Dream Campaign - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Dream Campaign

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
gnomemaster
Apr 24, 2009 23:25:45 So tell me, what really turns you on when it comes to a campaign setting?
#2
sigil_beguiler
Apr 24, 2009 23:36:50 Urban Settings:

I love settings where there are very large, very engrossing cities within it. These are where everything happens; trade, entertainment, adventure, politics, etc. A lot of the time my cities are somewhat advance and are where technology truly shines.

Technology Integrated into Settings:

This is where more advance technology isn't just there or relics from a lost time or some such. But where they are nicely integrated into the setting, and the culture, people, etc. weave the technology in nicely.

Lived in But Mysterious:

This essentially means the setting feels like there is a history there, but it doesn't whack you over the head with a 10 pound tome full of it. You discover/see the history by playing through the setting. Also means that things are rundown, falling apart, dirty, etc.

Genre Mixing:

Magic in sci-fi. Modern tech in fantasy. I like a setting where the walls of genre have big, gaping holes in them. Also, I don't really care about it being overly detailing on why it works like this. I go with Rule of Cool: Knights charging on horseback firing revolvers alongside mecha is COOL! As such it goes in my settings.

Uniqueness:

I really don't care to tread over the same old traditional fantasy fare again and again. Things like Planescape (especially Sigil), Eberron, Dark Sun and such are more of my tastes. Going even farther too, I am quite happy if there is no traditional races or traditional fantasy views of culture, gods, magic, etc. in the setting.

Lack of Isolation of Elements:

I dislike "kitchen sink" settings where everything exists but they don't impact on each other at all and mix up and have shared history. So I prefer when all the different setting elements impact on what the other does.
#3
gnomemaster
Apr 24, 2009 23:40:06 Thats really interesting Sigil_beguiler, what I always like is taking a race stereotype that we have seen time and time again. Like Dwarves are scottish drunkards who mine all day and dislike elves, and either cranking it up to 11 (The elves and dwarves are locked in an all out war) or turning it on its ear (The dwarves are a race of sailors who rarely set foot on land)
#4
lord_karsus
Apr 25, 2009 0:37:28 -A DM who can make whatever the story is interesting, to the point that *I* care about NPCs, and events, and so on, instead of me just indicating that my character(s) care. The best example I can give is one night, after I DMed, and was driving home with my sister. An NPC who was friendly with the PCs betrayed them. For about half of the ten minute ride, she was going on about how she was angry that the NPC was who he was, and did what he did.
#5
admiral_lourve
Apr 25, 2009 11:58:41 I want the whole thing to be legendary, heroing is not a job. Thats all I need, well that, good story telling and lots o' battles.
#6
skyhoof
Apr 26, 2009 10:27:33 Aww, I thought this was a thread about campaigns taking place in a dream world. That would be pretty awesome, though. I need to write that down.

As Karsus said, a well-developed story and characters is vital, as is a strong sense of cinematics. I once had PCs on the verge of tears because a really lovable NPC died. Atmosphere-wise, I like this strange blend of lighthearted child's-tale feeling, difficult choices, and total mind****ery. Hence why my sandbox campaign has clearly evil villains, warring nations whose victor will decide the fate of the region, and things that make the PCs' heads spin.
#7
drillbossd
Apr 27, 2009 3:27:37 Definitely uniqueness. I've tried to do what I like for my setting, here are some examples:

Dwarves are Soviet in style, but industrio-feudal. Big hats.

The only races are dwarves, elves, and humans (just kinda happened since the PCs are both human, and there was no reason to use other races).

However, dwarves, elves and humans hate each other. The only way the PCs get elves to listen to them is because they carry around a bounty poster of themselves to show just how much beef they have with the human empire.

Elves do drugs and have facial hair.

In fact, pretty much all the men have facial hair.

There's a mafia.

Things are dilapidated, and its implied that something is very, very wrong with the world.

But the PCs don't care. They just want vengeance against the Kaiser. Speaking of which, there's a Kaiser of the Humans. And he's the BBEG.

Also, there are billiards tables in all the taverns.

-Drillboss
#8
Aryxbez
Apr 27, 2009 7:42:02 I mostly just take my favorite ideas, and implement it into a setting. I know my first campaign, I had troubles for a brief time coming up with a theme, so I decided, just to take everything I liked and mix it all in together.

That is, my favorite mythologies, Arthurian, Norse/Asgardian , and Greek/Olympian. Also favorite things from games, such as Moogles, Chocobos, and Raptoran/Birdmen (idea from Shining force series). Although sadly my cultures don't speak too much for the setting, hope to use the cultures/mythologies ways more often.

Also, favor the idea of creating a setting, that it's not just a place for the PC's. Don't really like too much the idea that the world revolves around them of sort. However do like the PC's being something swiftly in a campaign. By my habits, back in 3.5, I had PC's as greatly local heroes easily before level 10.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 gnomemaster Apr 24, 2009 23:25:45	So tell me, what really turns you on when it comes to a campaign setting?
#2 sigil_beguiler Apr 24, 2009 23:36:50	Urban Settings: I love settings where there are very large, very engrossing cities within it. These are where everything happens; trade, entertainment, adventure, politics, etc. A lot of the time my cities are somewhat advance and are where technology truly shines. Technology Integrated into Settings: This is where more advance technology isn't just there or relics from a lost time or some such. But where they are nicely integrated into the setting, and the culture, people, etc. weave the technology in nicely. Lived in But Mysterious: This essentially means the setting feels like there is a history there, but it doesn't whack you over the head with a 10 pound tome full of it. You discover/see the history by playing through the setting. Also means that things are rundown, falling apart, dirty, etc. Genre Mixing: Magic in sci-fi. Modern tech in fantasy. I like a setting where the walls of genre have big, gaping holes in them. Also, I don't really care about it being overly detailing on why it works like this. I go with Rule of Cool: Knights charging on horseback firing revolvers alongside mecha is COOL! As such it goes in my settings. Uniqueness: I really don't care to tread over the same old traditional fantasy fare again and again. Things like Planescape (especially Sigil), Eberron, Dark Sun and such are more of my tastes. Going even farther too, I am quite happy if there is no traditional races or traditional fantasy views of culture, gods, magic, etc. in the setting. Lack of Isolation of Elements: I dislike "kitchen sink" settings where everything exists but they don't impact on each other at all and mix up and have shared history. So I prefer when all the different setting elements impact on what the other does.
#3 gnomemaster Apr 24, 2009 23:40:06	Thats really interesting Sigil_beguiler, what I always like is taking a race stereotype that we have seen time and time again. Like Dwarves are scottish drunkards who mine all day and dislike elves, and either cranking it up to 11 (The elves and dwarves are locked in an all out war) or turning it on its ear (The dwarves are a race of sailors who rarely set foot on land)
#4 lord_karsus Apr 25, 2009 0:37:28	-A DM who can make whatever the story is interesting, to the point that I care about NPCs, and events, and so on, instead of me just indicating that my character(s) care. The best example I can give is one night, after I DMed, and was driving home with my sister. An NPC who was friendly with the PCs betrayed them. For about half of the ten minute ride, she was going on about how she was angry that the NPC was who he was, and did what he did.
#5 admiral_lourve Apr 25, 2009 11:58:41	I want the whole thing to be legendary, heroing is not a job. Thats all I need, well that, good story telling and lots o' battles.
#6 skyhoof Apr 26, 2009 10:27:33	Aww, I thought this was a thread about campaigns taking place in a dream world. That would be pretty awesome, though. I need to write that down. As Karsus said, a well-developed story and characters is vital, as is a strong sense of cinematics. I once had PCs on the verge of tears because a really lovable NPC died. Atmosphere-wise, I like this strange blend of lighthearted child's-tale feeling, difficult choices, and total mind****ery. Hence why my sandbox campaign has clearly evil villains, warring nations whose victor will decide the fate of the region, and things that make the PCs' heads spin.
#7 drillbossd Apr 27, 2009 3:27:37	Definitely uniqueness. I've tried to do what I like for my setting, here are some examples: Dwarves are Soviet in style, but industrio-feudal. Big hats. The only races are dwarves, elves, and humans (just kinda happened since the PCs are both human, and there was no reason to use other races). However, dwarves, elves and humans hate each other. The only way the PCs get elves to listen to them is because they carry around a bounty poster of themselves to show just how much beef they have with the human empire. Elves do drugs and have facial hair. In fact, pretty much all the men have facial hair. There's a mafia. Things are dilapidated, and its implied that something is very, very wrong with the world. But the PCs don't care. They just want vengeance against the Kaiser. Speaking of which, there's a Kaiser of the Humans. And he's the BBEG. Also, there are billiards tables in all the taverns. -Drillboss
#8 Aryxbez Apr 27, 2009 7:42:02	I mostly just take my favorite ideas, and implement it into a setting. I know my first campaign, I had troubles for a brief time coming up with a theme, so I decided, just to take everything I liked and mix it all in together. That is, my favorite mythologies, Arthurian, Norse/Asgardian , and Greek/Olympian. Also favorite things from games, such as Moogles, Chocobos, and Raptoran/Birdmen (idea from Shining force series). Although sadly my cultures don't speak too much for the setting, hope to use the cultures/mythologies ways more often. Also, favor the idea of creating a setting, that it's not just a place for the PC's. Don't really like too much the idea that the world revolves around them of sort. However do like the PC's being something swiftly in a campaign. By my habits, back in 3.5, I had PC's as greatly local heroes easily before level 10.