To give you a first impression of what to expect in the adventure even before you read it, we at Humakt e.V. have introduced a Complexity Index. This is designed to quickly show you, on a scale of 1 to 5, how easy (1) or complex (5) an adventure is. This way, you can see at a glance whether the adventure is suited to your needs, right from the start. The index is based on three categories, each also on a scale of 1 to 5.
Plot Line:
A low number indicates that the adventure has a clear, straightforward structure that is easy to follow. You can easily anticipate the group’s next steps. There is an obvious central theme. A high number indicates that the structure includes twists and turns or is very multi-layered. There may also be different plot lines that are interwoven, branch out or only reveal themselves through certain triggers.
Improvisation:
A small number means that most elements of the adventure are already well prepared. You don’t have to improvise much and can rely on the fact that most of the important questions are answered in the adventure description. A high number indicates that, intentionally, not all the information you need for this adventure has been written down. For example, there may be non-player characters that are only briefly described in a single sentence. Or there may be scenes where only the setting is described, but not the content. It is assumed that you will fill in the gaps through improvisation during the game.
Setting:
A low number indicates that the setting (e.g. the world or location) is very easy to describe and understand. In many cases, you can also assume that some information about the world is already available (e.g. during an adventure in the present in a familiar place) or can be sufficiently described with a simple comparison. A high number means that the setting has many levels and backgrounds, which may not all come to light during the game, but are relevant for the game master. There could also be different and multifaceted motivations and relationships between the non-player characters.
Of course, whether an adventure seems easy or complicated to handle always depends on your individual preferences and personal style as a game master. The four scales are merely intended to give you an idea of how we rate the respective adventure.
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