Campaign Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Campaign Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
GreatOne
05-22-07, 06:19 PM Hi all. I need some help on how Im going to handle a campaign Im cooking up.

The whole thing will focus on the Lycanthropes getting fed up of the silver flame destroying their kind and attacking the church when they have enough resources to do so.

First it will start off with the forgotten forge, shadows of the last war and whispers of the vampire blade.

My question is this. How do I intro them to the lycan uprising thru the modules and how do I get them involved in the uprising after the modules?
Rechan
05-22-07, 06:57 PM I havn't really read the modules, sadly. You might actually want to deviate from the modules if there's no real way to work the stuff in - if this is what your campaign's about, then don't muddle it too greatly with modules that are unrelated, y'know?

Off the top of my head:

I think the lycanthropes have had a long time to lick their wounds and learn from their mistakes. The first time they attacked the Silver Flame, it was just about infecting the faithful and turning them. That didn't work. They realized the Flamites would take the fight to the Lycanthropes, and have utterly irradicated them.

So what does this mean? They have to be more insidious. The Silver Flame nearly drove them to extinction; they should return the favor. Remember, This is not a crusade, but a vengeance, and that is best served cold and at the most opportune time.

1) Organize. This means scouring Khorvaire and Xen'Drik (because if I was a lycanthrope, I would've fled to Xen'Drik and stalked the jungles) for all the remaining lycanthropes. You'll probably find some exotic ones; this old article on the WotC site has were-insects (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040614x). I also anticipate that Giants could have been infected by lycanthropy in Xen'drik.

Once they have them together, I imagine the lycanthropes would become a loose-knit organization, somewhat like a terrorist organization, or a brotherhood. They will stop infecting the mortal races, drawing as little attention to themselves as possible. True lycanthropes are the most powerful, for they are not controlled by the moons. If the lycanthropes hunt, they hunt to kill, and they cover their tracks by burning the body or hiding it.

2) Amass resources. Train, draw in supporters. They would try to outreach to the Shifter population, approaching those who are more wild (the weretouched masters, the isolated populations of Shifters, etc).

3) Infiltration. Lycanthropes can pass as humans - use that as their tool. I imagine that two or three dozen shapeshifters have infiltrated the Church and bided their time. They could also manage propaganda within the church - become preachers, preach sympathy towards the old lycanthropes, misunderstanding. This also means infiltrating the Puritan sect in Aundair, for Aundair was the site of the original Purge, and the Puritans still cling to the Flame in thanks. I imagine the Lycanthropes hold a special hatred of them.

4) Preperation. The lead-up to the Uprising will be slow, and look like isolated events. The Church's resources will start to dwindle as caravans are slaughtered. The agents in teh Church will squander or divert money, plant seeds of distrust towards the most powerful and influential members of the Church. Strong, capable paladins and shifters (who abhor their lycanthrope traditions and support the Flame) will be murdered through the years. When it nears time for the Uprising, they will begin a planned effort of infecting as many people as possible, timing these attacks so that a lot of people turn around the time of the Uprising. This will provide a diversion, as well as confusion as to their numbers.

5) Uprising. This will likely begin upon a holy night to the Devourer or when an appropriate plane or holy day is in action. If they are going to attack, it's going to be in an orchestrated manner - everyone at once - and if they are inside, they will likely strike at the highest officials possible: Cardinals, Bishops, if not Flamekeep itself. I would expect that the lycanthropes would not be squeamish about using non-lycanthropes: assassins, mercenaries, poison, and so on.
korcheck
05-22-07, 07:21 PM Don't expect too much help if they don't like the subject you might not get any response I'll respond to this topic for you tomorrow as soon as I get a chance to.
GreatOne
05-22-07, 07:33 PM Thanks Rechan. That whole explaination you gave me will help out greatly. But how should I start this whole thing?
Rechan
05-22-07, 08:49 PM In Knowledge Arcana 9 (some downloadable PDF magazine) there's an adventure that involves a community of lycanthropes deep in the mountains that are peaceful, and an obsessed Cardinal. There's an adventure there if you want to look into it - maybe they're aware of what's going on and rejected the notion, or they might be contacts for the PCs.

In Dungeon 138 (able to be ordered from their site), some wererats begin taking over the rat catchers guild/the guild that's responsible for disposing of trash. The intention is to build up garbage until the upper crust of the city flee, and then the wererats take over. These could be members of a defected cell of the Lycanthropes, tired of waiting for them - they want to infect the entire city to create an army.

The PCs could look into the assassination of a Bishop, possibly someone who had control of an important area, asset, or resource. Or his death could have distablized his area of the Churhc somehow - he was the only one holding back a movement (or the pushing force to encourage the CHurch in x area to grow). The PCs investigate his murder, and turn up an assassin, and the trail leads back to the lycanthropes somehow. Perhaps the PCs are attacked by a group of shifter fanatics when they get too close. Alternatively, the lycanthropes could have done something to strike the Puritans - spread a plague, start fires, anything to dispurse, harry, and otherwise damage them.

Someone inside the Church could contact the PCs believeing that there are moles in their midst, and needing an outside force to hunt them down.

Throw in a few side missions that might not directly relate. Or they might relate completely. Lycanthropy is the result of mutations brought on by proximity to a certain inprisoned Rajah, right? Perhaps the Lords of Dust are involved, intending to use the Lycanthropes to help them free the Rajah. Related plots (collecting necessary ritual ingredients, or something else), get dispursed, angering the LoD.
tallric_kruush
05-22-07, 09:04 PM Honestly, I don't think the published adventures lend themselves to this campaign idea. If you just want to get your characters involved in the world of Eberron (and leveled-up), the adventures can do that. Then, you'll have to head off in an entirely new direction to follow this lycanthrope idea.

If you do it that way, you will want to sprinkle references to increased problems with lycanthropes throughout your adventures. An article in the Sharn Inquisitive might be suitable in the first couple adventures. When the PCs head north into Thrane in WotVB, they can hear about the attacks worsening. You get the idea.

I'd think the Eldeen Reaches would be the most likely place to base a Lycan cabal. Yes, there are no doubt lycans throught Khorvaire (and beyond), but I'd think the greatest concentration (and still sparse) would be in the Eldeen. Manifest Zones to Lammania would allow lycans to return to Eberron. As it is, they are virtually extinct in modern Khorvaire. Most fled to Lammania to escape death. The Church knows it work. By the end of the Inquisition, they even had Medani-made items that could pinpoint lycanthropes' location. (FoE)

Lycans left in other regions of the world are simply too spread out to be a credible conspiracy (At least IMO). You might want to read up on the Purge before you go this route. I've linked the Dragonshards article below. A second war against lycanthropes would likely lead to their complete extinction in Khorvaire. The Church may not fully mobilize against them as they did in the 9th Century; but if even the Pure Flamists of Aundair did, it would likely overwhelm the lycans very quickly. Also, you could be creating a world that's very inhospitable to Shifters. Just because the Church has recognized the distinction, that doesn't mean the typical bigots on the street wouldn't persecute shifters. I think it would likely happen in cities around the five nations (errr...four nations), and would be worst in Aundair and Thrane. If your PCs are roleplayers up to the challenge, this might be an opportunity, rather than a negative.

So, be warned. IMO, there just aren't enough lycans in all Eberron (if you stick with the published material) to pull this off. That said, you don't have to stick with any of the published material. Hopefully, some of my suggestions will help.

Dragonshards-- Lycanthropes and the Purgehttp://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050404a
Rechan
05-22-07, 10:33 PM So, be warned. IMO, there just aren't enough lycans in all Eberron (if you stick with the published material) to pull this off. That said, you don't have to stick with any of the published material. Hopefully, some of my suggestions will help.
[/url]

I agree with you, but it's not something that's impossible.

Natural lycanthropes breed true. So if the lycanthropes started breeding like rabbits to start filling their ranks (if they had serious long term planning), they could do that.

Also, scouring the world looking for lycanthropes. If they got their hands on one of those Medani-made Lycanthrope hunting items, it could narrow the field much greater.

Granted, my theory of a cabal conspiracy would require close to a century or more of planning, so it would require severe patience and dedication.

Add to the ranks is any natives of Lammania that could owe favors to the elders in this Cabal.
GreatOne
05-23-07, 05:20 PM Thanks for all your guys help. I think I got enough info and stuff to start. Im going to start off with the three modules I mentioned with hints at the Lycnas attacking the flame and then after the modules I will have them meet up with some lycans fighting the flame and take it from there.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
GreatOne 05-22-07, 06:19 PM	Hi all. I need some help on how Im going to handle a campaign Im cooking up. The whole thing will focus on the Lycanthropes getting fed up of the silver flame destroying their kind and attacking the church when they have enough resources to do so. First it will start off with the forgotten forge, shadows of the last war and whispers of the vampire blade. My question is this. How do I intro them to the lycan uprising thru the modules and how do I get them involved in the uprising after the modules?
Rechan 05-22-07, 06:57 PM	I havn't really read the modules, sadly. You might actually want to deviate from the modules if there's no real way to work the stuff in - if this is what your campaign's about, then don't muddle it too greatly with modules that are unrelated, y'know? Off the top of my head: I think the lycanthropes have had a long time to lick their wounds and learn from their mistakes. The first time they attacked the Silver Flame, it was just about infecting the faithful and turning them. That didn't work. They realized the Flamites would take the fight to the Lycanthropes, and have utterly irradicated them. So what does this mean? They have to be more insidious. The Silver Flame nearly drove them to extinction; they should return the favor. Remember, This is not a crusade, but a vengeance, and that is best served cold and at the most opportune time. 1) Organize. This means scouring Khorvaire and Xen'Drik (because if I was a lycanthrope, I would've fled to Xen'Drik and stalked the jungles) for all the remaining lycanthropes. You'll probably find some exotic ones; this old article on the WotC site has were-insects (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040614x). I also anticipate that Giants could have been infected by lycanthropy in Xen'drik. Once they have them together, I imagine the lycanthropes would become a loose-knit organization, somewhat like a terrorist organization, or a brotherhood. They will stop infecting the mortal races, drawing as little attention to themselves as possible. True lycanthropes are the most powerful, for they are not controlled by the moons. If the lycanthropes hunt, they hunt to kill, and they cover their tracks by burning the body or hiding it. 2) Amass resources. Train, draw in supporters. They would try to outreach to the Shifter population, approaching those who are more wild (the weretouched masters, the isolated populations of Shifters, etc). 3) Infiltration. Lycanthropes can pass as humans - use that as their tool. I imagine that two or three dozen shapeshifters have infiltrated the Church and bided their time. They could also manage propaganda within the church - become preachers, preach sympathy towards the old lycanthropes, misunderstanding. This also means infiltrating the Puritan sect in Aundair, for Aundair was the site of the original Purge, and the Puritans still cling to the Flame in thanks. I imagine the Lycanthropes hold a special hatred of them. 4) Preperation. The lead-up to the Uprising will be slow, and look like isolated events. The Church's resources will start to dwindle as caravans are slaughtered. The agents in teh Church will squander or divert money, plant seeds of distrust towards the most powerful and influential members of the Church. Strong, capable paladins and shifters (who abhor their lycanthrope traditions and support the Flame) will be murdered through the years. When it nears time for the Uprising, they will begin a planned effort of infecting as many people as possible, timing these attacks so that a lot of people turn around the time of the Uprising. This will provide a diversion, as well as confusion as to their numbers. 5) Uprising. This will likely begin upon a holy night to the Devourer or when an appropriate plane or holy day is in action. If they are going to attack, it's going to be in an orchestrated manner - everyone at once - and if they are inside, they will likely strike at the highest officials possible: Cardinals, Bishops, if not Flamekeep itself. I would expect that the lycanthropes would not be squeamish about using non-lycanthropes: assassins, mercenaries, poison, and so on.
korcheck 05-22-07, 07:21 PM	Don't expect too much help if they don't like the subject you might not get any response I'll respond to this topic for you tomorrow as soon as I get a chance to.
GreatOne 05-22-07, 07:33 PM	Thanks Rechan. That whole explaination you gave me will help out greatly. But how should I start this whole thing?
Rechan 05-22-07, 08:49 PM	In Knowledge Arcana 9 (some downloadable PDF magazine) there's an adventure that involves a community of lycanthropes deep in the mountains that are peaceful, and an obsessed Cardinal. There's an adventure there if you want to look into it - maybe they're aware of what's going on and rejected the notion, or they might be contacts for the PCs. In Dungeon 138 (able to be ordered from their site), some wererats begin taking over the rat catchers guild/the guild that's responsible for disposing of trash. The intention is to build up garbage until the upper crust of the city flee, and then the wererats take over. These could be members of a defected cell of the Lycanthropes, tired of waiting for them - they want to infect the entire city to create an army. The PCs could look into the assassination of a Bishop, possibly someone who had control of an important area, asset, or resource. Or his death could have distablized his area of the Churhc somehow - he was the only one holding back a movement (or the pushing force to encourage the CHurch in x area to grow). The PCs investigate his murder, and turn up an assassin, and the trail leads back to the lycanthropes somehow. Perhaps the PCs are attacked by a group of shifter fanatics when they get too close. Alternatively, the lycanthropes could have done something to strike the Puritans - spread a plague, start fires, anything to dispurse, harry, and otherwise damage them. Someone inside the Church could contact the PCs believeing that there are moles in their midst, and needing an outside force to hunt them down. Throw in a few side missions that might not directly relate. Or they might relate completely. Lycanthropy is the result of mutations brought on by proximity to a certain inprisoned Rajah, right? Perhaps the Lords of Dust are involved, intending to use the Lycanthropes to help them free the Rajah. Related plots (collecting necessary ritual ingredients, or something else), get dispursed, angering the LoD.
tallric_kruush 05-22-07, 09:04 PM	Honestly, I don't think the published adventures lend themselves to this campaign idea. If you just want to get your characters involved in the world of Eberron (and leveled-up), the adventures can do that. Then, you'll have to head off in an entirely new direction to follow this lycanthrope idea. If you do it that way, you will want to sprinkle references to increased problems with lycanthropes throughout your adventures. An article in the Sharn Inquisitive might be suitable in the first couple adventures. When the PCs head north into Thrane in WotVB, they can hear about the attacks worsening. You get the idea. I'd think the Eldeen Reaches would be the most likely place to base a Lycan cabal. Yes, there are no doubt lycans throught Khorvaire (and beyond), but I'd think the greatest concentration (and still sparse) would be in the Eldeen. Manifest Zones to Lammania would allow lycans to return to Eberron. As it is, they are virtually extinct in modern Khorvaire. Most fled to Lammania to escape death. The Church knows it work. By the end of the Inquisition, they even had Medani-made items that could pinpoint lycanthropes' location. (FoE) Lycans left in other regions of the world are simply too spread out to be a credible conspiracy (At least IMO). You might want to read up on the Purge before you go this route. I've linked the Dragonshards article below. A second war against lycanthropes would likely lead to their complete extinction in Khorvaire. The Church may not fully mobilize against them as they did in the 9th Century; but if even the Pure Flamists of Aundair did, it would likely overwhelm the lycans very quickly. Also, you could be creating a world that's very inhospitable to Shifters. Just because the Church has recognized the distinction, that doesn't mean the typical bigots on the street wouldn't persecute shifters. I think it would likely happen in cities around the five nations (errr...four nations), and would be worst in Aundair and Thrane. If your PCs are roleplayers up to the challenge, this might be an opportunity, rather than a negative. So, be warned. IMO, there just aren't enough lycans in all Eberron (if you stick with the published material) to pull this off. That said, you don't have to stick with any of the published material. Hopefully, some of my suggestions will help. Dragonshards-- Lycanthropes and the Purgehttp://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050404a
Rechan 05-22-07, 10:33 PM	So, be warned. IMO, there just aren't enough lycans in all Eberron (if you stick with the published material) to pull this off. That said, you don't have to stick with any of the published material. Hopefully, some of my suggestions will help. [/url] I agree with you, but it's not something that's impossible. Natural lycanthropes breed true. So if the lycanthropes started breeding like rabbits to start filling their ranks (if they had serious long term planning), they could do that. Also, scouring the world looking for lycanthropes. If they got their hands on one of those Medani-made Lycanthrope hunting items, it could narrow the field much greater. Granted, my theory of a cabal conspiracy would require close to a century or more of planning, so it would require severe patience and dedication. Add to the ranks is any natives of Lammania that could owe favors to the elders in this Cabal.
GreatOne 05-23-07, 05:20 PM	Thanks for all your guys help. I think I got enough info and stuff to start. Im going to start off with the three modules I mentioned with hints at the Lycnas attacking the flame and then after the modules I will have them meet up with some lycans fighting the flame and take it from there.