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Campaign Template

1. Campaign Overview

  • Campaign Title:
    Name your campaign to reflect its themes or central story arc.

  • Campaign System:
    (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, etc.)

  • World and Setting:
    Describe the world where the campaign takes place. Include the tone, theme, major regions, and notable features.

  • Themes and Tone:
    What are the central themes (e.g., redemption, betrayal, survival)? What is the tone (e.g., grim, hopeful, epic)?

  • Premise:
    1-2 sentences

  • Elevator Pitch
    A short read-aloud for new players - 2-3 sentences that set tone and hook.

2. Failure State - before defining who they fight, define what happens if they fail.

  • Three Specific Stakes

    1. Person/Relationship

    2. Place / Object

    3. Ideal/Memory/Legacy

  • What is the emotional cost for the players?

  • What is the scale of the consequence? Local/Regional/Global?

Core Conflict Statement

  • This campaign is about ... struggling against ... for the sake of ...

3. Story Structure

Story Arc

  • Primary Conflict:
    What is the central conflict or problem driving the campaign?
    (Example: A cursed heirloom must be restored to save a dying village.)

  • Secondary Arcs:
    What additional storylines or subplots exist? These can involve key NPCs, player backstories, or side quests.

Story Spine

  • Use this structure to outline your campaign's progression:

    • Once upon a time, there was...

    • Every day...

    • Until one day...

    • Because of that...

    • Until finally...

4. Opposition Architecture

​​​​

STATE
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
TOTAL
47
37
38
121
27
23
17
67
26
18
26
70
19
18
19
56
17
10
15
42

4. The Assemblage of Heroes

  • Key Characters:
    Who are the players' characters? What motivates them?
    (Example: Ronan Stormheart, a paladin seeking redemption for his family's sins.)

  • Backstories:
    Tie each character's backstory to the campaign. Select or create archetypes like “The Restless Dreamer” or “Bound by a Promise.”

 

4. Important NPCs

  • Key NPCs:
    Who are the critical non-player characters, and what motivates them?
    (Example: Greta Thornwillow, a weary village elder guiding the heroes.)

  • Antagonists:
    Who are the main antagonists, and what are their goals?
    (Example: Lord Alaric, a noble seeking to exploit the heirloom’s power.)

 

5. Problems

  • Global Problem:
    What is the overarching problem affecting the world or setting?
    (Example: A powerful artifact has been shattered, spreading a curse across the land.)

  • Local Problems:
    What smaller, act-specific problems exist?
    (Example: The first shard of the heirloom lies in a forest guarded by hostile spirits.)

 

6. Catalyst for the Quest

  • Triggering Event:
    What event starts the adventure?
    (Examples: A bandit attack, a vision from a restless spirit, or a plea from the village elder.)

 

7. Campaign Acts

Act 1: Introduction

  • Level Range: (e.g., Levels 1–3)

  • Sessions: (e.g., Sessions 1–3)

  • Focus: Introduce the world, NPCs, and primary problem. Tie player backstories into the story arc.

  • Key Encounters:
    (Example: Encounter with bandits holding a shard of the heirloom.)

Act 2: Escalation

  • Level Range: (e.g., Levels 4–6)

  • Sessions: (e.g., Sessions 4–6)

  • Focus: Deepen the stakes with secondary arcs and challenges. Introduce moral dilemmas or conflicting goals.

  • Key Encounters:
    (Example: Confronting the corrupt noble seeking to keep the curse active.)

Act 3: Resolution

  • Level Range: (e.g., Levels 7–9)

  • Sessions: (e.g., Sessions 7–9)

  • Focus: Conclude the story arc, resolving global and local problems.

  • Key Encounters:
    (Example: Final battle against the spirit of the shattered artifact.)

 

8. Encounters

For each encounter, provide the following details:

  • Name of Encounter:
    (Example: Forest of Shadows)

  • Type:
    (Combat, Exploration, Roleplay, Puzzle, Dynamic)

  • Purpose:
    How does this encounter tie to the story?

  • Challenge Level:
    (Match the encounter to the party’s abilities.)

  • Key Details:
    Include enemies, NPCs, or environmental challenges.

  • Player Choices:
    What decisions might the players face, and how will those affect the story?

 

9. Resolutions

  • Possible Outcomes:
    What are the potential results of the campaign?
    (Example: Success: The heirloom is restored, and the curse is lifted. Failure: The village succumbs to darkness.)

 

10. Rewards

  • Physical Rewards:
    (Example: The reforged heirloom.)

  • Character Rewards:
    (Example: Ronan’s Redemption Shield, tied to his backstory.)

  • Narrative Rewards:
    (Example: The players gain the trust of the village and its allies.)

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