Overview
Adventure Structure
AX.C.14.04
This section provides the 5-stage adventure framework that underlies single-session AxiomRPG play, the 36 Dramatic Situations that seed adventure content and a detailed guide to designing each stage. This is the reference layer the conceptual and structural foundation GMs return to repeatedly.
- For the step-by-step session prep process and a complete worked example, see AX.C.14.05.
- For encounter composition and power budgets, see AX.C.14.06.
- For timing guidance, pitfalls, advanced techniques, and GM checklists, see AX.C.14.07.
The five-stage structure is based on the 5-Room Dungeon created by John Four.
Why 5 Stages?
The five-stage structure provides:
- Varied Pacing: Alternates between action, thought, and surprise
- Natural Flow: Guides players from introduction to resolution
- Built-in Hooks: Stage 5 seeds the next adventure
- Flexibility: Works for dungeons, wilderness, urban settings, or social scenarios
- Testing Grounds: Challenges different character builds and player preferences
The Plot Foundation
Each adventure is seeded with two plots drawn from the 36 Dramatic Situations table below.
- Primary Plot: The main theme and driving force of the adventure (Stages 1–4)
- Secondary Plot: A hook discovered in Stage 5 that launches the next adventure
These plots provide archetypal dramatic situations with defined actors and conflicts. The GM's job is to adapt these structures to their specific setting and party.
Rolling Two Plots in One Roll: Roll 2D6. Each die result corresponds to a number in the Roll column. Transpose the two numbers to quickly generate two distinct plot results from a single roll.
Review your table's content expectations (established in AX.C.14.01) before using the random roll. If a result doesn't suit your game, roll again or choose manually. The table is a tool, not a mandate.
The following table is drawn directly from The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations by Georges Polti (1895).
The 36 Dramatic Situations
| Roll | Plot Name | Actors and Elements |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | Supplication | Persecutor, Supplicant, Power in Authority |
| 2-1 | Deliverance | Unfortunates, Threatener, Rescuer |
| 3-1 | Revenge | Righteous Avenger, Criminal |
| 4-1 | Vengeance by Family upon Family | Avenging Kinsman, Guilty Kinsman, Relative |
| 5-1 | Pursuit | Fugitive, Pursuer |
| 6-1 | Victim of Cruelty or Misfortune | Unfortunates, Indifferent or Cruel Master |
| 1-2 | Disaster | Vanquished Power, Victorious Power, Messenger |
| 2-2 | Revolt | Tyrant, One or more Conspirators |
| 3-2 | Daring Enterprise | Goal, Bold Leader, Adversary |
| 4-2 | Abduction | Abductor, Abducted, Guardian |
| 5-2 | Mystery or Enigma | Interrogator, Seeker, Problem |
| 6-2 | Obtaining | Goal, Several Opposed Groups, Judge or Referee |
| 1-3 | Familial Hatred | Two or more Family members who hate each other |
| 2-3 | Familial Rivalry | Preferred Kinsman, Rejected Kinsman, Object |
| 3-3 | Murderous Adultery | Adulterer, Cuckold, Adulterer's Lover |
| 4-3 | Madness | Madman, Victim |
| 5-3 | Fatal Imprudence | Imprudent Person, Lost Object, Victim |
| 6-3 | Involuntary Crimes of Love | Lover, Beloved, Revealer |
| 1-4 | Kinsman Kills Unrecognized Kinsman | Killer, Unrecognized Victim, Revealer |
| 2-4 | Self-Sacrifice for an Ideal | Ideal, Hero, Person or Thing Sacrificed |
| 3-4 | Self-Sacrifice for Kindred | Hero, Kinsman, Person or Thing Sacrificed |
| 4-4 | All Sacrificed for Passion | Hero, Object of Passion, Person or Thing Sacrificed |
| 5-4 | Sacrifice of Loved One | Hero, Beloved Victim, Cause for Sacrifice |
| 6-4 | Rivalry Between Superior and Inferior | Superior, Inferior, Object |
| 1-5 | Adultery | Deceived Spouse, Adulterer, Adulterer's Lover |
| 2-5 | Crimes of Love | Lover, Beloved, Theme of Dissolution |
| 3-5 | Discovery of Dishonor of a Loved One | Guilty, Beloved, Discoverer |
| 4-5 | Obstacles to Love | Lover 1, Obstacles, Lover 2 |
| 5-5 | An Enemy Loved | Beloved Enemy, Lover, Hateful Kinsman |
| 6-5 | Ambition | Ambitious Person, Coveted Object, Adversary |
| 1-6 | Conflict with a God | Mortal, Immortal |
| 2-6 | Mistaken Jealousy | Jealous One, Object of Jealousy, Supposed Accomplice, Author of Mistake |
| 3-6 | Faulty Judgement | Mistaken One, Victim of Mistake, Author of Mistake, Guilty Person |
| 4-6 | Remorse | Culprit, Victim, Interrogator |
| 5-6 | Recovery of a Loved One | Seeker, One Found |
| 6-6 | Loss of a Loved One | Kinsman Slain, Kinsman Witness, Executioner |