Post/Author/DateTime	Post
GoriceXII 03-31-08, 03:59 PM	I'm trying to put together a somewhat extended underground adventure involving Grimlocks and evil vengeance minded elves in particular. This takes places in the following elements of setting: 1. The pcs' designated area (building a fortification, their own home bases which are farm communities, school, temple etc as a colony on the borderlands they have been generally given lands and responsibility in by the grateful republic they serve) 2. A large dense forest that was partly used as a battleground in a recent war between this republic and an evil theocratic state--there is now a truce. However the trees were used as fuel and war machine material by the theocrats in particular and the elves who used to live there were driven out; the forest was awakened but is now largely untamed. What I'd like are some ideas for how the rather bitter and now evil elves might deal blows to the colony. They now live in caves beneath the roots of huge dying trees in what to human eyes is just a rotting part of the forest but is in fact an elvish ruin. They have grimlocks, giant spiders and other such creatures as servants/allies.
Space_Dragon 03-31-08, 05:15 PM	If it was the theocrats who messed up their forest, and the PC's are from the faction that opposed the theocrats, the elves wouldn't hate them at all. In fact, it would make sense that the two groups would be allies. This could actually be a great moral conundrum for the PC's. They know that the elves are evil, and plot to wreak revenge against the towns and cities on the other side of the forest, killing both the guilty theocrats and their innocent peasants. What the PC's need to do is decide if they are willing to trade or agree to mutual defense with the elves, even though they know they are planning something evil. If they decide not to, the elves might become unfriendly. If they do, the PC's may eventually find themselves drawn into the elves' plans, and the elves start asking them to help carry out their revenge. Will the PC's support their longtime friends and allies, or will they obey the truce signed by their government? Assuming they do something that annoys the elves or gets in their way; how the elves would strike back depends on what kind of population and fortifications the PC's town has. Describe their settlement and its inhabitants in more detail, and I'll see what I can do.
GoriceXII 03-31-08, 07:03 PM	That's quite good, thank you very much. I like those ideas. The pcs' settlement consists of the following: 3 manor houses each surrounded by a small farming community. The manors are stone built and have pallisade walls so far. Each is no more than a couple of miles from the other. There is also a temple being built from a fourth manor house which has the cleric (10th, as all the characers are) with her followers. A keep is being built but so far just the foundations and such are being laid by a master mason and all that. This is near a trade town by a river. Finally the v. young dragon that is one pc's companion lives underneath a ruined tower that is sort of strategic to that pc's manor. The pcs are the only adventuring class people of any decent level (10th-11th) apart from cohorts. There are village priests (3rd, 1 per village and for the town) and militia sergeants and about 60 militia who are 1st level warriors/2nd level commoners and are basically farmers who have had some training and light military experience. The locals are mostly human though a few dwarves live there and some lizardfolk come from the north to trade occasionally. Roughly speaking this community has around 3,000 people in it.
Space_Dragon 03-31-08, 07:16 PM	In that case, the elves definetely aren't going to want to attack unless they have a solid motivation. Unless the elves conduct a lightning raid when the townsfolk aren't expecting it, its doubtful they could penetrate the walls before the militia was roused, which would result in heavy casualties for them. Since this settlement consists of three seperate villages, the best plan of attack would be "divide and conquer." Anyone who wanted to take the villages would do best to move in under the cover of a moonless night, set up camp between the towns (leaving plenty of room to escape, of course), and then use signals to suddenly throw everything you've got at the town with the weakest walls, simultaneously. Due to the positions of your men, you should be able to slow down the reinforcements from the other two villages long enough to take the one you attacked. This will be much easier if you have seige equipment of some kind to knock down the defenses (this is a wooden pallistrade, not a stone wall, correct? If so, a couple light catapults or ballistae should do it in just a few shots). Send the grimlocks in ahead of you, to use their physical strength as a meat shield while your elven archers take the inside perimeter. Use flaming arrows on anything that resembles an armory, barracks, or defensive structure. Of course, this is all AFTER you decide why the elves would want to attack. Even with sound strategy, the elves would lose a lot of men on this operation, so they're not likely to do it unless there's really something to gain.
GoriceXII 03-31-08, 07:44 PM	Well, that's certainly a good summation of the possibility of a frontal attack. But I think your sharpest criticism is the why of it all. I really like that. Perhaps what I need to focus on instead is the elves' actions. What about this as a scenario: The Theocratic state sends in a representative claiming damages to crops, abductions and attacks. They want an explanation and ultimately expect reparations. Neither side wants war so soon again and so perhaps locals would insist that the pcs find a diplomatic solution of some kind. Investigation results in the elves being the guilty ones--but then what to do? Caught between an enemy that the pcs ideally should want to keep at bay (especialy when their new lands would be right in the path of attacks against the republic) and allies what could they do?
Space_Dragon 03-31-08, 07:51 PM	Well, that's certainly a good summation of the possibility of a frontal attack. But I think your sharpest criticism is the why of it all. I really like that. Perhaps what I need to focus on instead is the elves' actions. What about this as a scenario: The Theocratic state sends in a representative claiming damages to crops, abductions and attacks. They want an explanation and ultimately expect reparations. Neither side wants war so soon again and so perhaps locals would insist that the pcs find a diplomatic solution of some kind. Investigation results in the elves being the guilty ones--but then what to do? Caught between an enemy that the pcs ideally should want to keep at bay (especialy when their new lands would be right in the path of attacks against the republic) and allies what could they do? Good idea.
Yules 04-01-08, 11:09 PM	As you give the idea, I developped a little bit the Theocratic Empire side for my personnal use and deceided to give the community what I have done ;) Please forgive my bad spelling... My primary language isn't English The Theocratic Empire side Thought a peace treaty was sign after a violent war across the ancient forest of #######, the Theocratic Empire decided to build an advanced outpost to guard his border. The planted here a complete garrison on the command of Aristor Reytrue alson know an the Lord of the Golden Spear. So far the garrison is now considered as a small city as many of the soldier’s wives and some merchants has begun to settle with the military. Around 600 soldiers and 400 civilians are posted here. The secret war At the end of the last war, unknown of the Republic side and even unknown of Aristor, Laera was given an order : lunch a massive attack on a little elven community and disguise it as an Republican assault. They sent Laera “fingers” and few troops that slaughter two elven villages, a fairy group and they killed high-druid responsible to watching the area & his young apprentices. To ensure a total victory and to be sure to make things move, they attacked the sacred life tree, the heart of the forest, hurting him badly. They succeeded in their plans… too well in fact. Now, the spirit of hate is taking over the now slowy dying forest. The elves were hitted first and they want their vengeance, they claim over the price of blood over all the humanity. Luckily for the humans, their number is now really small... but they are all stronger than they were before... Important NPC of the empire Aristor Reytrue, Lord of the Golden Spear Commander of the West Pacification Army (human LN fighter 10/thayan knight 5*) or (fighter 15 if you don’t have the books ;) ) Aristor is the official Theocratic Empire representative. He take the order from the « God’s Child » himself. Once on the « evil » side, he changed a lot in the past years. His quest to the absolute martial perfection made him rethink about the dogma of the « God ». Even if he is a believer, he now really hates to kill people and is thinking about another way to serve his god and masters. He really worked hard to have the peace treaty and will do anything he can to keep the peace alive. However, orders are orders and if the “God’s Child” or a member of the Great Ministry give him an order, he will execute them. He is aware that Laera is here to keep an eye on him and that many times she had magically charmed him. To keep his position, he is playing his game for now, but he is trying to figure a way to get her out of his sight. Personality: Even if he is really polite, he always seems to be blazed and depress, except on a battlefield where he seems to be someone else. The fact is that he never feel anxious for any reasons. *complete warrior page 85 : I like the flavour and the mechanic of this class and it could be a cool order to put. For masters, change the Red Wizards for High Priest of the God. To be considered a High Priest you must be a cleric of this god of at least level 10 , have the Domination domain as chosen domain and the True Beliver feat (complete divine p.78) Laera Kisnimas Aristor advisor, the White Priestess (Human LE cleric 13) Beautiful blond lady, she is here to “advice” Aristor by the order of the Great Ministry. In fact, she receives orders directly from the Ministry and she must try to influence Aristor’s decisions on nearly every field. Because she win his point nearly every times, she don’t even bother to charm him anymore. His greatest goal is now to resume the war between the empire and the republic. The help her she has a secret “hand” of devout followers who execute his orders in the shadows. She perfectly plays the game of the pure maiden. Note: She has the phobia of blood. Each time she sees blood; she must succeed a fortitude will (DC 15) or be sickened. Laera Fingers Thumb (half-orc, CE, barbarian 9 / fighter 1) A stupid iconic barbarian tanker. Index (Half-elf, LE, favored soul 11). The one who is currently running the group and that prevent his to be a TPK party. He always work with Thumb, his best friend. Meskera (female elf vampire, CE, rogue 7) Newest addition to the group, she is a bloodthirsty vampire. Forget the romantic idea of a seductress vampire: SHE IS A TRUE MONSTER! She really gets along with Cyldom. Cyldom (human, CE, Sorcerer 10) A psychopath sorcerer who like to blast things for the only sake of destroy and make suffer. (Inspiration… the bomber guy in fullmetal alchemist) Whisper (hafling, CN, Warlock 11) He is the one who carry all messages. He seems to know everything and to be everywhere. As a warlock he has nearly no offensive power, but everything to communicate and travel fast. He is the most kind and happy of the group. It should be cool if the PC think he is a good guy. Note: The group itself is not very united. Thumb and Index are usually together and should work in perfect harmony. Meskera and Cyldom fight together but are always work alone and will help each other only if they face an enemy stronger than them. Whisper will always flee a combat scene… even if a group member is in danger. He doesn’t care about them at all. All, except Cyldom, would give their life for their mistress, Laera. Other important and notable NPC’s Hardrax of the Wanderer & Selonia the Sorceress Independent merchants (Male aasimar NG, Expert 4/Bard 3) (female aasimar CG, Sorceress 6) This couple is everybody friends, traveling from village to village, telling tales and delivering goods at low prices. They are the perfect couple that helps everybody in need. In these times, no one, even the most evil, would like to attack them since an angel appeared and protected us the last time it happened. (The truth is that the Solar who helped them is the greatx3 father of Selonia who constantly keep an eye on his heir. Every round she is under attack, there is a 10 % cumulative chances that he will appear and help his greath daughter.
GoriceXII 04-02-08, 08:09 PM	Hey, thanks, I like those ideas for theocratic agents and the outpost, that's good. The "Hand" is a cool idea for a ring of secret agents. I also like your background for the lord Alistor and his advisor, very cool stuff. I like the fact that he's a man of duty and perceived honor, not just some guy in a black cape. Here's my thought: in case a pc can 'read' the evidence with psionics or magic perhaps the Golden Spear has hired mercenaries and used someone disguised as an agent of the republic to hire them. This may confuse the pcs and make them believe that their own side did it--and similarly might confuse the elves and make them (understandably) angry with the republic. So perhaps as a result of this some more hot headed elves attack the republic in secret, also unleashing a tribe of Grimlocks on them.
Yules 04-03-08, 12:36 AM	All the Sides How did it all begun Featuring... A Republic Side of the PC… nothing comes on my mind for this one… having a couple of scheming senators could be cool… An Evil Theocratic Empire Empire led by a “God’s Child” where the priest class dominate the society. They project a good image but behind the curtain MANY dirty tricks are in play. Alignment: LE, NE, LN, but there is many good adepts that are giving a good reputation of the god and nearly all the commoners are LG, NG or LN. Predominant classes: Cleric, Bards and Favored Souls and Monks. Clerics are the leading class and Favored Souls and Monks the divine soldiers. For the bards, this society needs many of them to keep the population on control. Cultural flavor: I see them as an evolved mix between the Egyptian and the Greek societies who greatly use the column in their architecture and are strong on monuments building, like obelisk and gigantesque temples. For cloth, they prefer white and amber. The Elves In the past, the elves were the stereotypical culture representative of the forest, with a great city build around the Great Tree of Life, the living heart of the forest. The fey people named them protector of the Tree and since this day, 600 years ago, they succeeding on this task… until six months ago. Their remote villages have been destroyed, the Great Tree ravaged and the city partly damaged. Many hundreds pacific elves were slaughtered and since this day the Blood Oath was made by the remaining leaders and soldiers. Facing the truth of their lack of power, they find new allies, but the alliance had a cost, in blood and in time. Alignment: CN, NE, CE for the ones who made the blood oath, the remaining are in majority CG, with some NG and few CN. Predominant classes: Among the one who made the blood oath, the classes are now Wizards, Warlock and Duskblades. Cultural flavor: They remain elves in their heart… but now the color they wear is darker than before. A typical blood oath elf will wear dark green, black and violet. The Fairies Too sleepy to write… aaaaa…. A gnomic community To be develop… but I see it as a neutral city that could be of some help to the PC. A city of Grimlock: They are the reason why the elves are absent at the beginning. The Grimlock tribes concluded a pact with the elves; “aid us to get rid of the aboleths that are fighting us since decades and we will give you a tribe of our finest warrior”. So, at the beginning, the blood oath elves are fighting the aboleths are their armies along side with the Grimlocks. They are gaining a big amount of power since all the magical loot of the creatures are their. An expansionist power hungry aboleth Foe or the last protagonist… they shouldn’t play a role, but have them simply exist is a cool ace in the hat for more story development. An old and powerful dragon Always a must for a campaign… for this one, which take place in an old forest I give you the powerful dragon from an unexpected race: a mighty fairie dragon (draconomicom): Demorianesquatesk the Crimson Wing! He is ruling on a small group of his kind and some fey people. He perfectly wears his name; his two butterflies’ wings are crimson red and his body is shining black. Although in past he was good and kind, the last century he seen the atrocity of humanity over the woods and those of his kind. His alignment shifted from CG to CN, and he made a pact with the elves: to keep the humans occupied while they are on their quest. He thinks that the survival of the forest lies on them and will do everything to keep it alive… even kill some humans. A druidic order They are here and watch. They know that the Great Druid of the forest was killed by Empire but they don’t want to act now. In fact, they are just now observators and they are the only ones to have a complete insight of the situation. However, even if the official position of the order is neutrality, few members are not satisfied with the situation. One of them (NG), wants to bring back peace in the forest and between the Republic and Empire… but he lack strength and the order don’t want his member to act directly on the course of elements. The other (NE), want the war to happen. In his sight, war is inevitable and must be done the more quickly it can be to minimize the impact on the forest. Idealy, he would like to bring the war out of the forest… in the homeland of one of the protangonists. He is deeply afraid of the power the blood oath elves are gaining quickly and the long term consequences of the oath. Like the other druid, he is barred to act directly and must act behind the curtain (I like this expression…). You can look at this and say… Oh my god, there is too much actors on this piece… but I like my quest to have MANY options for the players and if I’m good at improvisation, having a general idea on what the side is and his goal is a good beginning.
GoriceXII 04-03-08, 01:18 AM	Wow, Yules, quite the arrangement. I quite like it and I appreciate your help and advice. This is what I have for the Republic already: It is ruled by a Council of Lords and their advisors. The Republic consists of several free cities which are internally sovereign. The closest one to this particular arena is the Free City of Fineberg, which is run by its own council led by General Carmel who commands the republics armies and riverine fleet in the area. The Gnomes I have already presented as various small communities that are mostly known for trading and travelling, though they often seem to do so either with larger folk or when in community by mysterious means not readily known to humans. As for the Theocracy--I like your ideas about it having a Greek or Egyptian flavour. I'm thinking that it probably uses slavery as a basis for labour on a large scale. I was thinking that various humanoid tribes belong to it as well, either as barbarians who pay allegiance or else as mercenary soldiers, though I was also thinking of Hobgoblins belonging to a particular priestly order. Your idea for the Faerie Dragon overlord is hilarious--the pcs won't expect it, and yet if done well enough it might actually be genuinely creepy and tie in well with the elves. I appreciate you fleshing out the idea for the Grimlock alliance, and I think it makes sense.