BookTenTiger
He / Him
I'm going to be starting a new campaign with players who are new to D&D (and table top roleplaying games in general), and after a few introductory one-shots, they are interested in building up a custom campaign world with me! This is something I love to do, and I've always wanted a group that can collaborate with me on creating a setting. I even started another thread about the questions I want to ask during campaign creation.
One of the things that came up in the thread was on deciding the "tone" of the campaign. I started thinking about this, and thinking about the kinds of tones that 5e D&D supports. I think the tone 5e does best is a kind of Pirates of the Caribbean / Guardians of the Galaxy "wacky friends going on adventures" vibe. However, I do believe that (even if it may require a few house rules), 5e D&D can support a variety of tones.
Here are some I came up with:
This is a time of adventure. You will play as rambunctious, quirky, perhaps even foolhardy heroes, seeking out fortune and getting into scrapes. The themes will be lighthearted, thrilling, and sometimes humorous. Inspiration: Pirates of the Caribbean, Guardians of the Galaxy, Three Muskateers.
This is a time of legends. You will play as heroes of great renown, taking on challenges greater than life. The themes will be mythological, dramatic, and world-shaking. Inspiration: Greek Mythology, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Beowulf
This is a time of darkness. You will play as ordinary heroes carrying the light of hope against the spreading shadow of evil. The themes will be corruption, optimism, and fighting against the odds. Inspiration: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Witcher
This is a time of intrigue. You will play as agents of a court, growing your power through diplomacy, scheming, and war. The themes will be politics, warfare, and conspiracy. Inspiration: Game of Thrones, Medieval History
This is a time of exploration. You will play explorers heading out bravely into the unknown. The themes will be discovery, wilderness, and travel. Inspiration: Lewis and Clarke, Studio Ghibli.
What other tones can you come up with?
One of the things that came up in the thread was on deciding the "tone" of the campaign. I started thinking about this, and thinking about the kinds of tones that 5e D&D supports. I think the tone 5e does best is a kind of Pirates of the Caribbean / Guardians of the Galaxy "wacky friends going on adventures" vibe. However, I do believe that (even if it may require a few house rules), 5e D&D can support a variety of tones.
Here are some I came up with:
This is a time of adventure. You will play as rambunctious, quirky, perhaps even foolhardy heroes, seeking out fortune and getting into scrapes. The themes will be lighthearted, thrilling, and sometimes humorous. Inspiration: Pirates of the Caribbean, Guardians of the Galaxy, Three Muskateers.
This is a time of legends. You will play as heroes of great renown, taking on challenges greater than life. The themes will be mythological, dramatic, and world-shaking. Inspiration: Greek Mythology, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Beowulf
This is a time of darkness. You will play as ordinary heroes carrying the light of hope against the spreading shadow of evil. The themes will be corruption, optimism, and fighting against the odds. Inspiration: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Witcher
This is a time of intrigue. You will play as agents of a court, growing your power through diplomacy, scheming, and war. The themes will be politics, warfare, and conspiracy. Inspiration: Game of Thrones, Medieval History
This is a time of exploration. You will play explorers heading out bravely into the unknown. The themes will be discovery, wilderness, and travel. Inspiration: Lewis and Clarke, Studio Ghibli.
What other tones can you come up with?
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