Category: How To Write A Game

Stories captivate us because they resonate with our shared experiences. According to Christopher Booker in his book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories, every story is, well, one of seven plots.

The first of the seven is “Overcoming the Monster”. In this post, we’ll explore this plot, its stages, and how you can use it to create unforgettable adventures for your players.

What Is the Overcoming the Monster Plot?

The “Overcoming the Monster” plot centres on a hero (or group of heroes) facing and ultimately defeating a powerful adversary—the “monster.” This monster can take many forms: a literal creature, a tyrannical ruler, or a malevolent force threatening the world.

Let’s break down its five stages and see how they align with D&D gameplay.

The Five Stages of Overcoming the Monster

1. Anticipation Stage and Call

This is where the adventure begins. A threat is looming and the heroes are called to action. It sets the stakes and provides a reason for the party to embark on their quest.

Examples in D&D:

• A dragon’s ominous shadow darkens the skies.
• A desperate mayor pleads with the heroes to save their town.
• The players stumble upon a razed village.

Tips for DMs:

• Use vivid descriptions to establish the threat. Is the monster a huge dragon, or a shadowy creature terrorising a remote village?
• Hook the players emotionally. Perhaps the monster has kidnapped someone important to them, or has an item they desperately need.
• Introduce NPCs who emphasise the stakes and urgency.

2. Dream Stage

The heroes are optimistic as they prepare for the challenge. This stage is about gathering resources, forming alliances, and strategising.

Examples in D&D:

• The party seeks an ancient mage for advice on the monster’s weaknesses.
• They explore a forgotten dungeon to retrieve a legendary weapon.
• Side quests provide opportunities to build their arsenal or gain vital information.

Tips for DMs:

• Encourage exploration and problem-solving. Perhaps the monster is vulnerable to specfic element.
• Add lighthearted social encounters to balance the tension.
• Reward creativity and clever planning with inspiration or valuable loot.

3. Frustration Stage

The heroes face setbacks, realising the monster’s true power. This stage tests their limits and forces them to adapt.

Examples in D&D:

• The party confronts the monster but must retreat after a devastating encounter.
• Smaller battles with the monster’s minions leave the group battered.
• The party’s initial plans fail, requiring a new approach.

Tips for DMs:

• Use tension and suspense. Introduce unexpected abilities or resistances the monster possesses.
• Add a ticking clock, like a ritual empowering the monster.
• Avoid wiping out the party unless it serves the story. An NPC rescue, or strategic retreat is a chance for regrouping.

4. Nightmare Stage

This is the darkest hour. The monster’s power is at its peak. This stage builds towards the climactic showdown.

Examples in D&D:

• The party enters the monster’s lair, think dark forest, an ancient temple, or a fortress.
• Environmental hazards such as traps, or lower-ranking minions add to the danger.
• Key moments of reversal—a clever strategy or unexpected advantage—turn the tide in the heroes’ favor.

Tips for DMs:

• Make the lair memorable. Use rich descriptions to create a sense of dread.
• Design a dynamic battle. Give the monster unique abilities, legendary actions, or environmental advantages.
• Allow for character growth. How do the players react under pressure? Celebrate their ingenuity and teamwork.

5. Thrilling Escape and Death of the Monster

The heroes triumph, either spectacularly or narrowly. The story concludes—or transitions into a new chapter.

Examples in D&D:

• The party slays the monster, banishes it, or seals its power.
• They reflect on the battle and celebrate their hard-won victory.
• The world changes as a result of their actions, but is it s a cause for celebration or are there bittersweet consequences?

Tips for DMs:

• Ask players how their characters feel about the outcome. Use NPCs or narration to reflect their emotions.
• Reward creativity. If the players used clever tactics, let them keep unique loot or gain lasting recognition.
• Provide a satisfying resolution. How does the world change after the monster’s defeat?

How to Start Writing an Overcoming the Monster Adventure

Step 1: Creat a memorable villain

• Is the monster an ancient evil awakening after centuries or a new threat wreaking havoc?
• Use character backstories to make the threat personal and relatable.

Step 2: Create Opportunities for Exploration

• Build rich settings with vivid imagery. Is your location a thriving metropolis or a remote mountain enclave?
• Write lore and history for the players to uncover, giving depth to the world and the monster.

Step 3: Pace Your Adventure

• Use the Frustration and Nightmare stages to challenge players with combat, puzzles, and moral dilemmas.
• Make the climactic battle unforgettable with environmental hazards and unique monster abilities.

Step 4: Write a Strong Ending

• Set up the adventure for a satisfying conclusion. Will it end in celebration or bittersweet reflection?
• Let players reflect on their journey and the choices they’ve made.

Final Thoughts

The “Overcoming the Monster” plot is a solid storytelling tool, especially for Dungeons & Dragons and other TTRPGs. By following its structure and rejigging it to fit your idea, you’ll craft an unforgettable adventure.

For more storytelling tips and insights into creating iconic D&D adventures, check out my other guides. And don’t forget to share this post with fellow adventurers—it might just inspire their next campaign!

Cliffhangers keep your players on the edge of their seats. But did you know the term originated from Thomas Hardy’s serialised novel A Pair of Blue Eyes?

In the story, the protagonist clings to a cliff’s edge, his fate unknown, compelling readers to buy the next novel in the series, where all will be revealed. While this storytelling technique is common in novels and TV dramas, it’s also just as effective in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons. This is because they create suspense and demand some form of emotional investment—perfect for engaging players.

Without furhter ado, here are the 10 types of cliffhangers you can use in your campaigns and why they work so well.

1. Danger Cliffhanger

This cliffhanger puts characters into immediate peril. Think of a crumbling bridge over shark-infested waters or a literal cliffhanger scenario.

Example: The party is crossing a collapsing bridge when a player ends the session hanging by one hand as sharks circle below.

This technique heightens suspense and encourages creative problem-solving in the next session.

2. Accident Cliffhanger

Accidental cliffhangers are sudden and unplanned, triggering shock and chaos.

Example: A druid activates a pressure plate in a crumbling ruin, causing the GM to end with: “The faint sound of rolling boulders grows louder as the walls begin to shake.”

The unpredictability heightens immersion and increases tension.

3. Surprise Cliffhange

Introduce an unforeseen twist or revelation that shatters assumptions.

Example: The party unmasks the villain, only to discover it’s a trusted ally under a spell.

Surprise cliffhangers add drama and create rich opportunities for roleplaying as players navigate the new reality.

4. Running-Out-of-Time Cliffhange

Combine urgency with high stakes by introducing a time-sensitive challenge.

Example: The adventurers are trapped in a flooding catacomb, racing against time to escape before it’s too late.

This cliffhanger forces quick thinking and picks up the pace.

5. Threat or Carrot Cliffhanger

End on a note of promise or ominous threat.

Example: After breaching a secret chamber, the party finds a fabled black crystal. As someone touches it, the crystal shatters, and a disembodied voice declares, “You’re too late.”

This builds anticipation for what’s to come, either for the good or bad.

6. Lost and Found Cliffhanger

Focus on the disappearance or discovery of something significant.

Example: The party searches for a missing NPC with whom they share a deep connection. Will they find their friend alive?

This type of cliffhanger adds emotional depth or hope.

7. Foreboding Cliffhanger

Evoke a sense of dread with foreshadowing and suspense.

Example: During a long rest, a wizard dreams of a dragon’s eye opening deep within a mountain lair. Upon awakening, they feel an unsettling sense of being watched.

Perfect for slow-burn adventures, this cliffhanger builds tension over time.

8. Hope or Hopelessness Cliffhanger

Swings between optimism and despair to keep emotions running high.

Example: The players find a key to escape a room filling with sand, only to discover it doesn’t fit the lock.

This increases the emotional investment in your adventure, can they get out in time?

9. Question Cliffhanger

Leave players speculating about unresolved situations.

Example: After solving a riddle in an alternate timeline, players don’t know if their actions will impact the present.

This type of cliffhanger sparks discussion and creative thinking.

10. Uncertainty Cliffhanger

Deliberately leaves the story open to possibilities.

Example: The party confronts an NPC caught stealing from them but doesn’t know how they’ll respond when confronted.

This ambiguity keeps players invested and keen to explore different outcomes.

Why Cliffhangers Work: The Psychology Behind the Hook

Cliffhangers are effective because of the Ovsiankina Effect—a psychological phenomenon where people feel compelled to complete interrupted tasks. This urge to “close the gaming loop” drives players to return for the next session, eager to resolve the tension.

Using Cliffhangers Wisely

While cliffhangers are an excellent storytelling tool, overusing them can dilute their impact. Plan them carefully and ensure they naturally fit with the narrative to avoid frustrating your players.

Cliffhangers are more than just a way to end a session. They form part of a solid strategy to keep players deeply engaged and emotionally invested in your homebrew adventure. Happy writing!

Sources

Sources: Plot: The art of story. Amy Jones. (2012). https://amzn.to/3ZXnJ82

When it comes to creating unforgettable adventures, a well-executed twist is a must. A twist is a sudden, unexpected turn of events that alters the direction of the story, or how players perceive it. From surprising revelations to sudden reversals of fortune, twists enrich storytelling, deepen engagement, and keep your players on the edge of their seats.

Let’s explore five types of plot twists you can incorporate into your games, and how to execute them effectively.

The Twist of Identity

A twist of identity reveals hidden truths about a character’s true self. This technique can surprise players, add complexity to the narrative, and redefine relationships within the story.

Examples include:

• Hidden Identity: A character hides their true identity. They may not outright lie about who they are, but won’t be forthcoming with information either.
• Mistaken Identity: A mix-up leads to misjudgments, like a farmer being mistaken for a criminal.
• False Identity: A deliberate concealment of a true identity with another, similar to hidden identity, but with more lying!
• Heritage Identity: A character’s lineage plays a pivotal role, such as Luke Skywalker discovering his connection to Darth Vader.
• Split Identity: A character unknowingly embodies multiple personas. For instance, Ireena in Curse of Strahd learns she is the reincarnation of Tatyana.

These twists work well when they subtly build over time, offering clues that players gradually piece together.

The Twist of Motive

A twist of motive reveals unexpected reasons behind a character’s actions, reshaping the players’ understanding of the narrative. For example:

• A trusted ally’s betrayal oringinates from a desperate need to protect someone they love, rather than for money or prestige.
• A seemingly noble character is driven by selfish ambition, hidden behind their charm.

This twist is impactful because it explores morality and human behaviour, challenging players to reassess their judgments. However, it’s essential to foreshadow the twist subtly and ensure it fits seamlessly into the story.

The Twist of Perception

A twist of perception changes assumptions about the story’s reality, revealing that something believed to be true was an illusion or misunderstanding. This type of twist is common in psychological thrillers and mystery narratives. Consider including:

• Environmental clues that hint at an alternate truth.
• Odd comments or behaviour from NPCs that only make sense in hindsight.

The beauty of this twist lies in how it reframes the narrative, forcing players to view the story from a new perspective. It challenges biases and adds depth to the worldbuilding, making the adventure both immersive and memorable.

The Twist of Fortune

A twist of fortune is an unexpected shift in circumstances, ranging from a dramatic reversal of fate to a surprising boon or catastrophe. For instance:

• Players seize an enemy stronghold, only to find the villain anticipated their attack.
• A previously overlooked NPC returns with critical consequences, either aiding or harming the party.

Timing is crucial for this twist to have maximum impact. Ensure that it feels natural and integrates player choices into the story. Foreshadowing through prophecies, divine intervention, or magical surges can prepare players for what is to come.

The Twist of Fulfillment

A twist of fulfillment occurs when an apparent success leads to unintended consequences. Examples include:

• Destroying a powerful artifact only to unleash a powerful and harmful energy.
• Rebuilding a ruined kingdom, only for the heir to be a tyrant.

This type of twist introduces moral ambiguity, forcing players to reflect on their actions and outcomes. Instead of labeling events as purely good or bad, it encourages nuanced thinking and encourages deeper engagement.

Tools for Crafting Twists

To effectively conceal your twists and strengthen their impact, use these narrative tools:

• Red Herrings: Distract players with false leads, steering attention away from the real twist.
• Misguided Focus: Emphasise a seemingly significant part of the story, for it not to be that significant.
• Dead Ends: Anticipated twists that come to nothing and make players cautious about overthinking.

Remember to foreshadow subtly. Even a dead-end requires some build up and anticipation.

What is a Great Twist?

As Rachel Scheller from Writer’s Digest puts it, “Readers want their emotional investment to pay off. The twist should never occur in a way that makes them feel tricked, deceived, or insulted. Great twists alwasy deepen, never cheapen, readers’ investment in the story.”

By weaving these twists into your adventure, you can craft a narrative that keeps players guessing. So go ahead, surprise your players!

Sources

Sources: Plot: The art of story. Amy Jones. (2012). https://amzn.to/3ZXnJ82

Creating a zine for your TTRPG goes a long way in terms of world-building, game design, and storytelling. By breaking down the structure of your game into digestible sections, in this instance 6 scenes. You can organise your content more intuitively.

Creating a zine not only enhances how you plan and plot a game, but also adds to the broader community of players. Whether you’re designing your own homebrew world or creating supplemental content for an existing system, a zine is a fantastic method of sharing your creativity with others.

Zines shown in this video are from: Beyond Cataclysm