Threats

A threat is an ongoing problem that will cause trouble for the PCs if left unchecked. When you recognize or decide that something—an NPC, a monster, a situation—is going to be a worsening or recurring issue, it's probably worth writing it up as a threat.

Writing up threats is not strictly required, but doing so will make things easier to manage as the world of your campaign grows more complex. Your GM playbook includes pages designed to help you keep track of threats.

Not every NPC, monster, or situation needs to be (or should be) a threat. The giant spiders between the PCs and the old Maker-ruins? If they're not going to get worse as time passes, they're probably just a danger to be faced if the PCs want to explore the ruins.

In other words, don't bother writing up a threat unless you know it's going to be a big deal. Here's an example of a fully written threat:

NIA (wildcard)

Instinct to befriend spiders

Young girl, spider-touched after her ordeal with the Mother-of-Spiders. Blodwen's niece; daughter of Cadoc (see Town Council).

Talks and plays with spiders Sets up a spider "shrine" Brings home a baby nailadd (giant spider)

Impending doom: It kills someone

Stakes: How will the town react to her? Can her link to the spiders be broken? Can it be used for good?

Nia is an example of an NPC who has become a threat. She's not a villain or even a danger—she's a little girl, Blodwen's niece, someone the PCs rescued—but her link to the Mother-of-Spiders makes her a source of future trouble. She's a threat.

Here's another example: