Need Help-Converting Lost Mark series into Adventures [Archive] - Wizards Community

Need Help-Converting Lost Mark series into Adventures [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Amara Trapspringer
11-30-06, 05:37 PM Hi there, I Need Help Converting The Lost Mark series into Adventures or a campaign. From starting the party from first level including also the Mark of death stats.

The plan is to take the PC's from 1st-20th or so level.

This will be my first time running Eberron, and I would like to make it a good long campaign.

Any and all help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Dekrain
12-02-06, 01:35 AM First and foremost, there will be no stats for the Mark of Death (barring of course the eventuality that they say, at the back of the book, "This information directly contradicts and updates what is plainly stated in the Eberron Campaign Setting").

Also, I wasn't terribly impressed with the books and have no constructive input to the creation of a campaign based around them, excepting only that you may wish to start at a level higher than first. Fifth through tenth should be sufficient to match the power level I remember from the first book.
Owl_diDeneith
12-02-06, 02:26 AM First and foremost, there will be no stats for the Mark of Death (barring of course the eventuality that they say, at the back of the book, "This information directly contradicts and updates what is plainly stated in the Eberron Campaign Setting").

Also, I wasn't terribly impressed with the books and have no constructive input to the creation of a campaign based around them, excepting only that you may wish to start at a level higher than first. Fifth through tenth should be sufficient to match the power level I remember from the first book.

Try at least 7th
Especially as the main character started as a justiciar (class in Complete Warrior requiring a base attack bonus of +6), and The shifter ranger had at least that much skill. The paladins were able to cast quite heavy spells. And by the time you get to Queen of Death, they kill one adult dragon (so probably at least 15th by the end of the second book. )

I agree its not a very interesting story line for an adventure campaign. The challenges are tough, the majority of the battles are won with luck, and the motivation to go anywhere is usually forced. And how would you play Espre?
And by the time you get to Queen of Death (which despite its title never deals with Vol), the action is so secondary to the story, your characters would never get enough to survive going to Argonessen (which by the way is a completely difficult to force decision).

You'd have a much better time ripping off the Dreaming Dark series.
Just a thought

Owl
Amara Trapspringer
12-03-06, 05:10 AM Thanks for the input, but it is a theme I want to try and plan to do.

1st: I would not allow a PC to play Espre. She would be an NPC that the characters would have to try and track down, much like the Silver Flames role.

2nd: I think that the story has everything that Eberron should be, Action, adventure, heroics, and as any action point proves LUCK.

3rd: I do agree with the levels limit, and was hoping for some input on starting off. MAybe even in deveolping a Prelude of some sort.

Most of my group has read the Dreaming Dark series, and therefore it is out of the question for a campaign.
Shady314
12-03-06, 05:33 AM Have the PCs be an elite unit (lvl 8 or 9) of Cairdal Blades, Deathguard (mixture of the two perhaps) or some other Aeranel elven organization sent to kill Espre. That's who the paladins should have been in the book. Why in the world that author decided to use the SF as a major interested party is beyond me.

I have to agree with the previous assesments of the book. Very poor and I think it would make an even poorer adventure.

But a group of elves sent to once again end the line of Vol (with the plot twist and grey morality of her being a female child: Very Eberron) would be great fun. Just leave it up to the PCs whether they actually do it or not. If you just can't stand the cold hard reality of the world you can soften it by making the mission be like the SF in the book. Retrieve her and bring her to Aerenal.

You can have the Emerald Claw/BoV either in possession of Espre or also actively seeking her. The PCs will at first have the element of surprise but eventually the PCs existence will be realized and they will work to actively eliminate the PCs just as the PCs will work to foil the BoV.

If for some inexplicable reason you really love the book and NPCs you can have Espre be in flight with them as her protectors.

Just can't see any other way to make those books a good adventure path. I certainly hope you don't want to force the players to assume the roles of characters from the books. I may be biased but I think this would be very good and a good way to involve the PCs in the general storyline without replicating the book.

P.S. You don't need stats for the Mark of Death if Espre remains an NPC. The MoD is a DM plot device/eldritch machine. Do whatever you want with it. If you absolutely must have stats for it and can't bring yourself to make them yourself search the net to find a ridiculous amount of player generated theories/musings. Oh and Vol MUST make an appearance in the adventure. Biggest letdown of the MoD books. (Though I never did waste money on the third one. Is it even out?)
Amara Trapspringer
12-04-06, 04:46 PM OK, since my DM has already run the released modules for Eberron, does anyone have any suggestions on adventures to start the party off with in order to get them to level 5?
Hufish
12-07-06, 01:58 AM Though I never did waste money on the third one. Is it even out?
I stopped after the first. Sheesh! That book made me cringe.

Anyways, as to something to bring 'em up to level 5...well, there are a wide variety of adventuring locales available. Have them plumb the depths of Sharn and the ruins underneath. Explore ancient goblinoid temples crawling with aberrations created by the Dalkyr. Cross paths repeatedly with the Emerald Claw while doing both. Work as mercenaries shoring up the Brelish garrisons in the Graywall Mountains, and fight off incursions by monstrous armies from Droaam. The sky's the limit! Heck, even throw in cursed mutant squiddy pirates! :)
Darrek
12-07-06, 03:03 PM Though I never did waste money on the third one. Is it even out?

Yes.

POTENTIAL SPOILER

She seems to have an aberrant mark. No one, not even the dragons, are sure. Quite an Eberron end, and what I figured from chapter 1 of book 1. "Lost" is subjective to who did the losing.

p.s. How do I do a spoiler block?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Amara Trapspringer 11-30-06, 05:37 PM	Hi there, I Need Help Converting The Lost Mark series into Adventures or a campaign. From starting the party from first level including also the Mark of death stats. The plan is to take the PC's from 1st-20th or so level. This will be my first time running Eberron, and I would like to make it a good long campaign. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thank you,
Dekrain 12-02-06, 01:35 AM	First and foremost, there will be no stats for the Mark of Death (barring of course the eventuality that they say, at the back of the book, "This information directly contradicts and updates what is plainly stated in the Eberron Campaign Setting"). Also, I wasn't terribly impressed with the books and have no constructive input to the creation of a campaign based around them, excepting only that you may wish to start at a level higher than first. Fifth through tenth should be sufficient to match the power level I remember from the first book.
Owl_diDeneith 12-02-06, 02:26 AM	First and foremost, there will be no stats for the Mark of Death (barring of course the eventuality that they say, at the back of the book, "This information directly contradicts and updates what is plainly stated in the Eberron Campaign Setting"). Also, I wasn't terribly impressed with the books and have no constructive input to the creation of a campaign based around them, excepting only that you may wish to start at a level higher than first. Fifth through tenth should be sufficient to match the power level I remember from the first book. Try at least 7th Especially as the main character started as a justiciar (class in Complete Warrior requiring a base attack bonus of +6), and The shifter ranger had at least that much skill. The paladins were able to cast quite heavy spells. And by the time you get to Queen of Death, they kill one adult dragon (so probably at least 15th by the end of the second book. ) I agree its not a very interesting story line for an adventure campaign. The challenges are tough, the majority of the battles are won with luck, and the motivation to go anywhere is usually forced. And how would you play Espre? And by the time you get to Queen of Death (which despite its title never deals with Vol), the action is so secondary to the story, your characters would never get enough to survive going to Argonessen (which by the way is a completely difficult to force decision). You'd have a much better time ripping off the Dreaming Dark series. Just a thought Owl
Amara Trapspringer 12-03-06, 05:10 AM	Thanks for the input, but it is a theme I want to try and plan to do. 1st: I would not allow a PC to play Espre. She would be an NPC that the characters would have to try and track down, much like the Silver Flames role. 2nd: I think that the story has everything that Eberron should be, Action, adventure, heroics, and as any action point proves LUCK. 3rd: I do agree with the levels limit, and was hoping for some input on starting off. MAybe even in deveolping a Prelude of some sort. Most of my group has read the Dreaming Dark series, and therefore it is out of the question for a campaign.
Shady314 12-03-06, 05:33 AM	Have the PCs be an elite unit (lvl 8 or 9) of Cairdal Blades, Deathguard (mixture of the two perhaps) or some other Aeranel elven organization sent to kill Espre. That's who the paladins should have been in the book. Why in the world that author decided to use the SF as a major interested party is beyond me. I have to agree with the previous assesments of the book. Very poor and I think it would make an even poorer adventure. But a group of elves sent to once again end the line of Vol (with the plot twist and grey morality of her being a female child: Very Eberron) would be great fun. Just leave it up to the PCs whether they actually do it or not. If you just can't stand the cold hard reality of the world you can soften it by making the mission be like the SF in the book. Retrieve her and bring her to Aerenal. You can have the Emerald Claw/BoV either in possession of Espre or also actively seeking her. The PCs will at first have the element of surprise but eventually the PCs existence will be realized and they will work to actively eliminate the PCs just as the PCs will work to foil the BoV. If for some inexplicable reason you really love the book and NPCs you can have Espre be in flight with them as her protectors. Just can't see any other way to make those books a good adventure path. I certainly hope you don't want to force the players to assume the roles of characters from the books. I may be biased but I think this would be very good and a good way to involve the PCs in the general storyline without replicating the book. P.S. You don't need stats for the Mark of Death if Espre remains an NPC. The MoD is a DM plot device/eldritch machine. Do whatever you want with it. If you absolutely must have stats for it and can't bring yourself to make them yourself search the net to find a ridiculous amount of player generated theories/musings. Oh and Vol MUST make an appearance in the adventure. Biggest letdown of the MoD books. (Though I never did waste money on the third one. Is it even out?)
Amara Trapspringer 12-04-06, 04:46 PM	OK, since my DM has already run the released modules for Eberron, does anyone have any suggestions on adventures to start the party off with in order to get them to level 5?
Hufish 12-07-06, 01:58 AM	Though I never did waste money on the third one. Is it even out? I stopped after the first. Sheesh! That book made me cringe. Anyways, as to something to bring 'em up to level 5...well, there are a wide variety of adventuring locales available. Have them plumb the depths of Sharn and the ruins underneath. Explore ancient goblinoid temples crawling with aberrations created by the Dalkyr. Cross paths repeatedly with the Emerald Claw while doing both. Work as mercenaries shoring up the Brelish garrisons in the Graywall Mountains, and fight off incursions by monstrous armies from Droaam. The sky's the limit! Heck, even throw in cursed mutant squiddy pirates! :)
Darrek 12-07-06, 03:03 PM	Though I never did waste money on the third one. Is it even out? Yes. POTENTIAL SPOILER She seems to have an aberrant mark. No one, not even the dragons, are sure. Quite an Eberron end, and what I figured from chapter 1 of book 1. "Lost" is subjective to who did the losing. p.s. How do I do a spoiler block?