The game I've been running has been going on for about 2.5 years, the party is now level 15, and they've fought everything from purple worms, dragons, a demigod, an ACTUAL GOD (a minor one, but still), and a LOT in between. We've also gone through most of everyone's character backstories and gave them resolution, the only one left is one we are on right now. I know the the very last story arc, the final world saving last hurrah, but, I'm mentally tapped for ideas from now till then though. I want them to have the full level 20 experience (since this was all their first DnD campaign), but that's still 5 levels away, that's a lot of story. How do I find inspiration? How do I get them there without rushing or fumbling? I don't want to let them down with a weak 3rd act, you know?
I guess 'not reaching level 20' isn't an option? It sounds like you've done most of the traditional high level options already, other than maybe planar travel, and most campaigns don't actually hit level 20.
If the major backstory plots are finished, it's probably time to move on to the 'save the world' thing. A traditional way of extending this would be a bunch of quests for the components you need to let you actually win. You might combine that with dimensional travel, traveling through the Abyss or Hells can challenge the most powerful parties.
Have they built themselves a castle yet and recruited an army of henchmen? That's an old school endgame sort of thing to do. They could build a castle, attract an army, and have wars and stuff. Colville has a book that explains how to do that (Strongholds and Followers).
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Have whatever main gods you have come to them and say they have proven worthy for the divine test and in the end, those who pass will become gods and live beyond the Divine gate. then Throw everything under the sun at them, like the 12 Labors of Hercules. No real side content just going from place to place and boss battles. Unless you gave them access to every magic item in the game this list should be enough to get them to level 20 Just a few I have used in above level 15 games
Dragon Lich Elder Brain / Mindflayers Demilich Titans ( take your pick Greek Myth is full of them I like using Hyperion since he has divine light coming off him making him really hard to hit) Hecatoncheires ( Imagine 100 people fuzed together to form a massive monster) The Tarrasque ( This should be the final test this thing is nearly unbeatable made easier in 5e then it ever has been in older versions)
Totally, yeah. Nation build. Sometimes politics is a greater foe than a monster. Have them marching across a region establishing new borders for their kingdom. The map itself reflects the work they’re doing to bring key natural features within the borders of their kingdom. That oasis in the east of that neighboring kingdom? Ever since the genie their king controlled was freed by the party, that oasis and all the land east of that now belongs to your home kingdom of Tiassar. Each town will be a little different challenge to take over. Some have very powerful “power behind the power” figures that don’t want to give up their influence. Some are run by vampires or otherwise cater to a more undead populace. Some hire Rakshasaa (sp?) to assassinate them before they can get to their town.
They can expand according to their character’s consciences and see what they’re willing to do for their king. The map may look a bit cut up if they don’t want to feel like imperials, but still don’t mind taking over the land of a few bad rulers.
The game I've been running has been going on for about 2.5 years, the party is now level 15, and they've fought everything from purple worms, dragons, a demigod, an ACTUAL GOD (a minor one, but still), and a LOT in between. We've also gone through most of everyone's character backstories and gave them resolution, the only one left is one we are on right now. I know the the very last story arc, the final world saving last hurrah, but, I'm mentally tapped for ideas from now till then though. I want them to have the full level 20 experience (since this was all their first DnD campaign), but that's still 5 levels away, that's a lot of story. How do I find inspiration? How do I get them there without rushing or fumbling? I don't want to let them down with a weak 3rd act, you know?
I guess 'not reaching level 20' isn't an option? It sounds like you've done most of the traditional high level options already, other than maybe planar travel, and most campaigns don't actually hit level 20.
If the major backstory plots are finished, it's probably time to move on to the 'save the world' thing. A traditional way of extending this would be a bunch of quests for the components you need to let you actually win. You might combine that with dimensional travel, traveling through the Abyss or Hells can challenge the most powerful parties.
Have they built themselves a castle yet and recruited an army of henchmen? That's an old school endgame sort of thing to do. They could build a castle, attract an army, and have wars and stuff. Colville has a book that explains how to do that (Strongholds and Followers).
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Have whatever main gods you have come to them and say they have proven worthy for the divine test and in the end, those who pass will become gods and live beyond the Divine gate. then Throw everything under the sun at them, like the 12 Labors of Hercules. No real side content just going from place to place and boss battles. Unless you gave them access to every magic item in the game this list should be enough to get them to level 20 Just a few I have used in above level 15 games
Dragon Lich
Elder Brain / Mindflayers
Demilich
Titans ( take your pick Greek Myth is full of them I like using Hyperion since he has divine light coming off him making him really hard to hit)
Hecatoncheires ( Imagine 100 people fuzed together to form a massive monster)
The Tarrasque ( This should be the final test this thing is nearly unbeatable made easier in 5e then it ever has been in older versions)
Totally, yeah. Nation build. Sometimes politics is a greater foe than a monster. Have them marching across a region establishing new borders for their kingdom. The map itself reflects the work they’re doing to bring key natural features within the borders of their kingdom. That oasis in the east of that neighboring kingdom? Ever since the genie their king controlled was freed by the party, that oasis and all the land east of that now belongs to your home kingdom of Tiassar. Each town will be a little different challenge to take over. Some have very powerful “power behind the power” figures that don’t want to give up their influence. Some are run by vampires or otherwise cater to a more undead populace. Some hire Rakshasaa (sp?) to assassinate them before they can get to their town.
They can expand according to their character’s consciences and see what they’re willing to do for their king. The map may look a bit cut up if they don’t want to feel like imperials, but still don’t mind taking over the land of a few bad rulers.