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Arc Overview
- Premise:
- Themes:
- Stakes:
- Tone and style:
Arc Length and Cadence
- Target length (sessions): 3–5 (adjust as needed)
- Why this length serves the story:
- Level-up cadence (end of arc or by milestone):
Arc Structure
- Setup (Inciting incident):
- Rising pressure (complications, reversals):
- Midpoint (revelation or turn):
- Climax (decision, confrontation):
- Fallout (consequences, new status quo):
Dramatic Questions (answer by arc end)
- Question 1:
- Question 2:
- Question 3:
Milestones
- Milestone 1:
- Milestone 2:
- Milestone 3:
Open Questions
- Unknowns to discover at the table:
Three-Act Planner (Story Arc)
Plan beats that players can’t ignore; adapt on the fly.
Act One — Collision
- Unavoidable event that collides with PCs:
- How it hints at the larger conflict:
- Early reveal/foreshadow to hook interest:
- Set‑piece or encounter:
- Ending image/beat that propels Act Two:
Act Two — Complications
- Chosen path (why the PCs pursue it):
- Personal/thematic complications that matter:
- Rising stakes toward the climax:
- Foreshadow future arcs while staying relevant now:
Act Three — Climax
- Which dramatic questions are answered:
- Twist/reveal that reshapes context:
- Showdown objectives beyond “win”:
- Resolution, fallout, and threads for next arc:
Fronts and Clocks
- Front:
- Threat:
- Agenda:
- Clock: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
- Front:
- Threat:
- Agenda:
- Clock: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Factions & NPCs in Play
| Name | Goal | Leverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Key Locations
| Place | What makes it interesting | Hazards/Secrets | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| ... |
Clues, Secrets, and Foreshadowing
- Seed 1:
- Seed 2:
- Callbacks:
Plot Weaving (A/B/C Threads Across Sessions)
Focus on three threads per session for clarity. Let B rise to A next arc; C seeds future focus.
- A‑Plot: Primary thread for this arc.
- B‑Plot: Secondary thread that diverts/complicates A.
- C‑Plot: Light‑touch seeding for future focus.
| Session | A‑Plot Focus | B‑Plot Support | C‑Plot Seed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 |
Guidelines:
- Ensure each session advances at least one dramatic question.
- Keep A present every session; rotate B/C thoughtfully.
Rewards and Fallout
- Tangible (boons, items, favors):
- Intangible (trust, reputation, information):
- Faction shifts / clocks advanced:
Arc Log
- Summary of arc events:
- New threads created:
- NPCs changed (attitudes, status):
- Clocks/Fronts advanced:
- Prep next chapter:
Sources:
- Planning a Story Arc (Running a Campaign)
- World Building Templates: https://obsidianttrpgtutorials.com/Obsidian+TTRPG+Tutorials/Templates/Basic+World+Building+Templates#World+Building+Templates