Ever in the cooling shade of Dominus Moonus, the vampiric Strahdmeister, I was taking a look at the number of sessions of my 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons campaign and noted that it had come to a count of 44 in over a year and a half of play. As I have noted before, this has emerged from play rather than any plan on my part. We all seem to be enjoying it, so why not just keep playing? It’s probably the best of reasons. The Saturday night slots works for people, though inevitably theer will be gaps of play as people have lives and other things to do. I try to keep the gaps to a minimum, to preserve some momentum, made easier by the longevity of the game and the quiet benefits of long term gel.
With player characters now hitting 7th level, they are really starting to hit their Heroic stride with 4e’s cool powers much in evidence, creating high fantasy mayhem on the unashamed grid. For now they seem to eclipse anything that I throw at them, accepting that I am seeking to balance encounters so that they are fun, challenging, dangerous, but not unescessarily overwhelming. That, it seems to me, is the job of a good ‘level and hit point’ GM. Provide real danger, but such that the players (and their characters) can shine and win. There have been occasions when it has been close, and there will be again. 4th Edition encounter design and the Masterplan software that enables quick ad-hoc combat building really help to keep that balance.
Applying some structure, perhaps a little retrospectively, has me planning a Heroic Tier campaign, running through levels 1-10 and ending on a consideration of the Paragon paths, and perhaps heralding a future series. Who knows, we might just plough on, but that will be after a deep breath and a consideration on each of our time and commitments. I am delighted by the announcements and creative activity swirling around the #OneDnD announcement, but also recognise that I am enjoying it from outside the room. I don’t especially want to be locked in to the full WotC digital experience, but will enjoy it through others over the years. Instead I have 4e, which might not be OneDnD, but as with other laggards, I have so much enjoyment to have in a previous expression of the dream-maker. Whether this campaign will continue the dream or, perhaps, another?
What else is on the long term roster?
- Conan 2d20. It’s mostly in Foundry now for a mini campaign. I had a go with this, but I was struggling with player availability and it sucked the life out of the game. I’d like to give it another go.
- Trudvang Chronicles. I have some campaigns and some one shot play under my belt. There are kinks and quirks to the system, but on the whole I like it, and the tactical options open to players. I have enabled Forge/Foundry for play, even if the main character sheet is off the VTT. I think what I have is a nice compromise, workable and will allow us to get on and play, enjoy the tactical side of the game even though there isn’t an official module for it.
I wonder what impact Dragonbane will have on this and if I will get distracted by the most recent Free League take on the system? Maybe, but Trudvang itself as a setting is a big draw.
- Cepheus Deluxe. With the new SRD in preparation that tidies up the rules I will be producing my own laid out book and it looks as though I may do some more with Hinterspace beyond one shot adventures.
