Comments on: The Pain of Campaigning I: Story and Pre-Game Decisions http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Wed, 23 May 2012 17:02:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Pain of Campaigning VIII: What About the Bad Guys? | Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61129 Pain of Campaigning VIII: What About the Bad Guys? | Critical Hits Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:18:33 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61129 [...] The Pain of Campaigning I: Story and Pre-Game Decisions The Pain of Campaigning II: Starting the Game The Pain of Campaigning III: The Plot Thickens The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics In It The Pain of Campaigning V: Suitable Villains The Pain of Campaigning VI: Give Your Villains Some Panache! The Pain of Campaigning VII: The Finale (Part 1: What You Want the Adventure to be) The Pain of Campaigning VIII: What About the Bad Guys? Share and Enjoy: [...] [...] The Pain of Campaigning I: Story and Pre-Game Decisions The Pain of Campaigning II: Starting the Game The Pain of Campaigning III: The Plot Thickens The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics In It The Pain of Campaigning V: Suitable Villains The Pain of Campaigning VI: Give Your Villains Some Panache! The Pain of Campaigning VII: The Finale (Part 1: What You Want the Adventure to be) The Pain of Campaigning VIII: What About the Bad Guys? Share and Enjoy: [...]

]]> By: LordVreeg http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61128 LordVreeg Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:53:20 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61128 Just a quick note voicing my approval of your unintentional rewording of my basic teaching message. "Make the system match the setting, or else the setting will end up matching the system" In other words, creating a role-playing, social-intrigue heavy setting and using a combat heavy system as framework, and you will end up with frustrated players (at best), or a game where a social reaction role ends in swordplay every time. <abbr><em>LordVreeg´s last post: <a href="http://celtricia.pbwiki.com/Dreadwing" rel="nofollow">Dreadwing</a></em></abbr> Just a quick note voicing my approval of your unintentional rewording of my basic teaching message.
“Make the system match the setting, or else the setting will end up matching the system”

In other words, creating a role-playing, social-intrigue heavy setting and using a combat heavy system as framework, and you will end up with frustrated players (at best), or a game where a social reaction role ends in swordplay every time.

LordVreeg´s last post: Dreadwing

]]> By: Pain of Campaigning VI: Give Your Villains Some Panache! | Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61127 Pain of Campaigning VI: Give Your Villains Some Panache! | Critical Hits Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:51:30 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61127 [...] The Pain of Campaigning I: Story and Pre-Game Decisions The Pain of Campaigning II: Starting the Game The Pain of Campaigning III: The Plot Thickens The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics In It The Pain of Campaigning V: Suitable Villains The Pain of Campaigning VI: Give Your Villains Some Panache! Pain of Campaigning VII: The Finale (Part 1: What You Want the Adventure to be) Share and Enjoy: [...] [...] The Pain of Campaigning I: Story and Pre-Game Decisions The Pain of Campaigning II: Starting the Game The Pain of Campaigning III: The Plot Thickens The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics In It The Pain of Campaigning V: Suitable Villains The Pain of Campaigning VI: Give Your Villains Some Panache! Pain of Campaigning VII: The Finale (Part 1: What You Want the Adventure to be) Share and Enjoy: [...]

]]> By: The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics in it | Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61126 The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics in it | Critical Hits Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:18:44 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61126 [...] The Pain of Campaigning I: Story and Pre-Game Decisions The Pain of Campaigning II: Starting the Game The Pain of Campaigning III: The Plot Thickens The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics In It The Pain of Campaigning V: Suitable Villains Share and Enjoy: [...] [...] The Pain of Campaigning I: Story and Pre-Game Decisions The Pain of Campaigning II: Starting the Game The Pain of Campaigning III: The Plot Thickens The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics In It The Pain of Campaigning V: Suitable Villains Share and Enjoy: [...]

]]> By: Jonathan http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61125 Jonathan Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:09:14 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61125 There's been some concern over at the RPG Bloggers google group that the author's work is being submitted without their consent - so I just want to clarify: Nothing will be published in Open Game Table unless the author releases the material for inclusion in the Anthology. This post was simply submitted for consideration; which is the first step towards identifying the best in RPG blogging. Let me know if you have any questions over at the <a href="http://thecoremechanic.blogspot.com/2008/10/open-game-table-2008-anthology-of-role.html" rel="nofollow">The Core Mechanic</a> or in the <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/open-game-table?hl=en" rel="nofollow">OPEN GAME TABLE google group</a>. I hope that this clears up any confusion you may have. <abbr><em>Jonathan´s last post: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheCoreMechanic/~3/418592041/open-game-table-2008-anthology-of-role.html" rel="nofollow">Open Game Table: The 2008 Anthology of Roleplaying Game Blogs</a></em></abbr> There’s been some concern over at the RPG Bloggers google group that the author’s work is being submitted without their consent – so I just want to clarify: Nothing will be published in Open Game Table unless the author releases the material for inclusion in the Anthology. This post was simply submitted for consideration; which is the first step towards identifying the best in RPG blogging. Let me know if you have any questions over at the The Core Mechanic or in the OPEN GAME TABLE google group. I hope that this clears up any confusion you may have.

Jonathan´s last post: Open Game Table: The 2008 Anthology of Roleplaying Game Blogs

]]> By: Jonathan http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61124 Jonathan Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:19:56 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61124 As I go through my Google Reader starred list for entries - this one and the whole series in fact - is a sure fire MUST READ. I've submitted it to <a href="http://thecoremechanic.blogspot.com/2008/10/open-game-table-submission-form.html" rel="nofollow">OPEN GAME TABLE</a> for consideration in the 2008 Anthology. Truly excellent stuff here - I loved reading this whole series. <abbr><em>Jonathan´s last post: <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheCoreMechanic/~3/419524429/open-game-table-submission-form.html" rel="nofollow">OPEN GAME TABLE SUBMISSION FORM</a></em></abbr> As I go through my Google Reader starred list for entries – this one and the whole series in fact – is a sure fire MUST READ. I’ve submitted it to OPEN GAME TABLE for consideration in the 2008 Anthology. Truly excellent stuff here – I loved reading this whole series.

Jonathan´s last post: OPEN GAME TABLE SUBMISSION FORM

]]> By: The Pain of Campaigning III: The Plot Thickens : Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61123 The Pain of Campaigning III: The Plot Thickens : Critical Hits Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:12:45 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61123 [...] assuming you’ve considered pre-campaign decisions and successfully started your game its now time to keep running a campaign. Not just treading [...] [...] assuming you’ve considered pre-campaign decisions and successfully started your game its now time to keep running a campaign. Not just treading [...]

]]> By: dberg_usa http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61122 dberg_usa Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:07:53 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61122 I look at oceanic campaigns very similarly to space based campaigns. You can do a lot on vessels or with interaction between vessels and other stationary locations. Oceans are vast places. Space is even bigger. I've seen some really good campaigns done in both places. I look at oceanic campaigns very similarly to space based campaigns. You can do a lot on vessels or with interaction between vessels and other stationary locations.

Oceans are vast places. Space is even bigger. I’ve seen some really good campaigns done in both places.

]]> By: The Pain of Campaigning II: Starting the Game : Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61121 The Pain of Campaigning II: Starting the Game : Critical Hits Mon, 12 Nov 2007 04:13:46 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61121 [...] that the King is actually a Beholder, and even made a cute little NPC to travel with the players. If you were really smart you considered the campaign’s primary conflict, mean of conflict resolutio... However, now its time to consider where the rubber meets the road, and actually start the game of [...] [...] that the King is actually a Beholder, and even made a cute little NPC to travel with the players. If you were really smart you considered the campaign’s primary conflict, mean of conflict resolutio… However, now its time to consider where the rubber meets the road, and actually start the game of [...]

]]> By: Reverend Mike http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61120 Reverend Mike Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:27:07 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61120 dberg - I suppose you're correct...but I'm not sure you can use the large ship/fleet set-up too many times in the same campaign...undersea continents are, for the sake of my opinion, still continents, dry or no... I may have a bit of a bias having played in a campaign set-up similar to Waterworld with less guns and a just a handful of islands on the map...travelling unexplored territory was one of those things our DM didn't like us doing, considering that he had several possible adventures set up on just about every island...problem also was, he kind of just threw us into the world without any real direction...and that's almost never good for a campaign for an extended period of time... dberg – I suppose you’re correct…but I’m not sure you can use the large ship/fleet set-up too many times in the same campaign…undersea continents are, for the sake of my opinion, still continents, dry or no…

I may have a bit of a bias having played in a campaign set-up similar to Waterworld with less guns and a just a handful of islands on the map…travelling unexplored territory was one of those things our DM didn’t like us doing, considering that he had several possible adventures set up on just about every island…problem also was, he kind of just threw us into the world without any real direction…and that’s almost never good for a campaign for an extended period of time…

]]> By: TheMainEvent http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61119 TheMainEvent Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:13:26 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61119 I never ran sea-based campaigns, but I did find that Zaratans (islands size tortoises) and Krakens always were a good time. I never ran sea-based campaigns, but I did find that Zaratans (islands size tortoises) and Krakens always were a good time.

]]> By: dberg_usa http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61118 dberg_usa Sun, 11 Nov 2007 05:35:35 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61118 A large sea-going ship or fleet can eliminate the boredom inherent in sea travel. A stow away creature, disappearing sailors, and strange happenings can make a ship a great place to play. Its just like a large floating dungeon. It can be fun so long as its large enough or you have enough of a fleet/visiting vessels to keep it interesting. Also don't forget about undersea continents. They can be just as compelling to explore as any dry land. A large sea-going ship or fleet can eliminate the boredom inherent in sea travel. A stow away creature, disappearing sailors, and strange happenings can make a ship a great place to play. Its just like a large floating dungeon. It can be fun so long as its large enough or you have enough of a fleet/visiting vessels to keep it interesting.

Also don’t forget about undersea continents. They can be just as compelling to explore as any dry land.

]]> By: Dungeon Mastering » RPG campaign hits http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61117 Dungeon Mastering » RPG campaign hits Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:32:20 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61117 [...] at critical-hits started a series of articles called the Pain of Campaigning!  The first article, Story and pregame decisions, was well thought-out and well [...] [...] at critical-hits started a series of articles called the Pain of Campaigning!  The first article, Story and pregame decisions, was well thought-out and well [...]

]]> By: Yax http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61116 Yax Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:45:47 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61116 I really like the part that says: "simple choices can help minimize stillbirths of a campaign." New campaigns can't always be great. It's really about effort, and minimizing chances that's it's going to be a dud. Social life is important though. So not too much energy can go into your next campaign! I really like the part that says:
“simple choices can help minimize stillbirths of a campaign.”

New campaigns can’t always be great. It’s really about effort, and minimizing chances that’s it’s going to be a dud.

Social life is important though. So not too much energy can go into your next campaign!

]]> By: Yax http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61115 Yax Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:30:30 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61115 I must agree that the few times my players adventured into the sea I was quite at a loss. I like the ocean better in real life. I must agree that the few times my players adventured into the sea I was quite at a loss. I like the ocean better in real life.

]]> By: Reverend Mike http://critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61114 Reverend Mike Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:35:49 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2007/11/04/the-pain-of-campaigning-i-story-and-pre-game-decisions/#comment-61114 Note to all DMs: Never run a campaign in an oceanic world. Continents are very important. No player likes to sit on a boat for very long, nor to simply fast forward travel time between islands. Overland travel = FUN!... Note to all DMs:

Never run a campaign in an oceanic world.

Continents are very important. No player likes to sit on a boat for very long, nor to simply fast forward travel time between islands. Overland travel = FUN!…

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