The Background

I run a game that focuses on narrative and roleplay. Often, my players will create their own McGuffin that I will then shift into a primary plot device. This usually takes the party away from some primary plot points and drives the story in a different direction. I feel this all works pretty well because it always allows the players to feel as if they’ve made an important discovery and that they’re driving the story, not me. The downside? This leaves some unresolved threads.

Recently, my players have been asking about those threads and what happened because we didn’t resolve them. I explain that not taking care of them has had consequences that they haven’t been around to see. Essentially, the world continues without them. However, we’ve reached a point in the story (homebrewed) where these threads matter. So we’re going back to see the consequences of unfinished business.

The Discussion

I’d like to see your take on unfinished business and how you represent consequences in the world. Do you allow the story to just move on to the BBEG, or do you make the players feel like their choices matter beyond the immediate session? How do you do either, neither, or something else entirely?

We've been making the Nother Realm podcast for one whole year, so I decided to write my thoughts up for anyone looking to go on a similar adventure.

We're cataloging our ensemble of colorful supporting characters. Check out the link to see art (AI generated) and brief descriptions of each character's role in the world of The Neverthere.

This is the map of Lyr and its surrounding continents, created in Inkarnate. The western subcontinent is the primary location for my current campaign, which is why it's more filled out with location names. This is actually one of two maps I use. The other is more detailed with names for mountain ranges, rivers, and other landmarks.

About the Campaign Setting:

The year is 1190 of the Age of Resonance. Our story begins in the western sub-continent of Lyr, which is currently ruled by the kingdom of Attoria in the north and the Exharkan Protectorate in the south. While these two powers have been enemies for centuries, starting on the continent of Cal’Atas, they are now in the first year of an uneasy truce. Both armies, however, still keep close watch over their shared border.

The people of Attoria come from all races and walks of life, and all are allowed to prosper under the rule of Queen Essylt “Hearthguard” Attore. However, many still remain wary of the Exharkan Protectorate to the south, as there are whispers of an end to the truce with the rulers of the golden city.

Across the kingdom, low hills and temperate forests allow for easy living, but there still remain many unexplored and dangerous regions within Attoria’s borders.

Shameless Self-Promotion:

If you'd like to learn more about the setting, I've got a lot more info, including culture and religion, here.

This campaign is chronicled in Nother Realm, which is available everywhere!

I've been using Midjourney to fill out my gallery of characters. So far, I've got art for 13 characters finished. I still need write-ups on quite a few, but I think this really helps to fill in my descriptions.

If you're interested in learning more about the campaign all these characters live in, it's chronicled in the Nother Realm podcast!

This is the map of Lyr and its surrounding continents. The western subcontinent is the primary location for my current campaign, which is why it's more filled out with location names. This is actually one of two maps I use. The other is more detailed with names for mountain ranges, rivers, and other landmarks.

About the Campaign Setting:

The year is 1190 of the Age of Resonance. Our story begins in the western sub-continent of Lyr, which is currently ruled by the kingdom of Attoria in the north and the Exharkan Protectorate in the south. While these two powers have been enemies for centuries, starting on the continent of Cal’Atas, they are now in the first year of an uneasy truce. Both armies, however, still keep close watch over their shared border.

The people of Attoria come from all races and walks of life, and all are allowed to prosper under the rule of Queen Essylt “Hearthguard” Attore. However, many still remain wary of the Exharkan Protectorate to the south, as there are whispers of an end to the truce with the rulers of the golden city.

Across the kingdom, low hills and temperate forests allow for easy living, but there still remain many unexplored and dangerous regions within Attoria’s borders.

Shameless Self-Promotion:

If you'd like to learn more about the setting, I've got a lot more info, including culture and religion, here.

This campaign is chronicled in Nother Realm, a podcast that is available everywhere!