Outer Banks is a popular Netflix show that follows the adventures of a group of teenagers in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they search for treasure and uncover dark secrets. The show is full of action, adventure, and drama, making it an ideal source of inspiration for a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) campaign. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for running an Outer Banks inspired TTRPG campaign.
Setting
The setting of an Outer Banks inspired campaign should be the Outer Banks of North Carolina, with a focus on the coastal region and its unique geography and culture. The campaign should be set in modern times, but with a touch of nostalgia and adventure. The players should feel like they are part of a tight-knit community, where every action and decision has consequences.
Characters
The characters in an Outer Banks inspired campaign should be a mix of teenagers and young adults, each with their own unique backstory and motivations. It's important to work with the players to create characters that fit into the world of Outer Banks, and that have ties to the other characters in the group. The characters should be brave and adventurous, but also vulnerable and flawed. They should have weaknesses and secrets that can be exploited by their enemies.
Creating a sense of community among the player characters is essential for an Outer Banks inspired TTRPG campaign. Here are some tips on how to make sure the players feel like their characters are part of a tight-knit community:
Shared Backstories: Encourage the players to create characters with shared backstories or connections. For example, they could all be childhood friends or have grown up in the same neighborhood. This creates a shared history and bond between the characters, which can help to reinforce the sense of community.
Group Goals: Give the players a common goal or purpose that they are working towards. This could be the search for treasure, as in the show, or it could be something else that brings the characters together. By working towards a common goal, the characters will feel like they are part of a team that is working towards a shared objective.
Group Activities: Encourage the players to engage in group activities, such as meals or parties, that allow them to interact and bond. These activities can be a great way to develop the relationships between the characters and reinforce the sense of community.
NPC Relationships: Introduce NPCs that are important to the characters, such as family members or childhood friends. These NPCs can help to create a sense of community and provide opportunities for the players to interact and bond with each other.
Shared Experiences: Create situations where the players must rely on each other and work together to overcome obstacles. This could be a dangerous encounter with an enemy, or a challenging puzzle that requires collaboration. By sharing these experiences, the characters will feel like they are part of a team that is working together to overcome challenges.
Story
The story of an Outer Banks inspired campaign should be focused on the search for treasure, as well as the personal relationships and conflicts of the characters. The campaign should be driven by the actions of the players, with their decisions and choices shaping the outcome of the campaign. The story should be full of action, adventure, and drama, with plenty of opportunities for the players to develop their characters and explore the world of Outer Banks.
Gameplay
The gameplay of an Outer Banks inspired campaign should be focused on exploration and adventure, with combat playing a secondary role to character development and narrative. The players should have opportunities to use their skills and creativity to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles, but these should come with consequences. The campaign should be challenging, with the players facing dangerous enemies and navigating treacherous terrain.
Tips
- Use the unique geography and culture of the Outer Banks as a guide for creating interesting and unique locations for the campaign.
- Keep the players engaged by giving them plenty of opportunities to use their skills and creativity to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.
- Use NPCs to drive the story forward, and make sure that each NPC has a unique personality and backstory.
What are some ways to incorporate the show's themes into the campaign?
Here are some ways to incorporate the themes of the Outer Banks show into the TTRPG campaign:
The Search for Treasure: The campaign should revolve around the search for treasure, just like the show. The players should be given clues and hints about the location of the treasure, and they should encounter obstacles and puzzles that they need to solve in order to uncover it. The treasure could be anything from gold coins to a valuable artifact that has historical or cultural significance.
Conflict between Social Classes: The show explores the conflict between the wealthy and the working class, and this theme can be incorporated into the campaign. The players could come from different social classes, with some being wealthy and others being from the working class. This can create interesting dynamics and conflicts within the group, as well as with NPCs who come from different social backgrounds.
Personal Relationships: The show is known for its complex and dramatic relationships between the characters, and this can be a key theme in the campaign. The players should have their own personal relationships with each other and with NPCs, and these relationships should be explored and developed over the course of the campaign. This can create opportunities for romance, betrayal, and dramatic twists.
The Importance of Loyalty: Loyalty is a key theme in the show, with the characters being fiercely loyal to each other and their goals. This can be incorporated into the campaign by having the players face situations where their loyalty is tested. They may have to choose between their loyalty to their friends and their loyalty to their own personal goals, or they may have to make difficult choices that put their loyalty to the test.
Adventure and Exploration: The show is full of adventure and exploration, and this should be a key theme in the campaign. The players should be given opportunities to explore the world of the Outer Banks, with each new location revealing new clues and obstacles. The campaign should be full of action and excitement, with the players facing dangerous enemies and navigating treacherous terrain.
By incorporating these themes into the campaign, players can experience their own version of the world of Outer Banks, with all its drama, adventure, and excitement.
Systems
Here are some suitable TTRPG systems to use for an Outer Banks inspired campaign:
Kids on Bikes: Kids on Bikes is a TTRPG system that is perfect for campaigns that focus on the adventures of teenagers. It is designed to capture the spirit of classic 80s movies like The Goonies and Stand By Me, making it an ideal system for an Outer Banks inspired campaign. The game mechanics are easy to learn and encourage players to be creative and collaborative.
Savage Worlds: Savage Worlds is a flexible TTRPG system that can be adapted to a wide range of settings and genres. It is known for its fast-paced and action-packed gameplay, making it a great choice for an Outer Banks inspired campaign that focuses on adventure and exploration. The game mechanics are easy to learn and allow for a high degree of customization.
Fate Core: Fate Core is a narrative-focused TTRPG system that is perfect for campaigns that focus on character development and storytelling. It is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing the players to create their own unique characters and storylines. The game mechanics encourage players to be creative and take risks, which can lead to exciting and unexpected outcomes.
Gumshoe: Gumshoe is a TTRPG system that is designed for investigative campaigns where players must solve mysteries and uncover hidden secrets. It is a great choice for an Outer Banks inspired campaign that involves the search for treasure and the uncovering of dark secrets. The game mechanics encourage players to use their investigative skills and resources to gather clues and piece together the mystery.
In conclusion, running an Outer Banks inspired TTRPG campaign can be a thrilling and exciting experience. By focusing on the unique geography and culture of the Outer Banks, creating interesting and compelling characters, crafting a challenging and engaging story, and using exploration and adventure as the main gameplay focus, players can experience their own version of the world of Outer Banks. So why not give it a try and see what treasure you can uncover?
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