Duur'Shaarat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Duur'Shaarat [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
chimpman
11-29-04, 11:56 AM The Last War is not over. It has only been postponed for the moment...and this is good. It gives your people time to consolidate their power. Their time is drawing near, and when the Last War begins again, they will be ready to strike.

You are the Kech Volaar, and your mission is simple. Travel to Duur'Shaarat (Sharn) and prepare it for conquest.

1) As a player, what plan would you undertake to accomplish your mission? [Assume that the first steps are to gather as much information about present day Sharn as possible.]

2) As a DM, what obsticles would come in the way of seeing your plan to fruition?

Let the scheaming begin :D
Kid SixXx
11-29-04, 12:27 PM I hate to nab plans for other settings, but the Red Wizards from FR are brilliant in their "mask clandestine behavior as legit commerce" ploy.

If I were the Kech Volaar, I'd do my best to convince the Brelish that I wished to engage them in legitimate business, which would give my forces a foothold, and literally open doors that would be shut tight to an advancing army.

If the mercantile organizations I set up proved to be popular, it would work even better, as Breland gold would flow freely into my coffers, & the nation I intended to conquer would for all intesive purposes, would be helping to bankroll it's own invasion.

As far as obstacles go, there are plenty.

Not only does Breland boast an impressive military on it's own, but there are lots of other powerful factions (the Dragonmarked houses being primary) that have an vested interest in keeping Sharn in it's current status quo.

Attempting to compromise Sharn could have major consequences if all enemies are not accounted for.
chimpman
11-29-04, 04:37 PM Thanks Kid SixXx. Merchantile operations are going to have to play a big role in any Dhakaani scheme to take over Sharn (and the rest of Khorvaire). I'm actually planning on running some goblinoid PCs through this scenario in the near future and kind of wanted to brain storm on the boards before hand so that I could prepare myself for their possible actions.

Here are some possibilities I came up with so far:

1) The Plan - Infiltrate Daask:
This could take some doing, but since we are talking about goblinoid PCs I think it's possible. Most of the lower ranks of Daask are filled out by goblinoids. Once the PCs work their way high enough into the ranks of this criminal organization, they can start thinking about eliminating its leaders. Alternatively they could play the racial/nationalistic pride card to goblinoids who are already members in the hopes of getting some converts to the cause.

Oponents:
This is a dangerous game and the PCs will have several opponents, the foremost of which is Daask itself. The ogre magi (forget name) is surely no pushover and will be on the lookout for betrayal. If Daask starts loosing ground in Sharn, the hags themselves might look in on the situation.

Getting help from the Boromar clan might be an option. Boromar want nothing more than to be rid of Daask, but at waht cost. Surely not at the cost of supplanting them with another mostrous criminal organization. The Dhakaani will have to tread lightly here if they want to gain the Boromar's help... and avoid any treachery.

Of course as long as this remains a contest between criminal organizations, the crown will show little interest. If the Dhakaani reveal themselves for what they are however, the Citidel is sure to become involved. That would be bad for the goblinoids.

2) The Plan: Recruite the sewer gangs
There are lots of goblinoid gangs running around in the sewers just waiting for someone to lead them back o their birthright. The PCs might be the ones to do this. They will need food and supplies to tempt the sewer rats away from their current lifestyle, but supplying a hidden underground army can't be easy.

Opponents:
Once again the Citidel comes to mind. If they find out what is really going on, they will stop it whatever the cost.

I'll try to post a few more ideas later.
scaryfroman
11-29-04, 07:50 PM First, I would try to find a dragon willing to help in my cause. Preferably something that would be able to change shape.

The second step would either to equip my top agents with Hats of Disguise, or hire Doppelgangers/Changlings. They would all wear Masks of the displaced form (Is that the right name?), and Rings of Invisibilty

I would have my agents gain the trust of the city council, learn thier habits (following them with the Rings, imprison them in the ruins of the goblin city, and replace them. Ones with more powerful might have to be dealt with by my dragon allie, but they would all die and be replaced by my shapechanging agents, who would assume their roles in society. Once the council has been taken, next would go the mayor and the heads of the Watch, Citadel, and Blademarks. If any of this doesn't work, we would replace an aide with the ability to use a wand of Dominate Person.

I would slowly begin poisoning the city, and when the public complains, we would say that we are doing all that we could to stop it. The poison does not kill, it merely weakens the citizens, not by much, but by an amount that would be barely noticable. Since there are no independant leaders remaining, nothing would be done. Ghallanda would still pose a problem, but there would be nothing I could do about them. I would trust that enough would not drink purified water. I could spread a rumor about them though, cutting into thier sales, making more susceptible to the poison.

All during this, we are using boats and Invisibility Sphere to bring troops to the shore, ferrying them into a secret cave underneath sharn.

We rig a group of doors to the surface of Sharn with Exploding Runes, and connect them to a magic item in our main cave complex that would allow them all to explode at once.

A contingency plan is made: We rig the supports of Skyway with Exploding Runes, tied to a separate circuit.

Finally, the day has come. We have about 50,000 Soldiers living in the tunnels beneath the cogs. They are ordered to come near the doors to Sharn that we have rigged.
We organize separate meetings of the Redcloaks, the Blademarks, the Citadel, and the Watch. We have the meetings in buildings that are also rigged with the Exploding Runes. When the runes detonate, the buildings will crumble, hopefully killing most of the people within.

THe final action is upon us. We detonate all the runes, and our troops storm out upon the city, killing any resistance. The earlier Coup de Gras is now revealed, causing chaos. We mop up the remaining security forces with groups of elite soldiers that are Teleported to thier locations, then taken to Skyway to work there. The Dragonmarked leaders pose more of a problem, so we send assasins in earlier, to deliver a killing blow as our actions distract them.

My moment has come. I appear above the city, in glorious shining armor, riding on the gigantic dragon. I give an ultimatum to the city (my voice enhanced by magic, of course) to lay down thier arms, and bow gracefully. They have no leaders, no protection, and are occupied by all varieties of goblins. We have a few goblins riding on vicious mounts, and some warbeasts like Trolls.

If they refuse me, I give the order, and the district of Skyway is separated from its floating supports, crashing into the city below. My troops Teleport out before this happens.

Finally, the city is mostly intact, occupied with my soldiers. We have 50,000 troops throughout the city, another 1000 warbeasts helping curb resistance. My soldiers destroy Airship docking platforms and Lightning rail stations. Sharn has no hope for reinforcements. I, mounted on dragonback, am able to look down upon my conquered city, and revel in the might of the Kech Volaar, Able to overthrow the puny human civilization.

I am the glorius, powerful leader, matched by no one, except, perhaps, those pesky adventurers...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
chimpman 11-29-04, 11:56 AM	The Last War is not over. It has only been postponed for the moment...and this is good. It gives your people time to consolidate their power. Their time is drawing near, and when the Last War begins again, they will be ready to strike. You are the Kech Volaar, and your mission is simple. Travel to Duur'Shaarat (Sharn) and prepare it for conquest. 1) As a player, what plan would you undertake to accomplish your mission? [Assume that the first steps are to gather as much information about present day Sharn as possible.] 2) As a DM, what obsticles would come in the way of seeing your plan to fruition? Let the scheaming begin :D
Kid SixXx 11-29-04, 12:27 PM	I hate to nab plans for other settings, but the Red Wizards from FR are brilliant in their "mask clandestine behavior as legit commerce" ploy. If I were the Kech Volaar, I'd do my best to convince the Brelish that I wished to engage them in legitimate business, which would give my forces a foothold, and literally open doors that would be shut tight to an advancing army. If the mercantile organizations I set up proved to be popular, it would work even better, as Breland gold would flow freely into my coffers, & the nation I intended to conquer would for all intesive purposes, would be helping to bankroll it's own invasion. As far as obstacles go, there are plenty. Not only does Breland boast an impressive military on it's own, but there are lots of other powerful factions (the Dragonmarked houses being primary) that have an vested interest in keeping Sharn in it's current status quo. Attempting to compromise Sharn could have major consequences if all enemies are not accounted for.
chimpman 11-29-04, 04:37 PM	Thanks Kid SixXx. Merchantile operations are going to have to play a big role in any Dhakaani scheme to take over Sharn (and the rest of Khorvaire). I'm actually planning on running some goblinoid PCs through this scenario in the near future and kind of wanted to brain storm on the boards before hand so that I could prepare myself for their possible actions. Here are some possibilities I came up with so far: 1) The Plan - Infiltrate Daask: This could take some doing, but since we are talking about goblinoid PCs I think it's possible. Most of the lower ranks of Daask are filled out by goblinoids. Once the PCs work their way high enough into the ranks of this criminal organization, they can start thinking about eliminating its leaders. Alternatively they could play the racial/nationalistic pride card to goblinoids who are already members in the hopes of getting some converts to the cause. Oponents: This is a dangerous game and the PCs will have several opponents, the foremost of which is Daask itself. The ogre magi (forget name) is surely no pushover and will be on the lookout for betrayal. If Daask starts loosing ground in Sharn, the hags themselves might look in on the situation. Getting help from the Boromar clan might be an option. Boromar want nothing more than to be rid of Daask, but at waht cost. Surely not at the cost of supplanting them with another mostrous criminal organization. The Dhakaani will have to tread lightly here if they want to gain the Boromar's help... and avoid any treachery. Of course as long as this remains a contest between criminal organizations, the crown will show little interest. If the Dhakaani reveal themselves for what they are however, the Citidel is sure to become involved. That would be bad for the goblinoids. 2) The Plan: Recruite the sewer gangs There are lots of goblinoid gangs running around in the sewers just waiting for someone to lead them back o their birthright. The PCs might be the ones to do this. They will need food and supplies to tempt the sewer rats away from their current lifestyle, but supplying a hidden underground army can't be easy. Opponents: Once again the Citidel comes to mind. If they find out what is really going on, they will stop it whatever the cost. I'll try to post a few more ideas later.
scaryfroman 11-29-04, 07:50 PM	First, I would try to find a dragon willing to help in my cause. Preferably something that would be able to change shape. The second step would either to equip my top agents with Hats of Disguise, or hire Doppelgangers/Changlings. They would all wear Masks of the displaced form (Is that the right name?), and Rings of Invisibilty I would have my agents gain the trust of the city council, learn thier habits (following them with the Rings, imprison them in the ruins of the goblin city, and replace them. Ones with more powerful might have to be dealt with by my dragon allie, but they would all die and be replaced by my shapechanging agents, who would assume their roles in society. Once the council has been taken, next would go the mayor and the heads of the Watch, Citadel, and Blademarks. If any of this doesn't work, we would replace an aide with the ability to use a wand of Dominate Person. I would slowly begin poisoning the city, and when the public complains, we would say that we are doing all that we could to stop it. The poison does not kill, it merely weakens the citizens, not by much, but by an amount that would be barely noticable. Since there are no independant leaders remaining, nothing would be done. Ghallanda would still pose a problem, but there would be nothing I could do about them. I would trust that enough would not drink purified water. I could spread a rumor about them though, cutting into thier sales, making more susceptible to the poison. All during this, we are using boats and Invisibility Sphere to bring troops to the shore, ferrying them into a secret cave underneath sharn. We rig a group of doors to the surface of Sharn with Exploding Runes, and connect them to a magic item in our main cave complex that would allow them all to explode at once. A contingency plan is made: We rig the supports of Skyway with Exploding Runes, tied to a separate circuit. Finally, the day has come. We have about 50,000 Soldiers living in the tunnels beneath the cogs. They are ordered to come near the doors to Sharn that we have rigged. We organize separate meetings of the Redcloaks, the Blademarks, the Citadel, and the Watch. We have the meetings in buildings that are also rigged with the Exploding Runes. When the runes detonate, the buildings will crumble, hopefully killing most of the people within. THe final action is upon us. We detonate all the runes, and our troops storm out upon the city, killing any resistance. The earlier Coup de Gras is now revealed, causing chaos. We mop up the remaining security forces with groups of elite soldiers that are Teleported to thier locations, then taken to Skyway to work there. The Dragonmarked leaders pose more of a problem, so we send assasins in earlier, to deliver a killing blow as our actions distract them. My moment has come. I appear above the city, in glorious shining armor, riding on the gigantic dragon. I give an ultimatum to the city (my voice enhanced by magic, of course) to lay down thier arms, and bow gracefully. They have no leaders, no protection, and are occupied by all varieties of goblins. We have a few goblins riding on vicious mounts, and some warbeasts like Trolls. If they refuse me, I give the order, and the district of Skyway is separated from its floating supports, crashing into the city below. My troops Teleport out before this happens. Finally, the city is mostly intact, occupied with my soldiers. We have 50,000 troops throughout the city, another 1000 warbeasts helping curb resistance. My soldiers destroy Airship docking platforms and Lightning rail stations. Sharn has no hope for reinforcements. I, mounted on dragonback, am able to look down upon my conquered city, and revel in the might of the Kech Volaar, Able to overthrow the puny human civilization. I am the glorius, powerful leader, matched by no one, except, perhaps, those pesky adventurers...