Author: Kathy (---.attbi.com)
Date: 04-01-2003 13:00
I agree with much of what you're saying here (the first column was good, too, btw). Conflict is essential to good storytelling--and consequently, to good roleplaying.
I would add another aim, though, to the ones you have listed near then end, and that is managability of scope. If your conflict is two vast and mighty armies vying for the City of Thingy, then opportunities for the PCs to affect the outcome are limited at best. The conflict must, on some level, be on a scale which can be affected by the actions of an individual or a small group. Otherwise, it's wargaming. :)
Which isn't to say that you can't have two vast and mighty armies at the center of your conflict--you've just got to come up with a reasonable sub-plot where the characters can make a difference. Like, say, a Ring of Power that needs to be destroyed. No, wait, that's been done.
Anyway, it's a good column and a good series and I'm eager to see what comes next.
--Kathy
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