Post/Author/DateTime	Post
GoriceXII 06-10-07, 04:30 AM	I'm building a powerful empire to add to the homebrew world my New Edom campaign is set in. There are a few ideas I'm chasing around but I thought I'd like to ask people to help me brainstorm some elements of it. These are some of the elements I've thought of: 1. At one time the empire was ruled by dragonkin, who are now so rare as to be mythical in this world. (dragons are known to exist but are very rarely seen) 2. I want it to empitomize that in most of the world magic is sinister and mysterious but coveted as a means to power--the area where my pcs are playing is considered a land ruled by witches and wizards with strange creatures overrunning it. 3. The gods it worships would be of two types--pantheons or deities 'imported' by conquest/marriage/etc and the ancient more reptilian/draconic deities. (ideas for this would be particularly welcome) 4. Some reptilian folk are still in the area either as seemingly dull witted slaves or as mysterious folk haunting jungles or mountains. (I was thinking of troglodytes as miner slaves for the former and kobolds for the latter--the latter being considered sly strange dangerous creatures) 5. Those aristocrats claiming kinship with the old empire have decadent fashions that imitate the scales, wings, horns and claws of dragons. 6. It is believed that the Serpents (the Yuan-Ti in effect) who were advisors to the dragonkin brought down the old empire with their intrigues. They attempted to replace them but were brought down themselves by human barbarians who then attempted to epitomize the values of the old dragonkin. However the Yuan Ti are still secretively about, plotting and seeking to rule again. I'm still very much fleshing this out but it will at some point be an integral part of my campaign.
Kayoz_Majick 12-27-07, 11:32 AM	This sounds like a great story so far. I look forward to some more crunchy goodness and some more fluff to ;) A side note: the campaign/ world I have been dreaming of would fit nicely into yours, but just before the dragons were overthrown.
elderdrake 12-27-07, 01:18 PM	Very interesting ideas Gorice. I like the fact that you have a number of unusual elements all blended together. My initial thought would be to pick ONE thought and flesh that out first and then move on to the next one. That way, it might not seem like such an overwhelming task. Here are some additional thoughts to perhaps help you on your way. All of these will be related to your FIRST item: "1. At one time the empire was ruled by dragonkin, who are now so rare as to be mythical in this world. (dragons are known to exist but are very rarely seen)." - The dragonkin formed a vast and powerful network steeped in knowledge, arcana and mysticism. - This vanished culture is referred in "modern" times as the "Ancients." - Magic was developed and first utilized by the dragonkin who also blended this arcane lore with powerful artifacts. - Many "Lost Cities of the Ancients" are thought to exist but these places are now covered by centuries of overgrowth, jungle, sand, etc and are not easily spotted. They may still contain vast troves of lost knowledge. - This draconian culture was seen as the true culture. All others were regarded as vastly inferior and beneath contempt. Many of the other "lesser" reptilian races came to view the dragons and the dragonkin as divine in nature. Some even went as far as worshipping the most powerful of the dragonkin who ruled as might Priest-Kings. Their word was absolute. - Thought the dragonkin were intelligent, powerful, wise and strong, they also were very prideful and arrogant. It was this weakness that allowed the Yuan-Ti to exploit their former masters leading to a long period of Civil War and unrest.
taradusis 12-28-07, 10:24 PM	Well,as I've said before I think Bahumet the platinum dragon makes a good deity for this campaign. Opposed to him would traditionally be Tiamat. But with the inclusion of Yuan-ti perhaps Seth or Apep would be appropriate? Perhaps you should buy Serpent Kingdoms as a sourcebook? I would also consider setting up a Serpent Society,what I refer to as a Gorgonzola Conspiracy. Following are some general thoughts on this.A widespread alliance of scaleyfolk designed to re-establish the dominance of the reptiles.A personal representive of tiamat,seth or apep.Acts as general of the Gorgonzola Conspiracy.Only one assigned to this plane at a time.Mainly greens,with some blues. Tend to rule over wilderness lairs filled with kobolds,troglodytes and lizardfolk. Occasionally used to produce 1/2 dragons. Served/spied on by Medusas and Yuan-ti.Serve as magical researchers and advisors to Dragons and Yuan-ti insertion teams.The main covert operatives of the Gorgonzolla Conspiracy. They are in charge of Medusae,Nagas,lizardfolk tribes,kobold tribes and the Sisters of the Serpent(Q.V.). Basically the glue that holds the whole conspiracy together. Act as assistantents to more powerful scaleyfolk like the dragons and Marilth. Act as heads of a small cult known as the "Sisters of the Serpent". The Yuan-ti have been giving Yuan-ti grafts to the Medusae and intend to betray them eventually. It's possible that there could be 1/2 dragon or 1/2 fiend Medusae as well? Many Medusae have been taking class levels in Sorcerer to better lead the Sisters of the Serpent. The Yuan-ti have been keeping careful track of female sorcerors who seem evil or unhappy. These have been sorted by geographical region and are being recruited into a sorority of evil. If medusae can breed with humans and produce a sorcerous bloodline then women with long snaky hair and a fondness for snakes as familiars and pets could make a good addition to your campaign. Each cult is headed by a medusae who acts as an enforcer and mother figure. Yuan-ti who are active in the same area often use these women as catspaws. Capable Sisters are often lead deeper into the organization,and could turn up anywhere. Often controlled thru a Medusa or Yuan-ti,serve Black or Green dragons as footsoldiers. Their druids make many useful potions. A 1/2 dragon Lizardfolk is possible and Yuan-ti grafts might be used on a chief.Used as miners,not considered important in the grand plans of the Gorgonzola Conspiracy.The most numerous and hard working members of the conspiracy. Toil in dragon lairs by the hundreds. Patrol jungles and wastelands. 1 out of every 4 kobolds has some arcane ability and they fashion a lot of low level items for the Gorgonzola Conspiracy. Receive some supervision from the yuan-ti but are fairly self-directing. I also have some Gorgonzola thoughts on my random aquatic notes thread,post #126,page 5,Gorganzola island.
Taolil 12-29-07, 07:42 AM	Sounds a lot like the history of Kunark from the game Everquest. You might want to check it out, as the story is a rather cool one, involving Iksar (trogdolytes/lizardmen), sarnaks (kobolds), shissar (yuan ti) and dragons. You might be able to glean some inspiration/ideas from it.
GoriceXII 12-29-07, 02:56 PM	Very interesting ideas Gorice. I like the fact that you have a number of unusual elements all blended together. My initial thought would be to pick ONE thought and flesh that out first and then move on to the next one. That way, it might not seem like such an overwhelming task. Here are some additional thoughts to perhaps help you on your way. All of these will be related to your FIRST item: "1. At one time the empire was ruled by dragonkin, who are now so rare as to be mythical in this world. (dragons are known to exist but are very rarely seen)." - The dragonkin formed a vast and powerful network steeped in knowledge, arcana and mysticism. - This vanished culture is referred in "modern" times as the "Ancients." - Magic was developed and first utilized by the dragonkin who also blended this arcane lore with powerful artifacts. - Many "Lost Cities of the Ancients" are thought to exist but these places are now covered by centuries of overgrowth, jungle, sand, etc and are not easily spotted. They may still contain vast troves of lost knowledge. - This draconian culture was seen as the true culture. All others were regarded as vastly inferior and beneath contempt. Many of the other "lesser" reptilian races came to view the dragons and the dragonkin as divine in nature. Some even went as far as worshipping the most powerful of the dragonkin who ruled as might Priest-Kings. Their word was absolute. - Thought the dragonkin were intelligent, powerful, wise and strong, they also were very prideful and arrogant. It was this weakness that allowed the Yuan-Ti to exploit their former masters leading to a long period of Civil War and unrest. Elderdrake: Thank you, this is a very helpful progression of thought. I might add to this that Draconian is used as an arcane or 'high' language in the Empire, with most who claim to know it only knowing certain memorized phrases, maxims, spellwords and so on, while a precious few scholars actually can speak and write it. I like the lost cities and ruins ideas too. Taradusis: The scope along with the simplicity of the Serpent Society is really cool. There is role and an explanation for the existence of many different kinds of creatures here. Do you imagine a cell group like operation or something say like R.E. Howard's Black Lotus wherein there are secret temples and secret masters and so on? I like the idea of a marilith being head of this conspiracy. How would true dragons fit in--would they not see themselves as possible rivals to this Marilith? I'm picturing them to be almost like a wild card set. Kayoz-Majik: I'd be interested in seeing your ideas too or a link to your campaign. I will probably be taking stuff from the Draconomicon and from Dragon Magic as ancient lore mostly--why reinvent the wheel, right? It includes lore, new spells, new psionics, feats and so on, which are related to dragons, dragonkin, etc. I will be using such things as related to the Serpent Conspiracy, Ancient Lore and those involved in particular dragon cults. Examples: Draconic deities (including clerical qualifications--for worship of Bahamut, Tiamat, etc) Draconic feats (just for dragons) Draconic spells (just for dragons) Draconic Magical items (usable by nondragons) Prestige and other classes (for monks, sorcerors, priests, wizards, rogues, psionics, etc) that relate to gaining feats for emulating or killing dragons. Some of these would be gained from study under a dragon's tutelage while others would perhaps be gained as part of an 'anti-serpent conspiracy' group. What I would do is encourage purchase or lend my copy of these books to players who were interested in pursuing such lore.
GoriceXII 12-29-07, 02:57 PM	Sounds a lot like the history of Kunark from the game Everquest. You might want to check it out, as the story is a rather cool one, involving Iksar (trogdolytes/lizardmen), sarnaks (kobolds), shissar (yuan ti) and dragons. You might be able to glean some inspiration/ideas from it. I've never played Everquest but I'll check out the website, thanks very much.
taradusis 12-29-07, 09:31 PM	In a well run conspiracy everyone is lead to beleive that they are much more important than they really are. With Chaotics there has to be a cell structure that allows individual actions. The dragons will be bluffed and flattered by the fiendishly clever marilith who plays all the mortal factions against each other. This reflects the politics of hell. Being a representive of Tiamat,Seth or Apep would make them the voice of god?