences, sooner rather than later.&nbsp; If players feel like you won't act against their characters they become a little more detached and treat them like it was a video game.&nbsp; At 1st level when my players roughed up the local goblins just for being goblins they had to deal with the dozen, quickly made crude traps the goblins made on their way out of town.&nbsp; They then had to deal with the complaints of the townsfolk who were used to hiring the goblins to do unpleasant tasks, like cleaning outhouses.&nbsp; *Plan for tomorrow but think about next year.&nbsp; If the game world is dynamic you probably won't be able to make any detailed plans beyond the immediate future.&nbsp; Instead have broad notions about where you want things to be.&nbsp; *Use a calendar.&nbsp; The calendar is pretty pointless the first few months of game time but after more than a year you will use it as a DM to remind yourself of old, forgotten foes or to provide flavor.&nbsp; Sometimes just stating &quot;the coming snows herald the end of your third year as an adventuring party&quot; is enough to give the players a little zip of gamer pride.&nbsp; *and track travel times.&nbsp; Once you get used to planning for travel you can add it to your plots.&nbsp; Give the BBEG a destination and a mode of transportation.&nbsp; Whether the party catches up or doesn't depends on them.&nbsp; Don't sweat the small stuff but traveling can eat up a lot of time.&nbsp; In combination with a calendar it makes for a lot more realistic feel.&nbsp; *Toss out lots of minor NPCs with quirks.&nbsp; Your players will be intrigued with a few of them and the rest can fade into the background for only occassional mention.&nbsp; A half-orc armorsmith is one of my groups favorite people.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="kigmatzomat, post: 2228069, member: 9254"] When it works it's fun. I'm 4 years and 18 levels into my current campaign and it gets easier as it goes. Things I keep in mind are: *No sacred cows. No npc is irreplaceable, no plot can't be derailed. You need player buy-in and for them to have an impact on the setting, they need to have an impact on the setting. *Establish the fact actions have consequences, sooner rather than later. If players feel like you won't act against their characters they become a little more detached and treat them like it was a video game. At 1st level when my players roughed up the local goblins just for being goblins they had to deal with the dozen, quickly made crude traps the goblins made on their way out of town. They then had to deal with the complaints of the townsfolk who were used to hiring the goblins to do unpleasant tasks, like cleaning outhouses. *Plan for tomorrow but think about next year. If the game world is dynamic you probably won't be able to make any detailed plans beyond the immediate future. Instead have broad notions about where you want things to be. *Use a calendar. The calendar is pretty pointless the first few months of game time but after more than a year you will use it as a DM to remind yourself of old, forgotten foes or to provide flavor. Sometimes just stating "the coming snows herald the end of your third year as an adventuring party" is enough to give the players a little zip of gamer pride. *and track travel times. Once you get used to planning for travel you can add it to your plots. Give the BBEG a destination and a mode of transportation. Whether the party catches up or doesn't depends on them. Don't sweat the small stuff but traveling can eat up a lot of time. In combination with a calendar it makes for a lot more realistic feel. *Toss out lots of minor NPCs with quirks. Your players will be intrigued with a few of them and the rest can fade into the background for only occassional mention. A half-orc armorsmith is one of my groups favorite people. [/QUOTE]

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