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)?

2. 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

3. 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.)