Ixahinon
2009-06-14, 04:30 PM
Here's the setup:
You just created a full fledged Campeign (1-Epic Levels) based on your own little world (Think of it like Ravenloft, where it can pull in characters from other realms, but not necessarily follow those realm's rules). The place is writhes full of stories, interesting creatures, etc...dreamy.
You even created the storyline such that it branches off in two directions, and deep down inside, you want to actually encourage players to head off in their own direction. (I suppose this would be like Temple of Elemental Evil? Never played the campeign (PC or Table Top). In short, two factions are trying to find the same six artifacts, but for differant reasons...the party can decide who to help. They can decide not to help..but then..the game just ends...the only way off the island, and back to their realm/destination is to assist in finding these relics.)
You dream of the day you get to DM your creation in such a fashion, but when actually sitting down to plan it out, you realize that this is a dreadfully mindboggling process, quite possibly even impossible as just one DM...or is it?
How would you do it?
My best idea is to 'hire' a second DM. Then we would have a 'good DM' for the 'good party' and an 'evil DM' for the 'evil party' I would give them the copy of my notes, and they would DM their group as they see fit, even change some encounters if they didn't like how I had them, etc...so long as they follow the storyline.
Both parties would be happening 'at the same time.' This means that while Party A is exploring Dungeon B, Party B is setting off to Castle D. Notes would be taken from both DMs, so if Part B goes to Dungeon B a few days later, they will find possibly a few creatures that moved in/was left behind in the onslaught..but generally find out that Party A might have been here already.
Further more...from time to time, both Factions would eventually find out that it is possible that the other faction has an artifact of their need...or just that the other faction has found one an aftifact than they themselves need, and that the enemy faction is just keeping it from them..and thus initiate a plan to attack...
...this is where both DMs would come together, as would both parties..and a sort of PC battle would ensue. Perhaps have high level clerics in the back with Contingeny spells to pull a PC out before death (At -9 hp, or the moment a save or die spell was failed) in order to keep their 'employers' alive and well.
The end would result in Either both of them unlocking what was achieved, and having a 'final battle' to see who is the victor..or just one party finishing the task before the other, and thus winning by default.
Is there a better way to do this? Am I just dreaming? I think two DMs would be ideal, but where do I find another DM?
I am seriously considering doing this on these forums...but want to know the best CoA.
You just created a full fledged Campeign (1-Epic Levels) based on your own little world (Think of it like Ravenloft, where it can pull in characters from other realms, but not necessarily follow those realm's rules). The place is writhes full of stories, interesting creatures, etc...dreamy.
You even created the storyline such that it branches off in two directions, and deep down inside, you want to actually encourage players to head off in their own direction. (I suppose this would be like Temple of Elemental Evil? Never played the campeign (PC or Table Top). In short, two factions are trying to find the same six artifacts, but for differant reasons...the party can decide who to help. They can decide not to help..but then..the game just ends...the only way off the island, and back to their realm/destination is to assist in finding these relics.)
You dream of the day you get to DM your creation in such a fashion, but when actually sitting down to plan it out, you realize that this is a dreadfully mindboggling process, quite possibly even impossible as just one DM...or is it?
How would you do it?
My best idea is to 'hire' a second DM. Then we would have a 'good DM' for the 'good party' and an 'evil DM' for the 'evil party' I would give them the copy of my notes, and they would DM their group as they see fit, even change some encounters if they didn't like how I had them, etc...so long as they follow the storyline.
Both parties would be happening 'at the same time.' This means that while Party A is exploring Dungeon B, Party B is setting off to Castle D. Notes would be taken from both DMs, so if Part B goes to Dungeon B a few days later, they will find possibly a few creatures that moved in/was left behind in the onslaught..but generally find out that Party A might have been here already.
Further more...from time to time, both Factions would eventually find out that it is possible that the other faction has an artifact of their need...or just that the other faction has found one an aftifact than they themselves need, and that the enemy faction is just keeping it from them..and thus initiate a plan to attack...
...this is where both DMs would come together, as would both parties..and a sort of PC battle would ensue. Perhaps have high level clerics in the back with Contingeny spells to pull a PC out before death (At -9 hp, or the moment a save or die spell was failed) in order to keep their 'employers' alive and well.
The end would result in Either both of them unlocking what was achieved, and having a 'final battle' to see who is the victor..or just one party finishing the task before the other, and thus winning by default.
Is there a better way to do this? Am I just dreaming? I think two DMs would be ideal, but where do I find another DM?
I am seriously considering doing this on these forums...but want to know the best CoA.