What's the central concept? (Monster, location, narrative idea)
What are the players trying to accomplish and why should they care?
How is the dramatic question presented? Aim for multiple hooks appealing to different motivations (Good, Neutral, Evil, Personal).
A scene presenting a conflict or tense sequence needing resolution, not just combat.
Identify the main opposing force or challenge.
Explain the direct reason for opposition.
Plan this from the beginning. It enables non-violent solutions and influences reactions.
Brainstorm how players resolve conflicts or which conflicts they address. Avoid single obvious paths.
Move beyond simple survival or enemy defeat. A lack of decision points makes an encounter boring.
Define objectives beyond just defeating the opposition.
What are the goals of the opposing forces?
Player choices should have impact. Consider a spectrum of outcomes based on success, partial success, failure, or specific choices.
Detail the visual, auditory, and other sensory aspects of the location.
Describe the sensory details and overall feeling you want to evoke.
Identify elements that create tactical opportunities and make the scene dynamic. How do they reflect the location's history and inhabitants?
How does this encounter fit into the larger adventure's pacing?
Helps maintain a brisk pace and prevent the encounter from overstaying its welcome.
Connects this encounter to the broader campaign context.
Place the encounter within the broader campaign context.
What unexpected developments could arise?
