Post/Author/DateTime	Post
pangalactic 07-28-05, 01:07 AM	I'm faced with a dilemma. A few hours ago I found a module I bought back in 2000 called The Apocalypse Stone, which I never got the opportunity to run. Some of you may be familiar with it. If you're not, it basically helps you to draw a campaign to a close in a truly epic way - the PCs set in motion a chain of events that may ultimately bring about the end of the world (depending on whether they realise in time to stop it). Think hordes of locusts, wars breaking out all over the place, Mages' heads exploding randomly, Clerics being abandoned by their gods and a possible battle with Ms Tarrasque. I've spent the last couple of hours reading over this module, as I never looked at it after I bought it, and it seems like the kind of thing both I and my players would enjoy. I know I would. Also, as a part of the module, you have to run another adventure in the middle as a frame for a series of events. One of the modules suggested is Eye To Eye, which is yet another module I bought and never ran - but enjoyed immensely when I ran it through. So, what's my point? Basically, I want to run a campaign which will ultimately culminate in me running The Apocalypse Stone (with Eye To Eye in the middle of it) - obviously after converting it to d20, because i'm yet to run a 3.5 campaign. The idea of this over-riding story arc really appeals to me. I also like the idea of being able to redesign my world afterwards by putting a post-apocalyptic face on it. I can't help thinking, though, that it might be a touch unfair to the players for me to have already decided that the world will end when they're about level 16. If I was to run this campaign (obviously using other modules and writing my own adventures to get them to level 16ish in the first place), would it be wrong for me to have already partially decided the outcome before the first adventure is even written? (I say partially, because the PCs do have a chance to save the world.) Would anybody else consider running a campaign like this, or is it simply thinnly-veiled railroading to be avoided at all costs?
HollowDes 07-28-05, 01:18 AM	I don't see it as railroading, you said there's a way to stop it from happening. I think if you're really worried about presenting a "fair" plotline, just try to make sure that the alternate ending is given as much attention as the original. Even if your world ends, your campaign doesn't have to. Exploring and re-building a post-apolyptic world after adventuring in it up to lv. 16 offers a LOT of possibilities for really great encounters. Some might argue the theme is overdone, but I think that video games and books give that theme more attention than D&D has. Executed well in 3.5 probably isn't all that common. Good luck :)
Silver_Fox 07-28-05, 07:05 AM	I would definetley want to do this, my current players are at lvl 12 now, and I find it very compelling to run this story. I just might get myself a copy of this apocalypse stone. And I would'nt hesitate bcauce of the railroading issue, since there is a way for the players to avoid the end of the world. And even if the world comes to an end, it would indeed be interesting to run run a campaign in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world.
Ezekiel (NL) 07-28-05, 01:17 PM	I ran the campaign before I switched from 2nd to 3rd edition. The campaign rocks!!! and I mean rocks!!!!! The Campaign takes the players to the limit. And if you play the ambiance right, the players will realize that the campaign is ending and it's fascinating to see how a player must try to save the world, when knowing in the back of their heads its useless!! Tip:Work out the part with the mad king really wel and the second tim they come to the castle too. This is the most important chapter in the campaign. Good luck
Board_Rider 07-28-05, 02:17 PM	I agree with the others that you shoud do it. The Players, I am sure, will like it just as much as you.
pangalactic 07-28-05, 03:03 PM	Excellent :) I think I might just go with this then, now that I know it's not unfair to aim for the end of the world. Thanks a bunch, everyone:D