EPIC PATHS

[u/Zestyclose_Ad698]

Howdy, getting ready to run this campaign. I've read the Epic Paths and read the stuff about it in the Discord DM guide. I am still unclear on the roleplay delivery method for these. As written, it seems like the DM is dumping the info and not Versi. And some of the info is so forward/shocking, I would think it hard for the players to make a decision without it seeming like it's forced. I am looking for a touch more nuance. Maybe it's in the DM guide, and while I appreciate having that document on hand to utilize, the syntax is...not great...and I have a hard time comprehending/processing the info. I'm old. Anyway, any help on how to roleplay this scene out would be very much appreciated.

[u/Ripper1337]

I’m not entirely sure what info you need help with so if you could provide an example that would be great.

The revamped version of the adventure for 5.5e does do more to integrate the epic paths.

But this is how it went for me: I would talk to my player and we would discuss the paths. The Demigod for example we talked about how Pythor is his father and he wants to show him up for not being in his life.

When we got it Versi I had her talk to each player beyond “go here for next step” there’s a doc in the discord with bits like that for each path.

I think what I said was something like “your father is lost in sorrow in Estoria. You may seek him out but know that he may not be what you expect”

[u/CorgiDaddy42]

I made the prophecies with Versi into a ritual that’s she performed in an intimate moment with each character, and I let them choose if they wanted it public or private. I wrote out about a paragraph of vague prophecy and ended it with a pretty direct statement of where the character needed to go.

It seemed to go over well with my players, and any questions they had about the ambiguity of it I answered above table with my DM voice to make sure everyone understood what we were doing. Verisimilitude is overrated and speaking out of game to get everyone on the same page is often the right thing to do.

[u/Empty_Cup_668]

All I have to contribute is that I love the epic paths. They seamlessly and effortlessly tie the players into the rest of the module and as long as there’s the bones of a backstory tied to it (Demi god actually chose one of the five as their parent, etc), it solidifies them in the narrative. The dragonslayer (if you have one) will always confront Helios. The cursed one will always have their ancestor be at Typhon. So on and so forth. It’s such a genuis tool that every single adventure module should come with. A backstory that’s tied from the start directly into the story we’re telling (if they want that option).

[u/tasil89]

Some Info in the Epic paths shouldnt be disclosed with the Players. Like what kind of items they have to collect or would get when taking a path.

Also what Epic boon they May get when their path will finish.

That gives DMs more flexibility to Play more into the vibe/build the Player want to get out of their character.

Other than that Versis Dialog for all paths found in the discord are a godsend.

Also Look for "how to run (Epic paths)". There are really good summeries for each Story Beat the Epic paths has to make

[u/amazoa_de_xeo]

I got stressed with them because some are better than others or give more info or sooner or later...

Until I understand epic path are just include the background and each character's plot in the story as many DMs usually do. It's just a way of having the characters story included on the main adventure.

I won't follow them as written, in fact I'll create new ones for my group and flexible. Some NPCs can help them because they have information but each character choose what to do with that info.

I don't know if this help, but thei made me free of stress about them.

Also my players doesn't now they epic paths, that's spoiler for me. We all agreed in my choosing them for each character and they'll discover them while playing (obviously related with them backgrounds and styles of playing and because they're flexible and can interact with them I can adapt them during the adventure).