this post was submitted on 15 Aug 2025
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What's your favorite way to kick off a campaign, and why? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 month ago by Zonetrooper@lemmy.world to c/dnd@lemmy.world
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The good ol' fashioned "You all meet in a tavern, answering a poster offering gold for help..."? The action-scene, "You're all engaged in mutual mundane task, when suddenly a band of thugs/goblins/whatever bust in looking for the plot coupon and chaos breaks out"? The "Elder Scrolls classic" - all being prisoners thrown in together? Tie it in to a character's backstory and let them lead the other party members in?

What have you found interesting or successful, and why?

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[–] dumples@midwest.social 2 points 1 month ago

I have done a few different ideas depending on how long the campaign is. For one shots and short ones I have the players describe what they look like or what adventures they did before getting to the location. Or in a similar vein explain to whatever powers brought them there why they are worth. They then are dropped in a location with a clear objective or specific clues and riddles to solve.

For longer more open campaigns I introduce important NPCs. One they were a recruiting session for the first sailing excursion and met their captain when monsters attacked. The other it was their first big job for their company and we're betrayed by the person who hired them to introduce them to the rivals. For both I want to set tone, location and important NPCs.

I read this great opening that I want to try. A twist on a classic:

"You all meet on a tavern. This is all your first time here but you didn't expect to be on a burning building being chased by the town guards and an angry ogre. You aren't all sure what happens but you know that drinking was involved. What do you do next?"