Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kenzuki 08-23-04, 12:13 AM	Hi I'm about to do a campaign set in Eberron and was wanting some advice please. I'm wanting to have a NPC character of a high level say around the 30's as a sort of benefactor for my group of players. She is currently a high level sorcerer but I may add some other classes to her to make her better but anyways. I was wonder where in the world could I place her stronghold/tower? You know a very big stronghold, where she holds all her stuff, and junk? Anyplace good for this???? I was thinking about her being elven.
Rajorke 08-23-04, 12:21 AM	first off eberron isn't really the kind of world that a 30th level NPC would fit, the idea behind eberron is not for the PCs to have a benefactor that they can run and whine too when things get to hard. this is a world of Pulp action (indiana jones never had a benefactor to give him tips and advice or aid) and dark adventure (in a noirish setting the characters are alone, giving the world a great sense of hopelessness and dependency on ones self) so in my opinion giving the PCs a benefactor in eberron isn't a good idea especially a thirtieth level one.
Just another user 08-23-04, 03:54 AM	While I agree with Joraske and add than a 30th level anything is a little out of place in Eberron if you really want to do it I'd say the Planes is the way to go. For a 30th level sorcerer a personal demiplane should not be too hard to make up. and at least there would be safe from all the dragons, lords of dust and daelkyr that want have a little chat with him and is possibly the only way to not make it stand out like a oak in a strawberry field.
Save_vs_DM 08-23-04, 04:42 AM	I agree with a demiplane. I would place the entrance in a small and unasuming shop in lower sharn. Perhaps give it a keycharm to access the doorway to the demiplane. I'd suggest lowering your NPC to around 15 though. Then I would give her a large curio shop in Sharn. Cheers, Save vs DM
Caul 08-23-04, 03:06 PM	I wouldn't even suggest 15. A patron doesn't have to be more powerful than the PCs, just more wealthy, and in need of service (if they were more powerful, what need would they have of such services?) I would suggest a low level apothecary (magewright or adept depending) with a curio shop. And when I say low level, I mean like 3 or 4 (CR one less due to NPC class).
Kenzuki 08-23-04, 11:51 PM	Ah I see. So Eberron is not really made for people with actual power, but more like a low powered campaign for of weaklings compared to other worlds correct????? But yeah level 30 was kinda off the top of my head. I just wanted an npc that would continue to advance the plot, and not be some pathetic low-life that was just there to be there. But I always try my best to keep true to the setting, so I will have to think of another campaign hook.
ender 08-24-04, 01:40 AM	Originally posted by Kenzuki Ah I see. So Eberron is not really made for people with actual power, but more like a low powered campaign for of weaklings compared to other worlds correct????? But yeah level 30 was kinda off the top of my head. I just wanted an npc that would continue to advance the plot, and not be some pathetic low-life that was just there to be there. But I always try my best to keep true to the setting, so I will have to think of another campaign hook. Well, Kenzuki, it depends on how you look at it. In Eberron a "patron" is generally a kind of employer, sometimes someone with enough political clout to get things done. They also have to be wealthy enough to hire independents (ie, the PCs). Following these criteria, patrons need: 1. Money 2. Power So the patron for a party of adventurers could easily be a 1st level aristocrat. Again, depending on how you look at it, this person could very well remain more "powerful" than even a party of 20th level characters through sheer wealth and political connections. Thus, it is important to see a patron as someone who has the power to get things done, not necessarily someone with the power to kill major demons. Because, as Rajorke mentioned, having a patron that can't fight your battles for you means that you are on your own--if anyone is going to win the day, its going to be the PCs and not their uber-powerful friend. That's part of the feel that is important to Eberron--no powerful good guys to swoop in and save the day. Rather than think of another campaign hook, I would reccomend doing exactly what you planned originally, just with an adjustment to the levels of the sorcerer. Play the 5th level magewright just as you would the 30th level sorcerer, because in his world he's a big deal. Just because the PCs can take him in a fight, or may need to defend HIM against his enemies, doesn't mean that he can't remain very important to the campaign throughout its duration.
Just another user 08-24-04, 04:47 AM	Originally posted by Kenzuki But I always try my best to keep true to the setting, so I will have to think of another campaign hook. No, you just have to use a different approach of Power. In FR (mostly) Power=levels In Eberron, Power=money, informations, access to magical items and, sometimes, levels. Make your patron a low level merchant, but with lots of money, and contacts in all the houses, guilds, associations than give him and asks for help, in good relations with the local temple, so good that _eventually_ they could even raise a PC, he can find practically any magical items the players could need ("a friend of House lyrandar borrowed me his Airship and pilot for you to use in this mission"), etc. There is no need to make high level to make it a good patron and this way is even easier to control the characters if there is need to.
Kenzuki 08-24-04, 11:09 AM	Ah cool never thought of it like that, magewrite does sound cool I'll think up something and see if it works. Also I've got a question about Eberron. What do you do when your characters reach a high level, do you continue to play them advancing in levels etc, or do you throw them away and make new ones once they reach a high enough level to be considered no longer approriete for Eberron?
Dex The King 08-24-04, 11:58 AM	You play them as the larger than life characters, the greatest heroes (or villains) currently around in the world. This doesn't mean they have to retire. The trick is to gradually move away from dealing with minor plots and organizations to dealing with the hidden powers, stronger foes, and leaders behind the plots. Recurring villains like the examples given towards the back of the Eberron book or the Lord of Blades can gain levels and power when the PCs do, and remain a challenge. Uncover who is behind the murder and why, why the Emerald Claw wants the artifact and what they will do with it, what the schemas that House Cannith and the Lord of Blades want do exactly and what the implications are. After a minion has been defeated, try to stop the plans of the leaders. Going like this, the PCs might work their way through an entire evil organization.The might start out fighting rank-and-file Emerald Claw soldiers, only to later uncover their true plots and ties, perhaps even directly confronting the grand machinations of "Goddess" Vol, the Lady of Death herself! And it doesn't have to stop there! If the Last War breaks out again, who has the influence and power to stop it before all of Khorvaire is consumed? If the Daelkyr reestablish their connection to Xoriat and the legions of madness-woven flesh once again dawn on the horizon, who will stop them? The PCs, as in Eberron there is quite literally no one else that can. Wish them good luck. A lot.