#dnd tip for DMs: when running published adventures, think about how you can change the background to tie details to the characters. NPCs can be relatives, patrons, mentors, or even rivals. Small tensions and dramas can sometimes have a bigger impact than large ones.

— Shawn Merwin 🔜 #dndlive2019 (@shawnmerwin) May 1, 2019

I wish there was a standard form that AL players could carry around that was like, a few bullet points that helped me hook their characters into the adventure in the way you’re describing. One of the hard things about OP is that the story can *never* be character driven. It's always plot driven because the authors are writing for a huge audience, not just the six players at their table.

— RovingBandOfMisfits (@bandofmisfits) May 1, 2019

Right. It CAN be character driven sometimes–for example, if you run it for the same group on a regular basis. Or if it is a tightly focused campaign that is more like an adventure path. Or if you add rules to encourage people to play through 1 story line rather than jump around.

— Shawn Merwin 🔜 #dndlive2019 (@shawnmerwin) May 1, 2019