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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Aug 2007 : 03:54:36
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So I'm gearing up to run Cormyr Tearing of the Weave and it's going to be my first large premade campaign. I've run the small adventures loosely. What I mean is I didn't really following them exactly, more of a guideline, using the maps and encounters for my own purposes, if the "end" had an end I could use I have, otherwise I'd just make my own for what I had planned next.
Haven't really run anything long term or for high levels, more of a "in the mean time DM."
In any case, I want to run Cormyr (and then the next 2 books) more "by the book." As my first large premade, any suggestions the more experienced can offer on keeping the adventure smooth and such?
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"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4687 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2007 : 04:19:18
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Well the best way to have a smooth campaign is have NPCs play it. PCs will go off the map unless your hints keep them very focused on the task at hand. Using a premade, depending on how well it was made, the DM boxes should guide you in how to protray planed NPCs, trustworthy, shy, shiftless, etc.
To try to keep in smooth you should pull up from the material or generate your own NPCs to help guide the Story line. Some that might want to join the party might not be friends to the PCs, but has the same goal in sight, others clearly could be aid points in one (or more) ways to the party.
No matter what you do expect your party to go in a direction you do not expect, try to plan revovery modes to get them on the mission.
Best I can offer you as advice. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36797 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2007 : 05:32:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Well the best way to have a smooth campaign is have NPCs play it.
Some players -- myself included! -- do have a habit of finding whatever the DM didn't think of... 
It's a good point, though. You've got to try to anticipate where the PCs will find the option you didn't think of. While steering them back on course (preferably with great subtlety) is usually what you want, also keep in mind that a PC haring off after some odd thing can be the basis for future adventures. |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2007 : 14:24:51
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| Oh I've got them headed in that direction, they took the visions of Purple dragons bait. I'm just more concerned I'm not going to keep the game running without speed bumps because I'm running it out of the book instead of my imagination. :) |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 22 Aug 2007 : 21:18:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Well the best way to have a smooth campaign is have NPCs play it.
Heh! Last sunday I was DMing the Twilight Tomb for my players...
After the rogue spot the great spider, in the Reoubt of the Nilshai, the players have convinced the orcs of rooms 19 and 21 that Savera will kill them, and the only chance of them escape of the tower alive will be fighting the way out (some very good rolls of diplomacy, allied with a amazing roleplaying).
Now my darned players have a ragtag band of six orcs to spare in the fight... 
Never... never let the gnome rogue start the talking...  |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2007 : 17:32:04
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| A gnomish rogue.. oh my. Luckily I've already hocked the characters into doing the Cormyr adventure, so straying isn't an issue. |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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Running my first "box"...
