Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Chris_The_Guy 04-20-07, 01:41 AM	Alright so I think I might have a pretty sweet idea for a campaign... The basic story is that about 100 (or whatever) years ago, the continent's five greatest kingdoms were involved in a terrible war of epic destruction. However, in a small city in a relatively quiet corner of the continant, a group of philosopher-wizards held debates to find the best solution to this evil. The solution that won was this: The magic school that these wizards live in is in an area that borders all five of the kingdoms. Essentially, the middle of everything: only their political neutrality and powerful magic kept them safe from the destruction. They would construct a great city that would become the capitol of all five kingdoms. This would serve several purposes: 1) the monarchs of these kingdoms could have regular meetings (every single day if they wanted) to work issues out peacefully 2) each kingdom would work on building the city so each had a stake in its well-being 3) it would represent a fresh-start and new leaf for the five kingdoms (since most of their large cities were razed in the war. The wizards would take care of most of the policing of the city, and would contribute to the infrastructure as well. The size of the city would be pretty vast by the standards of the ancient world: medieval Baghdad had about one million people (supposedly), so this would probably be something like that. Also, I realize that sworn enemies coming together like that to live in the same city isn't exactly realistic: certain circumstances would have to allow for that (which I haven't thought of yet). Essentially the five kingdoms would be these (I'm open to suggestions as well): 1) A human kingdom based on strict rules of nobility and lineage (i.e., super feudalism, basically no social mobility whatsoever) 2) A kingdom of Sun Elves (basically elves that live in the daylight) 3) A kingdom of Moon Elves (not drow, but simply nocturnal elves) 4) A dwarven kingdom known for its intense religious devotion 5) Some kind of human nomadic kingdom (think Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty) The point of this? It allows the PCs to live in an multi-faceted, complex urban environment with exposure to a variety of people (many of whom still hate each other) than might otherwise be realistic. This would make for great intrigue. I am thinking it will be something of a swashbuckling theme. So please, questions, comments, suggestions... I am open to ideas.
RobbyPants 04-20-07, 09:15 AM	This could be a great springboard for dozens of adventures! The PCs get to work for the city, helping to police it. The PCs investigate a murder of an ambassador from one of the five nations - trying to prevent another war! The PCs are sent to spy on an ambassador from one nation, who is expected of some crime. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Nice idea. I hope it works well for you! :D
Jisho 04-20-07, 03:31 PM	Interesting idea..kind of reminds me of a series of fantasy books by a writer named Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. Basically, two races of humans who can each shapeshift, kind of like lycanthropes, except they have entire societies of them, and complete control over their shifting. One side consists of the "avians," who, depending on their bloodlines, shapeshift into different kinds of birds, and they've been at war with the another race that is similar, except their forms are snakes, for longer than anyone can remember, and no one even knows why they're fighting any more, except to avenge family and friends. The books (the first of which is called Hawksong) are their attempts to make peace, starting with their monarchs marrying each other as an example to their people (this is, like in your world, suggested by a neutral third party). They also eventually build a new capitol city, like in your idea, where people would essentially be forced to live together, in the hopes of eventually stopping the constant need for revenge and reconciling their important cultural differences. Also, where in the timeline do the PCs come in? Is the city still under construction, or has it been operating for a while?
Chris_The_Guy 04-20-07, 06:24 PM	Also, where in the timeline do the PCs come in? Is the city still under construction, or has it been operating for a while? Hmm I hadn't really given it thought yet. Probably not while the city is still being built, since I want it to be a true metropolis (although obviously it could be constantly growing). I am thinking something like 20 or 30 years after the initial construction of the city. That way the city could realistically have begun to develop a history and personality of its own but at the same time, many issues brought up at the end of the war are far from resolved.
taradusis 04-20-07, 06:39 PM	Perhaps a walled city,with walls seperating the districts.The people commingle during the day but there's a curfew?The moon elves would have difficulties.Perhaps a Daymarket and a Nightmarket with merchants pushing handcarts from 1 location to the other?RANDOM THOUGHTS
Elf_Jedi 05-18-07, 05:54 PM	nice!
sabrewolf 05-19-07, 04:18 PM	.....The moon elves would have difficulties.Perhaps a Daymarket and a Nightmarket with merchants pushing handcarts from 1 location to the other?RANDOM THOUGHTS Or mayhaps part of the city reflect their nature, with the dwarves adn moon elves living in short buildings that are built downward - subterranean - with underground tunnels (or it could be a city above a city, with a seccond set of roads/streets or just ceiling (a whole level) built over the main one) to protect them to sun light and/or give them a more confortable environment they are more used to... Nomadic part of the city could be sparsed out buildings (maybe with extrnsions making them star shaped) with tents around them that are changed avery now and then as people (nomads) come and go, along with their caravans... ..or maybe the daylight´s market place could be there?.. just some ideas. Take care...
HassanNinkin 05-19-07, 10:40 PM	Alright so I think I might have a pretty sweet idea for a campaign... The basic story is that about 100 (or whatever) years ago, the continent's five greatest kingdoms were involved in a terrible war of epic destruction. However, in a small city in a relatively quiet corner of the continant, a group of philosopher-wizards held debates to find the best solution to this evil. The solution that won was this: The magic school that these wizards live in is in an area that borders all five of the kingdoms. Essentially, the middle of everything: only their political neutrality and powerful magic kept them safe from the destruction. They would construct a great city that would become the capitol of all five kingdoms. So... ummm... yeah. Is this city in a magical middle that doesn't really exist, or is it some kind of corner middle?
LostMage 05-19-07, 10:56 PM	What about the other PC races? (gnomes, halflings, etc.) Do they appear in this setting? This would also present a tangible pressure for half-elves, looking at the racial tensions inherent in the setting. Also, here's a random idea: anyone who wishes to learn magic can do so for free at the wizard's guild, but they have to repay in service, by being "on call" for the guild. This could generate adventure hooks (the party wizard would be sent jobs when you need to start an adventure quickly...or you can use the guild affiliation to drop plot hints!) and background for PC wizards (Propero was a young boy who wanted to learn magic to honor his grandfather, a sorcerer who died in the war, and so he apprenticed himself at the guild, etc.)