Hi guys!

I need some opinions: After my group of players just finished a campain that had a pretty linear story, with semi-scripted adventures and a villain that's now been defeated, I wanted to try something new. I suggested that we would continue with a kind of sandbox format where they can decide in with direction to go. They were thrilled by the idea!

My plan was basically to plan out a series of adventures linked to each characters personal story and goals, what we have come to call "personal story" in our group. Think of it as every character has a minor campain that revolve around them and their goal. I still use Obligation as a random story element that I implement no matter which characters personal story we are currently going with that particulare session.

I still can't escape the feeling that there's a lack of story. With this kind of format do I need an overarching story like a main campain? Or do I tie together the players personal stories into one major plot where the personal stories are key points in the big, major plot? Or should I go back to a more linear plot where the players backgrounds are key moments in the campain?

So far I have not had a moment where the players stand in a crossroad, arguing on which personal story to procced with next but I can imagine that not unavoidable...

I would try to keep up an main plot, that in the end maybe could tie up all storys.

Start with your first player mini arc (and keep in mind to have something to motivate the other players to come alog) then let them hear rumors/ find incidents that lead to something bigger, just keep it vague at this point (more like "hey The IMPs are closing of an outer rim world for some reason" NOT "Hey the IMPS are building a deathstar at endor!") let the characters proceed with theire arc and meet up some NPCs that you'll need for the main story (this lovely bothan mechanic girl and her farther for example and this mean ISB agent, that is leading some investigation that seems not related to the players, cross their path).

Once the first Player is happy about his little arc proceed to the next player, again start to bring in rumors and hints ("the empire is using heavy guarded Space konvois from somewhere in the north to the south of the galaxys, the shipyards of Kuat and bilbringi have full books for over a year, some kind of Special Project of Palps.) they meet again some NPC (hey that nic (and totaly not a rebel spy) bothan girl and her grumpy farther! What a coincedence!) may be let the result of the character arc have influence the covered main plot. (wow this headhunter that is normaly triing to kill you (Player X) is hunting this nice bothan mechanic girl you all liked! (afterwards) Hey guys the girl needs help to retriev some parts from the place you allready wanted to go, lucky coincidents, isn't it.

Next Arc, the ISB guy is trying to hunt your players down while also following the character arc of the third one.

After some time (some arcs) let them get the distress call from the nice bothan girl, the ISB agent is on her trail and wants to kill her! she is hiding on the Wheel, you have to hurry you are her only hope! When they arrive they help her escaping through the big space station followed by the ISB, of course the will need to bring her to a special (absolutly non rebel-) ship. and of course once they arrive at the right bay the witness how the ship (with all her bothan friends on it) is blown to pieces - now they have to bring her back to her other friends... because well you see there are these plans of a giantic battle station she accidentially discovered and she is sure her good friend Miss Mothma can handle this kind of situation... new mission bring the bothan girl to chandrila, because a lot of bothans already died for this plans!