Expert Level Play & Outdoor Survival

Touching Grass For Once

I think looking at my current Pits & Perils solo campaign leaving the low-level, dungeon skirmish tier of play always feels satisfying. Though if it wasn't for reading Muster It would destroy my investment into the hobby because I haven't been using the system suitable for a narrative experience. There also was a costly investment of Outdoor Survival by Avalon Hill that was worth it long term to establish a campaign setting using the same map. Though drawing your own hex map, printing out premade hex maps with terrain laid out are more practical in this day in age.

Establishing Extended D&D

The driving force someone must have to build a campaign beyond the scope of the dungeon is this: consistency & growth. Because motivation can only get you so far to creating a campaign only for it to crash. Believe me when I say the amount of wilderness maps were bound to become my dedicated only end up in the bin and being counter-productive to something long-term. Most experienced referees will tell you that starting small and working your way up to expand it organically is always a guarantee to keep your players hooked. Though this also means you as the referee maintaining control of your world now. The genre, tone, setting and everything you started with. Are you satisfied with what you provide to your players? If so, keep going. Because cherishing what you built is more engaging and new every time. What is also more important is your own group. Because depending on how you run your games you'll find a group that sticks and is a driving force to your games.

Now all of this applies to solo gaming, but what keeps a campaign from expanding is us alone. except you have full control on what kind of setting is in your game and how you interact with the game world. I think it's impossible to feel stuck knowing that no one is telling me how to run the game. Of course that doesn't mean the +4 saving throw bonus will save us from burn out.

Funny enough I learned what a minecraft youtuber name Luvstar talks about building a Forever World. Which is a world you've always come back too and done many things along the way. Whether it's infrequent or active. She gives advice similar to what's mentioned above and that too also made me jump back into minecraft to keep a save file of my world.

Overall, Extended D&D is all about planting the seed on the ground and not forcing it to become a fully grown tree. Instead approach the campaign building it slowly even if you feel burnt out and step away from it. Otherwise that habit of tossing it out or starting all over again will make the experience feel miserable and frustrating. Stay Tuned!