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G'day Folks, I want to talk about a problem that been ongoing with my group's in-game dynamic for a while. This isn't going to be a rant really, but it might get long. What I’m looking for (other than getting my thoughts sufficiently ordered by explaining the problem to someone) is some brainstorming as to how I can materially affect the group in a positive but not overbearing way. About the Group
We play a wide variety of RPGs – everything from old FGU games like Aftermath to more current games like All Flesh Must Be Eaten. Several of us GM as the whim strikes though I tend to GM half the time or more. Most of the campaigns are indeterminate length. We wind down games group TPKs, splinters, if they go stale for the players, or the GM gets burnout. The typical length of a campaign is 3-5 years. About Me
I believe party dynamics and choices are the players’ responsibility. I only get involved if a NPC is present and interested in the outcome. As a GM, I tend to throw out a whole bunch of possible hooks and run with what catches the group’s attention. One of the areas I find most fertile for new scenarios is loose threads that the group didn’t deal with previously. I find consequences of previous actions/inactions provide immediate attention-grabbers for players. About the Game
The characters are 10th-12th level and have been for a while. The transition from single-digit levels to dual-digit levels has been traumatic for the characters. There have been a fair number of deaths compared to previous levels and a few characters retired/removed themselves from the group for in-game reasons. Two original characters remain. Three previous characters are NPCs in the world. The rest are effectively gone forever. About the Problem
Apparently, the players are having fun even though I can tell some of them would prefer the group to do less purposeless wandering. I’ve been feeling somewhat adrift in the campaign for a while now. I’ve been finding it almost impossible to consistently catch the group’s attention with plot possibilities. The group is drifting between adventure locations – never finishing anything and refusing to get involved with some of the macro events that they are aware of. One of the problems I’m having in presenting new plot options is getting them involved. They have managed to get where they are without building alliances, accepting or performing favours, or even coming to favourable attention of those with any form of temporal power. Less obvious plot hooks are hard to place. The group has picked up the bad habit of keeping secrets from each other so even when a plot hook is found, it may not be shared with those who may be interested. The characters have been moderately successful with the things they have tried and bothered to complete so they shouldn’t be gun-shy. There is the only motivation that consistently holds their attention. They have picked up one formidable enemy: a high-level Wizard who is making life miserable for one of the two original characters remaining. They are beginning to loathe him. The Group Dynamic
Additionally, the interests held by any group member tend to be lukewarm. The characters have wants and desires, but they are rarely strongly held. If the majority of characters are somewhat interested or at least two of the characters take a strong stand, the group will decide to do something. Unfortunately, this means from session to session the group can often change its mind as to what to pursue as player interests wax and wane. I've tried talking to a few of the players individually and to the group as a whole a couple of sessions ago. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to shake the group out of its rut? |
