Jürgen Hubert
First Post
And I'm not talking about the classical, non-gaming sense of vast, sweeping stories. No, I am talking about ultra-powerful player characters, like 21+ level characters in D&D.
Until recently, I was leery about campaigns involving characters that powerful. But right now I am running an Exalted campaign, which is all about such powerful characters, and this experience has changed my mind.
I think such characters need to define their own goals. The classical "fame and fortune" just won't cut it any more - they are either already rich beyond avarice or can become so without much effort, and it is far more difficult for them to not become famous and staying unknown than the reverse. It is thus absolutely vital that they set their own goals, and plan how to get there, or there will be little to drive the campaign other than perhaps the occasional threat to the entire world.
Another aspect is that the PCs realize that they, and only they, are responsible for their actions. There isn't anyone who can casually slap them around when they are doing something "wrong", like the authorities of the realms they visited when they were low-level. There is no one who can stop them without expanding significant amounts of resources, and thus, most people will think twice about crossing them, but prefer to work around or with them instead. In the end, what will limit them will be their own consciences ("If we do this, many people will die. But if we don't, even more people will die!") and their awareness of the terrible burden of responsibility that comes with their power - or if their consciences have no sway over them, they will set out to rule the world, which offers plenty of opportunity for lots of adventures, and even entire campaigns!
So, what do you think epic-level campaigns should be like?
Until recently, I was leery about campaigns involving characters that powerful. But right now I am running an Exalted campaign, which is all about such powerful characters, and this experience has changed my mind.
I think such characters need to define their own goals. The classical "fame and fortune" just won't cut it any more - they are either already rich beyond avarice or can become so without much effort, and it is far more difficult for them to not become famous and staying unknown than the reverse. It is thus absolutely vital that they set their own goals, and plan how to get there, or there will be little to drive the campaign other than perhaps the occasional threat to the entire world.
Another aspect is that the PCs realize that they, and only they, are responsible for their actions. There isn't anyone who can casually slap them around when they are doing something "wrong", like the authorities of the realms they visited when they were low-level. There is no one who can stop them without expanding significant amounts of resources, and thus, most people will think twice about crossing them, but prefer to work around or with them instead. In the end, what will limit them will be their own consciences ("If we do this, many people will die. But if we don't, even more people will die!") and their awareness of the terrible burden of responsibility that comes with their power - or if their consciences have no sway over them, they will set out to rule the world, which offers plenty of opportunity for lots of adventures, and even entire campaigns!
So, what do you think epic-level campaigns should be like?
