Does anyone have any experience on GMing multiple parties?

[Apollishar]

Basically, we are getting ready to run a larger campaign. It's going to be a challenge, from a storytelling standpoint, because we have 3 different factions of PC's, for a total of 9 players. We want to run them with the same overall storyline, but having them intersecting only sparingly. The idea is that the events of one session will effect the other 2 factions.

I'm trying to get any tips on organization, and things of that nature, as this looks like its going to be a cluster****.

[Jimmy]

Build your plots and story arcs on a timeline, noting where one party interacted with something and what the outcome was. When two parties look like they will reach the same event or location at the same time, have both player groups present. You'll find its easier to plan the meetings of the two parties rather than have them stumble into each other unless they all play at the same time with seperate GMs.

Oh and get a BIG table.

[Apollishar]

Good thing its online lol. We're going to be doing all encounters via chat, and all roleplaying via post.

Timeline is a good idea. I didn't think about that at all.

Any other tips?

[admiralducksauce]

Use a timeline, but don't be beholden to it either. Retcon when needed and get real squishy with how long things take if it serves your purposes.

It'd be cool if one group could set up Maneuvers for the other groups. Or Blocks, if they're gonna be antagonistic.

[Jimmy]

Good advice from the Admiral there. I'll expand on it that the use of a timeline would be for the GMs eyes only, simply for planning and allowing flexibility as per Adm D. Sauce's words. From the words of a famous aussie criminal turned writer, Chopper Read; Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Keep track of what aspects are altered or created on locations and scenes and watch how other groups interact with them. Are the groups updated on each other's progress or misadventures? Are the 3 factions going to be opposed, allied or non-affiliated and just happen to be doing things in the same locale? It would be an awesome thing for one groups efforts being hampered because of a few simple contingencies engineered by an opposed group of players, bragging rights going to the engineers.

[Apollishar]

Group A- Catholic Church
One KotC
One Arcane Archer( Evocator with a crossbow and lots of potion(crossbow bolts) slots)
One Priest

Overall goal is generic KotC stuff

Group B- Apocalypse
One Denarian(scaled down to match other players)
One Illusionist
One Demon Scion

Overall goal is to cause chaos.

Group C- Warlocks and Nasties
1 Kemmlerian Necromancer
1 Pact Making Sorceror
1 Naga Spellcaster

Overall goal is power, and eventual leadership.

I think there's going to be plenty of conflict here

[Jimmy]

Sounds like a pretty nasty combination, one which im sure will be lots of fun to play.

[Apollishar]

Yea. With the Denarian Party, I'm basically going to let them make their own plot, and kind of develop the sessions around what they're trying to achieve. With the Warlock Party, there's going to be a lot of social going on. Meeting the who's who, and a lot of spelunking, looking for lost tomes, and items of power. Occasionally facing off with the Denarian Party, if they upset the balance of power in a negative way. Finally, the Church is occasionally going to be thwarting both of them, and doing general protection of mankind sessions. They may run into the other groups one out of every 3 plotlines

[Jimmy]

Interesting, I'd love to hear how you go with this story. Post in with regular updates!

[Apollishar]

We're still in the organizational stage. A couple of guys still need to finish character creation, and we're trying to frame the opening sessions for each group. Not really sure how we want to start things off

[Jimmy]

Start things off with a classic Mexican standoff, all 3 parties facing each other while the world around them burns. Maybe they have to decide to put away their differences to team up against the BBEG to save the world/city. Then flashback to the past (where the game is played) and they're all unaware of each other to start with.