I'm quickly approaching the campaign finale for my current campaign and in preparing for it, want to make sure I'm not missing any important beats.
For reference the characters are level 10 (and those that survive will hit 11 at the end, in case we want to pick things up in the future). We will have played a little over 40 4 hour sessions to get here.
So, the question is, what are key elements for a campaign finale? Here's what I have:
It needs to summarize and be the a book end for all that has gone before. When it is done, the players should know almost the full story
I plan on starting it with a "War council" / RP where some old allies return to help the heroes before they go do battle with the BBEG
In the finale itself, I plan on some ebbs and flows in the situation, where there are setbacks and successes. Some Allies they have made will also be present.
There will be periods of dialogue and cinematic RP
Each character and to a degree the player has the opportunity for a "hero" moment
A few relevant parts of backstories will finalize or be used
In the end, the players will be able to see how the various decisions and actions they took along the way culminated in this outcome
It will also expose the characters to a larger world, with a few plot hooks in case we choose to continue in the future. Their status in the world will also be increased.
VERY GOOD TABLE SNACKS :) (perhaps a cake)
What am I missing? and thanks!
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"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"
Snacks are ALWAYS important, doubly so for epic endings. :D
You have an excellent list there, in my opinion. If possible I would suggest talking to each of your players individually and simply ask them what one thing they really want to see happen before the campaign ends. That might help you focus your list into specific beats to try and hit, and make sure everyone feels a sense of satisfaction with the end even if things don't go as planned. You might be surprised what your players say...sometimes it's just a little thing they want the chance to do, or say, or try.
Don’t forget a denouement. After it’s all done go around the table and ask every player with a surviving character what they do next. Are they sticking together as a group, does the cleric go build and operate a shrine, the wizard take on an apprentice, the fighter keep looking for mercenary work, etc.
It lets the player decide how the story ends for their character, and can give you ideas of where they are should you want to pick them up again, or use them as NPCs in the next campaign.
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Hey all,
I'm quickly approaching the campaign finale for my current campaign and in preparing for it, want to make sure I'm not missing any important beats.
For reference the characters are level 10 (and those that survive will hit 11 at the end, in case we want to pick things up in the future). We will have played a little over 40 4 hour sessions to get here.
So, the question is, what are key elements for a campaign finale? Here's what I have:
What am I missing? and thanks!
"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"
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InsiderSnacks are ALWAYS important, doubly so for epic endings. :D
You have an excellent list there, in my opinion. If possible I would suggest talking to each of your players individually and simply ask them what one thing they really want to see happen before the campaign ends. That might help you focus your list into specific beats to try and hit, and make sure everyone feels a sense of satisfaction with the end even if things don't go as planned. You might be surprised what your players say...sometimes it's just a little thing they want the chance to do, or say, or try.
Find me on Twitter: @OboeLauren
Don’t forget a denouement. After it’s all done go around the table and ask every player with a surviving character what they do next. Are they sticking together as a group, does the cleric go build and operate a shrine, the wizard take on an apprentice, the fighter keep looking for mercenary work, etc.
It lets the player decide how the story ends for their character, and can give you ideas of where they are should you want to pick them up again, or use them as NPCs in the next campaign.