This is an exclusive guide to making a storyline to a campaign or scenario. A campaign (or scenario) requires a storyline, the most essential element. No matter how good the triggers, or how stunning the map design, the campaign will not be fun to play if the person if going in circles around colossal plot holes and has no idea what's going on. I have played some campaigns with appalling plots and have concluded that even with mediocre design, the campaign was a flop. Few things scare people more than TV weatherman Al Roker, but bad storylines are one of the few. This is a guide, it's free, and take the time to think about this while you're in your room, or library, of wherever you're reading this: "wow, this guide could really help me on my next project!"
Now, down to the nitty-gritty: first, decide if this is historical, fiction, or a mix of the both (can you believe it's called historical fiction?!?! Wow!). Fiction is harder than history, because obviously, the story is already made up for you! But if you want to really take it to high gear, we use the rocky road: fiction.

Fiction: I smell a Newberry

Fiction is make-believe, but it's harder than you think. A fictional story needs three things: An exposition, a plot (with rising action and climax), and a resolution (remember English class?).
Exposition: this thing is when and where your story takes place, and introduction of main characters. You should brainstorm what you want it to be. Sometimes an idea just pops into you like that: a dream, a sudden idea when showering, while snoozing in math, whatever. Bingo, that's the beginning. The beginning is the hardest part; from then on it's smooth riding. Usually, you think of an exposition. One day: "Hmm... I know! A game where there's this guy and they travel across the land to...hmm...report to the king! Yeah! And there are bandits, and several ways to go, and different stuff happen depending on what you do! Maybe a puzzle midway? And betrayal, I need that! HMM...TWO PEOPLE! And elaborate triggers!" thus begins Ingo's classic, The Quest?(I think). Did you see how he started brain storming and got a base of an idea? Then, like magic, the ideas came like lightning, he thought of some triggers, the plot, and interesting gloze. You can use a prologue or something to express this.

Plot: Easy once you get the beginning. You really don’t get rising action in Aok, but you need to have an interesting story to attract people to play. Like in “The Quest,?to create suspense, try to twist the plot, or have interchanging patterns or split you scenarios to follow multiple characters or events. Have traitors, surprises, and monkeys popping out of camels and attacking your sheep, whatever you can think of. I’m not going to tell you how to do that crazy stuff here, look in all the other posts for that. Conclusion: Just get cool stuff to happen, this is the meat and potatoes of your campaign; this should be the middle of the campaign, the scenarios.

Conclusion:
The End. This wraps up a story. End of your campaign. Make it a cliffhanger to make others want a sequel, a happy ending, sad ending, an ending where the hero rides into the sunset *tears, or an ending with monkeys, you decide.

Sequels:
I love sequels. Many people make a trilogy, or plan to make a sequel. Some just do a sequel for the fun of it. Other people have monkeys. The storyline is already made, so start off form where you left! Sequels are very fun to make and play, too. Think of the new movies coming out this summer, "X-2: United,"2Fast 2Furious,"Terminator 3, Rise of Machines, "Matrix Reloaded," and others. You know the characters, the point of the movie or maybe whats going to happen because you've seen the previous ones, but you really want to see it! See, sequels are fun! You can start where you left off, say a cliffhanger, or have the same characters do other stuff (like in "The King's Best Men" or introduce other characters but make similarities (Like in 2Fast 2Furious).

Historical: What is this, the Discovery Channel?!?

History: I usually love history, but hey, I don't count, I teach it. History is a little more interesting than fiction because the story is already there. No matter how much you know, you need to do more research and sometimes just got to make things up!

History is like fiction. Except it takes away the hardest part: stories. Sure, you need to make things up all right, but see; a good history lesson while playing Aok is always appreciated. I just wish I could teach those stupid 7th graders using Aok. Lets take Mark Stoker's "Tamerlane, Prince of Destruction" Note how clever he was in making that. The Kitkabite and Minimoto thing was garbage though, but look, wasn't it fun (-ny?). Where would that be without those two guys, huh? It's like Diet Coke; you know something's missing (hmm...like taste?). So you see? Making a history campaign is like being a reporter: you need to make things up. And don't forget to do research!

Edited and replaced at author's request -Aro
ohh!! I edited Aro's message (removed the period)! I feel so powerful! Take that, big guy! -kevingamer

Praise

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[This message has been edited by kevingamer _AcX_ (edited 06-21-2003 @ 06:15 PM).]