No DM Toolkit
HelpClues | ||||
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Major Threat |
5e:
Information
Yes/No Questions. Ask tension-building Yes/No questions that draw your interest, when the answer is immediately relevant to the situation. Don't ask convenient questions you're not interested in, nor questions lacking impact on the PC right now, nor questions "just because you have to." If a skill check is involved, make the skill check first to see if a Yes/No Question is even necessary (no sense asking 'is he lying?' if your Sense Motive failed, wait until he has an opportunity to betray you). 1-2 questions should usually be enough, any more than that and you're probably fishing, or a clue would be more appropriate. The dropdown next to the button is what you think the likelihood is of it being true.
Clues. Clues are words meant to inspire and focus you in a particular direction based on the current context. They don't need to be interpreted literally. If nothing springs to mind try adding connector words: "X of Y", "X-ly Y", "X and Y", "X but Y". It can also help to write out each word and then list everything that word could mean in the current context, then try to find the best pair. If still nothing, then either choose what you want or reroll.
Characters & Goals After deciding on a setting, add a pivotol NPC or group to the Characters list, and any groups or events you'd expect (like a "zombie horde" if this is a zombie apocalypse). After making a PC, add their personal objective to the Goal list, then add any important people or groups from their backstory to the Characters list. Character and Goal lists can also be unique to each PC, or unique to a specific location in the world and only used while relevant.
Scenes. Start with the most suitable scene you want for your character and setting, or Generate one. Subsequent scenes should start with an expectation, based on how the previous one ended. Apply any alterations as instructed.
Ending A Scene. Every scene is based on a goal, location, or activity that you're trying to resolve, and once that purpose is finished then so too is the scene. A scene can be whenever something interesting happens, that ends when that interesting event is over. Click "Chaotic" or "Controlled" based on how in control your character was.
Main Quest. If you have a particular Goal that you want to focus on and complete in a timely fashion, you can make it your Main Quest. Each time you finish a scene that makes progress towards resolving the Main Quest, add 1 mark to it. If a scene promises no progress, your character can still attempt to invoke a Random Event: Goal Progress once per scene, by taking some appropriate effort and then asking a Yes/No Question if the Random Event occurs as a result.
Flashpoint. Every time you would add a 3rd mark to the Main Quest then a Flashpoint Random Event: Finish Goal occurs: a dramatic and important event that hopes to resolve the Goal. You decide how many Flashpoints feels appropriate for the Goal, but usually 2 to 4 is enough. On the final Flashpoint, you resolve the Goal and remove it, otherwise the resolution slips out of reach and you remove all marks. A Flashpoint can occur before the 3rd mark if it seems more appropriate (or by Random Event), but if it does, you skip the Flashpoint when making that 3rd mark.
Major Threat. If your setting has an omnipresent threat ("zombies" in a zombie apocalypse, "madness" in a psychological horror, "monsters/traps" in a dungeon, "physical needs" in a survival setting), then these can be added as a Major Threat. Once it's no longer a Major Threat, it can be removed, or replaced.
NPC Action and Talking. If you don't know what an NPC will do or say, roll on the NPC Conversation or Action Clues. If you have an idea of what they'll do and it's important to the adventure, ask a Yes/No Question. If you have a strong idea and it's not crucial, then improvise and go with your expectation.
Built on concepts from Mythic GME, Bastionland, Solo Engine, FitD, and others. Need more help with your campaign? Check out all the other tools, generators, and articles: kassoon.com/dnd/
Shout outs: Stacey, Adam Fowler, Amanda Kettles, Angelo Anderson, Appreciate Witch of Life, AstroLass, bilbens baggo, Brian Nunziato, Bryan Sheairs, Brysen Packer, Bryson Waits, Burlyfighter, Caitlin W., Christopher Allbritton, CJMAXP, Connor, Dalton Elliott, Damon Carrington, Daniel Edwards, David Schraff, Dragons With Jetpacks, Elisa Martinez, eric sun, Ezzela1891, Federica Frezza, Gordon Alexander Fallon, Gundar Wez, Iofire, Irate The Pirate, Jade Arrowood, Jake Lane, Jeremiah Walker, Jess, Joe Dalby, John Nazario, JollyGamer, Jonathan Lekse, Jordan Brazeal, Joshua David Maddox, Justin Snyder, Kerry Melton, Kevin, KFB_Patreon, KingHavok1217, Kingyo Senpai, Kyle Clark, Lisa Tucker, Liz Fontain, Lizzie, Lou Bliss, Luke P, Mario Pizzamiglio, Mark L, Matt Yates, Max Hops, Maxwell Mayer, Michael Hamilton, Millergendraft, mtnman1979@aol.com, Mx Charlie, Mylon Schroder, Nahellion, Nathan, Nicholas Zamora, Nick Soucy, Phil Mehl, Phillip P Torchia, Pythor Sen, R., Rachel Anderson, Ray Bissonnette, Remora Jewel, Robert Rich, Robert Skadsem, Ryan Flagg, SallySparrow132, Sarah Holland, Serafina Moon, Shane Andrews, ShortyMcgibble, Sik Makoyi, Siren, Stefan Gottschalk's, Steve Rosenlund, Stuart, Syn21, That Video Editor Nic, thea musing, Trev909, Vedie V, Vincent Drone, Warren Clarida, Wesley Muncy, XMrMonkyx ., Zachary Burgess-Hicks, zachary gee, Zealot23, Zee Livezey
Their contribution stands as a beacon of hope for all adventurers!
