Campaign Genesis Process

The Journey from Idea to First Session

Creating a new campaign feels overwhelming. Where do you start? What needs to be ready? How much is enough? The Campaign Genesis Process provides a structured path from initial inspiration to your first session, ensuring you build a solid foundation without overpreparation.

This process typically takes 2-3 weeks of casual effort, transforming a vague idea into a playable campaign with room to grow based on player input.

Tutorial Campaign: The Ironhold Insurrection

Throughout these chapters, we’ll build a complete campaign from scratch. You’ll see exactly how each phase works with real examples you can adapt for your own use.

Our Example Campaign: The Ironhold Insurrection - A dwarven city-state faces civil war as ancient clan rivalries explode into violence, while something stirs in the abandoned deeps below.

The Five Phases

The Campaign Genesis Process breaks down into five manageable phases:

Phase 1: The Spark (Week 1)

Transform your initial idea into a clear campaign concept:

• Finding and refining your spark
• Defining the Big Three
• Creating your starting point
• Time: 5-8 hours across a week
• Output: Campaign pitch and starting scenario

Phase 2: Session Zero Preparation (Week 2)

Prepare everything needed for a successful Session Zero:

• Creating the Session Zero packet
• Designing character integration systems
• Planning the session structure
• Time: 6-9 hours across a week
• Output: Complete Session Zero materials

Phase 3: Session Zero Execution (Week 3, Day 1)

Run an effective Session Zero that aligns everyone:

• Setting tone and expectations
• Collaborative character creation
• Building party connections
• Time: 3-4 hour session
• Output: Completed characters and group dynamics

Phase 4: Integration and Launch (Week 3)

Transform Session Zero results into your first adventure:

• Character integration process
• First session preparation
• Launch checklist
• Time: 6-9 hours across a week
• Output: Ready-to-run first session

Phase 5: Campaign Conclusion (When Ready)

Bring your campaign to a satisfying close:

• Recognizing when to conclude
• Planning the finale arc
• Resolving story threads
• Time: Planning happens across final 8 sessions
• Output: Memorable ending and preserved campaign materials

Total Investment

The complete Campaign Genesis Process (Phases 1-4) requires:

• Calendar Time: 2-3 weeks to launch
• Total Hours: 20-30 hours for initial setup
• Daily Average: 1-2 hours
• Peak Time: Session Zero day (3-4 hours)

Phase 5 (Conclusion) happens organically when your campaign reaches its natural end point.

This investment creates:

• Clear campaign vision and themes
• Player buy-in and investment
• Integrated character backstories
• Solid first adventure
• Foundation for sustainable long-term play

Success Patterns

Campaigns that thrive share common genesis patterns:

• Clear vision communicated early
• Player input incorporated from the start
• Flexible structure that can adapt
• Sustainable scope matching your time
• Strong opening that hooks everyone

How to Use This Guide

Each phase includes:

• Conceptual overview explaining the why
• Step-by-step process showing the how
• Concrete examples from our tutorial campaign
• Templates and tools you can copy
• Time estimates for planning

Work through each phase in order, but feel free to adapt the process to your needs. The examples show one way to do things—not the only way.

Ready to transform your campaign idea into reality? Let’s begin with Phase 1: The Spark.