The Captain’s Guide: Building a Campaign Primer
A campaign primer is a tactical briefing. It provides players with a concise, high-level overview of the setting, tone, and specific rules required for character creation. The goal is to ensure every character fits the world of Zimrala or the Leo Sector from day one. To keep players engaged, this should be a "short-and-sweet" document, ideally one to two pages.
I. Core Campaign Information
The Elevator Pitch: A single, hard-hitting paragraph or story teaser that captures the essence of the campaign and the primary conflict. It should spark immediate interest.
Genre and Tone: Clearly define the mood. Whether it is "Gritty Space Opera" or "High Fantasy Horror," this sets the expectation for how characters should behave and react to the world.
Scope and Stakes: Detail the expected duration (e.g., Levels 1–10) and the physical boundaries of the game—whether it’s a single city like Nocturnis or a galaxy-spanning odyssey.
Major Threats & Factions: Provide brief intel on primary antagonists, key NPCs, and the organizations (like the Tiger Force) the players will encounter.
II. Setting the Stage
World Truths & Cosmology: Summarize the fundamental laws of the setting, such as the influence of Ether Dragons, the level of technology, or the presence of magic.
Relevant History: Focus only on the "need-to-know" history—the events or ongoing conflicts that directly impact the players' starting point.
Starting Locale: Describe the specific region, such as the Tygerian Isles or the Ring of Fire, and include a map to ground the players in the geography.
III. Player & Table Logistics
Character Creation Guidelines: List permitted races/ancestries, classes, and ability score methods. Be explicit about what is excluded to maintain the integrity of the lore.
House Rules & Trinity Engine Mechanics: Document any custom rules, such as the Hedges Explosion Rule, so players can build their characters with these mechanics in mind.
Character Hooks: Provide 2-3 specific reasons why a character would be in the starting location and why they are invested in the main mission.
Table Etiquette: Briefly mention expectations regarding attendance, communication, and the use of safety tools to ensure a smooth journey for the whole crew.
The Captain's Rule: A primer should provide just enough fuel to get the players' creative engines running, leaving plenty of room for discovery, exploration, and the inevitable "cosmic apocalypse" during actual play.
Earl C. Hedges Jr.
Product Identity & Legal The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges Across time and space blog: Settings & Lore: The world of Zimrala, The Tygerian Isles, The Ether Dragons and their portal mechanics, The Ring of Fire and Time, and The City of Nocturnis. Personas & Archetypes: The specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona. Trademarks & Copyrights: Tunnels & Trolls is a trademark of Rebellion Unplugged. Monsters! Monsters! and Humans, Humans (1st Edition) are trademarks of Ken St. Andre and Troll Godfather Press and are used with permission. All game mechanics provided herein are designated as unofficial fan content and playtest material for the Tygerian Isles campaign setting. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment