11/27/2024

I thought I would share how creating Schrodinger’s Scenario can help with homebrew world-building. If you are unfamilair with Schrodinger’s Scenarios, you can see a YouTube video I create on the subject here.

The latest scenario was created from the animals d666 random table for my Shadowdark campaign. The results gave me six giant spiders, feasting, and illness. This is where creativity comes into play.

After a little thought, I came up with the idea that the spiders have been consuming something corrupt that has caused their illness. Since the campaign has demons as a random encounter, I thought the spiders could be feasting on some of the demons roaming the area.

I created the encounter with the spiders and a new cursed affliction that can be passed on to others through a bite. I named it the Black Blight and designed some mechanics around the affliction in case the party encounters the spiders. To link it to the campaign world, I decide that the Black Blight was the creation of Baelthorn, the Blightbringer, one of the Demon Lords of the campaign. I also came up with a cure for the affliction which could be the source of a quest if the party needs to heal someone with the illness.

So a simple 3d6 roll on my random encounter tables has created a new possible affliction in the game world along with further hooks for the party. This is the power of d666 tables and Schrodinger Scenarios. The Black Blight might not appear in the campaign if I never use this encounter in one of the game sessions, but that is part of the fun of having these encounters in the shadows just waiting for a chance to be selected. The world is directly affected by the decisions of the players and the DM together.

Attached in the Schrodinger’s Scenario with the giant spiders. It includes the stats for the giant spiders, a suggested treasure (random itmes from previous victims), as well as information for the Black Blight.

Keep on gaming!