InDungeons & Dragons, most campaigns are based on the typical fantasy world derived from European folklore. It has kings and queens, dragons and goblins, all the traditional hallmarks of a fantasy we’ve come to love. However, nothing is stopping you fromplaying a different type of game, whether that’s something more Victorian Gothic, steampunk, or even something set in the modern day.
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However, it may not be easy just to convert most Dungeons & Dragons into the modern day; after all, people don’t walk around wearing plate mail anymore. But with a few tweaks, it can be a lot easier than you imagine. Here are just a few tips for running a modern fantasy kind of campaign.
8Build Your World First
The first and perhaps most pivotal step is to lay the groundwork. If you were running a more traditional type of campaign, you have certain settings like the Forgotten Realms to fall back on. But with no modern setting in fifth edition, you’ll likely have to create your own. You should draw up a plan and realize just what kind of world your campaign is based in. Start with the big questions, such as whether magic is known in your world or not. If it is, how does it affect laws?
If not, what sort of secret society protects magic from being known? Is this going to be based on the real world or something similar? Before you do anything, you need to know what sort of world your game will set in, and it will make it much easier to figure out other components of your campaign going forward.
7Use Modern Magic Supplements
Though there isn’t a modern fantasy module waiting to be used, there is something close that can help you. In theUnearthed Arcana Modern Magic, there are spells, subclasses, and more that are uniquely tailored to a modern fantasy kind of setting. Use them.
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As well as this, check out theMy New D20 Modern Campaignsupplement, as it gives you much more information on class proficiencies, how to convert armor into a modern setting, and more.
6Start Small
Don’t overextend yourself. Much like how you began world-building, you’ll likely want to start on a small scale to knowhow to begin your campaign. Start building around one city, one town, one college campus. It isn’t recommended to try and involve complex things like major nations or a huge war.
If you feel you can handle that scale, go for it. But it would be recommended to loosely build the background and then focus much of your attention on a smaller setting where the campaign should be based in; knowing your limits is important, so you don’t risk burnout preparing too much.
5Know The Limits Before You Break Them
Speaking of limits, you should also be aware of the limits in the game. This isn’t a medieval society; a modern setting has armed law enforcement, mobile phones, and cameras. How much can your players get away with? If magic is a secret, how is it controlled if a rebel decides to throw a Fireball out into the street?
Whether controlled or not, this opens up some avenues for your storytelling. Perhaps someone abuses the lack of proper rules or guidelines. Perhaps the party could be enforcers trying to stop magical mishaps. Overall, working on what your players can and can’t do in this new type of setting is always helpful.
4Who Runs The World?
There may not be guilds in the modern world, but there is something very similar, organizations. If your campaign is set around a high school or college, are there cliques? If it’s based in a city, what magical societies, gangs, and organizations are at play?
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If you understand this, then not only do you understand your world better, but you can use this to kickstart the plot for your campaign. These can help start the story, whether it’s through different factions at war or an organization hiring the party.
3I Cast, Therefore I Am
An important tip to remember is that magic is a tool. Similar to art, entertainment, construction, and other parts of modern life, it can also be commodified or have its own industry. It’s good to consider just how magic is used in the setting and understand that it likely doesn’t have one sole function.
For example, perhaps exterminators are evokers who use fire to burn out swarms of supernatural pests or corrupt politicians who have enchanting magic on their speeches to win their next election. The purpose of magic has to be known, so you may understand how to use it for and against your players.
2What Kind Of Campaign Is This, Anyway?
This is good to know for every kind of campaign you wish to run, but it is important to know concerning modern fantasy, as there are different types of campaigns that work with that genre.
For example, will you be going for a Monster of the Week type campaign where a new monster or issue arises each session for the party? Will there be a murder mystery, and the party are magical detectives? Trying to narrow down the type of campaign you want to go for, instead of just the genre, will help with curating the character ideas, types of magic, and other aspects of the campaign.
1The Best DMs Use Inspiration
When in doubt,use other media around you. The benefit of having a game set in the modern day is you live in the modern day. Do you want to use New York City as your main setting? Well, there are tons of maps you’re able to use already. If you want to know how to handle magic in the modern day, there’s also media that can help you, from shows like Supernatural to book series such as The Dresden Files.
Use the information and media around you to your advantage, jot down some notes, or use different wikis from media to find out specific things you need, such as how they portray specific creatures and inventive ways they use magic.
