Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fion81 08-29-06, 03:39 AM	I am running an extremely long term campaign that tries to draw the pcs into a variety of the details that come from the world. I will be running the published adventures up to the golden dragon from level 7-8. At that stage the pcs i expect to be spending most of there time in Xendrick. Obviously the largest metaphysical item in Eberron is the dragon prophecy. (This is a broad outline) The pcs will began to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the Warforged from the ancient quori (tying in with the published adventures). This will raise questions about the modern warforged, and a strong analogy between what happened in the xendrick and what happened in Cyre will be drawn. Did someone in Cyre find something in Xendrick? Through all of this there will be a background story involving two figures. One a dragon the pcs will hear about, the other an epic level caster from Aundair named Erasmus. IN aundair there is an organization that is trying to prevent the prophecy from coming to fruition. (Even at the cost of killing a few dragons, which is where this npc comes in). This npc who goes by the name Erasmus is secretely involved with that orginization and not its overt leader, the leader will be an interseting enigmatic and questionable figure, but not especially high level personally. The pcs come to believe the prophecy has something to do with Eberrons relationship with the planes of existence, and that the day of mourning may have made an adjustment to the ancients powers evoked by Xendrick and the gatekeepers. The dragon is a member of the chamber and seeks to have the pcs who have clearly at this stage (high levels 14+) begun to demonstrate that they are capable of bringing the prophecy about. The quori also strangely but covertly assisting the pc's even at times giving fake opposition. The war at this stage bursts out once again between the dragons and the elves. Reaching a new level of fevor, and Erasmus and cue show up to help the people there. The pcs discover the motivations for this rivalary have something to do with the elves having a connection to the secret aundair society. The pcs meet eramus and he explains to them a cryptic interpreation that the prophecy is meant to bring an eternal darkness to the world. Whether its the demons the daelkyr or something else remains mysterious. Dragon marks are meanwhile staring to appear with noticable more frequency on the up and comers. And the pcs are given a choice, either aid the dragon they have met, or aid ERamus, and make an enemy of the one they choose not to assist. The pcs will end up investigating ancient xendrick discovering that the real motivation for the dragons genocide of the giants had less to do with the giants trying to retain there status over the elves. Eventually the pcs will uncover some evidence that 'seems to' suggest though controversially that the gods might exist and are trying to do something. (ie whats the deal with the silver flame). The options will boil down to several major things put into point form. 1. Find strange links between xendrik and cyre. Find strange links to the quori and the warforged. 2. Find out the prophecy covers these events. 3. Come to suspect it has something to do with the planes. 4. Elf dragon war breaks out, the elves are hard pressed but strangely not all dragons have come, why do they need to say at there own continent, and what is there anyway. 5. Erasmus offers them a choice. (and eventually turns out to be more than he appears, suspicions of a connection with the gods arise, nothing definite). 6. quori and the daelkyr begin to make a move, and the lords of dust, strangely oppose them, and the pcs at the same time. 7. Evidence (part relating to eramus) comes out of something to do with the gods, old historical ruins reveal primitive versions of the gods being worshiped and the prophecy finding exposure here. (again could be nothing). 8. This evidence is strangely connected with the silver flame. 9. The planes begin to come back into alightment with the world and hte pcs dont know if the propehcy stops it or helps it along. And which of these is the right choice. 11. The blood of vol comes up, Vol is trying to become a god and the mark of death appears once again amongst the elves ( could this have something to do with there war against the elves?). 12. Some ending will happen that will reshape eberron based on the choices the pcs make. Im going all out with this campaign and am not afriad to damage the pieces on the board. Does this sound interesting or like totally boring and not eberronish? Please give more concrete insights into these ideas or why you dont like them, it picks up on alot of major threads. I coudl drag kiaus in when i drag the blood of vol in, etc, i could change the order, idk yet.
cancerousmango 08-29-06, 03:57 AM	Just base it all on Air Bud, and it will turn out fine.
Shady314 08-29-06, 05:40 AM	I am running an extremely long term campaign that tries to draw the pcs into a variety of the details that come from the world. I will be running the published adventures up to the golden dragon from level 7-8. At that stage the pcs i expect to be spending most of there time in Xendrick. Obviously the largest metaphysical item in Eberron is the dragon prophecy. (This is a broad outline) The pcs will began to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the Warforged from the ancient quori (tying in with the published adventures). This will raise questions about the modern warforged, and a strong analogy between what happened in the xendrick and what happened in Cyre will be drawn. Did someone in Cyre find something in Xendrick? Through all of this there will be a background story involving two figures. One a dragon the pcs will hear about, the other an epic level caster from Aundair named Erasmus. IN aundair there is an organization that is trying to prevent the prophecy from coming to fruition. (Even at the cost of killing a few dragons, which is where this npc comes in). This npc who goes by the name Erasmus is secretely involved with that orginization and not its overt leader, the leader will be an interseting enigmatic and questionable figure, but not especially high level personally. The pcs come to believe the prophecy has something to do with Eberrons relationship with the planes of existence, and that the day of mourning may have made an adjustment to the ancients powers evoked by Xendrick and the gatekeepers. The dragon is a member of the chamber and seeks to have the pcs who have clearly at this stage (high levels 14+) begun to demonstrate that they are capable of bringing the prophecy about. The quori also strangely but covertly assisting the pc's even at times giving fake opposition. The war at this stage bursts out once again between the dragons and the elves. Reaching a new level of fevor, and Erasmus and cue show up to help the people there. The pcs discover the motivations for this rivalary have something to do with the elves having a connection to the secret aundair society. The pcs meet eramus and he explains to them a cryptic interpreation that the prophecy is meant to bring an eternal darkness to the world. Whether its the demons the daelkyr or something else remains mysterious. Dragon marks are meanwhile staring to appear with noticable more frequency on the up and comers. And the pcs are given a choice, either aid the dragon they have met, or aid ERamus, and make an enemy of the one they choose not to assist. The pcs will end up investigating ancient xendrick discovering that the real motivation for the dragons genocide of the giants had less to do with the giants trying to retain there status over the elves. Eventually the pcs will uncover some evidence that 'seems to' suggest though controversially that the gods might exist and are trying to do something. (ie whats the deal with the silver flame). The options will boil down to several major things put into point form. 1. Find strange links between xendrik and cyre. Find strange links to the quori and the warforged. 2. Find out the prophecy covers these events. 3. Come to suspect it has something to do with the planes. 4. Elf dragon war breaks out, the elves are hard pressed but strangely not all dragons have come, why do they need to say at there own continent, and what is there anyway. 5. Erasmus offers them a choice. (and eventually turns out to be more than he appears, suspicions of a connection with the gods arise, nothing definite). 6. quori and the daelkyr begin to make a move, and the lords of dust, strangely oppose them, and the pcs at the same time. 7. Evidence (part relating to eramus) comes out of something to do with the gods, old historical ruins reveal primitive versions of the gods being worshiped and the prophecy finding exposure here. (again could be nothing). 8. This evidence is strangely connected with the silver flame. 9. The planes begin to come back into alightment with the world and hte pcs dont know if the propehcy stops it or helps it along. And which of these is the right choice. 11. The blood of vol comes up, Vol is trying to become a god and the mark of death appears once again amongst the elves ( could this have something to do with there war against the elves?). 12. Some ending will happen that will reshape eberron based on the choices the pcs make. Im going all out with this campaign and am not afriad to damage the pieces on the board. Does this sound interesting or like totally boring and not eberronish? Please give more concrete insights into these ideas or why you dont like them, it picks up on alot of major threads. I coudl drag kiaus in when i drag the blood of vol in, etc, i could change the order, idk yet. Well so far it is hard to say. I certainly would not call it bad. It COULD be fun. It'll probably all really boil down to execution. More detailed information is needed. Personally... I prefer NPCs to mix PC and NPC classes. I like Eberron's shortage of Epic PC class using NPCs. An epic Aundairian spellcaster NPC rubs me the wrong way. Such a character would be a huge deal. The fact he is apparently around to kill dragons strikes me as very silly. This is solved simply by fleshing him out more. Why is he killing dragons? How is he epic level? Is he recently epic or is he centuries old etc. What is this organization he belongs to? Why is this secret organization exclusively Aundairian?????? Very confusing. Need more info. I'd be more inclined to introduce him at a high level (say 18 or 19) and have him progress to Epic as the PCs go up in level. I think you could do much more with a rogue dragon prophet. An NPC using the class not an actual Dragon. I don't see any evidence whatsoever to suggest killing Dragons would in any way "stop" the prophecy. They study it and try to help it along. They don't control it. There seems to be a LOT going on. I know it can seem kewl to throw everything and the kitchen sink in when you are going for broke but sometimes it is better to streamline and simplify. Unless you've come up with some sort of overarching ultimate secret metaplot you plan to spring that connects everything in some way which is hard to pull off well. It will also be hard to keep the PCs focused if all kinds of PC worthy activity springs up at about the same time. It's already common knowledge that the gods have been worshipped in different forms all over Eberron throughout history. Or at least gods that can be easily argued/translated into the Host. It's the reason the Sovereign host has done such a great job assimilating other religions into itself. So I think it's a fine idea provided it ties into your metaplot. I'm curious if youre going to go the "gods are ascended dragons route?" I LOVE using the prophecy. That's always a good idea IMHO. It's pure Eberron. Have them find a piece that seems meant for them specifically and directs them to an area of Xendrik. I suggest somwhere within the Menechtarun where they find.... The Mournland. Dun Dun Dun. Again more specifics are needed. Why do the Dragons attack Aerenal again? They know they won't have much success with the Undying Court there. If the Mark of Death pops up again the war between Dragons and Elves may END as they join forces again to exterminate the bearers. The planes "COME BACK" into alignment with Eberron? First you'd have to introduce the idea they were ever all permanently coterminous in the past(I assume you mean coterminous when you say align). Unless you mean Xoriat opens up again and Dal Quor is no longer remote. Both of which open up a whole can of worms. I also hope you realize only Dal Quor was actually forced to be permanently remote from Eberron by the Giants. The Gatekeepers didn't have that kind of power. They sealed Xoriat off from Eberron and the seals also suppress the effects of Xoriat being coterminous within their range. I personally like the Quorforged and the Shiari Docent from Secrets of Xendrick. I say go ahead and use them. Those are just SOME thoughts. It's hard to comment without more concrete fleshed out information on the campaign arc.
Fion81 08-29-06, 11:47 AM	-he is around to oppose the dragonic prophecy, which puts him at ends with dragons. +ill have the pcs hear about him literally a dozen levels before they meet him, so they will seee him as a big deal. -The prophecy isnt stopped by killing dragons, sorry if i gave that impression typed this up late. Dragons are trying to help it come bout, so they get in the way and have to be stopped for this reason. Its not like the prophecy is advancing cause there are dragons breathing. -there is alot going on, my campaigns typcially run for 2-3 years. so i need alot. -i know the gods have been worshiped, what im talking about is linking them concretely and specifically to the prophecy. -yes i am aware the giants did move quori away, and im aware of the impact that magic had on the world. What caused the day of morning will have been some similar magic. Perhaps this destroyed the efforts of the giants, or damaged it and showed it could be done, and now those involved in the prophecy are trying to complte the process. I had alternative less compelling campaign (imo) involving just the blood of vol and king kiaus. and sorry about lack of detail was really late. i guess ill answer specific questions? Oh and ya i know it needs fleshing out ALOT thats part of the reason i posted here, so thanks for the response
Shady314 08-29-06, 03:38 PM	-he is around to oppose the dragonic prophecy, which puts him at ends with dragons. +ill have the pcs hear about him literally a dozen levels before they meet him, so they will seee him as a big deal. -The prophecy isnt stopped by killing dragons, sorry if i gave that impression typed this up late. Dragons are trying to help it come bout, so they get in the way and have to be stopped for this reason. Its not like the prophecy is advancing cause there are dragons breathing. -there is alot going on, my campaigns typcially run for 2-3 years. so i need alot. -i know the gods have been worshiped, what im talking about is linking them concretely and specifically to the prophecy. -yes i am aware the giants did move quori away, and im aware of the impact that magic had on the world. What caused the day of morning will have been some similar magic. Perhaps this destroyed the efforts of the giants, or damaged it and showed it could be done, and now those involved in the prophecy are trying to complte the process. I had alternative less compelling campaign (imo) involving just the blood of vol and king kiaus. and sorry about lack of detail was really late. i guess ill answer specific questions? Oh and ya i know it needs fleshing out ALOT thats part of the reason i posted here, so thanks for the response All right then. That sounds good. I still don't think it's a good idea to make the secret organization exclusively Aundairian. Why exactly would Aundair be making a thing of stopping the Draconic Prophecy? Secret societies are good though. Just think it should have a little more history and be broader. If he's killing Dragons I suggest he be targeting the Chamber which is made up of the younger ones and operates outside Argonessen. And is also more actively involved in trying to push the prophecy along while the great wyrms sit back on Argonnessen and study. If you do link them to the prophecy maybe you should go the ascended dragons route. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=685076 I had an idea for the Prophecy itself in this thread. Feel free to cherry pick if anything strikes you. How did you want to link the gods? Find parts of the prophecy that call them by name and warn of their return to Eberron? That hint at their definitive existence? So how are you wanting to tie the Mourning into the prophecy? I did say I thought finding another Mournland in Xendrick was a good idea. What answer are you going to come up with for the cause and effect of the Mourning?
Fion81 08-29-06, 05:15 PM	umm...sorry once again, its an orgization based in Aundair, so i assume its mostly or almost entirely aundairian. Its the one presented in the book five nations. I didnt make this orginization up, just the npc Eramus affliation with it. AS for Xendrick and the mournland. I was thinking of linking them in very roundabout manner (this is just a current idea not what definately doing yet). The pcs find out that a religious symbol worshiped by the people on Xendrick is actually an ancient language that would be put on certain (now broken ) but highly gaurded devices. The indiginous people picked up these symbols from there. These symbols will have some interesting links to current religious texts and dialgoues. They will also be (when the pcs dechiper them) instructions on how to creat magical artifiacts like the one used by Xendrick to change planar aligntments, they also predate the Giants! cyre wil lhave been trying to either remove one of these devices, or recreate one when they did what they did. Eventually the pcs wil lhave to go in search of this device in Cyre to find out exactly what happend, at which point i will probably throw in another twist. (something like it was Eramus who constructed the device, and this is why he now opposes the prophecy so he could be responsbiel for what happened to Cyre, even with his change of heart, if the pcs are working with him this could be unsettling).
Shady314 08-29-06, 05:28 PM	OHHHHH The Mosaic Committee. Thats an Arcane Congress thing not an Aundairian thing. Sure that makes sense. I still say any dragons they kill will be younger ones involved with the chamber. Are you going to have them turn out to be right? That the prophecy will bring awful consequences not good ones?
Fion81 08-29-06, 05:31 PM	i also dont know the answer to that. It might even be a mixed thing, and i dont know how big a scale ill make it on. The major idea running through my mind right now is linking it with the 'eternal darkness' the quori wish to bring in. Whether it defeats that with the light, or brings the darkness about i havt made my mind up. And what does bringing the light about mean anyway? that could be a recreation of the universe, (but i doubt ill work on this scale). Or it could ahve something do with bring in a god, and making him real (so which god would be the question for whether or not you want this). I know one thing, ill definately work in the silver flame into whatever path i choose. Im really letting the chisp fall where they may cause i doubt we will play repeated campaigns in the world. So we can let the pcs really impact its entire history and then let it go and move onto the next project. Eramus thinks the prophecy will bring the darkness (ie, his involvment with Cyre) but the dragon i mentioned who will be going by the name Tyraddacasta will tell the pcs that this is becuase 'he was not the one meant for the job'. I might even have the prophecy turn out to be a myth or ancient conspirarcy. As a fantastic example of this, lets say the prophecy was created by the Demons (Rajahs) incase something overthrew them, and this prophecy will bring them back. Its something put in the place by them as a fell safe, in a way it would be bad, but becasue its an artificial thing not a real prophecy.
Shady314 08-29-06, 05:37 PM	i also dont know the answer to that. It might even be a mixed thing, and i dont know how big a scale ill make it on. The major idea running through my mind right now is linking it with the 'eternal darkness' the quori wish to bring in. Whether it defeats that with the light, or brings the darkness about i havt made my mind up. And what does bringing the light about mean anyway? that could be a recreation of the universe, (but i doubt ill work on this scale). Or it could ahve something do with bring in a god, and making him real (so which god would be the question for whether or not you want this). I know one thing, ill definately work in the silver flame into whatever path i choose. Im really letting the chisp fall where they may cause i doubt we will play repeated campaigns in the world. So we can let the pcs really impact its entire history and then let it go and move onto the next project. The "eternal darkness" of the quori is their desire to keep their current age from turning and reforming them. Since the current age is one of darkness and stopping Dal Quor from turning would let them be truly eternal you get an eternal darkness. The quori would not care about the gods. They may want to bring the heart of Dal Quor into Eberron though. What's it called? Il Lashtavar? Kalashtar work for the "light of Il Yannah" which they believe will lead to the turning of Dal Quor which will be one of light. Or at least one that couldn't be worse than the current age. Il Yannah might be the former heart of Dal Quor?
Fion81 08-29-06, 05:42 PM	Which fits in easily with the prophecy in a way. The prophecy could be a way to stop the turning of the planes. And what does the turning mean? For example, The dream realm is now stuck perma distance from Eberron right? Well maybe that is what preserves the current darkness. what if causing it to turn meant moving back the realm. (which could let the quori raid eberron agian). Hence my thoughs on linking what happend in Cyre with planar manipulation. (Lets say cyre didnt blow up or fail, what if cyre was stopped by someone, although this would be difficult to make Erasmus convert, could go either way with that twist i guess and have ERasmus not involved with cyre).
Shady314 08-29-06, 05:49 PM	Which fits in easily with the prophecy in a way. The prophecy could be a way to stop the turning of the planes. And what does the turning mean? For example, The dream realm is now stuck perma distance from Eberron right? Well maybe that is what preserves the current darkness. what if causing it to turn meant moving back the realm. (which could let the quori raid eberron agian). Hence my thoughs on linking what happend in Cyre with planar manipulation. (Lets say cyre didnt blow up or fail, what if cyre was stopped by someone, although this would be difficult to make Erasmus convert, could go either way with that twist i guess and have ERasmus not involved with cyre). Small problem. The age has turned before even after the giants threw it out of whack. Also only Dal Quor "turns." All the other planes except perhaps Xoriat remain constant. If it turned the current Quori would be completely different than they are now. They MIGHT invade and they might not. Certainly the Quori haven't invaded every single age before. Any explanation for the mournland has to take into account the radius of the destruction. If it was a planar event why did it affect only Cyre and stop at the borders?
Fion81 08-29-06, 06:02 PM	Small problem. The age has turned before even after the giants threw it out of whack. Also only Dal Quor "turns." All the other planes except perhaps Xoriat remain constant. If it turned the current Quori would be completely different than they are now. They MIGHT invade and they might not. Certainly the Quori haven't invaded every single age before. Any explanation for the mournland has to take into account the radius of the destruction. If it was a planar event why did it affect only Cyre and stop at the borders? Aye there would have to be some conscious intent behind the powers they released in Cyre. Not just a big boom obviously. Scratch the thing about the quori then, i forgot about that. I though the turning was linked to the planes movement somehow. though i could still involve them but differently, and whatever else is going on clearly the quori are interested in getting on Eberron, hence the whole Sarlona thing.
Shady314 08-29-06, 06:06 PM	Aye there would have to be some conscious intent behind the powers they released in Cyre. Not just a big boom obviously. Scratch the thing about the quori then, i forgot about that. I though the turning was linked to the planes movement somehow. though i could still involve them but differently, and whatever else is going on clearly the quori are interested in getting on Eberron, hence the whole Sarlona thing. Yes the Quori hope they can control mortals and through that control their dreams and Dal Quor to stop the age from turning and destroying them. I haven't yet read anything that would indicate the quori or kalashtar have any interest in the prophecy. They seem pretty separate. I think your first step is going to be laying out exactly what you want the Prophecy to be. How it works. Why it is the way it is. I gave a link to another thread which had some ideas on it. Once you have that you can figure out what CAN tie into it and HOW. After that it's just a matter of tying everything into your overall idea/plot.