Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 iserith May 04, 2015 6:44:28	In my one-shot viking-themed adventure, Fimbulvetr, I use a system of achievements to help determine the fate of the characters during the scenario's denouement: _________________________________________________________________________________________________   Live your life with courage, honor, and loyalty and upon your death the Valkyries will come and usher you to Odin's meadhall where you and the other Einherjar gather to prepare for Ragnarok. The gods of Asgard respect and share their blessings with warriors that give their all when the battle horn has sounded.   The Loyal: Defend your non-player character lord (1 point). The Ambitious: Claim and take leadership for yourself or a player character ally (1 point). The Protector: None of your wards were slain (1 point). The Able: You never failed an ability check that you made (1 point). The Lucky: You never failed any saving throw that you made (1 point). The Fearless: You have no hit dice remaining (1 point). The Self-Reliant: You received no benefit from healing magic (1 point). The Inspired: You earned 3 Inspiration and spent them all (1 point). The Slayer: You get the killing blow on six or more enemies (1 point). The Wyrm-Foe: You score a critical hit on Fimbulvetr or survive a critical hit from Fimbulvetr. The Unstoppable: You rolled a 20 or higher on a death save (1 point). The Honored: You died in honorable combat (2 points). Those glorious warriors who have proven themselves before the gods (5+ points) are welcomed into the meadhall of the All-Father to feast and sing before the battle of Ragnarok commences. Announce your presence at its gates.   Those who call themselves warriors but have gained little honor and glory (less than 5 points) are cursed to walk the Midgard realm as draugr during the endless night. Tell of your despair in the face of eternal darkness. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ While this may not work for every game, it has some interesting effects. First, it shows the players what actions and behaviors are incentivized by the game (not unlike XP, Inspiration, etc.). By making them fit the viking theme, it ends up creating an emergent story that is more thematically appropriate as the players push their characters to achieve. For example, by having The Honored be double the points of other achievements, it set up a situation where at a certain point in the scenario it made sense to die in honorable combat so the players tried to do just that. Achievements also provides a sense of accomplishment, sometimes more impactful than standard rewards.   Have you ever used a system of achievements like this in your game? If you haven't, what sorts of achievements would work well for your campaign's theme? What might be some good rewards for earning these achievements?
#2 Istbor May 04, 2015 8:35:40	I am currently using a set of achievments in my home group's story.  Though, the difference being, it is a hidden checklist to keep track of the villan and heroes progress against one another.  I am not sure I can annouce all of those markers or achievements without spoiling some of the emerging plot the player's are creating and will come against. I do let them know however, when they succeed or fail a particular trial which is linked to an achievement.   I think for what you ran though, that seems very interesting and appropriate.  It must have been a very fun adventure.