Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheLastEvilDrow 04-06-07, 05:35 PM	This little campaign idea came to me and I had to post up some details. Books intended: Cityscape, Heroes of Horror, possible Expanded Psionics Handbook. The world is thusly: a eperopolis (continent city), basically an enormous megacity, like that from a cyberpunk or science fiction game, only the technology is fairly low, there is simply an abundance of magic. This is done because of the invention of magical reactors, powered by glowing metal described as the bones of the earth or something similarly mythic. The problem is the reactors themselves have negative effects on living things (Taint rules from Heroes of Horror, corruption + depravity). Not only that but because of the city covering the entire continent (most people have never seen any landscape except for city), there is no farm land, instead large chambers exist in some of the lower levels (higher then the sewers, but below most residential districts). These farms are mostly just stone chambers with canals dug where a soy-bean plant is grown with hydroponics. Because of the magical reactors, permanent magical effects like walls of force and flying airships are possible, along with the creation of raw materials (which is regulated by the Guild of Fabrication, to prevent devaluing gold and such). Health is a problem as many districts rise high enough that their sewer levels pour into miasma filled crevasses at the same level as another district has its residential district. The soyfood isn't nearly as nourishing as the ideal medieval fare, and most meat products are far from free range cattle. With this high level of mundane sickness, plus the effects of proximity to the many magical reactors, its a wonder humanoidkind can even survive. Most regions and districts are ran by elite plutocratic aristocracy, others by criminal organizations, some by religious or magical organizations. Fabrication guilds, farming guilds, and labour guilds are the lifeblood of the city, as each district specializes in some sort of service or product and exports it among the rest. Despite the faux-cyberpunk world, industrialization is unknown, the world is pre-renaissance, with science and enlightenment abstract studies for the rich and educated. Mechanically the world uses the various details of Core D&D, along with Dungeonscape and Cityscape.
TheLastEvilDrow 04-06-07, 05:55 PM	Were I to run this setting, I would base the campaign off of two plotlines, one is an escalating sectarian violence between two branches of one major religion, one sect follows the teachings of a series of prophets (calling themselves the Prophetics) while the other side follows the teachings of an oracle who still lives, immortal, in a particularly temple (calling themselves Oracularists). The two sides are polarizing rapidly over trivial issues in their common faith, and its only a matter of time before the Mausoleums of the Prophets or the Temple of the Oracle is assaulted by the opposite side. Another plotline, would base around the discovery of a small child (possibly named Elly) who shows up suddenly in a mysterious circumstance (explosion, magical rift, something dramatic). The child is from another world (as far as the players know, and possibly is in possession of an artifact of purity and good and such, one that only they can use, in all their innocence. Something along those lines. Thoughts?
Return of the Flumph 04-06-07, 06:11 PM	I've read a few posts like this before; I would go through the old articles on this board and try to find the "DnD Ecumenopolis" thread. It had a very similar concept, and a lot of people added their input to it. What you have so far sounds good, but needs a lot more detail before I can comment.
ewancummins 04-07-07, 10:16 PM	I like what you have so far. Very different from the standard vanilla worlds[ not that I hate vanilla- I like it if it's well done]. I especially like your idea about the Prophetics versus the Oracularists. Do you mind if I snag that for use with my own homebrew? I'll give credit, of course.
taradusis 04-07-07, 10:33 PM	You could have a scenario like h.g.wells time machine.Morlocks are sneaking into the rich areas and dragging them off for vile feasts.The Eloi are in denial and the players are part of a TROUBLESHOOTERS GUILD that gets called in to help?The troubleshooters guild is one you might want to incorporate as well?RANDOM THOUGHTS.
TheLastEvilDrow 04-09-07, 12:51 AM	Troubleshooter guild is definitely a cool concept, provides a definitive group to establish parties of adventurers in an urban area.
Sliversun 04-09-07, 02:05 AM	What's the backstory behind this city?
taradusis 04-12-07, 02:13 PM	Perhaps invest in a copy of D20 Apocalypse,it has rules on scavenging and barter and an atmosphere similar to what your looking for?The mutant list in d20 apocalypse is a good source of tainted creatures as well?RANDOM THOUGHTS.