I'm running a level 6 campaign atm. They gust finished up gnolls, and they were hinted at demons and levels at level CR 8. The campaign takes place in a moderately established settlement (pop 3000) well away from major cities with unexplored areas. There is a portal to Levistus 1 days walk away.
I'm just having trouble finding inspiration, and was wondering if anyone had any ideas for this level?
It sounds like you might want to make your inciting event to couple with your demons and portal to Levistus.
Why are there going to be demons? --Are they under orders from a greater demon? --Is there some sort of war? --Is this something bigger?
Why is the portal in that location? --Did someone build it? --Is there some historical significance? --Is it something so simple as a weak spot between the Planes?
What is going on that makes the portal so dangerous that they can't enter it now? --Do they need to complete a task to get through? --Are their bodies too weak to handle the transition? --Are there guardians they need to pass?
These types of questions help come up with ideas when you're stuck on what to do for quest ideas. By asking more about the creatures, places, and things that they are going to encounter, you'll find you can come up with a lot.
It must also be noted: your players can give you a ton of ideas as well, you just need to hear them :)
it looks like why they are inspired is covered but what about how they are inspired... are the adventures part of a guild where it goes by who gets to 30 points first gets to open the portal and maybe there already level 6 because last time this happened they get to train 5 points for each of the six times they leveled on there quest. and there is three aspects for every thing that happens and so 5 points they gain is really worth 15 every time they level in the guild thus there ment to be level 10 after dealing with the three aspects going on in that part of the world which would have them with 150 points and 15 points in each aspect that are expanded to 45 each and there missing 5 levels for the next quest that probably comes from the portal to the next dimension so if there on the third dimension then the fourth dimension would be controlling the last demons. but since its all part of one story maybe theres a set of check points between each event like save the guild master, and get them to their safe house, and get the guild to defeat the demons. maybe each of the main check points can have a challenge based on getting 5 points for each level that are really 15 because there is three challenges in each and the person who gets the most of the choices right according to the script made up by the dm will be the one to open the portal.
Honestly, at times where I'm running low on...let's say "world-story" inspiration, I usually change focuses - go after player backstories, and start doing quests for them. Players usually enjoy getting their own story arcs devoted to their character, particularly if they're the RP-loving sort. Got a warlock? Well, patron's sending them visions now, saying it's time to pay their debt. Clerics? Looks like someone from the local church is looking for them, something about lost ruins? Rogue with sticky fingers (and morally flexible party members)? A seedy-looking character approaches them in the tavern, mentioning the score of a life time...
Of course, if your party has NPCs they really like, maybe have quests from/concerning that NPC, or if your player's character has family elsewhere, they could get a letter saying that family member is coming to town. Playing with people's backstories can just be so much fun, why not give it a go?
Level 6 is prime dragon fighting territory. Maybe, to keep things on theme, the area near the village have weak planar boundaries and a rift to the Shadowfell opens up, allowing a young shadow dragon who has been eyeing the place to escape into the Prime Material. Now that those pesky gnolls are gone, who is to stand in its way in taking over and such?
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Hi guys and gals,
I'm running a level 6 campaign atm. They gust finished up gnolls, and they were hinted at demons and levels at level CR 8. The campaign takes place in a moderately established settlement (pop 3000) well away from major cities with unexplored areas. There is a portal to Levistus 1 days walk away.
I'm just having trouble finding inspiration, and was wondering if anyone had any ideas for this level?
It sounds like you might want to make your inciting event to couple with your demons and portal to Levistus.
Why are there going to be demons?
--Are they under orders from a greater demon?
--Is there some sort of war?
--Is this something bigger?
Why is the portal in that location?
--Did someone build it?
--Is there some historical significance?
--Is it something so simple as a weak spot between the Planes?
What is going on that makes the portal so dangerous that they can't enter it now?
--Do they need to complete a task to get through?
--Are their bodies too weak to handle the transition?
--Are there guardians they need to pass?
These types of questions help come up with ideas when you're stuck on what to do for quest ideas. By asking more about the creatures, places, and things that they are going to encounter, you'll find you can come up with a lot.
It must also be noted: your players can give you a ton of ideas as well, you just need to hear them :)
it looks like why they are inspired is covered but what about how they are inspired... are the adventures part of a guild where it goes by who gets to 30 points first gets to open the portal and maybe there already level 6 because last time this happened they get to train 5 points for each of the six times they leveled on there quest. and there is three aspects for every thing that happens and so 5 points they gain is really worth 15 every time they level in the guild thus there ment to be level 10 after dealing with the three aspects going on in that part of the world which would have them with 150 points and 15 points in each aspect that are expanded to 45 each and there missing 5 levels for the next quest that probably comes from the portal to the next dimension so if there on the third dimension then the fourth dimension would be controlling the last demons. but since its all part of one story maybe theres a set of check points between each event like save the guild master, and get them to their safe house, and get the guild to defeat the demons. maybe each of the main check points can have a challenge based on getting 5 points for each level that are really 15 because there is three challenges in each and the person who gets the most of the choices right according to the script made up by the dm will be the one to open the portal.
Honestly, at times where I'm running low on...let's say "world-story" inspiration, I usually change focuses - go after player backstories, and start doing quests for them. Players usually enjoy getting their own story arcs devoted to their character, particularly if they're the RP-loving sort. Got a warlock? Well, patron's sending them visions now, saying it's time to pay their debt. Clerics? Looks like someone from the local church is looking for them, something about lost ruins? Rogue with sticky fingers (and morally flexible party members)? A seedy-looking character approaches them in the tavern, mentioning the score of a life time...
Of course, if your party has NPCs they really like, maybe have quests from/concerning that NPC, or if your player's character has family elsewhere, they could get a letter saying that family member is coming to town. Playing with people's backstories can just be so much fun, why not give it a go?
Level 6 is prime dragon fighting territory. Maybe, to keep things on theme, the area near the village have weak planar boundaries and a rift to the Shadowfell opens up, allowing a young shadow dragon who has been eyeing the place to escape into the Prime Material. Now that those pesky gnolls are gone, who is to stand in its way in taking over and such?