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Player-Initiated Plots (PIPs)

A Player-Initiated Plot (PIP) is how you ask for something to happen to you at an event and shape what kind of experience it is. Players enjoy wildly different things; a PIP is your chance to steer toward what you like. It tells the Game Master what kind of story you're after without writing the plot for yourself.

PIPs are due by the week before each event, and you should only submit one if you plan to attend. Forewarning about longer-term plans can be useful, but don't submit a PIP for a future event until it's the next one on the calendar. PIPs can be submitted via this link.


What Makes a Good PIP

The most common mistake is thinking you need to define an entire encounter. You don't, and it's actually discouraged. A PIP should say what kind of thing you want to do, then let the GM build the story around it:

  • "I want to convince a merchant to join my caravan."
  • "I want to get into a big fight."
  • "My PC wants to meet a brownie who tells bad puns."
  • "I'd like to talk to [specific NPC] about [topic]."
  • "I want to track down pieces of a ritual I'm trying to assemble."

The best PIPs explain your goal and let the GM write the path to it, rather than scripting how you get there.

Guidelines for PIPs 

  • Keep it brief and lead with what you want. Much like a PEL, start with the goal, then add the details. The GMs read a lot of these — if the details come first, they spend the whole PIP trying to figure out what you're actually asking for.
  • Rare items are fair game. You can write a PIP seeking out something scarce, like ritual paper. Just know you may not get exactly what you want, or it may take time.
  • If it ties to your backstory, give context. Note who the important NPCs are and how they connect to you. There are many active characters, and GMs can't hold everyone's backstory by heart. Backstories also evolve, so what you wrote two years ago may not still be accurate. A quick who's-who saves them time they can spend making something cool for you.
  • Submitting isn't a guarantee. Plot will work with you to make something runnable, but they can't always fit everything in. Requesting a fight with an incredibly rare and powerful monster doesn't mean that they want that creature in play right now.
  • Expect one PIP per event. You can submit more than one, but the GMs have to spread their time across everyone.everyone; Five-five-plus plots for a single person or group isn't feasible. They'll also try to split PIPs across shifts so no single shift carries all of them at once, so your PIP may not go out on the shift you originally asked for.

If you're unsure how to submit or phrase a PIP talk to a GM who runs your PC's shift, or reach out to the Plot Marshals.


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