My Life As A Gamer: Campaign Update (Patrons Defined Pt. 2)

(Following last week's post, which is here.)

The campaign's remaining Long-Term Patrons will be, for same of convenience, "Opposing Forces" (OPFOR).

Three of these are Monster Races. As with the previous Patrons, they will be a Monster Manual entry with all the variables maxed out. Their Causes For Action and Win Conditions guarantee conflict with the other Patrons (and thus with adventuring characters). A fourth will be an Evil Mannish Patron. At least one will be a source of a Class (Assassin).

I am considering adding one or more Patrons that are single powerful individuals, such as an older dragon, but that is not certain. I am also considering that one or more OPFOR Patrons are indigenous to the campaign setting while the rest are from Elsewhere.

The purpose of the OPFOR is to ensure that conflict occurs. Their Causes For Action and Win Conditions will guarantee this, such as having "Awakened by intruders from Elsewhere, you win if you eliminate all outsiders from the campaign." They are intended to last for most, if not the whole, of the campaign; they are expected to make use of revealed Short-Term Patrons to bolster their numbers as required, by whatever means available.

Those OPFOR Patrons that are also seeking the Tower may well be hostile to any set to gatekeep Tower access; "let's you and him fight" is on the table.

Once the final list of Long-Term Patrons is decided, and their initial set of resources set upon, the launch Braunstein event will be devised and players recruited.

Over the coming week I will go deeper into the use of Patron Play as a campaign driver; next Sunday I will get more into the campaign scenario itself.

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In case you missed it, yesterday was a sad anniversary.

Today, in 2008, fifteen years ago now, Gary Gygax left us to undertake a new journey beyond our imaginations. He left us with many great games, many friends to cherish while we can, and many memories to share, and remember him by. 1/* pic.twitter.com/CfHjPHkf68

— That Guy With The French Accent (@BenoistPoire) March 4, 2023

Thanks for everything, Gary. You and the Daves (Arneson and Weasely) have had far more impact on Civilization than most people know.