an Incarnum Campaign in the works [Archive] - Wizards Community

an Incarnum Campaign in the works [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz
12-29-05, 08:21 AM Ok, after the next adventure or two I plan on running an incarnum campaign for my PCs. I will post the basics of this campaign and the story, as well as alternative foes. I won't post levels, and stuff like that, so that you can gauge the plots and what not to your campaign. It is based off the plots and what not given in the back of the Incarnum book. I will also need some help filling in the blanks.

The Key
Basics: The Blood of Vol has come to the Library of Korranberg. Mostly kept in secret and hidden away from the publics eyes they zealously search through the old tomes for "family trees." During that same time the PCs are approached by a man, "Krenzanth Oathsworn" (really he is Dallyster Orbrander a Rilkan Rouge, who serves a Red Dragon and hides his true nature as a human). "Krenzanth" will attempt to hire the PCs, claiming that the Cult's leader is in possession of several artifacts that he wishes to claim. He will pay well over what is neccessary, but offers no insight to the artifacts other then appearance ("a handful of precious necklaces, set with azure stones and a glowing pulsing short sword covered in writing and fashioned from a solid Khyber Dragonshard", please feel free to ommit any of these details when Krenzanth tells the PCs).

Events: Inside the city walls of Korranberg all is calm and serene while the priest rumage through the tomes. Outside the city walls though about 60 miles west of Korranberg just off the road to Thurimbar, lies a small hamlet, (in my campaign the hamlet is known as Bluestone, named so for the rare blue gem stones that where uncovered long ago when the hamlet was first formed). Strange incedents have occured there lately, a child missing, several people have been brutally beaten, and three or four people have been arrested, not to mention a handful of other disapearances.
Secretly the BoV priest have been sneaking out of the Korranberg (about 1 a week) and traveling to the town. They kidnapped a strange child (pre to young teens would be best), who was born with beautiful azure eyes. They have since twisted and contorted the childs mind, torturing him, and using his power to corrupt the power of the child. This has led to the creation of several necrocarnum zombies, and Lost. The lost are the so-called raving lunatics, and the disappearances the necrocarnum zombies.

The BoV clerics are even begining to fortify themselves a secret base within the walls of Korranberg, with the help of the Emerald Claw. The building is situated in a docking house. Here the PCs will encounter the Emerald Claw and maybe a few necrocarnum undead, as well as one of the 4 Priests (maybe an adept or expert with a magic item that allows "him" to control undead as a cleric?). Here the PCs can free the child, and have proof of the BoV/EC actions. Next they can confront the BoV/EC in the bowels of the Library.

During their battle with the priests, one of the clerics will attempt to teleport away using a scroll. The priests will either flee or lose, the PCs will get into trouble if they outright slay them (after all they are somewhat considered ambasadors). If the priests lose, and the main priest is kept from teleporting away, another battle will begin after a few moments. A handful of Duskling barbarians will teleport in and steal a pulsing short sword covered in writing and fashioned from a solid Khyber Dragonshard from the priests. Now the main cleric will have in his possessions several letters from a member of (insert major foes, I'm using the Twelve in my campaign). The letters account that the person gave the cleric the ceremonial sword in an attempt to find out more about it in the Library of Korranberg. Krezanth will pay the PCs handsomely for the letters (although not as much as had been promised since the sword was stolen).

If the PCs ask about the sword or mention the boy, Krenzanth will state that he will clean up the situation, returning the boy.

In the Eye of the Beholder
Basics: In the second continuation of the adventure the PCs will recieve will uncover information on the sword. Krenzanth will send the PC a message through House Sivis. The letter will detail that they can find more clues within the court of a Gorodan Ashlord, in Droaam.

more later....
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz
12-29-05, 03:10 PM so what do ya'll think?
Missekat
12-29-05, 03:15 PM interesting.. Do you want to give up more info on the artifacts and how they are tied to the plot?
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz
12-29-05, 03:56 PM 1st: Much of this will be explained in the campaign as it goes along.
2nd: Alot of this has to do this house rules within my campaign, so feel free to edit what you want.

In my campaign the Dragons created the Incarnum seal to keep the Giants from destroying Eberron an a psychotic fit of madness. Doing so blocked most of the passage of Incarnum, unless you have access to Incarnum Stones (magical items, that open small personal gateways to Incarnum, most fashioned into rings). Most of the gates that inhibit the flow of incarnum have long been torn down or destroyed, but some still exist. This is why I allow my players right now to use Incarnum feats, but not take classes. Only the races of incarnum currently can take the incarnum classes (or if you have an Incarnum Stone, you may take the class as well, but if you lose the magic item, you lose the ability to create soulmelds).
To create these blockades the dragons need powerful beings, they summoned powerful planar creature to fashion into "keys". The khyber shard short sword is such a key.

The only truely undamaged Incarnum gate still perfectly sealed is on an island off the coast of Xen'drik. It is inhabbited by stone giants, and ruled by a fiendish stone giant, Xabala'xk (shah-bahl-ah-shk). For thousands of years the giants have worshipped the Azure Obelisk.

Through obscure means Xabala'xk came accross a prophecy in the cave, it appeared to be a Draconic prophecy, but was in the writings of the giants. It pretty much states that an azure eyed child would be born and his blood must be shed accross the Azure Obelisk with a blade of Khyber, so that the giants may rise up and show the world their true might. Contemplating on this Xabala'xk, was able to summon a group of dusklings that had been bound to a khyber shard he found in the gave (these guys will be like the trademark for the campaign as far a annoying antagonist go). He sent them to seek out the blade and the child.

The dusklings where able to find out about a group of mages who had discovered the blade on Totem Beach (left there by an agent of the Lords of Dust). The mages have also recently discovered a cash of Incarnate stones, which has given them access to Incarnum. Only one of them has mastered soulmelding, and has taken over the project.

The dusklings returned to Xabala'xk with the news, and he has had them keep an eye on the sword every sense. He knows he cannot travel there, and the Dusklings don't stand a chance against members of the Twelve.

Recently the Blood of Vol has been granted access to the Library of Korranberg. One of the members has an alley who is going to the Library and has consorted with him to use this time to look up the information, and even entrusted him with the sword.

This is where the campaign takes off.
Saurenda
12-29-05, 09:46 PM so what do ya'll think?

Considering your last campaign on MSN, I think it's a step in a better direction.

As for learning all those house rules all it really did was bog the players down and intimidate them into doing more work than concentrating on having fun. While training might seem like a legitamite practice, adding on a list of other conditions to use action points just confused everyone.

Hope you stick with it.
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz
12-29-05, 11:29 PM See the thing is my real players IRL seem to be able to do most of this pretty easily, and with little need for clarification, and the games seem to move rather quickly, and realistically. I used to do online games all the time, but they were just to have fun, and mechanically I always bent the rules to have fun on my online game (which was a Palladium Books game that is the core of munchkinism, but still kewl). Now I'm more serious about the game and my players love it, infact 2 of my players where so ready they are changing their days off to better account into the game. I guess its the flavor, if you prefer realism or semi-realism. I support very vivid and realistic games, something I can't seem to do online (not to mention with the constant arguing that went on). But anyways.
Saurenda
12-30-05, 06:01 AM See the thing is my real players IRL seem to be able to do most of this pretty easily, and with little need for clarification, and the games seem to move rather quickly, and realistically. I used to do online games all the time, but they were just to have fun, and mechanically I always bent the rules to have fun on my online game (which was a Palladium Books game that is the core of munchkinism, but still kewl). Now I'm more serious about the game and my players love it, infact 2 of my players where so ready they are changing their days off to better account into the game. I guess its the flavor, if you prefer realism or semi-realism. I support very vivid and realistic games, something I can't seem to do online (not to mention with the constant arguing that went on). But anyways.

The main idea is to keep action moving and people entertained. Same as in a game offline, but online you have less time and communication.

I'm sorry you spent most of your time arguing, in most of the online games I have been in everyone has been good about what's been put up in the chat as it happens. When a despute comes up it's up to the Dm to settle is quick and keep it moving. not start an arguement over it and justify it with "If you were in my local game you'd understand", or "These house rules work offline and they'll work online with total strangers".

Realism is fine, but if you keep bogging down players with rules it will be more about memorizing your house rules over actually playing an onlien game that last once a week, and for a few hours.

You keep saying your RL players do this easily. That's great. But when you get people online you've not run for, and whom know the core rules, you loose them. Bogging them down with extra just makes more material to learn for that reason that your life players seem to deal with it doesn't show your efficent. Those house rules are tailored towards other people you've dealt with and know. You don't know the people you run for online until you see them in action.

Well real life players are local and tend to communciate more often. As you are on for a limited amount of time, and you can't expect to yield the same results without adapting.

At least this time your not dumping your PCs in the middle of nowhere with no plan in mind, or without any intention to follow up on all the rules they took the time to read, the backstories they wrote, or take thier goals seriously.

By the way, how did your last online campaign end? You mentioned it a few months ago you were starting one and you never followed up on that.
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz
12-30-05, 08:46 AM actually I did start, but only 3 people joined. I was going good as far as the houserules went, and I spoke with everyone, about what rules they didn't like, the ones they didn't got thrown out (other then training).

But one of the players constantly argued about everything, and just slowed the game down so much that it wasn't worth it. I had a fairly decent plot and story, but it didn't even get through the gate. The group would've have been a whole lot better to play with IRL, and I wish they where playin' in my IRL group, but they aren't. Even the one that argued consistantly would be a good addition to the group (I've had to deal with this type IRL and it's a whole lot easier then online).

And you are right playing with an online group is a whole lot different. I guess I'm spoiled with having a semi-stable gaming group for awhile. But anyways, like I said some of the house rules where actually thrown out because the players thought they were to complicated for the game. Hell one player said that the stats for their character where average (which if you do it right in my game it's the equal to a 31+ point buy). Anyways peace out.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz 12-29-05, 08:21 AM	Ok, after the next adventure or two I plan on running an incarnum campaign for my PCs. I will post the basics of this campaign and the story, as well as alternative foes. I won't post levels, and stuff like that, so that you can gauge the plots and what not to your campaign. It is based off the plots and what not given in the back of the Incarnum book. I will also need some help filling in the blanks. The Key Basics: The Blood of Vol has come to the Library of Korranberg. Mostly kept in secret and hidden away from the publics eyes they zealously search through the old tomes for "family trees." During that same time the PCs are approached by a man, "Krenzanth Oathsworn" (really he is Dallyster Orbrander a Rilkan Rouge, who serves a Red Dragon and hides his true nature as a human). "Krenzanth" will attempt to hire the PCs, claiming that the Cult's leader is in possession of several artifacts that he wishes to claim. He will pay well over what is neccessary, but offers no insight to the artifacts other then appearance ("a handful of precious necklaces, set with azure stones and a glowing pulsing short sword covered in writing and fashioned from a solid Khyber Dragonshard", please feel free to ommit any of these details when Krenzanth tells the PCs). Events: Inside the city walls of Korranberg all is calm and serene while the priest rumage through the tomes. Outside the city walls though about 60 miles west of Korranberg just off the road to Thurimbar, lies a small hamlet, (in my campaign the hamlet is known as Bluestone, named so for the rare blue gem stones that where uncovered long ago when the hamlet was first formed). Strange incedents have occured there lately, a child missing, several people have been brutally beaten, and three or four people have been arrested, not to mention a handful of other disapearances. Secretly the BoV priest have been sneaking out of the Korranberg (about 1 a week) and traveling to the town. They kidnapped a strange child (pre to young teens would be best), who was born with beautiful azure eyes. They have since twisted and contorted the childs mind, torturing him, and using his power to corrupt the power of the child. This has led to the creation of several necrocarnum zombies, and Lost. The lost are the so-called raving lunatics, and the disappearances the necrocarnum zombies. The BoV clerics are even begining to fortify themselves a secret base within the walls of Korranberg, with the help of the Emerald Claw. The building is situated in a docking house. Here the PCs will encounter the Emerald Claw and maybe a few necrocarnum undead, as well as one of the 4 Priests (maybe an adept or expert with a magic item that allows "him" to control undead as a cleric?). Here the PCs can free the child, and have proof of the BoV/EC actions. Next they can confront the BoV/EC in the bowels of the Library. During their battle with the priests, one of the clerics will attempt to teleport away using a scroll. The priests will either flee or lose, the PCs will get into trouble if they outright slay them (after all they are somewhat considered ambasadors). If the priests lose, and the main priest is kept from teleporting away, another battle will begin after a few moments. A handful of Duskling barbarians will teleport in and steal a pulsing short sword covered in writing and fashioned from a solid Khyber Dragonshard from the priests. Now the main cleric will have in his possessions several letters from a member of (insert major foes, I'm using the Twelve in my campaign). The letters account that the person gave the cleric the ceremonial sword in an attempt to find out more about it in the Library of Korranberg. Krezanth will pay the PCs handsomely for the letters (although not as much as had been promised since the sword was stolen). If the PCs ask about the sword or mention the boy, Krenzanth will state that he will clean up the situation, returning the boy. In the Eye of the Beholder Basics: In the second continuation of the adventure the PCs will recieve will uncover information on the sword. Krenzanth will send the PC a message through House Sivis. The letter will detail that they can find more clues within the court of a Gorodan Ashlord, in Droaam. more later....
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz 12-29-05, 03:10 PM	so what do ya'll think?
Missekat 12-29-05, 03:15 PM	interesting.. Do you want to give up more info on the artifacts and how they are tied to the plot?
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz 12-29-05, 03:56 PM	1st: Much of this will be explained in the campaign as it goes along. 2nd: Alot of this has to do this house rules within my campaign, so feel free to edit what you want. In my campaign the Dragons created the Incarnum seal to keep the Giants from destroying Eberron an a psychotic fit of madness. Doing so blocked most of the passage of Incarnum, unless you have access to Incarnum Stones (magical items, that open small personal gateways to Incarnum, most fashioned into rings). Most of the gates that inhibit the flow of incarnum have long been torn down or destroyed, but some still exist. This is why I allow my players right now to use Incarnum feats, but not take classes. Only the races of incarnum currently can take the incarnum classes (or if you have an Incarnum Stone, you may take the class as well, but if you lose the magic item, you lose the ability to create soulmelds). To create these blockades the dragons need powerful beings, they summoned powerful planar creature to fashion into "keys". The khyber shard short sword is such a key. The only truely undamaged Incarnum gate still perfectly sealed is on an island off the coast of Xen'drik. It is inhabbited by stone giants, and ruled by a fiendish stone giant, Xabala'xk (shah-bahl-ah-shk). For thousands of years the giants have worshipped the Azure Obelisk. Through obscure means Xabala'xk came accross a prophecy in the cave, it appeared to be a Draconic prophecy, but was in the writings of the giants. It pretty much states that an azure eyed child would be born and his blood must be shed accross the Azure Obelisk with a blade of Khyber, so that the giants may rise up and show the world their true might. Contemplating on this Xabala'xk, was able to summon a group of dusklings that had been bound to a khyber shard he found in the gave (these guys will be like the trademark for the campaign as far a annoying antagonist go). He sent them to seek out the blade and the child. The dusklings where able to find out about a group of mages who had discovered the blade on Totem Beach (left there by an agent of the Lords of Dust). The mages have also recently discovered a cash of Incarnate stones, which has given them access to Incarnum. Only one of them has mastered soulmelding, and has taken over the project. The dusklings returned to Xabala'xk with the news, and he has had them keep an eye on the sword every sense. He knows he cannot travel there, and the Dusklings don't stand a chance against members of the Twelve. Recently the Blood of Vol has been granted access to the Library of Korranberg. One of the members has an alley who is going to the Library and has consorted with him to use this time to look up the information, and even entrusted him with the sword. This is where the campaign takes off.
Saurenda 12-29-05, 09:46 PM	so what do ya'll think? Considering your last campaign on MSN, I think it's a step in a better direction. As for learning all those house rules all it really did was bog the players down and intimidate them into doing more work than concentrating on having fun. While training might seem like a legitamite practice, adding on a list of other conditions to use action points just confused everyone. Hope you stick with it.
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz 12-29-05, 11:29 PM	See the thing is my real players IRL seem to be able to do most of this pretty easily, and with little need for clarification, and the games seem to move rather quickly, and realistically. I used to do online games all the time, but they were just to have fun, and mechanically I always bent the rules to have fun on my online game (which was a Palladium Books game that is the core of munchkinism, but still kewl). Now I'm more serious about the game and my players love it, infact 2 of my players where so ready they are changing their days off to better account into the game. I guess its the flavor, if you prefer realism or semi-realism. I support very vivid and realistic games, something I can't seem to do online (not to mention with the constant arguing that went on). But anyways.
Saurenda 12-30-05, 06:01 AM	See the thing is my real players IRL seem to be able to do most of this pretty easily, and with little need for clarification, and the games seem to move rather quickly, and realistically. I used to do online games all the time, but they were just to have fun, and mechanically I always bent the rules to have fun on my online game (which was a Palladium Books game that is the core of munchkinism, but still kewl). Now I'm more serious about the game and my players love it, infact 2 of my players where so ready they are changing their days off to better account into the game. I guess its the flavor, if you prefer realism or semi-realism. I support very vivid and realistic games, something I can't seem to do online (not to mention with the constant arguing that went on). But anyways. The main idea is to keep action moving and people entertained. Same as in a game offline, but online you have less time and communication. I'm sorry you spent most of your time arguing, in most of the online games I have been in everyone has been good about what's been put up in the chat as it happens. When a despute comes up it's up to the Dm to settle is quick and keep it moving. not start an arguement over it and justify it with "If you were in my local game you'd understand", or "These house rules work offline and they'll work online with total strangers". Realism is fine, but if you keep bogging down players with rules it will be more about memorizing your house rules over actually playing an onlien game that last once a week, and for a few hours. You keep saying your RL players do this easily. That's great. But when you get people online you've not run for, and whom know the core rules, you loose them. Bogging them down with extra just makes more material to learn for that reason that your life players seem to deal with it doesn't show your efficent. Those house rules are tailored towards other people you've dealt with and know. You don't know the people you run for online until you see them in action. Well real life players are local and tend to communciate more often. As you are on for a limited amount of time, and you can't expect to yield the same results without adapting. At least this time your not dumping your PCs in the middle of nowhere with no plan in mind, or without any intention to follow up on all the rules they took the time to read, the backstories they wrote, or take thier goals seriously. By the way, how did your last online campaign end? You mentioned it a few months ago you were starting one and you never followed up on that.
twelvedrunkenmonkeyz 12-30-05, 08:46 AM	actually I did start, but only 3 people joined. I was going good as far as the houserules went, and I spoke with everyone, about what rules they didn't like, the ones they didn't got thrown out (other then training). But one of the players constantly argued about everything, and just slowed the game down so much that it wasn't worth it. I had a fairly decent plot and story, but it didn't even get through the gate. The group would've have been a whole lot better to play with IRL, and I wish they where playin' in my IRL group, but they aren't. Even the one that argued consistantly would be a good addition to the group (I've had to deal with this type IRL and it's a whole lot easier then online). And you are right playing with an online group is a whole lot different. I guess I'm spoiled with having a semi-stable gaming group for awhile. But anyways, like I said some of the house rules where actually thrown out because the players thought they were to complicated for the game. Hell one player said that the stats for their character where average (which if you do it right in my game it's the equal to a 31+ point buy). Anyways peace out.