🧭 Theme ✵

Your Compass in Storytelling

Find a Theme. When you are lost, "the theme" is your compass

In any great story, the theme is your compass. It helps keep the narrative focused, unites the elements of the plot, and adds emotional depth. As a Dungeon Master, having a strong theme gives your game a sense of purpose and consistency. When you're not sure where to take the story next, look back to your theme for guidance. Let's explore some possible themes that can help shape the adventures of your campaign.

📝 LIST OF THEMES

Themes are at the core of storytelling, driving the motivations of both heroes and villains. Below is an expanded list of compelling themes that you could incorporate into your D&D campaign to bring more depth and meaning to your story.

CLASSIC THEMES

War 

Conflict on a grand scale; this could be between nations, planes, or factions. It adds high stakes and tests characters' loyalty.

Revenge

A burning desire to get even, which can lead to both heroic and tragic outcomes.

Betrayal

Trust shattered by a close friend or ally. Betrayal can lead to complex emotional storylines and difficult player choices.

Good vs. Evil

The quintessential battle. This theme can be simple or nuanced, exploring what "good" and "evil" truly mean.

Redemption

A chance for a character to atone for past wrongs. This theme is often poignant and drives meaningful character development.

EMOTIONAL THEMES

Love

From a romantic subplot to a forbidden love, this theme adds emotional complexity and personal stakes.

Forgiveness

The idea that sometimes it’s better to forgive than seek vengeance.

Hate

Blinding, consuming hatred that leads to destructive actions.

Fear

Whether it’s fear of the unknown, fear of losing power, or fear of death, this theme can drive powerful motivations.

Hope

A theme of hope can keep a campaign uplifting, even in dark times. It encourages players to keep pushing forward.

Societal Themes

• Inequality: Social injustice that heroes fight against, such as systemic oppression or discrimination.

• Power: The pursuit of power can shape both heroes and villains. Who wields power and how they use it are key questions.

• Class Conflict: Rich vs. poor, powerful vs. powerless. This theme challenges players to think about privilege and justice.

• Individual vs. Society: The struggle between a person's desires and the needs or expectations of society.

• Prejudice: Themes of racism, xenophobia, or cultural misunderstanding can add depth, but they should be handled with care and empathy.

• Totalitarianism: A powerful government oppressing its citizens. Rebellion against this power can be a driving force in a campaign.

Existential Themes

Death

Mortality, loss, and what happens after death. This can be a reflective theme that adds emotional weight.

• Immortality: The pursuit of eternal life, and whether it’s a blessing or a curse.
• Freedom: The quest for freedom—whether from tyranny, a curse, or something else—is a classic and powerful motivator.
• Alienation: A character feeling apart from others, whether through their own actions or circumstances beyond their control.
• Isolation: Sometimes the journey is a lonely one. Isolation can build resilience or lead to despair.

Personal Themes

• Coming of Age: The classic journey from youth to maturity. This is often used to show character growth.
• Ambition: How far will a character go to achieve their dreams? Ambition can be noble or twisted.
• Madness: Losing grip on reality or falling under the influence of dark forces.
• Moral Corruption: How power or greed corrupts a character over time. This theme can show a fall from grace.
• Guilt and Shame: Actions have consequences, and sometimes characters must deal with feelings of regret and sorrow.

Fantasy Themes

• Magic and Knowledge: The pursuit of magical power or forbidden knowledge, and the costs that come with it.
• Prophecy and Destiny: Characters are bound (or rebelling against) a prophecy or a foretold destiny. It can create tension between free will and fate.
• Heroism: What makes a hero? Courage, sacrifice, and the willingness to stand up when no one else will.
• Rebellion: The fight against an unjust ruler or regime. This theme can unite disparate characters against a common enemy.
• Legacy: The mark left behind by the heroes, and whether they will be remembered as villains or legends.

Miscellaneous Themes

• Crime and Punishment: Consequences for breaking the law, and whether justice is truly served.
• Beauty: The pursuit of beauty, or the idea that beauty is more than skin deep.
• Time: The inexorable march of time and the idea of running out of it.
• Nature vs. Man: A classic struggle—whether protecting nature from exploitation or surviving its wrath.
• Truth: The search for truth, uncovering lies, and dealing with hard realities.
• Manipulation: Characters caught in webs of deceit, lies, and schemes.
• Sacrifice: Whether it’s for love, honor, or the greater good, sacrifice is a powerful theme that adds gravitas to a story.
• Stoicism: Enduring pain or hardship without complaint. This theme can make for powerful moments of silent strength.

Prejudice

Coming of age

Marriage

The challenges of tying your life together with someone.

Forgiveness

Youth

Law and injustice

Inequality

Power

Individual vs. society

Class

Rebellion

Fear

Hate

Violence

Warfare

Tragedy

Money

Greed

Personal development

Oppression

Poverty

Hypocrisy

Loss

Stoicism

Religion

Life 

Alienation

Innocence

Womanhood

Sex

Relationships

Madness

Free will

Immortality

Crime

Imperialism

Ambitions

Suffering

Education

Time 

Isolation

Moral corruption

Loneliness

Colonialism

Gender

Beauty

Freedom

Gothic elements

Storytelling

Corruption

Growing up

Totalitarianism

Repression

Loyalty

Propaganda

Manipulation

Jealousy

Adultery

Desire

Rural vs. city life

Carnal desire

Faith

Truth

Surveillance

Morality

Satire and realism

Solitude

Subjectivity

Passion

Progress

Man and the nature

Science

Limit of knowledge

Politics

Social position

Honor

Guilt and shame

History

Childhood

Heroism

Honesty

Perseverance

Hard work

Communication

Relationship

Hope

Legacy

Deaath

Nature 

Destiny

Love

Friendship

Family

Race

Humility

Fate

Courage

Sacrifice

Community

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Choosing a theme and sticking to it can help you create a cohesive and meaningful narrative. When players resonate with the theme, it gives their choices more weight and makes their victories (or failures) more significant. Use these themes to guide you, and never be afraid to mix a few together to create something truly unique and unforgettable.