Teaser #2: Obscura [Archive] - Wizards Community

Teaser #2: Obscura [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Skerrit
06-27-06, 01:31 PM The Cabal of Shadows is a fractious organization. More than any other faction found in the Xendrik Adventures campaign, the members of the Cabal of Shadows have personal motives that often conflict with the goals of other members, and the Cabal as a whole. Four subfactions, referred to as Obscura by the members of the Cabal, have formed by members of like mind. The leader of each Obscura meets with the other three while wearing a mask, and using a pseudonym, in order to guide the Cabal. Not even the other leaders of the Cabal know who their partners are.

While the existence of the Obscura is unknown outside the Cabal, they are common knowledge inside it; though the membership and goals of each are not clear to the others. Not every member of the Cabal is a member of an Obscura, though nearly half are. To some, an Obscura is like family. Others see them as likeminded individuals who will aid in their rise to power. Whatever their reason for joining, members of an Obscura will find that their society demands as much of them as it offers.

Joining An Obscura
1. Each Cabal of Shadows PC may join any one (and only one) Obscura.
2. To join an Obscura, simply print the appropriate certificate, and place it with your character sheet.
3. As a member of an Obscura, you receive a +2 circumstance bonus to all Charisma related ability and skill checks made to influence fellow members of the same Obscura.
4. A member of an Obscura is not required to disclose their membership in an Obscura to other players. Indeed it is likely to your benefit to lie about it. However for obvious reasons, the DM must be told of your membership so that you might receive any special orders for your Obscura pertinent to the current adventure. Often one Obscura may give its members orders diametrically opposed to the wishes of another Obscura, or even the Cabal. Generally loyalty to one’s Obscura trumps loyalty to members of an adventuring party, or the Cabal, though as a PC you may act as you wish.
5. You may leave an Obscura at any time, but once you have done so, you may not join a new one; ever.

Next Time: The four major Obscura of the Cabal of Shadows

Greg Marks
COS Factionmaster
kiddoc
06-27-06, 01:48 PM The Cabal of Shadows is a fractious organization. More than any other faction found in the Xendrik Adventures campaign, the members of the Cabal of Shadows have personal motives that often conflict with the goals of other members, and the Cabal as a whole. Four subfactions, referred to as Obscura by the members of the Cabal, have formed by members of like mind. The leader of each Obscura meets with the other three while wearing a mask, and using a pseudonym, in order to guide the Cabal. Not even the other leaders of the Cabal know who their partners are.

While the existence of the Obscura is unknown outside the Cabal, they are common knowledge inside it; though the membership and goals of each are not clear to the others. Not every member of the Cabal is a member of an Obscura, though nearly half are. To some, an Obscura is like family. Others see them as likeminded individuals who will aid in their rise to power. Whatever their reason for joining, members of an Obscura will find that their society demands as much of them as it offers.

Joining An Obscura
1. Each Cabal of Shadows PC may join any one (and only one) Obscura.
2. To join an Obscura, simply print the appropriate certificate, and place it with your character sheet.
3. As a member of an Obscura, you receive a +2 circumstance bonus to all Charisma related ability and skill checks made to influence fellow members of the same Obscura.
4. A member of an Obscura is not required to disclose their membership in an Obscura to other players. Indeed it is likely to your benefit to lie about it. However for obvious reasons, the DM must be told of your membership so that you might receive any special orders for your Obscura pertinent to the current adventure. Often one Obscura may give its members orders diametrically opposed to the wishes of another Obscura, or even the Cabal. Generally loyalty to one’s Obscura trumps loyalty to members of an adventuring party, or the Cabal, though as a PC you may act as you wish.
5. You may leave an Obscura at any time, but once you have done so, you may not join a new one; ever.

Next Time: The four major Obscura of the Cabal of Shadows

Greg Marks
COS Factionmaster

Drools...

Greg, they're going to LOVE the faction tension of the Obscuras. I'm jealous you get to write your own--I expect that they will live up to and exceed the treachery, tension, and gerrymandering of the Dragonmarked Houses. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the Obscuras interact with the other factions as well. Coincidence that there are 4 Obsuras and 4 factions--I think not! Now if I can just find a way to root out the spies you've already implanted. ;)
Skerrit
06-27-06, 04:07 PM As a side note, the certificates I plan to have available for the Obscura will not be available for Origins, though the Origins people have some information about each Obscura sufficient to allow those playing COS-1 at Origins to pick their Obscura (if any). You need not have a certificate for Origins. Just make your choice at the start of the mod after seeing the handout describing them.
RatShifter
06-28-06, 04:26 AM Man, I hope the Children of Winter have their own subsect in the Cabal of Shadows! Nothing like a bunch of druids ready to unleash destruction upon the world with the draconic prophecy to make me cringe. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Skerrit 06-27-06, 01:31 PM	The Cabal of Shadows is a fractious organization. More than any other faction found in the Xendrik Adventures campaign, the members of the Cabal of Shadows have personal motives that often conflict with the goals of other members, and the Cabal as a whole. Four subfactions, referred to as Obscura by the members of the Cabal, have formed by members of like mind. The leader of each Obscura meets with the other three while wearing a mask, and using a pseudonym, in order to guide the Cabal. Not even the other leaders of the Cabal know who their partners are. While the existence of the Obscura is unknown outside the Cabal, they are common knowledge inside it; though the membership and goals of each are not clear to the others. Not every member of the Cabal is a member of an Obscura, though nearly half are. To some, an Obscura is like family. Others see them as likeminded individuals who will aid in their rise to power. Whatever their reason for joining, members of an Obscura will find that their society demands as much of them as it offers. Joining An Obscura 1. Each Cabal of Shadows PC may join any one (and only one) Obscura. 2. To join an Obscura, simply print the appropriate certificate, and place it with your character sheet. 3. As a member of an Obscura, you receive a +2 circumstance bonus to all Charisma related ability and skill checks made to influence fellow members of the same Obscura. 4. A member of an Obscura is not required to disclose their membership in an Obscura to other players. Indeed it is likely to your benefit to lie about it. However for obvious reasons, the DM must be told of your membership so that you might receive any special orders for your Obscura pertinent to the current adventure. Often one Obscura may give its members orders diametrically opposed to the wishes of another Obscura, or even the Cabal. Generally loyalty to one’s Obscura trumps loyalty to members of an adventuring party, or the Cabal, though as a PC you may act as you wish. 5. You may leave an Obscura at any time, but once you have done so, you may not join a new one; ever. Next Time: The four major Obscura of the Cabal of Shadows Greg Marks COS Factionmaster
kiddoc 06-27-06, 01:48 PM	The Cabal of Shadows is a fractious organization. More than any other faction found in the Xendrik Adventures campaign, the members of the Cabal of Shadows have personal motives that often conflict with the goals of other members, and the Cabal as a whole. Four subfactions, referred to as Obscura by the members of the Cabal, have formed by members of like mind. The leader of each Obscura meets with the other three while wearing a mask, and using a pseudonym, in order to guide the Cabal. Not even the other leaders of the Cabal know who their partners are. While the existence of the Obscura is unknown outside the Cabal, they are common knowledge inside it; though the membership and goals of each are not clear to the others. Not every member of the Cabal is a member of an Obscura, though nearly half are. To some, an Obscura is like family. Others see them as likeminded individuals who will aid in their rise to power. Whatever their reason for joining, members of an Obscura will find that their society demands as much of them as it offers. Joining An Obscura 1. Each Cabal of Shadows PC may join any one (and only one) Obscura. 2. To join an Obscura, simply print the appropriate certificate, and place it with your character sheet. 3. As a member of an Obscura, you receive a +2 circumstance bonus to all Charisma related ability and skill checks made to influence fellow members of the same Obscura. 4. A member of an Obscura is not required to disclose their membership in an Obscura to other players. Indeed it is likely to your benefit to lie about it. However for obvious reasons, the DM must be told of your membership so that you might receive any special orders for your Obscura pertinent to the current adventure. Often one Obscura may give its members orders diametrically opposed to the wishes of another Obscura, or even the Cabal. Generally loyalty to one’s Obscura trumps loyalty to members of an adventuring party, or the Cabal, though as a PC you may act as you wish. 5. You may leave an Obscura at any time, but once you have done so, you may not join a new one; ever. Next Time: The four major Obscura of the Cabal of Shadows Greg Marks COS Factionmaster Drools... Greg, they're going to LOVE the faction tension of the Obscuras. I'm jealous you get to write your own--I expect that they will live up to and exceed the treachery, tension, and gerrymandering of the Dragonmarked Houses. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the Obscuras interact with the other factions as well. Coincidence that there are 4 Obsuras and 4 factions--I think not! Now if I can just find a way to root out the spies you've already implanted. ;)
Skerrit 06-27-06, 04:07 PM	As a side note, the certificates I plan to have available for the Obscura will not be available for Origins, though the Origins people have some information about each Obscura sufficient to allow those playing COS-1 at Origins to pick their Obscura (if any). You need not have a certificate for Origins. Just make your choice at the start of the mod after seeing the handout describing them.
RatShifter 06-28-06, 04:26 AM	Man, I hope the Children of Winter have their own subsect in the Cabal of Shadows! Nothing like a bunch of druids ready to unleash destruction upon the world with the draconic prophecy to make me cringe. :)