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