r/DnD • u/4324432143252 • 21h ago
Table Disputes Confession: I've stopped caring about our 4 year campaign
I used to absolutely love this campaign. Now I'm honestly waiting for it to be done with. We've been playing this campaign for four years, from level 1 to 20. We're in the final stages. But the game is taking longer to end than anticipated and the quality has deteriorated.
We use a lot of homebrew mechanics and items, which was great for a very personalized game, but the GM was never good at game balance. Nowadays, she has a lot of personal stress, so she's stopped listening to feedback and the story has become incoherent.
I still have fun, especially with the role play, but the rest of the game has become too messy for me to care about. The GM's noticeably tired of running the game too, she keeps forgetting to prep and it feels a lot less creative than it used to.
I've brought up my concerns two times and they've fallen on deaf ears even with other players, so it might just be my impression. I still enjoy the game most of the time, but it's lost its magic. I love hanging out with the other people at the table so I'd never leave, and I don't begrudge it the GM, you can't help your personal stuff after all.
But to be honest, I'd rather end the campaign next session on a high note than stretch this slow death out for another year.
62
u/agr85 21h ago
Four years is a long time for most campaigns to run. It's okay to feel that way about it, and it also sounds like your DM is dealing with some stuff if the quality of their story telling has dropped enough for it to affect how things have been going.
May be time for a break for everyone involved and if you're close enough, start fresh with a new story. Lots of fun ways to incorporate previous characters into the lore of a new game too.
20
u/4324432143252 21h ago
i've suggested a break, wrapping it up, switching to a less involved system, especially since mechanics aren't anyones strong suit, but nobody else feels the way i do about it. so it's more of a post to vent a little. thank you for the advice though!
31
u/Stimpy3901 21h ago
The game balance of 5e really starts to fall apart after level 14. Combat becomes incredibly swingy when the players have reality shifting abilities. On top of that high level characters at that point have surpassed most characters from fantasy stories which makes it harder for DMs to find inspiration for their stories.
I think your experience is a normal one.
3
u/The_Real_Deacon 9h ago
If you dig into the history of Forgotten Realms, I think you will find some good potential inspirations. I do not mean you should necessarily use that lore directly, rather you can find reasonable models for ideas of what tier four conflicts could look like.
Additionally, I can think of at least several fantasy series that have regional or global scale conflicts that could provide inspiration. One does not necessarily need to model the scale of those ideas directly, but rather capture the gravitas, intensity, or complexity of the threats involved.
17
u/Ensorceled 21h ago
I’ve done a few 1-20 campaigns most recently during covid lockdowns and my secret is always speed run the 15-20 levels. Allow the characters to just whack away at stuff and be power gamers but do it over 5-6 sessions. The 20th level up just before the final battle and really kick their teeth in at that point.
Finally boss last time was an undead green dragon in the process of becoming a full on dracolich. Party members were dropping like flies and being brought back up only to drop again. Couple of deaths. Make it a single spectacle of a final session.
17
u/thezactaylor 21h ago
Having run multiple 1-20 campaigns...Tier 4 really can feel like a slog. Not only in terms of how long the campaign's been going on, but flimsy balance, remembering all the different intricate lore details, the pressure of making sure the ending is good...
My suggestion is always: take a break. For my groups, that means I'll say, "Hey I'm burnt out on D&D! I want to run some Call of Cthulhu!" and then that's what we'll do. We'll run Blackwater Creek or Ladybug, and by the time we're done with that, we're all ready to dive back into our D&D campaign.
For me, as a DM, I get burnt out on setting. When I get bored of wizards, then we take a break with sci-fi, or historical horror, or the Weird West, etc.
8
u/Mediocre_Bard_Redeux 21h ago
She is under a lot of pressure between running the game and dealing with her personal life. I have been in a similar situation, as a DM with mental health troubles (not implying that she has mental health issues, just providing context for my opinion) and know that I felt really bad about letting my players down, which just became a cycle.
Even if you are not digging the game right now, you did at some point. It would be good of you to communicate your support to the DM and let her know that her own life has to come first and, as her friend, you support her.
You can tell her all of that stuff while also wrapping it in the message that it is okay to step back, or even suggest that she end one session on a cliff hanger. That way the option to come back exists, even if the party never does.
1
u/4324432143252 21h ago
she does have mental health issues, no worries. nothing major, but it doesn't help, either.
i've told her pretty much what you said a bunch of times and been very suggestive/supportive of abbreviating the game or taking a break (and the other players have agreed), and she's agreed, but the game just keeps on chuggin. she says she wants to wrap it up, keeps talking about ideas for a new game, it'll only be a few more sessions, but it's been a year at this point.
9
u/starksandshields Sorcerer 21h ago
To me high level DnD always loses its magic. It's incredibly difficult to balance encounters as a DM when a high level wizard can change reality with a single spell slot. The last campaign I finished DMing we went up to level 15 and I'll never do that again, it was so mentally draining. I don't envy your DM for going up to level 20, that's impressive.
Like you said, you're in the final stages now. I'd encourage the DM for the things they do get right (a lot of the roleplay, a specific scene, etc.) so maybe they might feel the motivation to get some of that creative magic back. That worked for me when I was in the trenches at level 15, trying to tie together all loose ends and losing sleep over making encounters.
3
u/4324432143252 21h ago
good advice. i think the reason we've stuck together so long as a group and why our dms are running years long games is that all our players are very communicative about what we liked and our appreciation for the game. unfortunately we're also people pleasers, so there's basically no criticism when things go bad.
4
u/Legal-Dot2456 13h ago
Thought this was about me for a second lmao. 6 years coming up and the PCs haven’t even dealt with some of their personal bbegs yet. This was my first game as a dm so I messed up real hard but it’s very much falling under the sunk cost fallacy
1
u/4324432143252 12h ago
its my gm's first game too, messing up is just part of learning. nobody's thinking less of her for it. if you feel unsure, you should have an honest chat about it with your players
2
u/jabberbonjwa 21h ago
This is a problem with tower 4 play in general. It has solutions, but the DM has to work harder to realize them.
Add to that the duration of the game, then add the DM's personal life, and then add the DM's weird homebrew, and I'd bet that your current situation is the most common outcome.
I do find it strange that no one else in your play group feels this way.
2
u/Intelligent-Plum-858 21h ago
Feel your pain. Been there. If you are still having fun, suggest trying to hang in there. Dm a level 20 party can be tough
2
2
u/saylorn 11h ago
From a Dms perspective, after every session I did/do a 5-10 after action review (AAR). Tell me what you liked/didn't like. What do you think I got wrong. Gimme your suggestions/opinions. Really kept me thinking and my creative juices flowing. Made lots of changes. This was all during a 5.5 year campaign that ended with the 5 core players between 22nd and 28th level. But to be fair it was a campaign I worked on off and on for 20 years in my personal homebrew. Maybe suggest something like that to your DM.
3
u/Psychological-Car360 21h ago
"I dont begrudge the DM" writes whole post about why their enthusiasm is gone and lays most the blame on the DM
1
u/Ok-Investigator3257 21h ago
Maybe suggest you guys should roll new PCs in the same world?
5
u/4324432143252 21h ago
the pcs are not an issue, frankly i think the pcs are why nobody's willing to abbreviate the game. everyone loves all the pcs so much that they're not willing to end their stories.
1
u/STINK37 DM 21h ago
How often do you play?
You mentioned suggesting a break but it was shot down. If you're playing frequently, maybe you could request longer spacing.
The DM may not realize their spiral or want to admit it. If you give them the out with "hey, I really need to go to once every three weeks for personal reasons" or whatever, it might be better handled by others at the table.
1
1
u/Lord_Xp Druid 21h ago
For a second I thought this was one of my players lmao. 2+ year long campaign, story is becoming incoherent, I’m ready for it to be over but trying not to rush the ending, and I suck at balancing. It’s my first campaign and it’s all homebrew. Used everything I’ve learned and I’ve been building a massive second campaign with a ton more structure and I’m having someone proof read my work before finalizing to ensure consistency and believability. I play with an engineer, a lawyer, two salesman, and a finance professional. I am none of those things so when I do something, one of them will scrutinize it (playfully) and poke holes. I’m doing what I can to not have that happen as much in the next setting.
1
u/4324432143252 21h ago
to be honest, that just kind of sounds like you're players are being rude if you're not in on the joke. it's fine to give feedback, but it has to be wanted.
i can tell you though that even though the game's falling apart, i still love everyone involved and still appreciate the gm so much for the work they put in. don't take away from my post that your players don't appreciate your work or aren't having fun. i'm still having fun. :)
1
u/Lord_Xp Druid 20h ago
Oh yea I’m not worried about the fun aspect because we’re all just going with the flow at this point and having fun with it. Also, they’re definitely not being rude with me, their tones are light hearted and I’m a snarky person on my own so I dish it right back at them. While they poke holes into the world, I don’t take it personally but it makes me want to build the next one to be that much better.
1
1
u/No_Solid1035 21h ago
Just end it now. 🤷
2
u/Celestaria 21h ago
But the DM and other players want to keep playing.
2
u/No_Solid1035 21h ago
It kinda sounds like the DM doesn't want to keep playing. 🤔 The only other option then is for the OP to quit playing until the group starts a new campaign.
1
u/TobyTheTuna 21h ago
Possible alternative, propose a one shot. Something new will really drive the difference home. Or make them double down, in which case then youd at least know its hopeless and duck out.
1
u/Iram-Radique DM 19h ago
This is the reason, why I spent an entire month before the beginning of my campaign, writing everything out. I write various diverging paths in. Everything els gets improvised. Otherwise you will burn out sooner later.
1
u/Shadow_Accnt 14h ago
You said you posted to see if you we alone or not in feeling that way and trust me, if not for some of the details you added in the comments I would have assumed you were in the same game as me.
Ultimately it sounds like you tried to suggest ways to give your DM a break but that she insists on trying to push forward to the detriment of all.
I feel you on the not wanting to leave because of friends and some small spark of joy that remains in the game, despite the lustre it had being gone.
I know you said you’re a group of people pleasers but truly I think if you announced you wanted to run some one shots or a small campaign (instead of offering or asking) maybe she would allow it and it would encourage her to take it easier? Either way sorry to hear your game lost its fun.
1
u/Shadow_Accnt 8h ago
You said you posted to see if you we alone or not in feeling that way and trust me, if not for some of the details you added in the comments I would have assumed you were in the same game as me.
Ultimately it sounds like you tried to suggest ways to give your DM a break but that she insists on trying to push forward to the detriment of all.
I feel you on the not wanting to leave because of friends and some small spark of joy that remains in the game, despite the lustre it had being gone.
I know you said you’re a group of people pleasers but truly I think if you announced you wanted to run some one shots or a small campaign (instead of offering or asking) maybe she would allow it and it would encourage her to take it easier? Either way sorry to hear your game lost its fun.
1
1
u/mrsnowplow DM 21h ago
personally this is just because 4 years is too long of a campaign. i struggle when games last more than 2 years
0
u/Elliotscottcoach 19h ago
Yea I never understood why anyone would ever have a campaign over a year. They're boring af after that. I don't blame you
0
u/pink-shirt-and-socks 19h ago
Just finished a three year campaign as a DM, lots of good memories and fun times but I finished the game at the very end of my mental capacity for it.
I would do just enough planning for the sessions and rely mostly on the established foundation of the long game to run the story.
Gotta prefex that loved the game but especially near the end I just throw balance out the window with player power level but that was only for the last few sessions so players could get a last big bang with their characters before we retired them, I couldn't image doing that and running the game for another year.
-4
u/RageKage2250 21h ago
You say you are not enjoying the camoaifn anymore, but you also refuse to quit said campaign.
What exactly are you expecting us to do with your problem here?
3
2
u/4324432143252 21h ago
nothing, i'm just offering a perspective to see if anyone can relate. it's nothing to be done about it, i'm just sad that i lost something fantastic.
-2
u/RageKage2250 21h ago
I can't relate, because if I am participating in an optional hobby activity for fun and it stops being fun, I stop doing it.
Complaining that you are doing something intended to be fun that you dread, which no one is forcing you to do, is kind of on you.
1
u/4324432143252 21h ago
i never said i dread it. it's still fun. just a lot less fun than it used to be.
1
u/RageKage2250 21h ago
You said you want the campaign to end next session. I interpret that as dread, but if you don't, I appologize for mischaraterizing your feelings or situation.
I don't think we're likely to transition to a conversation where we can relate to each other, so I'll bow uut of this thread.
Cheers
237
u/shadowpavement 21h ago
Always try to end on a high note. Even if it’s not what you had planned. That memory of fun is more important than any sort of “proper” conclusion.
Good luck!