The Campaign Builder's Guild

The Archives => Meta (Archived) => Topic started by: psychoticbarber on July 20, 2007, 11:22:20 PM

Title: Suggestions for Inclusions?
Post by: psychoticbarber on July 20, 2007, 11:22:20 PM
Okay, I'm in the process of prepping my campaign world for posting, and I'm not sure about the level of detail I should include. I want it to be a world that other people can take and use for different campaigns than the one I'm currently running it. My dilemma is this:

There are specific NPCs that are integral to the world itself who are still around, but, if I include them, they come complete with motivations and goals that have an effect on the world.

HOWEVER

I don't want to hamstring GMs by saying "In two weeks after the start of the campaign, X character is going try to do Y."

Thinking about it as I post, it makes sense to give the NPCs and their motivations and let the other GMs figure out how it will go about happening.

I probably have my answer just writing this, but I'm curious as to your advice and your possible experiences with the same problem.

Thank you all in advance!  :D
Title: Suggestions for Inclusions?
Post by: Stargate525 on July 20, 2007, 11:42:21 PM
When I detail my settings, I try to make it a snapshot, where no one is moving, but their direction and speed are shown. Whether the DM decides to let them go, or run a bus in front of them is his prerogative.

Did that make any sense?
Title: Suggestions for Inclusions?
Post by: psychoticbarber on July 20, 2007, 11:49:44 PM
Oddly enough, absoLUTELY.
Title: Suggestions for Inclusions?
Post by: Seraph on July 21, 2007, 12:40:13 AM
I agree with Stargate.  Definitely include your NPCs, but don't necessarily say what is going to happen to them.  Motivations are go.  Goals are go.  Actions they are currently taking are go.  Things they may do in the future is more iffy.

I would say that in general, the more detail the better.  I tried revealing my setting bit by bit to keep things a secret and it ended up in misunderstandings and undue criticism (not to say that all the criticism was undue, but some of it was).  If you don't have everything ready yet you can always say that your world is a work in progress which gives you room to move around and tweak things and get some feedback while you get the rest of your stuff ready.  If it is made known that this is a work in progress people are more inclined to help out and less inclined to pass judgement.

My  :2cents:
~Seraphine Harmonium

And just for the heck of it:  :fencing:
Title: Suggestions for Inclusions?
Post by: psychoticbarber on July 21, 2007, 12:43:07 AM
Thanks for your reply Seraphine. I will be posting it as a work in progress, but it's not enough in progress to warrant posting yet. I'll be spending a week at camp, and then probably another good solid week of work on it and I can put it up here.

Also, kudos on the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead quote, one of my favourite plays.
Title: Suggestions for Inclusions?
Post by: Seraph on July 21, 2007, 12:50:15 AM
Quote from: psychoticbarberThanks for your reply Seraphine. I will be posting it as a work in progress, but it's not enough in progress to warrant posting yet. I'll be spending a week at camp, and then probably another good solid week of work on it and I can put it up here.

Also, kudos on the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead quote, one of my favourite plays.
You're welcome and thank you.  By the way, your username isn't a Sweeny Todd reference by chance is it?
Title: Suggestions for Inclusions?
Post by: psychoticbarber on July 21, 2007, 12:52:35 AM
Quote from: Seraphine_Harmonium
Quote from: psychoticbarberThanks for your reply Seraphine. I will be posting it as a work in progress, but it's not enough in progress to warrant posting yet. I'll be spending a week at camp, and then probably another good solid week of work on it and I can put it up here.

Also, kudos on the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead quote, one of my favourite plays.
You're welcome and thank you.  By the way, your username isn't a Sweeny Todd reference by chance is it?

Umm not to my knowledge. As far as I know, 'psychoticbarber' came from my twisted imagination when I needed a name for the Kingdom of Loathing. I liked it so much it's stuck with me.