Players can probably be forgiven if they assume the game world revolves around their characters. After all, they are literally the only beings able to operate with some agency, and the game world is constructed as some sort of playground for their misadventures. However, if the Game Master has put even a modicum of effort into constructing that world, he’s populated it with non-player characters. NPCs just trying to go through their day to day, completely oblivious to the player characters’ struggles. As such, it’s entirely likely that the player characters’ actions are going to land them in the middle of situations having nothing to do with them.
With that in mind, here are five events completely outside of the PCs’ influence which can be added to your game.
Riot
Large scale acts of civil disobedience, riots are often the result of a disenfranchised populace lashing out against some form of oppression. Or because a sports team lost. Or won.
The thing about riots is that even though they’re characterized by violence and vandalism, the majority of the participants are likely still good people. Just people who’ve been pushed past a breaking point, or gotten swept up in the chaos and energy of the event. What are players likely to do when their characters suddenly land themselves in the middle of a seething mass of humanity?
In addition to the rioters, there’s also likely going to be some form of law enforcement on site, likely feeling the stress of the situation as well, and armed with all sorts of interesting less-lethal weapons – tear gas, beanbag guns, sound cannons – in addition to their regular armament.
Holidays
Holidays are great. They’re a time when people come together in celebration. Some of them can also effectively shut down a population center.
During the holidays people tend to cluster in large groups, while most businesses are closed. Even security on those closed businesses are likely to be lax. Likewise, emergency services are going to be stretched thin, as they’ll be running short staffed. Holiday parties often lead to celebratory drinking, which can, unfortunately, result in poor decisions like an increased number of intoxicated drivers. Revealers might be going about in costume, even if it’s just some holiday appropriate face paint.
However, superheroes, paranormal investigators, or whatever role the player characters fill in your game world don’t get days off. Perhaps a villain intends to take advantage of the holiday to launch their diabolical scheme, or taking time away from their regular activities would cause a trail to go cold. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s time for the PCs to finally learn the true meaning of Arbor Day.
A Natural Disaster
Blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. Mother Nature is not at all concerned with the player characters’ plans. Some disasters can hit suddenly and without warning. For others, even with time to prepare, at best you can only mitigate the impact.
Disasters bring out the best and worst in people. Communities come together to offer aid and support to those in need. There’s also looting and hoarding of resources. Players might want to assist in the relief efforts, perform search and rescue operations, or prevent criminals from trying to take advantage of the situation.
A Parade
People love parades! Give folks an opportunity to watch a bunch of people with floats and costumes, and balloons travel through the streets, and they will turn out en masse. It doesn’t matter what the parade is meant to be celebrating, there’s going to be a crowd.
What happens when your high-speed chase suddenly intersects with the parade route? Or if the criminal they’re tracking tries to lose them in the crowd of on-lookers?
Viral Outbreak
A sudden, rapid spread of disease could provide fodder for a lot of drama. Just the chance of their characters becoming infected might cause players to change their behavior, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
The NPCs in your game living in the middle of an epidemic should react accordingly. People stay indoors to limit their contact with the sick, or to prevent further spreading the disease if they’re already infected. People going outdoors might be wearing masks to limit infection vectors, but which have the side-effect of concealing their identity. The infected are going to be stigmatized, and might face discrimination or even violence. Conversely, people who remain uninfected might be viewed with suspicion. Basic services could slow down, or cease altogether as the people who perform those jobs become too sick to continue working. As paranoia spreads and fear sets in, people might look for someone or something to blame, including the government, or even doctors trying to help them.
Quarantine could limit supplies coming into the infected “hot zone,” making things like food and water a scarcity. An illegal trade could spring up to smuggle people out of the quarantined area.
How do the player characters react when everyone around them starts to become sick? What about when they start to show signs of the disease themselves?
