rule-gm-campaign-adjudication

name	rule-gm-campaign-adjudication
description	GM-facing rules guidance for encounter pacing, setting flexibility, NPC motivations, and campaign continuity tools.

GM Campaign Adjudication Rules (Thematic)

Scope

Use this skill for GM decision-making: encounter pacing, pressure timing, sandbox flexibility, and narrative continuity.

Encounter pacing philosophy

• Mix easy/standard/difficult encounters intentionally.
• Use attrition encounters before high-stakes set pieces.
• Keep combat dynamic with reinforcements, hazards, and objective shifts.

Resource governance role

• GM controls supply pressure for credits/gadgets/specimens/nutronium.
• Scarcity and recovery should both exist; neither should dominate.
• Tension improves when players must choose between tactical power now vs travel/security later.

Setting and plot operations

• Build a flexible galaxy map instead of a rigid script.
• Reuse locations so player impact becomes visible over time.
• Move key hooks/NPCs when needed to preserve momentum without railroading.

NPC and faction handling

• Give NPCs concrete motives and changing responses to player choices.
• Use allies/rivals as recurring campaign anchors.
• Allow NPC relationships to evolve into protégés and succession links.

Endgame and continuity

• Plan capstone arcs for level-20 retirement transitions.
• Support legacy handoff into next-generation characters.
• Maintain campaign continuity through protégés, inherited stakes, and recurring locations.

Search cues / aliases

gm advice, run session, encounter pacing, sandbox prep, npc motivation, campaign structure, retirement arc, legacy campaign.