Crossroads MVP
Campaigns
Creating a Campaign
At its core, the Campaign is the story of the games you are playing. One of the most important parts of this is often the Setting.
Campaign Setting
The Campaign Setting typically involves creating the world and the people and creatures that populate this world. Campaigns are usually divided into Established and Homebrew Settings.
- Established Settings use an existing setting that was made by another person. This can be from another story, such as a book, movie, or other game, or can be a campaign setting specifically designed for RPGs.
- Homebrew Settings are made by the Players at the table. Most of the work will typically be done by the GM, but all Players can have important input both before and during the Campaign.
Choosing a Campaign Setting
For more information on Choosing or Creating a Campaign Setting, see Campaign Creation.
Beginning Your Campaign
Before beginning a Campaign, it's important to have a Story, and to make sure that the Characters properly fit into the Setting.
Characters and Story
What is the story of your campaign? How do the Player Characters fit into the story? How does the Story fit into the Setting?
For more information on Aligning the Characters, Story, and Campaign Setting, see Campaign Creation - Beginning.
Running the Campaign
The Campaign Map
While a visible map may be used, it's also possible to use a more abstract map, or a purely "theatre of the mind".
Each map should be divided into units that help show distances, or rough distances should be given between any points of interest.
Movement on a Campaign Map
If a map is used, it should be clear how difficult it is to move throughout the map, and how far the Party can move.
Map Terrain
Terrain should be present on any map that is used. This should affect how far the party can travel, equipment they might require, and what sort of creatures they might encounter.
Factions
Each campaign should include multiple Factions. These Factions should interact with the players and each other in various ways. This should help the world to feel more alive and less static.
Characters may have Relationships with these Factions, and those Factions will also have Relationships with other Factions.
Settlements
Small settlements may be counted as a faction, with the Characters gaining reputation with the citizens of the settlement.
Larger settlements will have multiple Factions within them.
Organisations
Certain organisations may exist in multiple settlements, and reputation with these organisations may carry over between settlements.
Campaign Movement
Movement throughout the Campaign can be very important, and below are some rules to assist.
Travel Points
Represent how far a Party can travel within a certain time period, such as an hour or a day.
This is similar to regular Movement Points, and if a map is used, these will be used to move into new areas. The required Movement Points are typically set by the GM, but in a standard Hex or Square grid map, this should be 1 or 2 points. Movement Point Cost may increase based on terrain or other factors, but typically each grid will cost 1 Movement Point.
Parties will have a set number of Travel Points, and these may be spent to perform actions or to move to another area.
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Travel Points Example Base and Modifiers |
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Base: | 3 |
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Mounted: | 5 |
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Wilderness Skills: | +1 |
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Area Knowledge: | +1 |
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Supply Cart: | −1 |
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Bad Weather: | −1 |
Characters may increase their Travel Points using a Skill Roll or by hiring a guide. Certain other factors, such as Caravans or Ships, may have their own Travel Points and Parties that travel with these may use their Travel Points instead.
Travel Requirements
Travel is not always easy, and for longer distances, characters will need supplies, such as food or camping materials. Alternatively, characters may need to pay for lodgings at any inns or other establishments on the way.
The GM will set a cost to travel a certain distance, and may add factors such as weather, terrain, tolls, or local costs for certain supplies. Characters will gain a certain number of Travel Points based on these factors.
If characters are wholly unprepared, such as a lack of appropriate clothing or equipment, or necessary supplies such as food or water, they may be unable to continue or even suffer other effects such as weakness, Statistic reduction, or potentially die.
Time Taken
Characters will typically be given a cost to travel between units. This may be something like 1 Travel Point along a road, but increase for other terrain such as forests, or in certain weathers, such as snow or storms.
Characters may move more slowly to reduce Travel Points required? (how does this work, write down your ideas), or offset Travel Points by encountering Travel Risks. Certain Terrain might require more Travel Points.
Travel Risks
Characters may encounter enemies or other perils such as rickety bridges or rockslides, avalanches etc.
Basically, it's a Conflict or Encounter that they need to get through.
Campaign Progress
Character-based Campaigns focus on the characters. The story typically follows only them and the worlds typically exist to facilitate their stories. These campaigns usually focus on Character Progress or Character Wealth to determine Campaign Progress.
Story Campaigns have a central arching story that the players are experiencing and trying to resolve. This story exists without the characters though they are usually a part of it. These campaigns usually focus on Campaign Objectives to determine progress.
Character Progress
In these Character-based Campaigns, progress is often determined by individual character growth. Character Goals are typically used, with a character using those goals to set the direction of the campaign. Characters may have a shared objective or or other personal objectives such as renown or revenge based on their goal.
Character Wealth
Another form of Character Progress is material gain. Equipment and other Finances gained by the characters may be used to track progress in the campaign. Tangible assets, such as weapons and armour, or intangible assets, such as allies or reputation, may be counted.
Assets may belong to an individual or be shared by the group, such as shared finances or a base of operations. Shared assets may be used by multiple characters and advance the party forward, but characters may seek individual wealth as part of their goals.
Campaign Objectives
What are you doing?
Characters may have individual or shared goals, but Campaign Objectives are based on the story and the world the characters are a part of.
Altering the World
The actions of the characters in tha campaign may affect or alter the world, or their decisions may otherwise lead to these alterations. Story cues may also lead to alterations in the world outside of the influence of the main characters, and these may be used to affect the characters.
— Settlements
Settlements may be built, destroyed, grow, or be otherwise altered.
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Faction Territory
If Faction territory changes, this may alter the landscape or Settlements within this territory.
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Natural Disasters
Things like earthquakes, forest fires, tidal waves, volcano eruptions, or other major natual disasters may alter the map by affecting certain terrains such as forests, or by affecting the nearby Settlements.
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Magical Events
Certain magical events may affect the world through actions such as creating or destroying terrain, affecting other events (permanent night) or other things i can't think of right now
Finishing a Campaign
Some campaigns may run indefinitely, but some campaigns may have a set ending.
Character Goals
Campaigns may end by all characters completing their Character Goals or other Long-Term Goals.
Story Completion
Completing the main story for that area, such as defeating a major villain or finding the ancient artifact. This is related to the Campaign Story and the campaign ends at the completion of the story.
Campaign Failure
If all the characters die, or their mission fails and the terrible thing comes to pass, the Campaign may end as a failure, continue as a different type of campaign, or lead to another campaign with different Characters.