Help me build a Dhakaani adventure [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help me build a Dhakaani adventure [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Setherial
06-19-07, 08:23 AM Hey guys

It's been a while since I visited. I was hoping to get some ideas for a good Dhakaani storyline. I'm aiming at DM'ing a small 3 to 4 session adventure, not too fancy but I do like a strong storyline rather then a too generic slash and hack.
I'm going to allow high level characters (level 9) to start with. A first idea that popped into my mind was a meeting between chieftains. The characters each belonging to a different goblinoid clan are either leaders themselves or join the meeting as "right hand, second in commands" to their chieftain.
There is an opening statement by the one who called the meeting followed by some roleplay where the characters or their chiefs push and pull for power.
The meeting is to join the clans in a first effort to return power to the Dhakaani and possibly overthrow Darguuns current gouvernment.

The meeting however is cut short by a well planned attack that wipes out most of the attendees (except for the players ofcourse). Possibly at the same time their clans are hit as well.

I haven't decided yet to go with this idea or not. All ideas and suggestions are welcome.
Kid SixXx
06-19-07, 08:36 AM Who is doing the wiping out? Is this an aggressive action from Darguun or is this the LoB trying to get the goblins to destroy one another so that he can destroy the "winner" and expand his territory?

Or worse, is this a sinister plot hatched by the Cult of the Dragon Below designed to plunge the region in a civil war in the hopes that the bloodshed will take the Gatekeeper sect with it and potentially pave a way straight to Xoriat?

I'm not sure how grandiose you want to be over a 3 or 4 game session. It usually takes me that many sessions just to get the player's collective feet wet.
Setherial
06-19-07, 10:01 AM Who is doing the wiping out? Is this an aggressive action from Darguun or is this the LoB trying to get the goblins to destroy one another so that he can destroy the "winner" and expand his territory?

Or worse, is this a sinister plot hatched by the Cult of the Dragon Below designed to plunge the region in a civil war in the hopes that the bloodshed will take the Gatekeeper sect with it and potentially pave a way straight to Xoriat?

I'm not sure how grandiose you want to be over a 3 or 4 game session. It usually takes me that many sessions just to get the player's collective feet wet.

well lets not dwell on the scope. A good idea is not lost, If the players like it I might go on for longer somehow if I find the time to do so, or keep the adventure for the future.

At the moment I'm tending towards a Cult of the Dragon Below trying to deal a crippling blow to the Gatekeeper sect and erase much of what remains of the worlds knowledge of the ancient seals and the war with Xoriat.
Kid SixXx
06-19-07, 11:01 AM At the moment I'm tending towards a Cult of the Dragon Below trying to deal a crippling blow to the Gatekeeper sect and erase much of what remains of the worlds knowledge of the ancient seals and the war with Xoriat.

Sounds good. As far as BBEG's go, I'd go with the Keyser Soze approach. Multiple pawns and such that have no clue that they are being influenced by the proverbial invisible hands pulling strings.

Assuming you're running with the Civil War idea, the CoDB doesn't have the resources nor the manpower to pull off anything direct (at least not the way I run the Cult).

However, a Mind Flayer or other suitable psionic villain could probably subterfuge his way in order to influence (ie. mind seed) one or more of the major goblinoid players in order to get the ball rolling. Once one faction initiates hostilities, Darguun / Dhakaani politics will kick in and there's your civil war.

Goblin infighting is so common, that the root causes behind the initial hostility probably won't raise flags of suspicion until the 11th hour. Then again, PC's have a knack for being super crafty, so they might figure out things faster than you want them to.

Once the conflict underway, direct events as you wish and set up a timetable. There should be reasonable goals for the PC's to reach and harsh penalties for the PC's not investigating the situation as closely as they should.
Setherial
06-20-07, 04:32 AM ok, we have a meeting between chieftains, possibly arranged by a new and very charismatic leader who visited each of the clans present and persuaded them to come.
I would not make him the bad guy as it would be too obvious, his motives might be genuine, he might have it in him to reunite the clans and begin what might lead to a new Dhakaani empire in the long run.

However it could be that he himself is being manipulated, or worse that the seed of madness flows through his veins. His charismatic nature a direct result of his heritage. He might not be aware of it himself but the truth that the rising leader of the new Dhakaani empire is the offspring of those that destroyed the empire in the first place could well shatter it again.

anyway, I'm sidetracking, the idea is usable but is probably too large to fit into a simple adventure.

What I need is usable motive first of all and a way to have it unfold. When the chieftains of the largest clans of the Dhakaani join you have some mighty people together, killing them might not be the easiest of tasks. First of all it's a secret gathering and you need spies in high places to get this information, second you need a way to strike hard and effective to deal a lot of damage before anyone can stop you.

I'm playing with some ideas:

* an attack by an exotic beast (very high CR). Those that survive (the players) should wonder where this beast came from which could be the first step to the truth.

* Poison, this is tricky but usuable. Say one of the chieftains has long been replaced by a doppelganger (a servant of madness). The player who has come with the chief might spot him slipping into one of the huts that serves as a field kitchen. If he checks it out he spots his chief empting a flask into the ceremonial wine.

motives:

* anyone opposed to the formation of a new Dhakaani empire might be behind the attack. This could be a great many people, or even entire nations although the civilized world might not be overly concerned with a buch of infighting goblin mountain clans.
The ancient powers like the Lords of Dust, the Quori, Vol, maybe the Valenar Elves,.... might take the possibility of a reunited Dhakaani force more seriously though and some might have had spies among the clans for generations.

ok, I'm going to give it some more thought, I hope more people will join in and share their ideas !
Nerdicus
06-20-07, 08:35 PM What if you used the meeting of the clans as the backdrop for the adventure the players go on? And then make their group a Dhakaani strike force sent forth by the Kech Volaar to get back at the ones repsonsible for the deaths at said meeting.

I personally believe that any Dhakaani adventure or campaign needs to include a lot of tactics. Seemingly impossible tasks and battles that can only be won through good planning.
Setherial
06-21-07, 02:49 AM What if you used the meeting of the clans as the backdrop for the adventure the players go on? And then make their group a Dhakaani strike force sent forth by the Kech Volaar to get back at the ones repsonsible for the deaths at said meeting.

I personally believe that any Dhakaani adventure or campaign needs to include a lot of tactics. Seemingly impossible tasks and battles that can only be won through good planning.

It's an option but isn't this how most other adventures begin, with a (murder) investigation. First as intro to the adventure I will tell them how they are the fierce, powerfull and proud leaders of their clans. Cunning warriors who have spend a lifetime perfecting their skill and earning the respect of their clan.
After a lifetime of war they have all been convinced to join a secret meeting to discuss an alliance and ofcourse each and every one of them in out for the same thing, to lead this alliance.
Ofcourse the charismatic leader who set up the meeting and convinced them to come has the largest clan and most followers. He is one step ahead of them and they know it but still they are proud and will fight over every bit of power that is in reach.
This will lead to good roleplay and I'll let it play out between them for as long as it's fun. Then there will be the attack followed by chaos and death. A sudden increase in pace. This is where the adventure takes off, overwhelming odds, they will be forced to retreat and regroup. Think first of survival and then of a counter attack.

I know this is all a bit focussed on this one encounter, and this is why I'm asking for ideas from you guys for a main story line. I've had good experience on this forum brainstorming ideas and most of the time it lead to very good results and my players really enjoying the game.

...

A question: Is there a connection between the abberations trapped in Khyber and the Dreaming Dark ? I'm guessing there isn't other then that they both origenate from Dal Quor. The Dreaming Dark is the current power on Dal Quor and the Aberrations on Eberron origenate from a time before the Dreaming Dark right ?
So it would make little sense them working together. I like the idea of making the Dreaming Dark the antagonist for a change, but in reallity they have no connection to the Dhakaani right?
Kid SixXx
06-21-07, 08:07 AM A question: Is there a connection between the abberations trapped in Khyber and the Dreaming Dark?

I'm guessing there isn't other then that they both origenate from Dal Quor. The Dreaming Dark is the current power on Dal Quor and the Aberrations on Eberron origenate from a time before the Dreaming Dark right?

So it would make little sense them working together. I like the idea of making the Dreaming Dark the antagonist for a change, but in reallity they have no connection to the Dhakaani right?

Which abberations are those? I always assumed that most abberations were the result of Xoriat monkeying around with the normal gene pools.

I don't see why Darguun or Dhakaan couldn't serve as an unwitting Dreaming Dark sattelite nation (ie. perhaps the DD are using a similar ploy used on House Deinith in Sharn by mind-seeding chosen goblinoid clans and convincing them that their new psi-powers will make them the next evolutionary step) but I'm not sure that abberations would fit into the equation.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Setherial 06-19-07, 08:23 AM	Hey guys It's been a while since I visited. I was hoping to get some ideas for a good Dhakaani storyline. I'm aiming at DM'ing a small 3 to 4 session adventure, not too fancy but I do like a strong storyline rather then a too generic slash and hack. I'm going to allow high level characters (level 9) to start with. A first idea that popped into my mind was a meeting between chieftains. The characters each belonging to a different goblinoid clan are either leaders themselves or join the meeting as "right hand, second in commands" to their chieftain. There is an opening statement by the one who called the meeting followed by some roleplay where the characters or their chiefs push and pull for power. The meeting is to join the clans in a first effort to return power to the Dhakaani and possibly overthrow Darguuns current gouvernment. The meeting however is cut short by a well planned attack that wipes out most of the attendees (except for the players ofcourse). Possibly at the same time their clans are hit as well. I haven't decided yet to go with this idea or not. All ideas and suggestions are welcome.
Kid SixXx 06-19-07, 08:36 AM	Who is doing the wiping out? Is this an aggressive action from Darguun or is this the LoB trying to get the goblins to destroy one another so that he can destroy the "winner" and expand his territory? Or worse, is this a sinister plot hatched by the Cult of the Dragon Below designed to plunge the region in a civil war in the hopes that the bloodshed will take the Gatekeeper sect with it and potentially pave a way straight to Xoriat? I'm not sure how grandiose you want to be over a 3 or 4 game session. It usually takes me that many sessions just to get the player's collective feet wet.
Setherial 06-19-07, 10:01 AM	Who is doing the wiping out? Is this an aggressive action from Darguun or is this the LoB trying to get the goblins to destroy one another so that he can destroy the "winner" and expand his territory? Or worse, is this a sinister plot hatched by the Cult of the Dragon Below designed to plunge the region in a civil war in the hopes that the bloodshed will take the Gatekeeper sect with it and potentially pave a way straight to Xoriat? I'm not sure how grandiose you want to be over a 3 or 4 game session. It usually takes me that many sessions just to get the player's collective feet wet. well lets not dwell on the scope. A good idea is not lost, If the players like it I might go on for longer somehow if I find the time to do so, or keep the adventure for the future. At the moment I'm tending towards a Cult of the Dragon Below trying to deal a crippling blow to the Gatekeeper sect and erase much of what remains of the worlds knowledge of the ancient seals and the war with Xoriat.
Kid SixXx 06-19-07, 11:01 AM	At the moment I'm tending towards a Cult of the Dragon Below trying to deal a crippling blow to the Gatekeeper sect and erase much of what remains of the worlds knowledge of the ancient seals and the war with Xoriat. Sounds good. As far as BBEG's go, I'd go with the Keyser Soze approach. Multiple pawns and such that have no clue that they are being influenced by the proverbial invisible hands pulling strings. Assuming you're running with the Civil War idea, the CoDB doesn't have the resources nor the manpower to pull off anything direct (at least not the way I run the Cult). However, a Mind Flayer or other suitable psionic villain could probably subterfuge his way in order to influence (ie. mind seed) one or more of the major goblinoid players in order to get the ball rolling. Once one faction initiates hostilities, Darguun / Dhakaani politics will kick in and there's your civil war. Goblin infighting is so common, that the root causes behind the initial hostility probably won't raise flags of suspicion until the 11th hour. Then again, PC's have a knack for being super crafty, so they might figure out things faster than you want them to. Once the conflict underway, direct events as you wish and set up a timetable. There should be reasonable goals for the PC's to reach and harsh penalties for the PC's not investigating the situation as closely as they should.
Setherial 06-20-07, 04:32 AM	ok, we have a meeting between chieftains, possibly arranged by a new and very charismatic leader who visited each of the clans present and persuaded them to come. I would not make him the bad guy as it would be too obvious, his motives might be genuine, he might have it in him to reunite the clans and begin what might lead to a new Dhakaani empire in the long run. However it could be that he himself is being manipulated, or worse that the seed of madness flows through his veins. His charismatic nature a direct result of his heritage. He might not be aware of it himself but the truth that the rising leader of the new Dhakaani empire is the offspring of those that destroyed the empire in the first place could well shatter it again. anyway, I'm sidetracking, the idea is usable but is probably too large to fit into a simple adventure. What I need is usable motive first of all and a way to have it unfold. When the chieftains of the largest clans of the Dhakaani join you have some mighty people together, killing them might not be the easiest of tasks. First of all it's a secret gathering and you need spies in high places to get this information, second you need a way to strike hard and effective to deal a lot of damage before anyone can stop you. I'm playing with some ideas: * an attack by an exotic beast (very high CR). Those that survive (the players) should wonder where this beast came from which could be the first step to the truth. * Poison, this is tricky but usuable. Say one of the chieftains has long been replaced by a doppelganger (a servant of madness). The player who has come with the chief might spot him slipping into one of the huts that serves as a field kitchen. If he checks it out he spots his chief empting a flask into the ceremonial wine. motives: * anyone opposed to the formation of a new Dhakaani empire might be behind the attack. This could be a great many people, or even entire nations although the civilized world might not be overly concerned with a buch of infighting goblin mountain clans. The ancient powers like the Lords of Dust, the Quori, Vol, maybe the Valenar Elves,.... might take the possibility of a reunited Dhakaani force more seriously though and some might have had spies among the clans for generations. ok, I'm going to give it some more thought, I hope more people will join in and share their ideas !
Nerdicus 06-20-07, 08:35 PM	What if you used the meeting of the clans as the backdrop for the adventure the players go on? And then make their group a Dhakaani strike force sent forth by the Kech Volaar to get back at the ones repsonsible for the deaths at said meeting. I personally believe that any Dhakaani adventure or campaign needs to include a lot of tactics. Seemingly impossible tasks and battles that can only be won through good planning.
Setherial 06-21-07, 02:49 AM	What if you used the meeting of the clans as the backdrop for the adventure the players go on? And then make their group a Dhakaani strike force sent forth by the Kech Volaar to get back at the ones repsonsible for the deaths at said meeting. I personally believe that any Dhakaani adventure or campaign needs to include a lot of tactics. Seemingly impossible tasks and battles that can only be won through good planning. It's an option but isn't this how most other adventures begin, with a (murder) investigation. First as intro to the adventure I will tell them how they are the fierce, powerfull and proud leaders of their clans. Cunning warriors who have spend a lifetime perfecting their skill and earning the respect of their clan. After a lifetime of war they have all been convinced to join a secret meeting to discuss an alliance and ofcourse each and every one of them in out for the same thing, to lead this alliance. Ofcourse the charismatic leader who set up the meeting and convinced them to come has the largest clan and most followers. He is one step ahead of them and they know it but still they are proud and will fight over every bit of power that is in reach. This will lead to good roleplay and I'll let it play out between them for as long as it's fun. Then there will be the attack followed by chaos and death. A sudden increase in pace. This is where the adventure takes off, overwhelming odds, they will be forced to retreat and regroup. Think first of survival and then of a counter attack. I know this is all a bit focussed on this one encounter, and this is why I'm asking for ideas from you guys for a main story line. I've had good experience on this forum brainstorming ideas and most of the time it lead to very good results and my players really enjoying the game. ... A question: Is there a connection between the abberations trapped in Khyber and the Dreaming Dark ? I'm guessing there isn't other then that they both origenate from Dal Quor. The Dreaming Dark is the current power on Dal Quor and the Aberrations on Eberron origenate from a time before the Dreaming Dark right ? So it would make little sense them working together. I like the idea of making the Dreaming Dark the antagonist for a change, but in reallity they have no connection to the Dhakaani right?
Kid SixXx 06-21-07, 08:07 AM	A question: Is there a connection between the abberations trapped in Khyber and the Dreaming Dark? I'm guessing there isn't other then that they both origenate from Dal Quor. The Dreaming Dark is the current power on Dal Quor and the Aberrations on Eberron origenate from a time before the Dreaming Dark right? So it would make little sense them working together. I like the idea of making the Dreaming Dark the antagonist for a change, but in reallity they have no connection to the Dhakaani right? Which abberations are those? I always assumed that most abberations were the result of Xoriat monkeying around with the normal gene pools. I don't see why Darguun or Dhakaan couldn't serve as an unwitting Dreaming Dark sattelite nation (ie. perhaps the DD are using a similar ploy used on House Deinith in Sharn by mind-seeding chosen goblinoid clans and convincing them that their new psi-powers will make them the next evolutionary step) but I'm not sure that abberations would fit into the equation.