Post by Decadent Prince on Feb 13, 2005 5:40:50 GMT
There seems to be some confusion on this forum about these terms, especially between Settings and Campaigns.
A Setting is a background with in which stories can be told. This can be a lame alternate history or alternate future, or a particular location such as Marvel Universe's New York City or Genosha. Setting has much to do with the flavor of stories. For example, consider the possibilities of a campaign based out of Latveria compared to one set in Grand Rapids Michigan.
A Campaign is a series of linked adventures or scenarios with a common thread. Ideally, it will have a beginning, middle and end. The common thread could be the same series of continuing characters, a particular setting, a magical or ultra tech object that passes from one set of hands to the next, or just about anything else that would link a set of stories together.
A Campaign could be very tightly scripted like a movie trilogy, with an epic climax where most loose ends are tied up. Alternately, a campaign could be very loosely linked with an episodic or picaresque narrative.
Most Campaigns fall between these extremes, like Babylon 5 or the X-Files, with some "stand alone" episodes and some "story arc" episodes. Continuing sub-plots can be used to link the stand alone episodes together for a smoother seeming ride.
A Scenario is a short plot with minimal sub-plots attached to the resolution. The story is typically meant to be played in one long game session (6-8 hrs) or over several short game sessions (2-4 hrs).
A few Examples:
SETTING: Legends of Justice, a what-if elseworld of Sword and Sorcery Superheroes. Inspired by Busiek's Astro City and Gaiman's 1602.
The largest nation is the Metropole Empire where the great Sun-God Hero Invictus is opposed by the evil Senator Alexius, the polis' wealthiest citizen, who constantly schemes to become Emperor.
Over the Metropolitan Sea lies the island nation of Gothlund, where Bucephalus Wainrighte, the world's richest merchant prince and privateer, goes under the mask by night. As the Black Blade he swings over the vast stone cathedral cities and the gambrel-roofed urban sprawl, swearing to end the barbaric outlawry that claimed his parents' lives.
Over the Farthest Sea, New Yeoland is Gothlund's largest colony settlement in the depopulated wasteland of long ruined Ariand. Home to a disproportionate number of MARVELous heroes and villains.
The powerful realm of Ariand was destroyed centuries ago in it's war with the Great Underground Empire of Garganor. the constant tunnelling of the enslaved dwaves undermined the magical cities as the monstrous forces of the Dark Gods of the Underworld threatened to consume the world in their endless hunger.
It was only through the efforts of great heroes such as Paladin, the Eternal Flame, and Oceanus that Garganor was defeated and laid to ruin, but Ariand was laid waste, and it's survivors founded the Metropole Empire far across the Sea to the West.
Recently, Paladin was discovered frozen in the sea by New Yeoland adventurers sailing in icy waters. He has since been magically ressurected and made Captain of the New Yeoland Guard.
CAMPAIGN: The Thunder God Thor is recruiting powerful heroes to venture into the cavernous ruins of the Great Underground Empire. The Aesir Lord has been sent by the allfather to search for the legendary Ragnarok Gate, long rumored to lead to the realm of the Dark Gods.
CAMPAIGN: The Metropole Empire wishes to found a colony to rival Gothlund in the wastelands of Ariand. Senator Alexius has been chosen to serve a term as Imperial Governor. What Mythical Weapon does he hope to discover that could be of use against the mighty Invictus? Only your heroes can find out, as they struggle to maintain the colony against intrigue from Gothlund, New Yeoland, and the remnant horrors of Garganor.
CAMPAIGN: Captain Paladin leads the Ariand Revolution against Gothlund. NUFF SAID!
SCENARIO: The Shining Star, a streak of light in the sky and a tremendous impact in the wilderness. Villagers panic as a mystical stranger from the strange heavens wanders the land, exhibiting great powers and foretelling doom.
SCENARIO: The Evil Stars, many streaks of light in the sky and many tremendous impacts in the wilderness. Villagers panic as magical blights wither the land and spread like wildfire. The devourer of worlds has come, and soon a gigantic crystal pyramid decends from above and begins to drain the magic from all the world!
Can the heroes uncover and overthrow the cosmic terror from the heavens that threatens to empty all lands of their sorcery?
A Setting is a background with in which stories can be told. This can be a lame alternate history or alternate future, or a particular location such as Marvel Universe's New York City or Genosha. Setting has much to do with the flavor of stories. For example, consider the possibilities of a campaign based out of Latveria compared to one set in Grand Rapids Michigan.
A Campaign is a series of linked adventures or scenarios with a common thread. Ideally, it will have a beginning, middle and end. The common thread could be the same series of continuing characters, a particular setting, a magical or ultra tech object that passes from one set of hands to the next, or just about anything else that would link a set of stories together.
A Campaign could be very tightly scripted like a movie trilogy, with an epic climax where most loose ends are tied up. Alternately, a campaign could be very loosely linked with an episodic or picaresque narrative.
Most Campaigns fall between these extremes, like Babylon 5 or the X-Files, with some "stand alone" episodes and some "story arc" episodes. Continuing sub-plots can be used to link the stand alone episodes together for a smoother seeming ride.
A Scenario is a short plot with minimal sub-plots attached to the resolution. The story is typically meant to be played in one long game session (6-8 hrs) or over several short game sessions (2-4 hrs).
A few Examples:
SETTING: Legends of Justice, a what-if elseworld of Sword and Sorcery Superheroes. Inspired by Busiek's Astro City and Gaiman's 1602.
The largest nation is the Metropole Empire where the great Sun-God Hero Invictus is opposed by the evil Senator Alexius, the polis' wealthiest citizen, who constantly schemes to become Emperor.
Over the Metropolitan Sea lies the island nation of Gothlund, where Bucephalus Wainrighte, the world's richest merchant prince and privateer, goes under the mask by night. As the Black Blade he swings over the vast stone cathedral cities and the gambrel-roofed urban sprawl, swearing to end the barbaric outlawry that claimed his parents' lives.
Over the Farthest Sea, New Yeoland is Gothlund's largest colony settlement in the depopulated wasteland of long ruined Ariand. Home to a disproportionate number of MARVELous heroes and villains.
The powerful realm of Ariand was destroyed centuries ago in it's war with the Great Underground Empire of Garganor. the constant tunnelling of the enslaved dwaves undermined the magical cities as the monstrous forces of the Dark Gods of the Underworld threatened to consume the world in their endless hunger.
It was only through the efforts of great heroes such as Paladin, the Eternal Flame, and Oceanus that Garganor was defeated and laid to ruin, but Ariand was laid waste, and it's survivors founded the Metropole Empire far across the Sea to the West.
Recently, Paladin was discovered frozen in the sea by New Yeoland adventurers sailing in icy waters. He has since been magically ressurected and made Captain of the New Yeoland Guard.
CAMPAIGN: The Thunder God Thor is recruiting powerful heroes to venture into the cavernous ruins of the Great Underground Empire. The Aesir Lord has been sent by the allfather to search for the legendary Ragnarok Gate, long rumored to lead to the realm of the Dark Gods.
CAMPAIGN: The Metropole Empire wishes to found a colony to rival Gothlund in the wastelands of Ariand. Senator Alexius has been chosen to serve a term as Imperial Governor. What Mythical Weapon does he hope to discover that could be of use against the mighty Invictus? Only your heroes can find out, as they struggle to maintain the colony against intrigue from Gothlund, New Yeoland, and the remnant horrors of Garganor.
CAMPAIGN: Captain Paladin leads the Ariand Revolution against Gothlund. NUFF SAID!
SCENARIO: The Shining Star, a streak of light in the sky and a tremendous impact in the wilderness. Villagers panic as a mystical stranger from the strange heavens wanders the land, exhibiting great powers and foretelling doom.
SCENARIO: The Evil Stars, many streaks of light in the sky and many tremendous impacts in the wilderness. Villagers panic as magical blights wither the land and spread like wildfire. The devourer of worlds has come, and soon a gigantic crystal pyramid decends from above and begins to drain the magic from all the world!
Can the heroes uncover and overthrow the cosmic terror from the heavens that threatens to empty all lands of their sorcery?
