Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dargoth 07-09-03, 04:22 AM	This a continuation of my campaign discussion thread on the old message boards Overview After Banes return Fzoul decides to reacess the goals and strategy of the Eastern Zhentrium. The goals of church of Bane and the Zhentrium have in the last 100 years or so have been to control trade from the Moonsea across Annouch Desert to Waterdeep and the sea of Sword, this made it necessary for the Zhentrium to occupy Dagger Dale in order to control the link between Zhentil keep and The Black Road which spans the Desert and connects the Eastern and Western halves of the organisation. However these goals and objectives no longer seem important 1) The Return of Shade has restricted the amounted of Traffic that can travel down the Black Road. 2) The Western Cyric dominated Half of the Zhentrium has or likely will leave the organisation (likely be subsumed by the Church of Cyric) 3) Daggerdale has driven the Zhentrium out of the dale effectively cutting off Zhentrium traffic heading out of the Moonsea area and Along the Black road. 4) Fzoul and Khelbhan Blackstaff made a pact where Fzoul would not expand the Zhentrium West of the Desert for next 30 years. For these reasons Fzoul decides to cut his losses and abandon the Western Zhentrium to the Cyricist. So whats a chosen of Bane to do with all this free time? He looks else where For years it has been the gaol to conqueror Shadowdale but every attempt has resulted in failure. Fzoul recognises this and decides to leave Shadowdale alone, the costs of attacking launching a campaign against it is simply to high and the potential gains limited. So where else can they go? North? The northern Moonsea is y undeveloped and scantily defended, but it would require a huge amount of resourses to Garrsion and the rewards would not be that great and why bother when another strategy will drop the northern cities into the palm of Banes Hand. Fzoul decides that the Southern Moonsea and the Western Dragon coast are his goals. To this end the following happans Scylla Darkhope travels to Scardale and presses her claim as the rightful Lord of Scardale as the Daughter of its former ruler Lashan. Her claim is accepted and her rulership confirmed. A church of Bane is established in Scardale town however it focus on Law and obedience and it quickly brings order to Scardale town with help of the 500 Zhentrium soldiers Fzoul sends to garrision the town. Scylla rules Scardale with a Velvet glove she keeps more destructive Banites out of Scardale. She wins the people of Scardale over by demostrating the advantages of a strong lawful ruler which the people of Scardale find a pleasant change from the Chaotic and disorderly rule theyve experienced since Lashans fall. Fzouls other goal is to Dominate the southern Moonsea, and the major opponent to that goal is Zhentil keeps old foe Hillsfar, because of this Fzoul has decided that Hilsfar must be conquerored, to achieve this end Fzoul intends sending 2 Armys, one from Voonlar made up of troops from Zhentil Keep and one from Mulmaster they will link up outside Hillsfar and together lay siege to the city. Fzoul plans to bribe the less loyal leaders of Purple Plumes and assasinate those leaders those who remain loyal to Hillsfar. At sea the navys of both Mulmaster and Zhentil Keep will blockade Hillsfar port, cutting it off from its sea trade routes and starving the city into submission. The assault on Hillsfar will begin in 1374 With the taking of Hillsfar the Zhentrium will control the entire southern coast from Zhentil keep in the west to Mulmaster in the east. He also intends to sieze the strategic River Lis which connects the Moonsea with the Sea of Fallen stars. He intends to build a series of Fortresses along the length of the river making it impossiable for non Zhentrium traffic to transit the river and enter the Moonsea . This will starve the Northern Moonsea cities of income and force them to enter the Zhentrium fold. Fzoul also intends on invading Harrowdale thus linking Scardale with the Zhentriums Moonsea possessions. Hillsfar has few allies who are willing to help it against the Zhentrium th most likely to help them would be Sembia however Sembian troops would have to travel a long way to reach Hillsfar and would face a major obstacle in the form of Drow who occupy the territory a Sembian army would have to march through. When the Zhentrium take over of Scardale will also distract them and make them less willing to send troops north to Hillsfar when Zhentrium troops are on there door step. To make life for the Sembians even harder Scyllua will get the Monks of the Long death, who have a monastary in Scardale to wage a campaign of murder and terror across Sembia killing off the leaders of Sembias merchant familys. More to follow: How the PCs fit into these events
Dargoth 07-09-03, 07:15 AM	The campaign starts with a modified version of Raiders of Galaths roost When Fzoul decided to abandon the Western Zhentrium and focus on Hillsfar instead he ordered Suddilis to gather all those members of Darkholds garrision who where followers of Bane or loyal to the Eastern Zhentrium and lead them East back to Zhentil Keep. This he did and on one moonless night 350 members of Darkholds garrision slipped out and headed for the Zhentrium outpost that contained the portal to Galaths roost. Since there arrival at the Outpost Suddilis has been sending 60 Zhentrium soildiers through the portal everytime is active, 50 of whom return to Zhentil keep, the other 10 have been raiding Mistdale for food and supplies that they take back through the portal to the garrision they have also killed or kidnapped anyone who has come across the Zhentrium using the portal. (this accounts for the Moon elf, Drow elf and gold dragon in the dungeon at the outpost. The people of Mistledale catch on that something up and send Pcs to investigate however by this time most of Zhentrium garrision has left and already gone through the portal and gone on to Zhentil Keep to join Fzouls army mustering in Voonlar. Assuming the characters finish the module. If they stick around at the Outpost after defeating Suddilis then they will encounter a Cyricist scount party from Darkhold who are looking for the missing garrision. The Pcs will have to hold the Cricists off for 10 rounds before the portal is active agian. If there successful they return to Mistledale through the portal. Having healed their wounds and leveled up after ROGR (This likely takes a month to 6 weeks) they will now be ready for Woe to Mistledale. Suddilis left a small rear guard north of Mistledale which was going to escort to Zhentil keep, when Suddilis and the last few members of the garrision pasted through the portal. If Suddilis lives then he has just reached them having had to walk all the way from the Outpost to Mistldale. If Suddilis didnt make it then a new cleric has been sent by Fzoul to issue new orders to rear guard. Either way the rear guard has been instructed to cause problems in and around Mistledale. fzoul has instructed them to do this as Mistldale occupys a strategic position, any force sent from Sembia or Cormyr to relive the Siege of Hillsfar will have to pass up the Moonsea road. Having completed Woe to Mistledale the party is approached by a cleric of Tempus he asks them to come to Abby of the Sword in neighbouring Battledale where the high priest of the Temple hires the Pcs to track down the Glabrezu who killed and ate the previous high priest. (See the Abbey of the Sword in Faithes and Pantheons) Around this time word reaches Battledale that a Zhentrium army is laying siege to Hillsfar and that Scylla Darkhope has been recognised a the rightful ruler of Scardale. As for the Glabrezu the High priests suggests the PCs go into the Cormanthor wood in search of the drow who controlled the demon. The High Priest doesnt know which faction the drow belonged all drow look the same the a follower of tempus. If they follow the suggestion they eventual come across the House Jaelre encampment described in Lords of Darkness. If the PCs released drow prisioner in ROGR then she is there to and offers to cash in the favour she owes them by helping them. The Pcs learn the following: No it wasnt House Jalere who appeared out of the portal beneath the Abbey of the sword it was probably the Auzkovyn clan. The prisoner they released in ROGR offers to lead the PCs to the Auzkovyn clan. During the journey the PCs stumble across the Tower of Life (as found in the Races of Faerun web enchancement) While there looking for the traitor in the elven stronghold the Towers attacked by a party of Auzkovyn drow and a Glabrezu during the attack one of the elven mages banishes or Dismisses the Demon so the party are unable to kill it. The party are however able to get the Glabrezus truename from the Drow wizard who summoned it in exchange for not killing him (Failing that speak with dead is used, after all one of the PCs is a Cleric of Kelevour) Depending on how event unfold the PCs guide may have a change of heart theres a follower of Ellistree in the Tower of Life and she may convert the PCs guide ie her alignment changes from CE to CN during the module. The Drow guide offers to travel with the PCs as part of the party. As for the quest the party will need to Summon the Glabrezus and kill it. The party travels back to Ashabenford to talk to Noristuor the tiefling wizard who lives in town. He offers to summon the Glabrezus for some magic items and some gp. However when he summons the demon it doesnt respond. Noristuor tries a diffrent tack and summons an Imp which tells him the Glabrezu has been summoned by someone and is no longer in the Abyss. Noristuor suggest the PCs contact a powerful spell caster and ask them to find out where the demon is. He suggests the PCs travel to ScarDale and speak to the red Wizard enclave. When the party gets there they find the town under control of the Zhentrium. The PCs eventually persuade one of the Red Wizards to cast the spell for them (ill use the red Wizard enclave in loD and drop it in Scardale) and finds that the Glabrezu is inside the walls of Hillsfar, one of the Wizards in Hillsfar summoned the Demon to protect him during the siege. ----------------------------------------------------------- Hillsfar is now of course completely surrounded by Banite troops which means the Pcs are going to have to find away to get inside. However Scyulla has been keeping track of the Pcs activities in the enclave and she arranges to meet them and offers them deal she'll give them a pass that will let them travel through the Zhentrium lines if they do her a favour. The favour involves killing a cleric of Cyric in Harrowdale http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/pg/20030521a If the PCs kill Evah hen Dorgath gives them the pass. The PCs reach Hillsfar to find the city complety encircled. The Zhentrium army has dug trenchs up to the walls and are currently trying to mine the city walls else where Catapults and Trechbuts are lobbying boulders and dead animals and cauldrons full of oil of Firey burning into the city. The Pcs will now have to decided how to get into the city, there are several ways in. 1) They can try and enter the city when the Zhentrium open a breach through the wall , and fight there way through those Purple Plumes who try and seal the breach. 2) they can use one of the tunnels that the Zhentrium are using to mine the walls and sneak into the city that way. 3) they can travel to the docks and infiltrate the city through its sewers which flow out at the bay. The Glabrezu is serving Wak Rathar a wizard (Im going to give him levels as a Demonologist or maybe a Nar Demon Binder) The Pcs will likely have to kill both the wizard and the demon before making there escape. While the PCs having been dealing with the demon Fzoul has opened up a gate to Banes realm in the Barrens of Doom and Dispair the gate feeds on the fears of the city of Hillsfar and through the gate come a horde of Fiendish Fithyr and Greater Fithyr hwich terrorise the citys population and feed on their fear. Once the gate opens the Zhentrium storm the city (The defenders are 2 scared to resist). If the PCs still havent managed to kill Suddilis the Banite cleric from Raiders of Galath roost and Woe to Mistledale then they run into him on the way out of the city, and he decides to get even with the PCs, after all Scylla pass only granted the PCs safe passage to enter Hillsfar it doesnt give them safe passage out of Hillsfar) Having escaped Hillsfar the party return to The Abbey of the Sword (hopefully with the news that the Demons dead). If there successful the party recieves their reward likely in Magical weapons one pof the weapons the Pcs recieve will be "One thousand broken dreams" A magical sword detailed in magic of Faerun (it will come in handy) plus other magic items. If the Pcs think to help Tempus clergy in Hillsfar escape then they will also recieve the Sword "Prayer of Anger" also detailed in Magic of Faerun. Having rested they'll be ready for City of spider queen which Ill alter sum what. Instead of starting in Daggerdale it will start in Mistledale or Battledale, the drow will emerge from Haptooth hill instead of the Crypts. Ill also swap out the vampire in Crypts with an old friend of the PCs (A previous party did the Curse of the Azure bonds module) and they'll find that Dracandros isnt "dead" hes undead, im thinking of making him a spectre with levels of the Red Wizard prc and the catecombs populated with various red wizard monsters and items. The Pcs will then complete COSQ and the Dungeon module Spiral of Manzessine. I may alter the module some what using material from the Underdark Sourcebook due out in october So what do you think?
Astanphaeus 07-10-03, 12:13 AM	Dargoth, I just wanted to chime in and say that this appears very tight. Cool stuff. I especially like Fzoul's reasoning and strategy. By the looks of what you have so far, this is a game I'd enjoy playing in. Well done. Minor flavour suggestion: I'm very fond of that Mistledale Tiefling, Noristuor. He briefly appeared in my own campaign, just last week. Expounding upon the description of him in the FRCS, I gave him the foulest mouth possible. Everything he said was laced with vulgarity... as if he had Tourette's Syndrome or something. Anyway, the result was a good one. Characters didn't know quite what to make of him... some were offended, others amused. It led to some hysterical moments and dialogue, both during and after his appearance. He made quite the impression, and has become a favorite NPC. Submitted just in case you'd like to do the same thing with him. :) -- A.
Conan 07-10-03, 12:45 AM	Kewl outline Dargoth. I'm impressed. Just a couple of little questions. Are the Pc's up to the point to which you have posted? Or is this possible teaser stuff for them?
Dargoth 07-10-03, 01:23 AM	Astanphaeus " I gave him the foulest mouth possible. Everything he said was laced with vulgarity... as if he had Tourette's Syndrome or something. Anyway, the result was a good one. Characters didn't know quite what to make of him... some were offended, others amused. It led to some hysterical moments and dialogue, both during and after his appearance. He made quite the impression, and has become a favorite NPC." *chuckle* A bit like those 3 black guys in the Jim Carrey movie "me myself and Irene" :D Conan: They havent started We where intially going to start the campaign a month ago but then we decided to wait till after the 3.5 books where released (The PCs might as well be 3.5 complient from the start instead of changing them later)
Conan 07-10-03, 01:37 AM	Fair 'nuff. So you're definitely switching to 3.5? was considering doing so, am Dming my campaign. But then I looked at the Cost for us Aussies and factored in my 5 player's all with PHB's, 1 who already has DMG for reference and the fact we use some house rules anyway. It just seems too much for an update to a system we've already invested so much in. not to mention the shipping dates for Aus. So anyway instead of bashing WoTC, how bout this. When you get 3.5 let us know if it's worth getting and you might be able to wrangle a commision from WoTC for 8 new books. ;)
Dargoth 07-10-03, 01:47 AM	Im abit iffy on the DMG but the other 2 are probably worth getting The Monster manual in particular as its changed the most, plus theres aparantly art for all the monsters. The players hand book worth getting purely on hassle value while they are releasing a backward compatability guide it really will be pain to track down spell and class changed in 60 page document. As for buying them.... I dont buy locally, I get it from Amazon The books are around 20 USD which works out around 30-35 AUD and Im cursing WOTC for delaying the release until Gencon which isnt till later in the month and the Australian dollars dropped 3 cents this week :mad:
Conan 07-10-03, 02:15 AM	Originally posted by Dargoth The Monster manual in particular as its changed the most, plus theres aparantly art for all the monsters. ALL the monsters? sounds better than the current with it's annoying descriptions and no visuals. Cool art helps all to get in the right mood to RP IMHO. ;) The players hand book worth getting purely on hassle value while they are releasing a backward compatability guide it really will be pain to track down spell and class changed in 60 page document. Hmmm. If it's worth actually changing to be 3.5 complient then that would seem logical. Still not convinced my money wouldn't be better directed at additional sourcebooks. Assuming of course that they aren't only 3.5 complient and not backwards compatible. :( As for buying them.... I dont buy locally, I get it from Amazon The books are around 20 USD which works out around 30-35 AUD Must... Consider... Getting... Credit card... and Im cursing WOTC for delaying the release until Gencon which isnt till later in the month and the Australian dollars dropped 3 cents this week :mad: What's new there? On both points. :sad: Anyway I think I've highjacked this thread for far too long. Keep up the good work Dargoth. I'm acting all kewl whilst waiting for your next installment. :cool:
Dargoth 07-10-03, 02:36 AM	Gaming report have some jpegs of the new Manuals http://www.gamingreport.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Diner_Wrapper&file=index&req=ShowFile&file_wrap=html/dd35.htm Notice the new lay out for the Balor
Conan 07-10-03, 02:49 AM	ooer... So bright... So shiny... Mmmm.. Balor! So wanna throw one at my PC's heheh. and they still use the clunky Warhammer 40k style pic for the Barbarian. :( Now if Lockwood was doing the art for the core classes I'd reach a bit closer to my wallet. ;) thanx Dargoth... financial dillema impending...
Dargoth 07-10-03, 02:53 AM	*chuckle* Rich Baker owes me another Commision cheque :D
Conan 07-10-03, 03:27 AM	If you get one, check the watermark careful like. :smirk: Hmmm... Pyramid selling scheme based around WoTC products forming in the putrid and murky depths of my woefully purile imagination.:devil:
Dargoth 07-15-03, 08:18 AM	Conclusion added The New bits after the line in my 2nd post
erinyes_ogler 07-15-03, 01:03 PM	Great ideas, Dargoth, I may use them IMC. I'm running a pro-Banite campaign and am looking for some advice on what happens next after City of the Spider Queen, which my party of Banites just went through. Maybe you cuold stop by this thread and give me some ideas--some of what transpired IMC may prove helpful in yours... Heck, you could even use my Banite characters as NPC villains in your CotSQ campaign! http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61380
Dargoth 07-23-03, 04:55 AM	hmm ok ill take a look
Thysl 07-24-03, 05:08 AM	Olare! I'm kind of surprised that you haven't made room for The Prison of the Firebringer in that run-down... I know you liked it.:D Btw thanks for the good review; wouldn't have picked it up before I read what you said. Q: (This likely takes a month to 6 weeks) they will now be ready for Woe to Mistledale. Woe to Mistledale is level 6-10 right? is there any adventuring at all before it begins? I understand why you want it to happen fast (great idea, btw) but how are you overcoming the level disparity of the two adventures? Sounds like you've given a lot of thought to where you are taking the characters but what about where they want you to take them... In the political climate you descibed I see many characters I have played (and DMed) trying to get in on the action of protection in the Dalelands and - if done right - Sembia. Perhaps starting a mercs guild or a trading coster in Cormyr and run armed caravans to beleagured Hillsfar. $$ Anyhoo... All in all it sounds like a blast! Hope you all have fun! :D
Dargoth 07-24-03, 05:27 AM	Raiders of Galaths Roost will be played before Woe to Mistledale if theres a level gap and there not ready for WTM then Ill throw something together If worse comes to worse ill make them walk back from the Zhentrium Fortress and they can do Tears for Twilight Hollow or Doorway to everywhere. This was written before I had a copy of Prison of the Flamebringer and in any case Ill save it for another campaign. If for example they decided not to follow whats written here its not to big a drama. I make my Players tell me at the end of a module where they want to go next? So if for example they decide they dont want to return to Mistledale at the end of ROGR and they say they want to go to Waterdeep instead, then I tell them the next gaming sessions in 2-4 weeks (While I come up with something for them do) Theres also going to be a Greyhawk campaign running as well (Which Im not Dming) so they may get there D&D fix from there while I rewrite my campaign
Thysl 07-24-03, 03:59 PM	Olare! If worse comes to worse ill make them walk back from the Zhentrium Fortress and they can do Tears for Twilight Hollow or Doorway to everywhere. I have already run Tears for Twilight Hollow and, truth be told, it may be harder than Woe to Mistledale... bah, you know what you're doing... BTW how is Doorway to Everywhere? I missed it while it was on the newstand and am considering ordering the back issue. I make my Players tell me at the end of a module where they want to go next? So you do ask? The question mark is throwing me off.:confused: So if for example they decide they dont want to return to Mistledale at the end of ROGR and they say they want to go to Waterdeep instead NOOO!!! Why would they want to go to Waterdeep when there is so many dramatic things happening in the Dales area? What I was talking about was organic characters - true Realms-Folk - and the part that they would want to play in the struggles of these powers. The altruistic hero gathering an army to break the seige of Hillsfar, the greedy oppurtunist extorting the Dalesfolk with 'war-time' prices, You have upset the status quo of the area so expect your players to want to have a go at it. I would if I was in your group!:D The Pcs will have to hold the Cricists off for 10 rounds before the portal is active agian. If there successful they return to Mistledale through the portal. Excellent drama!!! Mind if I bite it? Once again, awesome! :cool:
Dargoth 07-24-03, 06:34 PM	Originally posted by Thysl Olare! I have already run Tears for Twilight Hollow and, truth be told, it may be harder than Woe to Mistledale... bah, you know what you're doing... BTW how is Doorway to Everywhere? I missed it while it was on the newstand and am considering ordering the back issue. So you do ask? The question mark is throwing me off.:confused: NOOO!!! Why would they want to go to Waterdeep when there is so many dramatic things happening in the Dales area? What I was talking about was organic characters - true Realms-Folk - and the part that they would want to play in the struggles of these powers. The altruistic hero gathering an army to break the seige of Hillsfar, the greedy oppurtunist extorting the Dalesfolk with 'war-time' prices, You have upset the status quo of the area so expect your players to want to have a go at it. I would if I was in your group!:D Excellent drama!!! Mind if I bite it? Once again, awesome! :cool: Doorway to everywheres an interesting one lots of travel to diffrent places. Id probably alter it some what and use the Zhentrium or the Shades as the bad guys. Yeah I ask them "Where do you want to go next?" at the end of a module. Hillsfars not a very popular with its neighbours, demihuman in particular view them as a bunch of Racist bigots and Humans of the Daleland dont like them much either. I dont see anyone marching an army to Hillsfar to liberate it. Yeah quite a bit of stuff has come out for the Dalelands, still theres a few places. theres always some of the adventures in the back of Silver Marches, The Well of the Dragon and of Cause Prison of the Flame Bringer.