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From: schuetz@via.DEC
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: WARS
Message-ID: <2298@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-May-85 11:20:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.2298
Posted: Wed May 22 11:20:43 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 24-May-85 08:13:09 EDT
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One of our longest running groups just recently completed a war.  It was
very interesting, starting with figuring out who was on which side, and
which side our group should support.  There were five basic sides:
us, the rebels, the elves (who left the country), the Uruk-hai (high-orcs),
the neutral council of mages, and the invading foreign army.  Things
were complicated by lots of magic and intervention of high POWERS.

The first part of the compaign was trying to find out who the  enemy really 
was.  The second part was convincing the neutral mages to join our (rebel)
side, and the third part was the final conflict and battles, both mundane
(1500 rebels vs. 6000 invaders) and magical.  THere were several sub-plots
involving our orc assassin squad, evil beings from other planes, ancient
evil and good artifacts, even two appearances by a full demon.

First of all, I want to thank the DM again, for all his effort in keeping
this coordinated, in spite of our changing directions completely  (with 
several sets of 100% rolled), and challenging.

However, this campaign took us over three (3) calendar years to run !!!
(11/81 to 12/84) and generated about 500 pages of chronicles.
(No, I won't begin to post it.)

The point is that large campaigns can quickly get out of hand, even with the
best intentions.  (The DM later told us that he expect it to last about 6 months).
Battles are one thing, but wars and campaigns are another.  You just don't have
one battle without lots of other actions too.  Of course, an on-going conflict
between two opposing forces can be the primary basis for lots of sorties and
sub-adventures.  A final battle or truce could also be the reason for retiring
one group of characters and starting all over again.

Just wanted to let you know what you may be in for if you start planning a war
or battle for your players.  Our DM probably spent 24 hours a week working on
the campaign.  And things never happened as he thought they would.

Anyone else keep chronicles of their campaigns?  About a year ago, someone
started posting one, but stopped after 3 episodes.  Do others want to see
chronicles posted to the net? YES? NO?

/Chris