Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mikoto_vegeta 07-30-07, 10:35 PM	Since I've seen other groups starting their own adventure paths, I've been thinking of doing the same, if anyone wants to join in. The premise would be that the PCs have sailed to an asian setting where a european civilization is beginning to 'modernize' the cultures there, much as the West was trying to stake claims in the East in our own history. The PCs would begin as hired workers for some aristocrat there. I was thinking that the first adventure would involve the PCs venturing into mines that the aristocrat owns to investigate problems there. As the campaign evolves, the PCs would be introduced to the setting and common elements of Oriental Adventures: ninja, samurai, Oni, etc... as well as not-so-common elements. There would also be opportunities for political drama, and chances for the PCs to train in martial arts and gain prestige classes from the OA book. The main plot would involve bad guys trying to release a giant Kaiju to wreak havok on the land. (I have no reason why, I just thought that it would be the ultimate battle to end the campaign...better than another undead or fiend campaign). I was figuring on 3 cultures for the PCs to explore...a Shogun Japan-type setting, a corrupted China dynasty period, and a southeast asian setting, like Thailand. This is only the minimal ideas thought up. Anyone was join this? For the most part, this entire thing is open so that writers can expand their adventures.
shadowninja05 08-03-07, 01:48 PM	Hm...I've never done this before but I'll throw in my two cents :D . The idea of a corrupted Chinese dynasty has merit. Perhaps the main characters are manipulated by a megalomaniac official of the government into doing various deeds and acts that would finally release the Kaiju( what is that exactly?) in an epic climax to the adventure?
Subversive 08-03-07, 04:20 PM	I'd go a step further. Maybe the person out to release the Kaiju doesn't know what he'd doing. Maybe he thinks he can control it, or that he's enacting something that will give him god-like personal magical power. And then it all goes horribly wrong... :D
mikoto_vegeta 08-03-07, 05:08 PM	Wow...I'm actually thankful people responded to this. I was beginning to think that maybe people weren't interested in the concept of designing a campaign path (surprising since a lot of OA fans always wanted more adventures). A Kaiju is a REALLY HUGE monster...think Godzilla or his counterparts. An old issue of Dragon (around the time that 3.0 OA came out) had all kinds of OA articles, including a Kaiju one. The ideas for the Kaiju are awesome, and will help shape the campaign. I don't plan on writing everything myself... I'm looking for others that wanna write adventures to it, shaping the campaign and the world itself. Maybe people are being turned off by the fact that it has western DnD elements in it... this is done so that more than just OA fans can enjoy the campaign, and can link it with other settings. (if others want to help write this but as a group decision feel the western element should get axed then that's ok). I haven't really come up with much for the adventures...I was hoping to have others brainstorm and we all put our ideas together, and then people pick what levels they wanna design their adventure for.
EldonG 08-03-07, 06:01 PM	Kaiju...I LOVE kaiju...have a few in my home game...I wouldn't mind pitching in a bit, starting with a little advice. I do have actual experience, after all... ;) Get yourself some core writers, folks you can depend on...don't push too hard, but be darn encouraging. It takes quite a bit of work to finish just 1 scenario, and anybody you can find that's willing to do it, and do it right, are worth their weight in gold, to the project. Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew...actually, high-level scenarios take even more work than low level ones...(I've written epic stuff...whoah, is that a buncha work!) If you want a party to be able to fight a kaiju as a climactic battle, start at a pretty high level. Be willing to write more than *anybody* else...if it's going to happen, you really need to shoulder a lotta work. My second offer for help...I mentioned I love kaiju...I have the dragon issue...want me to design a giant monster for ya? If you do...lemme know your thoughts, and the CR. Update to 3.5, no extra charge. ;)
shadowninja05 08-04-07, 10:35 PM	Kaiju eh? Godzilla-like size? hm...I haven't seen the official stats for it yet, but does possess human-lvl intelligence or an array of formidable magic powers? I'm thinking the Kaiju is an imprisoned entity and that its uses an array of lackeys to dupe the players into releasing it from its ages-old prison. I have such a tendency for betrayal and deception...:plotting:lol
Subversive 08-05-07, 12:52 AM	I agree. Let's here more about what type of monster the Kaiju is. I don't have any problem with that sort of fusion style of game. Actually, it rather appeals to my love of history. There's all sort of stuff you can put into this setting. You can have the Western power an Ebberon-syle steampunk society, fusing magic with technology. You can have the OA culture be high-magic mystical. Lots of Oni, etc. Maybe it's the Oni that control the corrupt Chinese-style dynasty. Maybe the emperor has all Oni as his "eunuch" advisors.
mikoto_vegeta 08-05-07, 03:09 PM	Yeah, great ideas guys! I'd say the idea of an evil empire works great. (I'm a big fan of Mortal Kombat). So maybe the chinese-style corrupted empire is led by an evil emperor, with his eunuch advisors being oni and other monsters. (maybe have a handful with each being a different statted bad guy. An Oni, an evil Tengu, a demon spellcaster, etc). All the politicians of that empire are scheming to overthrow each other. That could be a great concept. The Emperor is trying to scheme to take over over areas or something. But the Kaiju could be the real threat. As for more info for the Kaiju...it's just a template that's added to any monster that gives it more powers and it becomes colossal. (EldonG, I wouldn't mind having a Kaiju similar to the one on the first page of that Dragon article...the porcupine, gorilla-thing with fanged elephant thunk shooting lightning). VERY neat design. As for other areas....I'm not sure about. I also like the idea of something like southeast asia...with flooded forests, old monastaries, ancient ruins, ghosts, kappa, pennagolan, etc. I agree. I need people I can depend on to get this done. I'm not gonna just sit back and watch. I plan on writing an adventure or two myself, and help keep the campaign together and make sure everything connects. But something of this degree is gonna take a few writers. ALSO: For those that wanna keep working on this: Should the Western elements disappear? Just have the entire campaign revolve around all OA elements? I favor both, but depending on what we decide, I don't wanna have too much going on in it. Maybe it should be eliminated. A DM could still have Western characters show up, but having a western culture present like in The Last Samurai might be too much...cause then we have to work from more book than nessecary. I don't know. I'm beginning to favor a closed campaign world more than anything...with just OA elements. It can show a DM how the OA book can truely be used to full effect. What do you guys think?
EldonG 08-05-07, 05:12 PM	The only real problem I can see wih he OA stuff is a doozy...it isn't in the SRD...so you can't distribute it without permission.
mikoto_vegeta 08-05-07, 07:23 PM	Yeah, for now it would be wise to only write the adventure aspects and just leave pg numbers for the OA material. Also, maybe some new monsters and things can work as well. OA games face more problems because not only is it not in the SRD, but people have to refer to Dragon mag for the 3.5 update. Has this issue ever been DIRECTLY answered? I mean, there doesn't seem to be any reason for the material NOT to be put in the SRD. Wizards does nothing with it anyway, so maybe if it were made Open Content, maybe other publishers would take interest in it and create other stuff for it... essentially giving players a reason to buy the book. Hopefully in the near future it will be addressed, but for now it will just have to be worked around. We're only in the brainstorming process right now anyway.
EldonG 08-05-07, 08:54 PM	Yeah, for now it would be wise to only write the adventure aspects and just leave pg numbers for the OA material. Also, maybe some new monsters and things can work as well. OA games face more problems because not only is it not in the SRD, but people have to refer to Dragon mag for the 3.5 update. Has this issue ever been DIRECTLY answered? I mean, there doesn't seem to be any reason for the material NOT to be put in the SRD. Wizards does nothing with it anyway, so maybe if it were made Open Content, maybe other publishers would take interest in it and create other stuff for it... essentially giving players a reason to buy the book. Hopefully in the near future it will be addressed, but for now it will just have to be worked around. We're only in the brainstorming process right now anyway. I'm with you on that...it's great material, but there's absolutely *no* support. That said, kaiju are open content...so...do you want to actually have a big fight against the kaiju, or is he just a HUGE backdrop? If you want to tackle a kaiju fight, I'd reccomend we start at pretty high levels. What CR do you want for it? 16? 18? 20? 22? 25? even higher? I'd make sure a party meant to fight it was 4-6 levels under it... If it's all a matter of damage control, any level can work...8-10 below, just to make sure they have proper respect! ;)
shadowninja05 08-05-07, 10:54 PM	Alright, so we 're in the brainstorming process. If I may make a suggestion, since we cannot use the material from OA at this time, perhaps we come utilize some aspects from say, ToB? Most of the classes and material in that book seems to have a certain similarity to OA. What do you guys think? Maybe we could keep a small aspect of Western culture in. To start off the campaign, have a person from the Western world, such as a bard or a warrior-scribe, leave behind a detailed journey of life in the OA campaign world; this would be like Marco Polo's retelling of his experience in China. Then have the players either stumble across this document which piques their interest into seeing such a fantastic land firsthand, thus their adventure starts. This scenario would be for players who wishes to maintain Western type characters; there would probably be countless other varieties that we can brainstorm together...;)
mikoto_vegeta 08-05-07, 11:07 PM	I was thinking of the final battle being with this thing in a city. The whole final adventure would involve this monster smashing the city with various events happening within the city. The PCs would be about 20th level. The Kaiju can be about CR 23 or 24. That would be a difficult enough challenge. I think a lot of stradegy should be involved with the fight rather than just hack 'n' slash. The players should get the impression tat the whole city is truely being destroyed around them, with buildings on fire and collapsing, NPCs dying, etc. Their should be several goals and events happening that players have to accomplish while attempting to destroy the Kaiju. A few other ideas that come to mind: 1. An adventure that pays homage to Bruce Lee's original version of 'Game of Death... with a village that holds a valued treasure in a pagoda... 5 levels, each with a single powerful warrior. I always found that idea interesting. 2. A wooden castle in an arctic enviornment, where outcasts have to slowly tear apart the interior of the castle to stay warm. Yeti and other frozen terrors could pop up here. 3. In the flooded forests (mentioned in above post), the PCs confront Kappa, and eventually travel to an ancient ruin to a small Kappa civilization to confront their leader...the Kappa King. 4. The adventure or two before the final fight with the Kaiju would have an encounter with him. Maybe more. I like the original Godzilla movie where Big G would show up on his way to Tokyo, terrorizing everyone...and people were helpless to stop him. You don't even see what he is at first, adding a sense of mystery and terror. It would be the final battle in the city where we finally are introduced to his appearance. 5. Maybe a trip or two to other Realms in the OA cosmos. Japanese mythos have realms for other spirits... plus, I'd kinda like the PCs to take a trip to Buddhist Hell (now THAT'S some freaky stuff)!
mikoto_vegeta 08-05-07, 11:12 PM	The idea of a fantasy version of Marco Polo (didn't TSR do that?) having a journal that the PCs find could be a great start-off for DnD characters. We could have a few detailed (more than just a paragraph) descriptions for how to get characters from other settings involved in this campaign. These beginnings would be trailored for each setting: basic campaign setting, Forgotten Realms, Eberron, and OA settings. Great idea!
mikoto_vegeta 08-06-07, 05:39 PM	I do not own Book of Nine Swords....please enlighten me about it. I know the basis of it, but tell me more.
shadowninja05 08-06-07, 06:43 PM	The ToB or Book of Nine Swords is pretty extensive. It covers Nine Martial Disciplines, which is also known as the Sublime Way; it also introduces three new core base classes: crusader, swordsage, and warblade. The ToB offers a refreshing new twist and imagination for players who enjoy martial characters. For example, instead of a generic fighter saying " I hack at the ogre with my greatsword," he would scream "Death from Above!" as he leapt into the air, his sword a razor-sharp silver arc that flies in a lethal descent towards the ogre's skull. :D The crusader is essentially a divine warrior that draws upon connections with a deity or certain alignment domain to execute atounding feats of martial and supernatural abilities. The swordsage is best described as a highly skilled martial artist who seeks enlightenment through combat and martial prowess. A good example would a Shaolin monk. For instance every sword strike is a revelation. They are usually most versatile in their martial abilities. The warblade is a powerful and utterly confident warrior that thoroughly enjoys conflict. He/ she believes that every foe is a challenge to overcome through intense combat. They are warriors who seek eternal glory from mortal battles. Their satisfaction is through constant testing of their mettle against all manners of adversaries and their adoration of the people for their victory. Sorry for the rant...;) does this help a little bit?
EldonG 08-06-07, 10:48 PM	Yeah...the ToB rocks pretty hard...but it isn't OGL.
shadowninja05 08-07-07, 04:51 PM	Yeah...the ToB rocks pretty hard...but it isn't OGL. um, sorry but whats does OGL stand for?
mikoto_vegeta 08-07-07, 05:11 PM	OGL stands for Open Gaming License... its what materials Wizards allows for third party users to use when creating other products. As of right now, only the three core books, the Epic Level Handbook, and the Deities? book is allowed for use. A complaint amongst OA fans is the lack of OA material in the SRD (System Reference Document, as detailed above). I'm very surprised that they don't let others use material like OA... I've already seen other products from third parties that are now selling updated versions of the old DnD rules (called the Basic Fantasy Roleplaying Game or something like that)... just as other old RPG systems are now being updated and sold. (trust me, if I find out that the AD&D OA book is OGL, or can be....I'm all there). Like I said before, its something that maybe Wizards should address to the community on a reason WHY they don't have it as OGL. Maybe I'll ask sometime. Any other ideas for the Campaign Path, anyone?
shadowninja05 08-07-07, 11:17 PM	I agree. Let's here more about what type of monster the Kaiju is. I don't have any problem with that sort of fusion style of game. Actually, it rather appeals to my love of history. There's all sort of stuff you can put into this setting. You can have the Western power an Ebberon-syle steampunk society, fusing magic with technology. You can have the OA culture be high-magic mystical. Lots of Oni, etc. Maybe it's the Oni that control the corrupt Chinese-style dynasty. Maybe the emperor has all Oni as his "eunuch" advisors. Hm...Oni corrupting the officials? That has merit. So are the Oni the actual power behind the throne?Maybe the current Emperor is just an inexperienced youth whom the Oni would have an easier time manipulating?
EldonG 08-08-07, 02:44 AM	Ok...my first thought...and I can tweak it...whatcha think about a kaiju hydra? This could be terrifying...and very adaptable!
shadowninja05 08-08-07, 04:18 PM	Ok...my first thought...and I can tweak it...whatcha think about a kaiju hydra? This could be terrifying...and very adaptable! Hm...massive monster with multiple heads??...I like it!:D How many heads are we talking about tho?
EldonG 08-08-07, 04:33 PM	Hm...massive monster with multiple heads??...I like it!:D How many heads are we talking about tho? Well...10 makes it a 24...niether pyro or cryo...
Subversive 08-08-07, 09:20 PM	Hm...Oni corrupting the officials? That has merit. So are the Oni the actual power behind the throne?Maybe the current Emperor is just an inexperienced youth whom the Oni would have an easier time manipulating? Actually, I like the idea of the emporer as an ineffectual wastrel - a pampered fop that the Oni control through cheap toys and parlor tricks (it sort of mirrors the actual chinese dynasties a hundred or two years after each dynastic takeover of the last one). As for the Western influence... you could have several competing Ebberon-style powers who have established "Trading Cities" on the coastline, but are vying for the control of the interior by corrupting or intimidating regional governors - some of whom might be genuinely good and compassionate men (most of whom are likely corrupt bastards, or at least in it for personal gain) - to gain access to rich trading rights and eastern-forged magical items. As for whether to keep the Western influence in the game, I definately think you should keep it. I think it establishes an extra flavor to the game that opens it up to a lot more possibilities for character design, role-playing, and adventure. I also love Tome of Battle! It's a great book, with flavors that can include easter, western, and a fusion of both. It brings fighters up to power with magic-users. It's a definate plus for any campaign like this. I don't personally see how posting information from non-OGL books onto wizards own boards would be a violation of the license. Maybe I'm missing something.
EldonG 08-08-07, 09:33 PM	Subversive...you can't post all the details, here, without violating the ToS...so we're ok posting most anything we would be posting, here...but it can't be distributed with non-OGL elements in it. Incidentally...I like your ideas, there. :)
Subversive 08-08-07, 10:22 PM	*sigh* Lame.:ahem: I guess I don't understand the intricacies of copywrite law. Anyway, allow me to add wine, *****s, and drugs to the list of things the Oni use to keep the empiror under control. Especially the drugs. Got to have some nice opium parallels in age-of-steam style China. I suggest if we're going to flesh this setting out, we should start making some names up for cities, and deciding where the adventure will be starting in. I'd suggest one of the "trading cities" that are, in essence, Western colonies. It gives a familiar starting point for the group, mixing elements of Western tecnology and Eastern magic.
Subversive 08-08-07, 10:38 PM	BTW, as far as *why* the kaiju is eventually summoned... The reason seems clear enough. The main villain decides that he wants the Western powers out of the kingdom, and summons kaiju to stomp them. Maybe he has some artifact he thinks will allow him to control the creature. I'm betting that doesn't work out too well, though, and general mayhem ensues. So far, though, we haven't talked much about the "japanese" style island nation. I'm wondering if someone has ideas for there.
EldonG 08-09-07, 08:41 AM	Very nice! He sees himself as the good guy, even! Sweet!
Subversive 08-09-07, 02:10 PM	Yeah, seems like a fairly LE route to take - for the better good, no matter how many innocent people it kills. Don't forget, regardless of it being a trade city or not, the population will still be largely the "chinese" culture.
mikoto_vegeta 08-09-07, 02:29 PM	I have to say... these are all great ideas! So yeah, to reiterate everything onto one post (along with my own suggestions): We have an asian area that is beginning to have another western culture move in [I don't want to have it JUST being Eberron. I'd like to keep it rather general in the 'western' culture that is here in these lands, so that if people wanna use it in FR, they can. Or Eberron. Or Greyhawk. Etc.]... Many are taking a voyage and setting up in the cities of the land, creating a mix of styles and culture. In one nation, the Emperor is just a puppet, controlled by Oni. [Maybe an Oni Mage (Ogre Mage)? Also, maybe the Emperor really IS a PUPPET? Or something like that/] Maybe the REAL bad guy is someone else. So while the Oni have their own villainous deeds going on, possibly controlling the Emperor in connection with other goals... there's this other guy that is behind the scenes. I still wanna have the PCs take a journey into Buddhist Hell. Maybe he lairs there or something. I kind of want a bad guy like in video games and anime, where he sits on his chair and barks orders and has his minions do his dirty work. But that's just me. It would make sense for the bad guy to have objects to control the creature. Maybe a few adventures can revolve around the PCs being conned into fetching these items for the bad guy.
Subversive 08-09-07, 03:10 PM	What appeals to me about using Ebberon-style western powers is that in many ways, Ebberon is a Victorian-style setting. They have similar technological developments - granted it's "technology" through magic - and are even starting work on mass-production of basic magical items. There are multiple competing powers looking to solidify their power base and gain advantages over other countries. Where better to look then a far-off culture that's said to be fabulously wealthy, but technologically not on par, and politically not focused enough to fend off incursions (the imperial throne is too centered on booze and women to form an effective defence of its territory), thus allowing the West to dominate through force of arms, corruption, bribes, and other underhanded techniques. Historically it appeals to me more then a generic setting. FR, too, lacks countries with the proper impetuses and - frankly - ability to dominate (unless you want to use Thay or maybe the Zhents or something, but then the focus of the setting becomes much much more evil). Greyhawk... well... isn't that basically the generic setting anyway???
shadowninja05 08-09-07, 06:01 PM	BTW, as far as *why* the kaiju is eventually summoned... The reason seems clear enough. The main villain decides that he wants the Western powers out of the kingdom, and summons kaiju to stomp them. Maybe he has some artifact he thinks will allow him to control the creature. I'm betting that doesn't work out too well, though, and general mayhem ensues. So far, though, we haven't talked much about the "japanese" style island nation. I'm wondering if someone has ideas for there. Hm...the kaiju was summoned to expel the Western influence? Sounds very intriguing. Perhaps the PCs are guards or even diplomats from the Western world; players that wishes to maintain a Oriental identity could be the kingdom's diplomats sent to the Western nation. For a really sick twist, have like a very conservative official or Oni of the kingdom unleash the Kaiji and fixes the blame on the Westerners( primarily the players), therefore forcing the PCs to not only stop the Kaiju to clear their names while avoiding the Imperial forces sent to apprehend them...just a thought there:D
EldonG 08-14-07, 04:29 PM	I'm hoping this project is still a 'go'...so many interesting thoughts have come from its beginnings...
shadowninja05 08-19-07, 01:31 AM	I'm hoping this project is still a 'go'...so many interesting thoughts have come from its beginnings... Same here...are we still working on this??:confused: