Bounty Boards and Beyond: How Players Will Choose Their Adventures in the Common Grounds Guild
In the Common Grounds Guild of Greyhawk, the bounty board is more than just a decorative element—it’s the engine driving player agency and group dynamics. For a West Marches campaign, where players pick their quests and form their own groups, a well-designed bounty board adds structure and excitement while preserving the sandbox feel. Here's how I’ve implemented this concept, along with examples and resources to inspire your own campaigns.
What Is a Bounty Board?
A bounty board is a central location—physical or digital—where players can find available quests, rumors, or challenges. In the Common Grounds Guild, the bounty board is literally a bulletin board in the adventurers' guildhall, prominently displayed in the campaign’s central hub.
How the Bounty Board Works
- Exploration Quests: Examples include mapping the Bright Desert or locating a lost shrine in the Barrier Peaks.
- Combat Quests: “Clear out the hobgoblin warband raiding caravans near the Gnarley Forest.”
- Faction Missions: “Deliver a message to an agent of the Knights of the Hart in Verbobonc.”
- Player-Driven Quests: Groups can propose their own adventures, like researching ancient artifacts tied to the Greyhawk Wars.
- Quests are added weekly by DMs, reflecting changes in the world.
- Completed quests influence what’s posted next, creating a dynamic campaign.
Players form their own groups based on interest and availability, signing up for a session directly on the board (or a digital equivalent like Discord).
Examples from Greyhawk Lore
Greyhawk's deep history provides endless inspiration for quests:
- Recovering the Talisman of Al'Akbar: A lost artifact of great power lies hidden in the Pomarj. Its recovery could change the balance of power in the region.
- The Mysterious Spires of Keoland: Explorers report strange lights and sounds emanating from ancient ruins. What secrets do they hold?
- The Green Dragon in the Mistmarsh: A powerful green dragon has been spotted near the Mistmarsh, disrupting trade and local wildlife. Can your group bring it down or broker peace?
These are just a few ideas that players might encounter on the board, all designed to encourage exploration and problem-solving.
References and Resources
- Greyhawk Gazetteer (TSR, 2000): A vital resource for detailed lore and geographical context. Use it to craft authentic Greyhawk-based quests.
- West Marches Campaign Guide by Ben Robbins: The original blog series provides insights into running player-driven campaigns and organizing quests.
- Kobold Press’s Prepared! Series: These pre-made adventures can easily be adapted into bounty board quests, saving prep time for busy DMs.
Building Player Engagement
The bounty board isn’t just a tool for logistics—it’s a way to immerse players in the campaign. I encourage players to:
- Contribute Quests: Let them suggest missions, such as exploring a family crypt or avenging a past wrong.
- Debrief After Sessions: Completed quests are marked with notes or trophies on the board, creating a sense of accomplishment.
- Compete for Glory: Add leaderboards to track achievements like “Most Dangerous Encounter” or “Largest Treasure Hoard.”
Digital Tools to Enhance Your Board
- Obsidian Portal: Use this platform to document the campaign world, maintain a quest log, and share updates with players. It’s ideal for providing detailed descriptions and tracking player accomplishments. You can view the Common Grounds of Greyhawk Obsidian Portal HERE.
- Discord Channels: Create a “Bounty Board” channel where DMs post updates, and players can sign up for quests. This tool keeps communication clear and centralized.
- D&D Beyond: Use D&D Beyond to manage character sheets, share campaign-specific resources, and provide easy access to homebrew content related to Greyhawk quests.
Why It Works
The bounty board empowers players to drive the story forward and ensures that no session feels like a repeat of the last. By grounding the system in Greyhawk lore, every quest feels meaningful and connected to the world’s greater history.
Whether your adventurers are chasing rumors of ancient treasures or dealing with the political intrigues of the Free City of Greyhawk, the bounty board keeps the excitement alive and the campaign running smoothly.
Need help designing your own bounty board or adapting Greyhawk quests? Let me know!