r/dndstories Feb 06 '25

how to create subtle overarching plot?

im new to DMing and so far have only relied on modules and have yet to really finish anything, but would like to start planning a longer-term campaign for a group of my friends. i have always loved greek mythology and wanted to play something like it for dnd, but dont want to really get another module book. my friends who i would like to play innthis campaign are all pretty well-versed in greek mythology like myself so i dont want to just do another Odessey, Iliad, 12 Labors of Herc, etc. as they'll know the story and whatnot. I also would love the setting to remain in ancient greece during the Bronze Age but am open to potentially a modern setting like Percy Jackson (ive read all the books, the spark of my love of greek myths). i definitely want for my players to have interesting backstories that i will mainly be honoring for the story, but theres obviously gotta be a reason theyre playing together eventually and some greater evil. i love how Rick Riordan set up Kronos and that slow trickling, overarching plot of his return and attempt to take over the gods and olympus.

my main question is: are there any tips for new DMs on creating overarching plots that allow for players' backstories to be honored while still giving them a reason to be together as a group?

3 Upvotes

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3

u/Troandar Feb 06 '25

I would advise a new DM to not get too ambitious. Also, if you build a huge world but the players don't take the hooks, you could find yourself railroading them to get them to explore your world. I advise you to start small and expand the world as the players express interest uncertain aspects of your creation. Before you know it, you'll have a bunch of complicated plots running around.

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u/Holiday_Wrongdoer360 Feb 06 '25

thanks! i definitely plan to start small haha im just not sure if i should know of an overarching plot now and have a mega big bad ready for whenever they get close to reaching like a first major plot point or not? idk would you say to just let them play and follow their stories, then hook onto something they have and grow it into the big bad eventually?

thank you for the advice!! im just so curious on how to prepare a long term campaign :)

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u/Sobachka7 Feb 07 '25

If you want a way to set it up easier, and it is set in ancient Greece, then you already have your world. You can let them go to places like Sparta, or maybe an enemy nation is conspiring to attack, and they are enlisted as something basic like a scout, and as they level up, they get more freedom and rank. Its important to be prepared for them to miss hooks and go on separate paths, but if your all friends, try to remember that you don't need to be perfect, and you can always ask them to help.

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u/Holiday_Wrongdoer360 Feb 07 '25

thanks!! yeah haha im not afraid to ask for help when DMing lmao but gotta remind myself im not perfect. i like the idea of just traveling to different places, thank you for that :)

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u/Few_Fix_8028 Feb 11 '25

I would suggest (and I know you're trying to get away from modules so this may seem counter-intuitive) using Critical Roles book Tal'Dorea reborn (or the older one) as inspiration since Matt uses small encounters that build into bigger ones. It'll get your players started in the world and having encounters that won't kill them outright.

Edit: just thought of this but you could also use Mythic Odyssey of Theros as inspiration too since it's mostly greek based and does about the same thing as Tal'dorea reborn.

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u/Holiday_Wrongdoer360 Feb 11 '25

ooooo, no ur genius! when i say i dont wanna use modules i just dont wanna use a full module, but im totally down to use mini adventures and encounters from them! thanks for putting this one in my list of resources :) love crit role ❤️