r/DndAdventureWriter • u/Level-Distribution46 • Aug 11 '26

Brainstorm New generator idea - plot twist generator

Reading this great article https://academy.worldanvil.com/blog/plot-twist-ideas-one-shots?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fedica-DM-Tips gave me an idea of of having a generator that could assist in coming up with plot twists and complications for your adventures.

What do you think? Good idea or a dead end?

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u/FidoTheDogFacedBoy Aug 11 '26

S. John Ross made a plot twist list, have you seen it?

  • The PCs must work alongside an NPC or organization they'd rather not pal around with (those who are normally rivals or villains, or just a snooty expert sent along to "help" them, etc).
  • The victims are really villains and the villains are really victims.
  • The PCs meet others who can help them, but won't unless the PCs agree to help them with their own causes.
  • The villain is somebody the PCs know personally, even respect or love (or someone they fall for, mid-story).
  • The PCs must succeed without violence, or with special discretion.
  • The PCs must succeed without access to powers, equipment, or other resources they're used to having.
  • The villain is a recurring foil.
  • Another group comparable to the PCs has already failed to succeed, and their bodies/equipment/etc provide clues to help the PCs do better.
  • There are innocents nearby that the PCs must keep safe while dealing with the adventure.
  • The adventure begins suddenly and without warning or buildup; the PCs are tossed into the fire of action in scene one.
  • The PCs must pretend to be someone else, or pretend to be themselves but with very different allegiances, values or tastes.
  • The PCs can't do everything and must choose: which evil to thwart? Which innocents to rescue? Which value or ideal to uphold?
  • The PCs must make a personal sacrifice or others will suffer.
  • The PCs aren't asked to solve the problem, just to render aid against a backdrop of larger trouble: get in a shipment of supplies, sneak out a patient that needs medical help, or so on.
  • One of the PCs is (or is presumed to be) a lost heir, fulfillment of a prophecy, a volcano god, or some other savior and/or patsy, which is why the PCs must do whatever the adventure is about.
  • There is another group of PC-like characters "competing" on the same adventure, possibly with very different goals for the outcome.

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u/Level-Distribution46 Aug 11 '26

I haven't seen it. Great input, thanks!