The LEGEND Encounter Template
A quick word before today’s cool encounter template.
Wizards of Adventure, August’s Q&A recording is now available in your Resources area. We had a great chat. Topics included:
- Creating campaign grand finales
- How new GMs can get players more engaged
- How to better balance side quests with the main plotline
- How to handle murder hobos
- How much detail you should put on maps – the uncanny valley problem
- Game system recommendations for a Hallowe’en one-shot
Thanks to all who attended! I hope to see you again on the next call on September 28.
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The LEGEND Encounter Template
Here’s a fantastic encounter template created and shared by @Old Man Masha on the Roleplaying Tips Discord.
He calls it LEGEND:
Location: Where does the scene happen?
- Establish mood & vibes
- Engage multiple senses with details
- Provide interactable objects for players
- Describe the variations in terrain
Epic Thing: What makes the scene memorable?
- Present a visually stunning centerpiece
- Create an intense experiential moment
- Evoke deep emotional responses
Goal: What do PCs get from the scene?
- Advance the story progression significantly
- Reward players with valuable loot
- Introduce intriguing story hooks
- Reveal hidden secrets and mysteries
- Provide important clues for investigation
- Gain potential allies or contacts
Encounters: What can happen in the scene?
- Add physical challenges
- Add magical obstacles
- Add environmental hazards
NPCs: What are the NPCs in the scene?
- Introduce friendly NPCs to assist
- Confront enemy NPCs with hostility
- Interact with neutral NPCs for information
Developments: How does the scene change the future?
- Determine immediate outcomes of actions
- Set long-term impacts on the storyline
This is an ironclad framework you’ve forged for designing engaging and memorable TTRPG encounters, Old Man Masha. It encourages creative thinking around atmosphere, storytelling, and game mechanics, and should give GMs great results. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Johnn
roleplayingtips.com
https://discord.gg/6MxTRAqQ76
Have more fun at every game!
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