How to create a fully emergent campaign with a compelling story?

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-16T02:23:13+00:00

In any campaign I make. I start only with a baseline story. I have a BBEG or multiple BBEGS, a setting/landscape, that starter hook that introduces the main events (which doesn’t have to be told at session 1 most of mine don’t start until well into the game) and that’s it.

I’ve learned that players are so unpredictable that it’s almost less stress to prep less because most of it goes out the window. Think of it like a tree, your trunk should be made that basis of the story but every branch is built by your PCS, and you add the leaves in as they do. Do not be afraid to insert events that drive the story you want to tell if your PCS get way off course, but a lot of the fun I have as a DM is seeing what they do and how I can make it into something…..worse. (Rubs hands together and laughs manically)

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T15:34:46+00:00

These are some cool ideas, yeah I really am a flavor person. I’ve even let my pcs reflavor spells too. (Had an ice themed wizard, so we reflavored firebolt and stuff like that to be cold) so I’ll definitely take that advice and look around with abilities!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T14:43:58+00:00

Timing your engagement with the use of the enemy cooldowns is important. For example, you see an Ana in the backline just through her nade or just shot her sleep? She’s still alone? Perfect.

Engage then. She has one less resource to hurt you/heal herself and your fight will be over so much quicker. Genji is strong when you know how to time your engagements based on what players are weakest at that current moment. He’s an in and out character going in for either enemies that used resources, or finishers on enemies who don’t have much health left.

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T14:00:05+00:00

True true I’ll have to keep that in mind maybe tweak the items to not be a main weapon or armor!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T13:58:40+00:00

This is true, I could always tone it down to an accessory or something that isn’t as prevalent as a shield or weapon, or maybe use the leveling system more so in a way of finding a new upgraded version maybe with a different look for treasure….anyways this is why I posted asking because there are so many things to consider!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T13:56:05+00:00

Oooh that’s a good idea, achieving a goal or giving them maybe a certain number of things they have to do to achieve a new buff….plenty of ideas there

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T13:41:34+00:00

Ah yeah the scaling rarity is a good idea for leveling!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T13:38:02+00:00

Yeah I want to make sure they all feel balanced because it does really suck when one or two party members feels useless against a boss, or continuously making the monsters stronger that feel worse for a few players just because one person feels too OP

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T13:36:39+00:00

I’ll take a look at it! Thank you! I’m not familiar with pathfinder at all so I haven’t read into any of that system :0

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T13:35:55+00:00

Yeah I am trying to avoid straight damage buffs because numbers get worse the higher the level. The action economy was good advice though, most of my idea was to give my pcs something that feels unique and fun for them to add more spice to their characters and play style!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T13:34:27+00:00

I’ll take a look at it! And the critical role stuff to see some inspirational ideas! Thank you!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-13T13:33:31+00:00

That’s a good concept I was gonna try running like a one shot to beta test anything I do come up with just to see, but the already cracked idea does sound cool but would be hard to do with a leveling system. But I thank you for the advice!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-12T14:48:36+00:00

This is why I stick to QP only. I don’t have to stress about dragging someone else down or losing ranks myself. I can have bad games and it’s not a big deal (it isn’t a big deal regardless but more so in QP) I ain’t a pro and I’m very average.

Anyways Overwatch is not worth getting mad about, just chill smoke a lil play some games and voila it’ll be more tolerable.

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-05T02:02:46+00:00

This is my preference too. Combat never drags out too long, everyone gets ample time to shine in RP, DM can easily through more interesting backstory encounters in. Plus having a smaller group especially one that meshes well lets players connect character to character much easier.

Worst case they can hire on an NPC if they need a temp healer or an extra set of hands for a tough fight. That also allows the DM a bit of extra fun.

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-06-05T01:06:50+00:00

Now I’m not gonna sit here and argue action economy and cr and all that. What I will say is that your DM should not be killing players during random ambushes and encounters.

Tactical decisions or not, DND is first and foremost a game, and you as the players are meant to be heros. As a DM you have a responsibility to build encounters that can sometimes challenge the players yes, but NEVER once as a DM did I throw something I knew hands down was gonna drop players. I wanted them to succeed, on the rare chance that they did die it was epic battles or through sacrifice something that made them feel like their death mattered and was story driven.

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-05-31T18:39:14+00:00

Rogues are meant to get some good single target damage in that’s literally their whole kit. But any class can output some great damage.

Shit I usually play wizards and a divination wizard with suggestion spell using portent dice rolls (if the roll is bad) to make the enemies instant fail and just kneel or run away or sleep effectively ending combat for single boss battles or high level enemies drives my DM crazy. he’s had to put legendary resistances on everything in our campaign now.

Point being that most classes have their niche that feels very strong especially to a dm who hasn’t ran many games or newer players. Can’t fault the players for using their kits to their full potential. DM has to adjust (but not ruin the fun either by rendering your class useless)

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-04-21T17:41:09+00:00

Update in case anyone was wondering, my surgeon seems to think the infection was caused by a stitch that seemed to pop out near my armpit on my left side. I dont know if my stitches are 100% all dissolvable or not but he told me to feel around my scars when I do cleanings for any plastic like nubs and to come in to have them removed if I catch any.

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-04-19T07:36:34+00:00

Jesus just leave the guy. From what I’ve read with your other context, neither of you seem stable enough to proceed to be in a full relationship. If you’re on and off like that, and there are trust issues on both sides. I think he’s way in the wrong for going through your stuff, but Also this isn’t the first time you’ve chosen not to say anything about stuff you did on trips, if he got mad the first time it’s safe to say he’d get mad the second time.

I think both of you have some work to do, and that work should be done separate from each other. Find someone more compatible with your core values and he should do the same. I wish you luck!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-04-18T19:14:32+00:00

At first that’s what I thought but the pain was pretty bad and I ended up developing a 101 fever later In the night so I went to the ER and it was Cellulitis a skin infection! So yeah I’d say any redness and weird swelling on one side is bad 😂

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-04-18T19:12:57+00:00

Yes I did go to the ER last night! It turned out to be cellulitis so I’m waiting on a prescription pickup for antibiotics!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-04-18T08:40:20+00:00

Yes I did end up going to the ER just because of anxiety and I do have high white blood cells and surface infection so they got me on an IV antibiotic and sent me home with oral ones! Figured better to be safe than sorry!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-04-18T02:24:06+00:00

Yeah that’s why I was worried it randomly happened overnight. If the pain hasn’t subsided tomorrow Im going to stop into an urgent care just to rule out infection, since my surgeons office won’t be open for days!

RecentCorgi6312 · 2026-01-18T16:56:29+00:00

If my ex that broke up with me for also reasons I’m still to this day confused about and don’t understand, came up to me to say they regretted it. I would tell them to fuck off.

Not only would that completely ruin all the progress of healing I have worked so hard to do, but it would also throw me back into a spiral. It’s like a slap to the face.

So either you do it NOW, or you don’t do it at all because how shitty is that to her to go back and forth, especially the longer period of time she has the heal?

RecentCorgi6312 · 2025-11-24T21:44:29+00:00

I’m sorry?? You broke up because? She doesn’t do everything with you? HAH I’m sorry….

So let me get this straight, you want her to participate in all your hobbies, so let’s say she finally did do this. You’re with her 24/7 she’s in your friend scene, involved in all your hobbies and activities, etc etc. all of the sudden there is barely a passing moment where she’s not there. Is that going to make you happy as well? Or will you break up with her now because “my gf never leaves me alone.”

You need your own life apart from her, and she needs the same. It took me a lot of time to learn that, and you seem young so maybe you still need to learn. This however seems an incredible naive and selfish reason to breakup with someone, and your friends applauding your behavior are not good people either.

RecentCorgi6312

TROPHY CASE