I have GMed for a group of friends for over 10 years, mostly in the World of Darkness and Dresden Files universes. We really enjoy the character play, the storytelling and the occasional outburst of over-the-top supernatural powers. Recently we haven't been able to play more often than 5-7 hours every 2-3 months and there is no chance at the moment to put more time in. This leads to us forgetting important plot elements & motivations and makes playing a "campaign" (several connected scenarios, each of them dragged out for several sessions) an arduous multi-year endeavor.
Doing out-of-session stuff like writing a diary etc. is also too time-consuming, so how can I make my scenarios shorter & less connected while still focusing on roleplay and storytelling when play sessions are short and many weeks apart?
Best Answer
When designing adventures for short sessions, one great way to start is to have some degree of player buy-in to being "ordered" into something. The characters are part of a group who work for a larger group. Another good trick to minimize time needed to do sessions is to do a bit of the legwork that players would normally do and just give it to them. For example, they are given a task (take down the big-bad located in the abandoned warehouse on Elm St.)and the legwork (why does the big bad need to be taken out and how are they known to be in the abandoned warehouse?). With a good chunk of the legwork done ahead of time, they won't waste their time tracking down the big bad's lair, or figuring out if the big bad is both big AND bad. With the legwork done, they just need to plan the assault, RP the gearing up process, etc.
Another trick to have complex plots is the game recap. Write up a recap/update after game that covers everything done and either email to everyone, or post to a WIKI. Invite player comments/edits/amendments to make sure everything is covered.