Do you know there’s a Fantasy Grounds model of my full 1-Twentieth degree D&D 5E marketing campaign, The Demonplague, co-written by James Introcaso?
I don’t promote this on The Demonplague’s data web page, however will repair that quickly.
Meantime, in case you are a Fantasy Grounds GM, you should purchase the marketing campaign right here.
Sadly, on account of Fantasy Grounds licensing, I can not give the FG model to present Demonplague GMs as a result of it requires a separate buy. I additionally can not bundle different recordsdata with the FG package deal, however if you happen to e-mail me after getting your FG model, I’ll ship you the PDFs and all of the bonuses.
When you have any questions on The Demonplague for Fantasy Grounds, be at liberty to put up them on this FG discussion board thread right here, or e-mail me immediately!
Cheers,
Johnn
Attempt Again Pocket Occasions In Your Campaigns
Right here’s a cool thought being examined by Cory Gill, a participant in my Basilica marketing campaign and Marketing campaign Logger contributor who’s operating a sport of his personal:
If a participant goes off to do some type of private improvement or analysis, we wave the narration of the occasion with a promise to return again to fill within the story at a later time.
The participant successfully places this incomplete story factor of their again pocket.
Afterward, when offered with a problem that appears associated, they might pull the again pocket merchandise out and say, “Hey, do not forget that journey I did to the library on the town? I used to be after books on native historical past. Would it not make sense that I do know one thing about this mysterious outdated home?”
The GM may then say, “Positive! That makes whole sense. You already know that this home is haunted by a fiery ghost. Why don’t you inform us the way you found this data.”
Evening’s Black Brokers and Blades within the Darkish have comparable mechanics. In my restricted expertise with one thing like this, it offers gamers much more company, including to their enjoyable. It additionally means gamers can train their creativeness extra. And it reduces moving into the weeds throughout data gathering and different such duties – merely handwave and transfer on to the motion.
Listed here are a number of suggestions from simply my few experiences with a mechanic like this:
Clarify the Strategy: Keep away from springing this on gamers retroactively. As a substitute, earlier than subsequent session, clarify that you simply need to do that out and the way you need it to work. I did this in my Hobo Princes marketing campaign, which was properly underway after I launched the brand new mechanic. And after I requested my group in the event that they have been pleased with it, my gamers have been smitten by it.
Log Occasions Not Particulars: After a participant decides to place the outcomes of a downtime motion of their again pocket, make be aware of that truth to assist with continuity and consistency when the occasion is revisited in a future encounter. Nevertheless, don’t get slowed down recording what they realized. Improvise that later, or prep that between classes.
Let Go: As extra of a top-down old fashioned GM, I need to reward good planning and a focus to element. This again pocket method may really feel a bit like a Get Out of Jail Free card. However after I really performed and GM’d it, I bought extra worth from it than what was misplaced with this pretty forgiving mechanic.
Cap It: If fearful about abuse, set a restrict on how typically it may be used. For instance, you may tie it to inspiration factors or make it a once-a-session factor. We don’t need gamers to make use of their again pocket choice as a crutch. You’ll be able to all the time develop its allowed utilization after playtesting for a number of classes.
Roleplay It: As Cory recommends, when a participant pulls out a again pocket occasion, encourage them to relate the story of how they acquired the information or ability. This deepens character improvement and offers you potential new particulars to log to your marketing campaign and setting.
Flex: Metal your self for surprising outcomes. Generally the information or assets a PC acquired may give them a big benefit, whereas different occasions it’d solely present small profit. I don’t get too fearful about sport stability right here as a result of, as GM, I can spin up an infinite quantity of conflicts and issues. Nevertheless, you may clarify that you’ve got veto energy and also you’ll negotiate a bit on precise particulars ought to a participant overstep a bit.
Reward Nice Play: If a participant makes use of a again pocket merchandise in a very intelligent or considerate manner, think about rewarding them with a bonus. Possibly they get additional data, they meet a useful NPC, or the PC will get additional XP.
Consider: Evaluate how again pocket occasions are moving into your marketing campaign. Chat together with your gamers about what’s working and what isn’t. This suggestions loop will assist refine the strategy to your GMing and group’s play fashion, and guarantee it’s serving to everybody have extra enjoyable at each sport.
Nice tip, Cory! Thanks.
Johnn 4
Have extra enjoyable at each sport!
