Campaign Frameworks

1. Caravan Expeditions

Premise: Players escort trade caravans between settlements, dealing with superstorms, bandits, predators, and inter-settlement politics.

Structure:

• Session = one journey segment (settlement to settlement)
• Introduce complications at halfway point and destination
• Build reputation with factions over time
• Escalate threats: minor predators → bandit ambushes → sabotage plots

Key Tensions:

• Protect cargo vs. protect lives
• Loyalty to employer vs. moral choices
• Speed vs. safety
• Faction allegiances

2. Settlement Management

Premise: Players are leaders/caretakers of a struggling outpost. Must secure resources, maintain infrastructure, and navigate external threats.

Structure:

• Session = one crisis (water shortage, superstorm, diplomatic incident)
• Use "catch your breath" to introduce new settlement problems
• Track population morale, resource stockpiles, faction relationships
• Long-term goal: achieve stability or relocate

Key Tensions:

• Survival vs. ethics
• Self-sufficiency vs. dependence on neighbors
• Tradition vs. innovation
• Individual needs vs. collective good

3. Ruin Exploration

Premise: Players investigate Deep Roads, ancient alien structures, or day-side ruins. Uncover Earth technology, psychic artifacts, and mysteries.

Structure:

• Session = one expedition into dangerous territory
• Use loot checks to find clues and equipment
• Build mystery over multiple sessions
• Introduce rival explorers, hostile factions

Key Tensions:

• Knowledge vs. safety
• Preserve artifacts vs. exploit them
• Share discoveries vs. hoard power
• Understanding vs. survival

4. Psychic Mystery Investigation

Premise: Players are troubleshooters for Weather Wraiths, bonding backlashes, and psychic phenomena. Blend detective work with action.

Structure:

• Session = investigate incident, identify cause, resolve/contain threat
• Use psychic abilities as investigation tools
• Complications escalate psychic phenomena
• Build toward larger conspiracy or natural disaster

Key Tensions:

• Help victim vs. eliminate threat
• Science vs. spirituality
• Control vs. freedom (for psychics)
• Short-term fix vs. long-term solution