Step 3: Identifying Regional Scenarios
Regions are the underlying fabric of your campaign
Story Structure: Orient the Audience & Establish Conflict
The region that your campaign is created in sets the tone for the entire campaign. The atmosphere, political climate, current economic situation, religious overtones, and so much more. With that being said, it is very important for the GM to take the time to understand and establish with the characters the current atmosphere within the region that the campaign starts in.
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There are many different types of regional impacts that you can use in your campaign, depending on the global arc you have chosen and the type of story you want to tell. Here are ten examples of regional impacts that you should consider:
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Political Unrest: The global arc has led to political unrest in different regions, with various factions vying for power and control.
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Economic Disruption: The global arc has disrupted the economy in different regions, with shortages, inflation, and unemployment affecting the populace.
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Migration and Displacement: The global arc has led to migration and displacement, as people flee from war, natural disasters, or other threats.
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Military Buildup: The global arc has led to a buildup of military forces in different regions, with troops and supplies being moved around.
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Social Upheaval: The global arc has led to social upheaval in different regions, with changes in social norms, customs, and traditions.
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Religious Schisms: The global arc has led to religious schisms in different regions, with different interpretations of doctrine and different religious factions emerging.
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Environmental Disasters: The global arc has led to environmental disasters in different regions, such as droughts, floods, or hurricanes.
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Technological Advances: The global arc has led to technological advances in different regions, with new inventions and innovations being developed.
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Cultural Exchange: The global arc has led to cultural exchange in different regions, with different cultures mixing and influencing each other.
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Medical Crises: The global arc has led to medical crises in different regions, such as epidemics, pandemics, or plagues.
These are just a few examples of regional impacts that you can use in your campaign. By drilling down into the details of the global arc and understanding how it will impact different regions, you can create a sense of continuity and purpose for the campaign, and help the players feel like they are part of a larger story.
Conclusion
When choosing global arcs for your campaign, consider the world you have chosen and the type of story you want to tell. With the right global arc, you can create a campaign that is both engaging and memorable for your players. Drilling down into the details of the global arc is an important step in creating a realistic and engaging tabletop RPG campaign. By understanding how the global arc will impact different regions, you can create a sense of urgency and importance for the players, and help them feel like they are part of a larger story. When choosing regional impacts for your campaign, consider the global arc you have chosen and the type of story you want to tell. With the right regional impacts, you can create a campaign that is both engaging and memorable for your players.