Embracing uncertainty
As Dungeon Masters, we often feel the pressure to meticulously plan every detail of our campaigns. We might want to plot the characters’ path stretching tens of sessions into the future. However, this approach can become a straitjacket, constraining not only our creativity but also the players’ agency. Instead, let’s explore a different approach—one that embraces uncertainty and flexibility in our D&D games, allowing the story to change and develop in response to the players’ actions.
Thinking 2 horizons out
Sly Flourish’s concept of »Thinking 2 Horizons Out« offers a practical framework for this mindset. It encourages us to focus on two key timeframes: the immediate session (the first horizon) and the session or two after that (the second horizon). By concentrating on these two timeframes, we stay nimble. Two-horizon thinking lets us adapt and improvise based on what happens at the table.
Horizon 1: This is all about the next session. Where do the characters start? What can they discover? Which challenges do they face right now? This focus keeps us grounded in the present, ensuring that the next game we’re running is relevant and engaging.
Horizon 2: This is where we start thinking about what might happen after the next session. However, this is a space for options rather than concrete planning. Which choice will the players face at the end of the next session? Which diverging paths lie in front of them?
Embrace the unknown
Beyond these two horizons lies the unknown—a realm where we as DMs don’t need to have clear answers. The details can remain nebulous, ready to be shaped by the unfolding narrative. Did a powerful magic weapon fall into the players’ hands? Who forged it? Why was it abandoned? The truth can shift based on the story’s needs, keeping both you and your players on your toes.
Similarly, an NPC might have vanished without a trace. We don’t need to know exactly where this NPC went or why. Let the players’ actions guide the resolution. Perhaps they’ll enter a dungeon, and we could use a prisoner the party finds in there. We hadn’t considered this when the NPC first disappeared but now their appearance in the dungeon makes for an exciting callback for the players.
The joy of not knowing
This approach requires a shift in mindset. It’s about letting go of the need to control every aspect of the narrative and trusting that the story will unfold in a way that’s satisfying for everyone involved. Our role as a DM is to facilitate the players’ journey, not dictate it. Keeping our focus on the immediate, allows the near future to remain fluid, and let the distant future remain a mystery even to us.
By embracing uncertainty in D&D, we not only reduce our own prep time and stress, but we also create a richer, more dynamic world where the players’ actions truly matter. The campaign becomes a living thing, growing and changing in ways that even we, the DM, can’t fully predict. To me, this makes the game more exciting not only for the players but for myself! I get to discover what happens in the story together with the players!
