A Question and a Request [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Question and a Request [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
serrated_soldier
03-24-08, 06:19 PM First, the question. How many people use premade adventures and premade settings? I know that I, personally, create homebrew things for almost everything, but I'm in high school and my players have very specific needs. Any answers to this would be much appreciated.

And on to the request. My most recent campaign was split into two groups to start things off. They all inadvertantly will eventually end up working either with the king or against him. I need something that will unite the two groups, who up to this point have had completely different agendas, against him. I want to try as hard as I can not to railroad them, but the player in me feels this is the best direction to go. I do not, however, have any idea where the campaign will go after that.

To clarify, the two groups are of two characters of 3rd level each as of now. I have things planned for the next couple of levels already.
turalisj
03-24-08, 07:28 PM Hm.... I can think of several ways to get the groups together, but all of them would involve some form of railroading.
GrandNagusEli
03-27-08, 04:03 AM Are you playing with friends? Or at least reasonably mature people? Tell them that the story ideas you have involve them working for the king and ask them to help you figure out why their characters would want to work for him.

Then if they tell you they don't want to work for the king, ask them for things they would like to do and build your story around that.

Sounds like a cop-out but it's the closest I can come without actually railroading anyone.

Oh, and both. I often use premade settings because their cool, but I've never used a premade adventure because I'm too cheap to buy something I'm only going to use once.
Tovec
03-27-08, 08:33 AM I say that a certain level of railroading is expected in nearly all games. Party dynamics or make up or what have you change over time and its nearly impossible to have a game going in the same direction it started. To that end I suggest doing something elaborate instead of sudden to railroad.

Have both groups go on separate missions leading toward the same goal, some idol or artifact found in remote place, and having 2 major leads. Then once they get to the final place either have some new unknown enemy jump out and force them to fight together or have a jump in time or space. They end up in a different part of the world or they jump a few years into the past or future or they have no memory of what has happened. Go from there.

In any case just shake things up, the players will be happy at the exciting new twists. I advise against the no memory route as it can often backfire if not executed properly. The players in this case will already be drawn together and then introduce the whole side with or against king thing.
LeeAlucard
03-27-08, 09:26 AM You want them to unite against him?

Have the king raise taxes.

Perhaps a general conscription, too.

Maybe even pass a few new, completely absurd laws.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
serrated_soldier 03-24-08, 06:19 PM	First, the question. How many people use premade adventures and premade settings? I know that I, personally, create homebrew things for almost everything, but I'm in high school and my players have very specific needs. Any answers to this would be much appreciated. And on to the request. My most recent campaign was split into two groups to start things off. They all inadvertantly will eventually end up working either with the king or against him. I need something that will unite the two groups, who up to this point have had completely different agendas, against him. I want to try as hard as I can not to railroad them, but the player in me feels this is the best direction to go. I do not, however, have any idea where the campaign will go after that. To clarify, the two groups are of two characters of 3rd level each as of now. I have things planned for the next couple of levels already.
turalisj 03-24-08, 07:28 PM	Hm.... I can think of several ways to get the groups together, but all of them would involve some form of railroading.
GrandNagusEli 03-27-08, 04:03 AM	Are you playing with friends? Or at least reasonably mature people? Tell them that the story ideas you have involve them working for the king and ask them to help you figure out why their characters would want to work for him. Then if they tell you they don't want to work for the king, ask them for things they would like to do and build your story around that. Sounds like a cop-out but it's the closest I can come without actually railroading anyone. Oh, and both. I often use premade settings because their cool, but I've never used a premade adventure because I'm too cheap to buy something I'm only going to use once.
Tovec 03-27-08, 08:33 AM	I say that a certain level of railroading is expected in nearly all games. Party dynamics or make up or what have you change over time and its nearly impossible to have a game going in the same direction it started. To that end I suggest doing something elaborate instead of sudden to railroad. Have both groups go on separate missions leading toward the same goal, some idol or artifact found in remote place, and having 2 major leads. Then once they get to the final place either have some new unknown enemy jump out and force them to fight together or have a jump in time or space. They end up in a different part of the world or they jump a few years into the past or future or they have no memory of what has happened. Go from there. In any case just shake things up, the players will be happy at the exciting new twists. I advise against the no memory route as it can often backfire if not executed properly. The players in this case will already be drawn together and then introduce the whole side with or against king thing.
LeeAlucard 03-27-08, 09:26 AM	You want them to unite against him? Have the king raise taxes. Perhaps a general conscription, too. Maybe even pass a few new, completely absurd laws.