Plot threads

Building your story · guide 4 of 5

A plot thread is one story your party can follow, from the main quest down to a small favour for a stranger. Writing each one down keeps every hook, twist and reward in one place, so nothing slips between sessions.

On the Plot threads page, Create with Wizard takes you through a thread one section at a time. That's the one this guide uses.

Basics

Give it a title, and set its status: not started, active, completed, failed or abandoned. Then the quest tier: the main quest, a side quest, or a sub-side quest that branches off a side quest. Press Next, and each step is saved as you go.

Story

The story step holds your side of it. The hook is how the party gets pulled in. The summary is the shape of the thread, and the resolution is the payoff when it's done. The fail note says what happens if it goes wrong, and your DM-only notes keep the twists to yourself.

Antagonist and rewards

Next, the antagonist: a faction, an NPC, or both. Then the rewards. The XP and gold you type here are what your players see. They aren't paid out by themselves.

Roll real treasure

For real treasure, roll it. Choose how big a find it is, roll the loot, and add it to the thread. It waits as a pending reward.

The moment you mark the thread Completed, the items move into your inventory, and the gold is paid out the way your campaign's settings say. No more remembering what you promised them.

Player-facing

The player-facing step is what your players get. Write a short reminder of what they're working towards, and tick the box to show this quest on their Quests tab.

Linked entities

Then link everything the thread touches: the NPCs involved, the places, and every faction with a stake in it. Each faction shows how it feels about the party right now.

A faction can also carry a fail consequence. Put a number in If fails and press Save, and that faction's reputation is ready to move if the party lets this thread fail.

Finish

Review shows everything in one place. Press Finish, and your thread joins the list, with the main quest always at the top. Gates and branches have a guide of their own.

If the party fails

Open the thread, set its status to Failed, and press Next. Then choose Edit all on one page, and open Linked factions. The Fail consequences box shows exactly how each reputation will change. Nothing moves until you press Apply fail consequences, so you stay in control.

What your players see

On the player's side, the Quests tab lists every quest you've shared, grouped into main, side and sub-side, each with its status, your reminder and its reward. Your hook, summary and notes never leave your screen.

Plot threads keep your story straight, so you can focus on telling it. Happy adventuring.