By Gareth-Michael Skarka Introduction This generator is intended as a tool that gives a Game Master the bare outline of an adventure. A quick quick series of die rolls will give you the basic theme of an adventure, which can then by be tailored for your specic campaign style. For example, a campaign campaign centered in the High High Fantasy tradition will have very specic needs, and differ greatly from a swords-and-sorcery campaign which is run with Conan as its primary inspiration.
Learning from Screenwriting The basic format for the random adventure seed is the dramatic core taken from screenwriting: screenwriting: all plots can be boiled down the following sentence: “The main characters must [DO SOMETHING] , but have to contend with [COMPLICATIONS] while while being confronted by [OPPOSITION] .” This is the basic structure of any story, whether it is lmed, written, presented in in a comic book, or roleplayed. roleplayed. The variables change, providing a wide array of possibilities. For this Adventure Seed Generator Generator,, however, we’ll expand that basic structure even further, allowing for a wider variation. So, the basic dramatic dramatic structure of our RPG adventures will read more like this: “The main characters must [DO] [SOMETHING] , at [LOCATION] , but have to contend with [COMPLICATIONS] while being confronted by [OPPOSITION] .”
The main difference between the standard format and the one presented above is that the location of the adventure has been added as a variable, and, more importantly, [DO SOMETHING] has been split into [DO] [SOMETHING]. Let’s explain that a little bit further. The “do something” is the focus of the adventure -- it’s what drives the action. Making it a single category under this system will only result in 64 possibilities (by cross referencing two d8 rolls). However, after splitting the “do” (the verb) and the “something” (the subject) into two categories, that means that each have 64 possibilities, and can combine for a total of 4096 different results. For example, take these: “Rescue the Princess”, “Find the Treasure,” and “Defeat the Demon.” Under this new system, these three focii can be split, giving you those same results, but also additional ones such as “Find the Princess,” “Rescue the Demon” etc. This can, admittedly, lead to some odd results, such as “Rescue the Demon”....but fantasy stories are lled with strange stories and bizarre plots. As a GM, that phrase, which on its surface seems odd, begins to generate all sorts of ideas for me. Why would the PCs have to rescue a demon? Who would they be rescusing it from? Is the demon truly evil? What of his captors?
How to Use this Generator This type of system provides the Game Master with a framework...a springboard for the development of the Game Master’s own ideas. The adventure concepts generated by this system will still need to be fully eshed out, populated with statted NPCs, etc...but this system will give you a starting point from which to work. To use the Random Adventure Seed Generator, the Game Master rolls two eight-sided dice, and cross-referencing the results on each of 5 category tables: Do, Something, Location, Complications and Opposition. As stated before, Do provides you with the verb, Something provides you with the subject. Together, they form the focus of the adventure. Location gives you where the adventure takes place, Complications are those things that arise during the adventure to hinder the player-character’s progress, and Opposition is the force or individual that is actively going against the PC’s efforts. Each category has 64 possibilities, so this system allows for 1,073,741,824 different combinations...more than enough to give any fantasy campaign ideas to last for its entire run.
m o r l F a e e t S p a c s E
e t a e r C
d r a u g e f a S
e l t t a B
e t p a a r c o T L
e v a S
7
e n k i a o J T
h t i w / o t y e n r u o J
l e p e R
y o r t s e D
t c e t o r P
t h g i F
l l i K
6
h t i w e t a i t o g e N
e r o l p x E
t s i s e R
t r o p p u S
t e r h v g e s i F b O
e t a r t l n I
t s a P t e G
h t i w k a e p S
h t i w d n e t n o C
t l u a s s A
e s o p p O
d l e i h S
8
d n e f e D
5
e e v c a r e R S
d r a u G
t e e M
e t a g i t s e v n I
4
e v e i r t e R
l i o F
e u c s e R
t a e f e D
k c a t t A
3
t c d t n e i r F o P
2
r e t s v i o s s c s A i D
1
e t a n i s s a s s A
o D
t a b m o C
r e e t r t t r e a n d v r o i u i e c l s e A o b c i E n D L E
e g n e v A
e d i u G
r o F t s e u Q
e s a h C
h t i w l e v a r T
e s i u g s i D
k c a r T
e v o M
e t a r e t i l b O
l a e c n o C
t e s e B
l a e v e R
e k i r t S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8
t t n s n e r r e o e e r c i e e a m t d t r a i R n n e r s I c r t e e b u e r w o v e o b O v S o N G A L
7
d m r l e s i e d o l t e n a o t I n t s r p m c a s n a i e n i o u m a a u C W A g a M G H M
6
y n o m r g a r A D
5
t c c t c e u i l n a r d g f b a t o a i s t o G M r N M n o A C
t s e i r P
e l c a r O
4
r r d o e r i g a n r z r a i a t r W W S
l a v i R
s t n a s a e P
l e w d e r J y o l r l l r a o A W m e G
e g a l l i V
g n i h t e m o S
n a i r a b r a B
n m e r o o d u e d l t i g g h a n n r u i C e C D K
n a m t e r m t e o I c e S W
t n a t e h r c c r e e S M
d i o n a m u H
y c e h p o r P
r e t s n o M
r e p l u a R M
3
e r u s a e r T
2
t n n e i o v n E t t y d a o l a n e z i a m m e d a i e i n c n n G E U D g a g a r M O
n i a l l i V
e u g o R
t s a e s r B i e l d a l c o i g a S M
d r a B
k n o M
1
s l e s g e c n i n r A P
f e i h T
d n e i r F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8
7
d d n u y m l o o o h r b r d g a g g r n n e e i o r d N K t n S U
s y i n t i a l C P
6
n s s o e r e t r g o n u F D
5
d n a l e t s a W
n a e c O
4
r e t i t r s n e e o r D F
3
r i a L s ’ n i a l l i V
n o i t a c o L
d l e e l t t a B
r i a L s ’ r e t s n o M n r e v a C
y t i C
b m o T
n o e g n u D
y t i t y l C k u t a s S V o L
p m a w S
l l a H d l i u G
a e s e h t s s o r c A
t s a E e h T
r e n d r w o o B T
s b m o c a t a C
e c a l a P
n r e v a T
t s e r o F
n d a e r n a n o y e t n n r L a i r a l e C F a i t M v E b u S
d n n a t o L e i p t r i c a n h e c g S S o i r L e o F r e w s o T d n s l a ’ t d u r a O z i W
2
e e l t t l n s a u J C
m o d g n i K t n a t s i D
1
n i a t n u o M
h t r o N e h T
e n a l P r e h t o n A
r e h c l u p e S
t s e l s e v i W a l e C H h T
s t r d o o P o W
n o e g n u D
e t u e p t e o g l e R a l e m l a e i K V H d a r T
h t u o S e h T
d l r o d a w o r e R d n U
l e d a t i C
s n i u R
e l p m e T
r a a z a B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8
n o i g l e R
h s u b m A
y c a m o l p i D
r a e F
t c u r t s n o C
s e i m e n E
C s P n o s y i e e g t l n n i a d o r v d e i t i M f f i o R D m
7
y r e k c i r T
a t t e d n e V
s g u r D
y n t o i i n s a s a v n I n I
6
t n e v y E r r e l a t s a c W y i g M a M
n o i t i t s r e p u S
y c a r c u a e r u B
s l a n i m i r C
n o y e i t c r c a n e t e r i l i u i d s M i n i M
e s l r a c n i e e y 5 o u r r a R n B i
s n o i t a c i l p m o C
t f e h T
d ) e s s t e s i ( t d e r o e r a P G t n I
p a r T
n o i t c u d b A
d e t n s k l m c e e c e e r i a m l t v l u r i i p b t l a i r o o T a u r e P q f p d i E S
3
y r l a v i R
s n o i t c a r t s i D
s r e t s n o M
2
l a y a r t e B
g n i l b b a u q S
e c a R
e n o N
l e v a r T
4
1
C P N g n i r r u c e R
e c n e u n I
d l i u G
s s o r C e l b u o D
s e l z z u P
t s e r e t n I e v o L
n o r i e t t a s r a s e p i D s e D
y m e n E
n o r e i t h a t r a o e l W p x E
g n i r r e H d e R
t s u r t f o k c a L
e l g g u r t S r e w o P
e l t t a B
n o i t n e t t A
t s o L g n i t t e G
e l b u o r T l a g e L
e n y g e t c k a i i u g a t n a t s e g n i M d a M I L
e c n e r e f r e t n I
s r e t s n o M
s e i p S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8
r e d l t s i u n G o M
n o r t i w t o a a t l i l r u e t u a r C b O T b A
e c i e w m T i l T l o R
7
t n c i u s r t a s s n s o s C A
r d s e s t a d e n a d a d i o v G n n G I U
d i o n a m u H
l a t r o m m I
6
r e r e c r o S
C P N g n i r r u c e R
r e d i s t u O
t n d r a e o h n l c r o a N r e W M
y m e n E
n o i p m a h C
5
y p S
n o g a r D
l i r v d e i e r c n o a D i u t t n r / a a t e n n n o u e m e v u V m L d e H A D
e l z z u P
4
y r a n e c r e M
s l a n i m i r C
r e s r y o r U i a r t i i r c a l i g W M a M
t s a e B l a c i g a M
t c a f i t r A
r e t s n o M
t s n e n u o m o d i r n t o a a r N z a i v H n E
3
n e n d r g i m a a n h z a l l i c t G i V W a W
y f e m i h e n T E
2
n a y y i w e r o r u a m e d g b n a i r a E h F S B
y c a t r r s i e a p i r W s n P o C
n o i t i s o p p O 1
t n e l e a r m i u n c t a r e f e r v o C o G
r e g n a r t S
y d l l i n o o r e A n r l a g u e r m a R m u D r o F H
d n i m r e t s a M
c d i t n a i e n r a F F
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Examples Grabbing a couple 8-sided dice, I come up with the following results using the Random Fantasy Adventure Generator: My rst set of rolls: 1-4, 1-3, 2-6, 7-2, 6-1 This gives me the following result: “The main characters must [RETRIEVE] [A TREASURE] , at [A DUNGEON] , but have to contend with [GETTING LOST] while being confronted by [A DRAGON] .” Pretty straightforward fantasy adventure there -- the standard dungeon-crawl for treasure, with the added problems of the party getting lost, and the main opposition of the dungeon being a Dragon. Let’s see if we can come up with something a bit more unusual. Our next set of rolls: 5-4, 8-8, 1-6, 3-4, 8-4. This gives me the following result: “The main characters must [DEFEAT] [A PROPHECY] , at [A FORTRESS] , but have to contend with [POLITICS] while being confronted by [AN ARTIFACT] .” That’s denitely more unusual! Giving some thought to the result, I come up with the following idea for an adventure:
The PCs are hired to bring supplies to a Fortress on the frontier. When they arrive, they discover that the garrison posted at the fortress is preparing to abandon their post. They have received word of a Barbarian horde approaching, and that the Barbarian warlord is armed with an Artifact -- the Lance of Alatyr. There is a prophecy that the wielder of the lance shall become the ruler of the world, and as such, the soldiers are afraid to stand against the horde. The PCs must gure out a way to convince the soldiers to remain at their posts, and to defeat not only the oncoming barbarians, but their artifact-wielding warlord as well. One last set of rolls: 2-8, 4-7, 1-5, 8-3, 1-1 This gives me the following result: “The main characters must [ESCAPE FROM [A CASTLE] , at [A WASTELAND, but have to contend with [LACK OF TRUST] while being confronted by [GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL] .” This is a good alternative to the “PCs meet in a tavern” method of kicking off a campaign: The PCs are captives at a prison on the middle of a wasteland, where the Kingdom puts Enemies of the State. They must overcome their distrust of their fellow prisoners and gure out a way to escape, all the while contending with the Governor of the Prison. So there you have it. Grab some dice and start rolling!
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved. 1. Denitions: (a)”Contributors” means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)”Derivative Material” means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modication, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)”Open Game Content” means the game mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identied as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specically excludes Product Identity. (e) “Product Identity” means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identied as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) “Trademark” means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g) “Use”, “Used” or “Using” means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) “You” or “Your” means the licensee in terms of this agreement. 2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License. You must afx such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License except as describedby the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content distributed using this License. 3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License. 4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content. 5.Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufcient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License. 6.Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder’s name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute. 7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity.You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity. 8. Identication: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content. 9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License. 10 Copy of this License: You MUSTinclude a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute. 11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so. 12 Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected. 13 Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License. 14 Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable. 15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc. System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, Andy Collins, David noonan, Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. Random Fantasy Adventure Generator, Copyright 2007, Adamant Entertainment. Author: Gareth-Michael Skarka
ALL TEXT WITHIN THIS PRODUCT IS 100% OPEN CONTENT
