Styles
Source GM Core pg. 69
These frameworks for building your adventure include some basic elements to get you started outlining an adventure. Slot ideas from the threats section into this structure, then customize as you see fit.
Exploration
Source GM Core pg. 69
Number of Sessions 3–4
Exploration Scenes 1 long voyage to reach the complex or site (sometimes called a “dungeon” in fantasy-themed games); 3 voyages through long, trapped hallways or mazes; 1 secure hangar or other staging area; 2 secret rooms
Combat Encounters 2 trivial, 8 low, 6 moderate, 2 severe. Many encounters can be bypassed through secret routes or by infiltrating the complex using skills and spells.
Roleplaying Encounters 4 conversations with security guards, workers, prisoners, or other creatures; 1 negotiation to establish a truce or business deal with the faction controlling the site
Encounter Tropes Laser-trapped hallways, security cameras, and robotic sentries, with occasional vaulted chambers, long hallways, catwalks, traps, and puzzles.
Exploration Scenes 1 long voyage to reach the complex or site (sometimes called a “dungeon” in fantasy-themed games); 3 voyages through long, trapped hallways or mazes; 1 secure hangar or other staging area; 2 secret rooms
Combat Encounters 2 trivial, 8 low, 6 moderate, 2 severe. Many encounters can be bypassed through secret routes or by infiltrating the complex using skills and spells.
Roleplaying Encounters 4 conversations with security guards, workers, prisoners, or other creatures; 1 negotiation to establish a truce or business deal with the faction controlling the site
Encounter Tropes Laser-trapped hallways, security cameras, and robotic sentries, with occasional vaulted chambers, long hallways, catwalks, traps, and puzzles.
Dystopian Adventure
Source GM Core pg. 69
Number of Sessions 5–7
Exploration Scenes 1 long voyage in outer space, plagued by attacks; 2–3 explorations of sites in urban environments or outer space; 1 prison break, heist, or other test of skill
Combat Encounters 4 trivial, 7 low, 7 moderate, 4 severe, possibly 1 extreme. Foes are often intelligent and represent rival factions, law enforcement, or outlaws.
Roleplaying Encounters 2 battles of wits, 2 chances to best opponents with deception or threats, 2 opportunities to gather information and rumors
Encounter Tropes Stakes are often more personal, such as the PCs clearing their names from a false accusation or being paid to eliminate a problem. Betrayal, ambushes, and other duplicity. Urban disasters, piracy, and unfriendly crowds. Allies are often untrustworthy and might betray the PCs during the adventure. Downtime might include hard labor, exploring seedy night clubs and dives, or criminal activities.
Exploration Scenes 1 long voyage in outer space, plagued by attacks; 2–3 explorations of sites in urban environments or outer space; 1 prison break, heist, or other test of skill
Combat Encounters 4 trivial, 7 low, 7 moderate, 4 severe, possibly 1 extreme. Foes are often intelligent and represent rival factions, law enforcement, or outlaws.
Roleplaying Encounters 2 battles of wits, 2 chances to best opponents with deception or threats, 2 opportunities to gather information and rumors
Encounter Tropes Stakes are often more personal, such as the PCs clearing their names from a false accusation or being paid to eliminate a problem. Betrayal, ambushes, and other duplicity. Urban disasters, piracy, and unfriendly crowds. Allies are often untrustworthy and might betray the PCs during the adventure. Downtime might include hard labor, exploring seedy night clubs and dives, or criminal activities.
Horror
Source GM Core pg. 69
Number of Sessions 1–2
Exploration Scenes 1 short voyage full of ill omens; 2–4 creepy areas to investigate, like haunted reactors or cursed magitech laboratories
Combat Encounters 2 moderate, 1 severe, possibly 1 extreme. Avoid trivial- and low-threat encounters, except as moments of relief in a longer adventure. Extreme-threat encounters against overwhelming foes are excellent in horror one-shots.
Roleplaying Encounters 2 conversations with doubtful authority figures, 1 opportunity to gather information and rumors, 1 revelation of a horrible truth
Encounter Tropes Surprising and jarring encounters, making it hard for the PCs to feel safe. Encounters that feel overwhelming, even when they're not. Retreat is often the right option (include a reasonable way for the PCs to escape). Environmental storytelling reveals terrible
Exploration Scenes 1 short voyage full of ill omens; 2–4 creepy areas to investigate, like haunted reactors or cursed magitech laboratories
Combat Encounters 2 moderate, 1 severe, possibly 1 extreme. Avoid trivial- and low-threat encounters, except as moments of relief in a longer adventure. Extreme-threat encounters against overwhelming foes are excellent in horror one-shots.
Roleplaying Encounters 2 conversations with doubtful authority figures, 1 opportunity to gather information and rumors, 1 revelation of a horrible truth
Encounter Tropes Surprising and jarring encounters, making it hard for the PCs to feel safe. Encounters that feel overwhelming, even when they're not. Retreat is often the right option (include a reasonable way for the PCs to escape). Environmental storytelling reveals terrible
Infiltration
Source GM Core pg. 70
Number of Sessions 2–3
Exploration Scenes 1 voyage, or a tour of a site's location and defenses; 2–3 trapped rooms and vaults
Combat Encounters 4 low, 4 moderate, 1 severe. Most combat encounters can be bypassed with stealth and subterfuge.
Roleplaying Encounters 1–2 encounters with security patrols or workers in which the PCs must avoid suspicion or resort to combat
Encounter Tropes Secure complexes with locked and trapped doors, automated defenses, and security patrols. Victory conditions that are goal or deadline oriented—controlling a fortress for 10 minutes while someone uploads a virus into the server mainframe, robbing a bank, rescuing prisoners, and so on.
Exploration Scenes 1 voyage, or a tour of a site's location and defenses; 2–3 trapped rooms and vaults
Combat Encounters 4 low, 4 moderate, 1 severe. Most combat encounters can be bypassed with stealth and subterfuge.
Roleplaying Encounters 1–2 encounters with security patrols or workers in which the PCs must avoid suspicion or resort to combat
Encounter Tropes Secure complexes with locked and trapped doors, automated defenses, and security patrols. Victory conditions that are goal or deadline oriented—controlling a fortress for 10 minutes while someone uploads a virus into the server mainframe, robbing a bank, rescuing prisoners, and so on.
Intrigue
Source GM Core pg. 70
Number of Sessions 2–3
Exploration Scenes 3–4 competitions, performances, or other tests of skill; 1–2 infiltrations or escapes
Combat Encounters 2 trivial, 2 low, 4 moderate, 1 severe. Severe-threat encounters should be reserved for major reveals of the ongoing intrigue—an ally is revealed to be a foe, a schemer is exposed and calls their elite bodyguards, and so on.
Roleplaying Encounters 2–3 battles of wits; 2 political or courtroom scenes; 1 conversation with a cryptic source; 2 opportunities to gather information and rumors
Encounter Tropes Urban environments, including fights atop racing vehicles, around (and atop) furniture, and leaping or flying between rooftops. Ambushes in apparently safe social settings. Assassination attempts.
Exploration Scenes 3–4 competitions, performances, or other tests of skill; 1–2 infiltrations or escapes
Combat Encounters 2 trivial, 2 low, 4 moderate, 1 severe. Severe-threat encounters should be reserved for major reveals of the ongoing intrigue—an ally is revealed to be a foe, a schemer is exposed and calls their elite bodyguards, and so on.
Roleplaying Encounters 2–3 battles of wits; 2 political or courtroom scenes; 1 conversation with a cryptic source; 2 opportunities to gather information and rumors
Encounter Tropes Urban environments, including fights atop racing vehicles, around (and atop) furniture, and leaping or flying between rooftops. Ambushes in apparently safe social settings. Assassination attempts.
Military Adventure
Source GM Core pg. 70
Number of Sessions 2–3
Exploration Scenes 1 long voyage and 2–3 patrols, or a tour of the defenses for an invasion; 2–3 trapped enemy outposts and enemy starship squads
Combat Encounters 4 low, 4 moderate, 1 severe. Most combat encounters should be made up of 2–4 foes, typically troopers with a range of capabilities.
Roleplaying Encounters 1–2 skill challenges to convince neutral parties to become allies or raise troops' morale, 1-2 conversations with commanding officers
Encounter Tropes Fortified battlegrounds with automated defenses and security patrols. Epic starship battles in outer space or in atmosphere over a contested planet. Victory conditions that are goal or deadline oriented—defeating an enemy squad, capturing a planet or starship, infiltrating an enemy fortress, stealing an experimental weapon, and so on.
Exploration Scenes 1 long voyage and 2–3 patrols, or a tour of the defenses for an invasion; 2–3 trapped enemy outposts and enemy starship squads
Combat Encounters 4 low, 4 moderate, 1 severe. Most combat encounters should be made up of 2–4 foes, typically troopers with a range of capabilities.
Roleplaying Encounters 1–2 skill challenges to convince neutral parties to become allies or raise troops' morale, 1-2 conversations with commanding officers
Encounter Tropes Fortified battlegrounds with automated defenses and security patrols. Epic starship battles in outer space or in atmosphere over a contested planet. Victory conditions that are goal or deadline oriented—defeating an enemy squad, capturing a planet or starship, infiltrating an enemy fortress, stealing an experimental weapon, and so on.
Mystery
Source GM Core pg. 71
Number of Sessions 2–3
Exploration Scenes 2–3 trapped rooms, concealed hideouts, or other tests of skill; 2 puzzles or investigations
Combat Encounters 2 trivial, 4 low, 6 moderate, 6 severe. Solving the mystery uncovers an advantage over any powerful foe or reveals an important secret.
Roleplaying Encounters 1 battles of wits, 1 conversation with an unusual ally, 1 opportunity to gather information and rumors, 1 gathering to reveal the answer to the mystery
Encounter Tropes Encounters come naturally during investigations or upon discovering some element of the mystery. Multiple clues can send PCs to the same locations; if the mystery stalls, some creature that doesn't want the PCs to solve the mystery can attack to move the plot forward.
Exploration Scenes 2–3 trapped rooms, concealed hideouts, or other tests of skill; 2 puzzles or investigations
Combat Encounters 2 trivial, 4 low, 6 moderate, 6 severe. Solving the mystery uncovers an advantage over any powerful foe or reveals an important secret.
Roleplaying Encounters 1 battles of wits, 1 conversation with an unusual ally, 1 opportunity to gather information and rumors, 1 gathering to reveal the answer to the mystery
Encounter Tropes Encounters come naturally during investigations or upon discovering some element of the mystery. Multiple clues can send PCs to the same locations; if the mystery stalls, some creature that doesn't want the PCs to solve the mystery can attack to move the plot forward.
Planar Adventure
Source GM Core pg. 71
Number of Sessions 6–8
Exploration Scenes 3–4 long voyages through different planes, often using magic, Drift engines, spells, or a planar vessel, punctuated by combat; 1–2 scouting a demiplane, planar city or fortress, or other planar stronghold
Combat Encounters 4 low, 12 moderate, 6 severe, 2 extreme. Avoid trivial-threat encounters, except as set dressing to introduce a new plane.
Roleplaying Encounters 4 conversations with bizarre creatures, including some with alien ways of thinking; 4 opportunities to gather information and rumors
Encounter Tropes Fights showcasing otherworldly environs—in the churning colors of the Drift, in hurricane-force winds, on chunks of metal floating along rivers of lava, atop bottomless pits, or inside the cockpits of 100-foot-tall magical engines breaching the gates of Hell.
Exploration Scenes 3–4 long voyages through different planes, often using magic, Drift engines, spells, or a planar vessel, punctuated by combat; 1–2 scouting a demiplane, planar city or fortress, or other planar stronghold
Combat Encounters 4 low, 12 moderate, 6 severe, 2 extreme. Avoid trivial-threat encounters, except as set dressing to introduce a new plane.
Roleplaying Encounters 4 conversations with bizarre creatures, including some with alien ways of thinking; 4 opportunities to gather information and rumors
Encounter Tropes Fights showcasing otherworldly environs—in the churning colors of the Drift, in hurricane-force winds, on chunks of metal floating along rivers of lava, atop bottomless pits, or inside the cockpits of 100-foot-tall magical engines breaching the gates of Hell.
Romantic Adventure
Source GM Core pg. 71
Number of Sessions 4–6
Exploration Scenes 1 tour of a port of call; 1 adventure into the outskirts to fight bandits, hunt, or preserve wildlife; 1 tournament to prove a PC's love or outdo a rival
Combat Encounters 2 trivial, 3 low, 6 moderate, 1 severe. Emphasize emotional stakes and battles that end with the loss of honor or pride, not life.
Roleplaying Encounters 2 battles of wits, 1 gala or party, 1 entreaty before a socialite or political leader, 2 scenes of relaxation or carousing with unexpected import
Encounter Tropes Duels—social or combat—against romantic rivals. PCs and their foes fight only for a purpose or cause. Savvy enemies have strong connections to the PCs. Rivals might become lovers.
Exploration Scenes 1 tour of a port of call; 1 adventure into the outskirts to fight bandits, hunt, or preserve wildlife; 1 tournament to prove a PC's love or outdo a rival
Combat Encounters 2 trivial, 3 low, 6 moderate, 1 severe. Emphasize emotional stakes and battles that end with the loss of honor or pride, not life.
Roleplaying Encounters 2 battles of wits, 1 gala or party, 1 entreaty before a socialite or political leader, 2 scenes of relaxation or carousing with unexpected import
Encounter Tropes Duels—social or combat—against romantic rivals. PCs and their foes fight only for a purpose or cause. Savvy enemies have strong connections to the PCs. Rivals might become lovers.
Space Opera
Source GM Core pg. 72
Number of Sessions 6–8
Exploration Scenes 2 long voyages in outer space, punctuated with combat; 1 exploration of a dangerous complex, starship or street race, or other test of skill
Combat Encounters 4 trivial, 10 low, 12 moderate, 4 severe.
Roleplaying Encounters 2 battles of wits; 4 conversations with potential allies
Encounter Tropes Unique environments and terrain for dynamic battles. Boarding a starship during a space battle, fighting atop skyscrapers, racing enercycles, dogfights between starships, and so on. Use difficult terrain sparingly, coupled with creative ways to get around it. Large groups of low-level enemies the PCs can defeat with ease.
Exploration Scenes 2 long voyages in outer space, punctuated with combat; 1 exploration of a dangerous complex, starship or street race, or other test of skill
Combat Encounters 4 trivial, 10 low, 12 moderate, 4 severe.
Roleplaying Encounters 2 battles of wits; 4 conversations with potential allies
Encounter Tropes Unique environments and terrain for dynamic battles. Boarding a starship during a space battle, fighting atop skyscrapers, racing enercycles, dogfights between starships, and so on. Use difficult terrain sparingly, coupled with creative ways to get around it. Large groups of low-level enemies the PCs can defeat with ease.