In an RPG world, the story is a path: three phases and a finale. Each step opens once the hero has done what it asks, like earning someone’s trust or finding a hidden place. You shape that path in the Story lane at the top of the World Editor.

1. A phase: its title, what happens in it, and up to three requirements under To complete. The finale works the same way, with To unlock and the place where it happens.

2. A milestone: something the hero achieves, often with a particular character. The card shows which step needs it, or Not needed yet.

3. The status: To fix counts problems such as a requirement that points at nothing. Click it to see them.

What a step can require

Each step takes up to three. Players need all of them to move on.

Add a requirement

• Click Add requirement on the step and choose what it needs, or

• drag from the coloured dot on a milestone, place or item card onto the step.

Turn on Links → All in the toolbar to see every connection at once.

Milestones

Milestones live in the What the story needs lane. Add one with Add → Milestone or the + next to Milestones in the List. Give it a name, a short description of what the hero has to do and, if it fits, the character it involves. Then link it to the step that needs it.

Phases stay in place

You can rewrite every phase and the finale and change what they require, but you can’t add or remove phases: every RPG world keeps three phases and a finale, so its pacing stays right.

Other world types

• Objective: instead of phases there’s one Story objective card. Write the goal, and in Completion rubric describe what counts as reaching it.

• Story: one story goal, with no stats, milestones or requirements.

• Kingpin: there’s no ending to build; players chase reputation. See World Types.

Read next

• The World Editor: a quick tour

• Saving, checking and playing your world