Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CrustHalo 05-18-07, 11:33 PM	A faction of the Aurum has turned to the worship of the Archdevil Mammon (Lord of the 3rd level). Mammon has discovered an alchemical/demonic process which allows him to transmute precious metals and gems from individuals killed in his name. This worship/dedication is mutually advantageous to both sides. Mammon gains inflluence, prestige and sacrifices in his name which helps him better his position in the Lower Planes. Mammon further spreads his portfolio of greed and corruption throughout the Material Plane. Aurum members in on the conspiracy gain both great material wealth (literally blood money) and demonic muscle to help enforce deals and deter those who would stop this arrangement. Two Houses: Kundarak and Sivis are additionally complicit in this scheme. As a steady stream of wealth coming from locations unknown looks quite suspicious, Kundarak and Sivis forge papers, bank records and mining inventories in order to cover this up. The adventure will likely start with yet another murder of a monk who has taken the vow of poverty. (Mammon especially delights in the sacrifices of those that resist the trappings of material wealth). The PCs are called to investigate, where other inquisitives have failed. Other things that might happen: As the PCs delve into this conspiracy, and thwart repeated attempts to get rid of them (through bribery or assassination) House Kundarak releases a couple of deadly and infamous prisoners from the Dreadhold Prison. These renowned villains are promised their freedom for their quick elimination of the PCs. Cant fight a conspiracy on your own: Church of the Silver Flame backs the PCs, as do the royalty of Breland and perhaps an undecided Dragonmark House that would like to see Kundarak and Sivis fall from prominence. The majority of the urban adventure would take place in Zilargo and Sharn, with many wilderness excursions. Would also likely be a mid-high level adventure (13-15) Things I need help with: Why are the Aurum members complicit in the conspiracy amassing money? They already have all the comforts money could buy. Perhaps they have designs upon one of the crowns of Khorvaire? Or something else? Any suggestions/critiques are welcomed.
Rechan 05-19-07, 12:03 AM	1) Does Eberron have "lower planes"? Where would Mammoth be in Eberron's cosmology? 2) Other things that might happen: As the PCs delve into this conspiracy, and thwart repeated attempts to get rid of them (through bribery or assassination) House Kundarak releases a couple of deadly and infamous prisoners from the Dreadhold Prison. These renowned villains are promised their freedom for their quick elimination of the PCs. That is just a Bad Move on Kundarak's move. Not only does that jeapordize Dreadhold and their reputation, it also puts a lot of people in danger. Not to mention that those in Dreadhold likely aren't the most reliable bunch - what's to stop them from just disappearing once they're miles away from Kundarak? Or helping the PCs by backstabbing Kundarak? After all, if the House is weakened, then their hold on Dreadhold is weakened. The more likely culprit for powerful muscle here is the Aurum itself. Think about it: they have all this new resources at their all ready bloated coinpurses, not to mention access to muscle from the outer planes. Why either use their fiendish enforcers, use their financial resources to hire assassins not traced back to them easily, or instead use political/economical pressure on the PCs? Such as framing the PCs for a multitude of crimes, using House Sivis to run a smear campaign, and so on? While I like the idea of using Nasty Ugly Monsters from Dreadhold (who can be colorful), I think it'd be far more pragmatic and logical to use their resources (political and economic), as well as say, purchasing mercenaries from Droaam rather than using unreliable criminals from Dreadhold. A trio of medusa tricked out with magic backed up with a few minotaur berzerkers might not be subtle, but they can do the trick without the hassle of loose ends. 3) Cant fight a conspiracy on your own: Church of the Silver Flame backs the PCs, as do the royalty of Breland and perhaps an undecided Dragonmark House that would like to see Kundarak and Sivis fall from prominence. How do the organizations know about this plot, and know that the PCs are involved in it? Why would the Crown get involved - the Aurum are murderers yes, but I don't see why the Crown would concern themselves with a cult unless it threatened their country. Unless the Aurum are gearing up for a war (see below), I don't see it happening. 4) Why are the Aurum members complicit in the conspiracy amassing money? They already have all the comforts money could buy. Perhaps they have designs upon one of the crowns of Khorvaire? Or something else? Money is not just an end in and of itself - money is power. The Aurum are all about power. That money can buy governments. If you really want to shake up the world politically, have them gearing up to try and start another Last War. Perhaps Batiznu (the fiend leading the Swords of Liberty) is a member of the Aurum and has his fingers in the pie. There's lots of money to be made in selling arms, armies, fortifications and suchlike. This could reach into other plots, such as the Aurum trying to establish their own Creation Forges for soldier production, or they try to buy the Lord of Blades's loyalty in exchange for being their striking force. The Treaty of Thronehold allowed many countries to carve up what was once all of Galifar. The Aurum might decide to claim their own section of Khorvaire - perhaps the area where Aundair, Thrane and Breland intersect. That would cause the Crown to get involved as well as the Silver Flame (on behalf of Thrane). Or you could go with something simpler: the Aurum plans on doublecrossing Mammon. There might be an imprisoned Rakshasa Rajah who has just what the Platinum Concord want. Perhaps he could concur all of Khorvaire and would give them a section, or make them the barons to his kingdom, or give them the riches of the world. In exchange for their freedom. So they plan to use all this gold as a sacrifice, or as construction materials for a device to free the Rajah, or something. Now you have the Lords of Dust involved in the Aurum's affairs, either from behind the scenes, or egging them on.