Villainless Adventures

[Mark Chance]

I've just started to fiddle around with Mouse Guard and think that game could handle a situation like this very well.

Sounds intriguing. If you'd like, you could post your Mouseguard experiences in this delightful thread.

Regarding basic conflict types, don't forget the ever-popular Man vs. Himself, in which the story's protagonist faces his own limitations and inner demons. Not sure how'd you build an adventure around this sort of conflict, but it could certainly be worked in as subplot material.

 

[Nebten]

Tomb of Horrors

Its not like the demi-lich is doing anything to the general public. The party is going into his Tomb to loot. What happends to them is their fault =v)

 

[jmucchiello]

I sat down recently to watch Toy Story 2. And while watching it, something occurred to me.

Sorry, but Al and Stinky Pete are definitely the villains of Toy Story 2. Al kidnaps Woody and his friends have to rescue him. Classic villain and hero activities. Arguably Pete is the BBEG hiding in plain sight while his henchman Al gets to do all the cackling.

Your premise makes much more sense with the original Toy Story. TS1 is a character study for Woody, who has to overcome his inner demons and allow himself to share Andy with Buzz. Sid is just like Zurg in TS2. He is a random encounter that allows Woody and Buzz to bond. But Sid is not the villain of the movie. Heck, Woody pushes Buzz out a window (this and Sid's bedroom probably flow straight from the pen of Joss Whedon). This starts their hero journey where eventually they end up in the clutches of Sid. But Sid is no villain. He is not plotting against the heroes. He's just having fun at their expense.

 

[jmucchiello]

Al was a Plot Device. He was there, he was making Things Happen, but the toys didn't have to defeat him at all. They didn't even interact with him.

Al kidnaps Woody on Stinky Pete's behest. Pete is the BBET.