Crucibles

I mentioned in my last post that the PCs would eventually be undergoing a 'crucible', but I didn't define what that was.

As I discussed some time ago, I have adopted a new campaign structure which is split into phases of three levels each, each with a beginning, middle, and end. Indeed, it's a bit more nebulous than that - each phase would start at a common point before spinning off into lots of little threads, before finally coming together for the end.

The way I ensure that the campaign has these common starting and end points is by putting them behind a crucible. These serve as both a gate to the next phase of the campaign and also as the big tentpole adventures of the campaign. And, to ensure that the PCs are ready (-ish) for the crucible, they must 'earn' the right to enter - by collecting literal keys, by completing missions for a patron who can open the door, or whatever. Or, of course, they can sneak in - it they're good enough to do that, they're good enough to take their chances.

The upcoming crucible for "The Mists of Lamordia" should take the PCs from 5th level up to 6th, and will effectively open the door to the wider world beyond Ludendorf - it's not that the PCs can't go beyond; it's just that right now they'd be wandering aimlessly. But we're a little away from that point just now...