Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Maskanodel 08-25-03, 05:31 PM	The campaign I DM has hit a rut. I'm flat out of all but the most basic ideas. I'll give you a rundown of whats currently happening and any advice you guys could give would be greatly appreciated. The characters started in the Silver Marches where they destroyed an evil orc cult that had hopes of over running Silerymoon. After this they were transported to Thesk where they helped take out a Zhent group working in the area. This brings me to the current problem. They recieved word that the Zhents were now causing trouble in the Yuirwood so now they're currently heading in that direction. I have no clue as to what to do once the PCs get there. Why do the Zhents want to invade the Yuirwood? How do I keep Thay or Aglarond from causing too much trouble? Any ideas on how to keep the Simbul from showing up? The PCs are: Kelidrin Moonflower- Male Moon Elf Ranger4/Tempest3/Divine Champion2 of Mielikki Thamior Woodshaw-Male Moon Elf Ftr 9 Jerve Wayward- Male Lightfoot Halfling 9 Shevarra Ulmokina- Female Human Clr3/Sor4/Hth3 of Kheliara (Mielikki) Thanks in advance, Maskanodel
stevetip 08-25-03, 05:41 PM	just a thought, but: what do they find in yuirwood? a few blind lead that lead to nothing not a dern thing it was a ruse to throw them off the Zhent's trail. now that the pc's are conveniently out of the way, the Zhent's are up to some REAL evil back in Thesk. other than that... what where the Zhents up to in Thesk in the first place? how did the pc's thwart that? was the bbeg killed or could he have lived? who was pulling his strings? could a high level rep from the orc's that the pc's conquered be in league with the Zhents to take out a common enemy? perhaps the zhents are acting as ambassadors of a nation friendly with Aglarond. Simbul would love to trounce them, but she has a nation to run, and cannot for political reasons wholesale slaughter the ambassadors in front of her court. if, however, the pc's can find evidence that they are not ambassadors but are zhentarim agents, or just off em and keep simbuls hands clean, so much the better. perhaps the red wizards and the zhents have come up with a treaty of non-aggression, they won't necessarily work together, but for a few magic shops placed in the right spots, the Thayans are willing to look the other way in the region. I assume you are working off of Unapproachable East (a book I do not have), so there is probably more I am missing. But it's a start :)
Triton 08-25-03, 06:23 PM	Here's an idea. The Zhent's are searching for a hidden orc cache from the Orcgate Wars. Hidden in caves deep in the Yuirwood, gaurded by a caste of half-elf druids of Mielikki, is an ancient orc armory. After a deep trek in the Underdark they come to the gates of the armory. It was dedicated to an orc demi-power of crafting that died during the war. The goal of the Zhents is to get the Anvil of War. This anvil creates weopons with the blood lust ability that makes the wielder fearless in battle. The additional prize is the Crown of the Horde that enables a human to summon an orc horde as if he were an orc warlord, or doubles an orc warlords horde ability. The Simbul can be involved in the final disposition of the artifacts, or maybe the Zhents get surprised by an orog warlord or drow matron mother who want the items for their own war plans. This could lead to another even bigger quest.:smirk:
Maskanodel 08-25-03, 11:09 PM	Thanks you guys!!! Especially you Triton!! I'm definitelty go with something along those lines. I like the drow matron mother thing and I cant tie that in to the City of the Spider Queen which I'm going to run later.
FineasBoggs 08-26-03, 07:02 PM	DOH!!!!