Campaign plot [Archive] - Wizards Community

Campaign plot [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lord Dracos
03-22-05, 03:45 PM I'm unsure weather my first long campaign will work out. It will begin when the 4-5 PCs(cleric,sorcerer,druid,ranger,rogue) are summoned to a noble's estate. He offers them a job, but first sends them on a test. Hence the first few adventures. When they get back to the busy trading town, he tells them that a member of the king's court is actually a red dragon. This is true. Holwever, the dragon is in league with the changeling posing as the noble. After the asassination attempt, the king is enraged, and a price is put on the PCs heads. The Pcs flee to a desert continent across the sea in exile. Eventually, they may adapt a half-elemental template(DRagon Magazine), and that is why the noble wants to kill them. There is a deeper plot, but doesa anyone think this will work? I am afraid they will find a way to derail the campaig.
Ekranoplan
03-22-05, 03:49 PM What if they dont flee across the sea to the desert continent? Even if that is presented as the only route, they might do something completely different and succeed.
Lxarth
03-22-05, 03:56 PM I am afraid they will find a way to derail the campaig

Thats one of your problems. You are starting off by railroading the PC into doing what you want them to do.

Your idea for a game sounds great...for a book.

Its to narrow and defined. You should start by having the PCs be hired by a noble but before he hires them on "full-time" he sends them on a small quest (or whatever you have planned).

After that think about his role with the dragon. For one thing, what happens if a player dies while on this little test?

What if the players dont want to assasinate the dragon but instead warm him about this over zelous (sp) noble in the hopes of making a powerfull ally.

What if the players try to get word to the King about a Dragon in his court?

What if the PC turn themselves in after a price is put on their heads?

What if they dont flee in exile?

Dont think about your game as a train that the PC's can "derail" as you put it. Have your ideas, but dont "set them in stone".

In my game I had an idea abou the Lord being "in on it" but in the end it was better that the Lord was a good guy. Be flexible.
Greldinard
03-22-05, 04:03 PM Players can't derail your train, they just take another track. Don't plan to much ahead. Give them freedom to choose.
Lord Dracos
03-22-05, 04:48 PM Thanks. Wow, I am railroading them without noticing it. Ouch. Me writing "derail" should have been a clue to myself...

I will be providing them with many other routes that will work well. For example, I am considering that the dragon makes a point of living and playing innocent to further their guilt. If they don't fight the dragon and go to the king, I guess the dragon would flee and there could be a quest right there. An issue may be that they are all new players. They have each only played a few times. Thanks again for the advice. I'm going to leave it much more open ended!
Lord Dracos
03-22-05, 05:07 PM D'oh! I forgot. I am going to pop in something to even encourage more free choice- the noble/changling has great influence over the trade at the port. Perhaps this will make things more interesting.
Lxarth
03-22-05, 05:50 PM Oh...i just thought of something...

...what if this noble changling isnt the REAL noble...I mean, sure hes evil and sure hes a doppleganger...but what if he took over the nobles seat.

Perhaps the originaly noble was sick so the changling thought he could work his was in easily enough.

Maybe townsfold are having suspisions about there noble after his recent hunting trip: "He hasen't been the same since his expedition into..."

Perhaps the nobles own staff dont even know he is a changling but suspect something none-the-less.

Hmmm....just a thought....
Lord Dracos
03-22-05, 06:00 PM That was my intention. Sorry, I must have not explained thouroghly. I said the changeling is posing as the noble.The changeling was hired by a powerful figure to kill the noble, take his place, and cleverly do away with the adventurers. The reason for the figure wanting them dead/gone is to be deterrmined, though.
Lxarth
03-23-05, 11:51 AM oh sorry, i didnt get that from you original post.

The reason for the figure wanting them dead/gone is to be deterrmined

Um, the figure wants them dead but doesnt know why?

I think you need to work that out first.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lord Dracos 03-22-05, 03:45 PM	I'm unsure weather my first long campaign will work out. It will begin when the 4-5 PCs(cleric,sorcerer,druid,ranger,rogue) are summoned to a noble's estate. He offers them a job, but first sends them on a test. Hence the first few adventures. When they get back to the busy trading town, he tells them that a member of the king's court is actually a red dragon. This is true. Holwever, the dragon is in league with the changeling posing as the noble. After the asassination attempt, the king is enraged, and a price is put on the PCs heads. The Pcs flee to a desert continent across the sea in exile. Eventually, they may adapt a half-elemental template(DRagon Magazine), and that is why the noble wants to kill them. There is a deeper plot, but doesa anyone think this will work? I am afraid they will find a way to derail the campaig.
Ekranoplan 03-22-05, 03:49 PM	What if they dont flee across the sea to the desert continent? Even if that is presented as the only route, they might do something completely different and succeed.
Lxarth 03-22-05, 03:56 PM	I am afraid they will find a way to derail the campaig Thats one of your problems. You are starting off by railroading the PC into doing what you want them to do. Your idea for a game sounds great...for a book. Its to narrow and defined. You should start by having the PCs be hired by a noble but before he hires them on "full-time" he sends them on a small quest (or whatever you have planned). After that think about his role with the dragon. For one thing, what happens if a player dies while on this little test? What if the players dont want to assasinate the dragon but instead warm him about this over zelous (sp) noble in the hopes of making a powerfull ally. What if the players try to get word to the King about a Dragon in his court? What if the PC turn themselves in after a price is put on their heads? What if they dont flee in exile? Dont think about your game as a train that the PC's can "derail" as you put it. Have your ideas, but dont "set them in stone". In my game I had an idea abou the Lord being "in on it" but in the end it was better that the Lord was a good guy. Be flexible.
Greldinard 03-22-05, 04:03 PM	Players can't derail your train, they just take another track. Don't plan to much ahead. Give them freedom to choose.
Lord Dracos 03-22-05, 04:48 PM	Thanks. Wow, I am railroading them without noticing it. Ouch. Me writing "derail" should have been a clue to myself... I will be providing them with many other routes that will work well. For example, I am considering that the dragon makes a point of living and playing innocent to further their guilt. If they don't fight the dragon and go to the king, I guess the dragon would flee and there could be a quest right there. An issue may be that they are all new players. They have each only played a few times. Thanks again for the advice. I'm going to leave it much more open ended!
Lord Dracos 03-22-05, 05:07 PM	D'oh! I forgot. I am going to pop in something to even encourage more free choice- the noble/changling has great influence over the trade at the port. Perhaps this will make things more interesting.
Lxarth 03-22-05, 05:50 PM	Oh...i just thought of something... ...what if this noble changling isnt the REAL noble...I mean, sure hes evil and sure hes a doppleganger...but what if he took over the nobles seat. Perhaps the originaly noble was sick so the changling thought he could work his was in easily enough. Maybe townsfold are having suspisions about there noble after his recent hunting trip: "He hasen't been the same since his expedition into..." Perhaps the nobles own staff dont even know he is a changling but suspect something none-the-less. Hmmm....just a thought....
Lord Dracos 03-22-05, 06:00 PM	That was my intention. Sorry, I must have not explained thouroghly. I said the changeling is posing as the noble.The changeling was hired by a powerful figure to kill the noble, take his place, and cleverly do away with the adventurers. The reason for the figure wanting them dead/gone is to be deterrmined, though.
Lxarth 03-23-05, 11:51 AM	oh sorry, i didnt get that from you original post. The reason for the figure wanting them dead/gone is to be deterrmined Um, the figure wants them dead but doesnt know why? I think you need to work that out first.