Campaign idea for any interested DM/GM: Diary of a Mad Monster [Archive] - Wizards Community

Campaign idea for any interested DM/GM: Diary of a Mad Monster [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mad Mage
01-23-07, 06:21 PM I've been thinking about this over a couple of days, and this is what I've come with so far:

- Centuries ago, a Derro lich began experimented with various surgical, alchemical and arcane processes to create freakish servitors that functioned as competent (but near-mindless) shock troops. These ideas range from simple or advanced flesh golems to new artificially created monsters of the DM's own creation or choice from existing sources. :evillaugh

- This journal, though written with powerful methods of creating Frankensteinesque monstrosities, is filled with horrifying images and script that often baffles the mind. The reader must make a DC 20 (adjust to fit the campaign) Will save or be driven insane. If the reader succeeds, he must make a further save (preferedly DC 15 or so) or avoid being shaken by the imagery of the book. :gah:

- The journal is written in a scirbbled - yet legible - form of Dethek alphabet, and the language is Draconic. In addition to risks of insanity, readers of the journal - as they progress chapter by chapter - slowly change alignment to Chaotic Evil, due to both the haphazard script and the traumatizing images within.

- Not too long before the beginning of the campaign, a studious and talented Ogre Mage had uncovered the journal. He does succeed in decoding the methods to making these monstrosities and begins assembling a horde of them to start carving out a niche for his experiments and comfort. However, he begins becoming further debased, slowly slipping into a form of deranged madness like the Derro lich that first wrote the book. :looloo:

- As far as the Ogre Mage antagonist is concerned, I'd suggest statting him so that he has levels in the Fleshwarper PrC from Lords of Madness.

- The lich may still exist, and maybe the journal in the ogre mage's possession is a copy that an apprentice of the lich made years ago and sold away. Let's face it: Derro may be talented, but they're crazy and may do things both maniacal and unwise. In any case, the lich may also come into play as an additional antagonist who may fight the players AND the Ogre Mage's forces in an effort to steal the main antagonist's copy of the journal, destory it, or whatever else may fit.

- The player characters may become involved in it after being hired to exterminate an increasing insurgence of abominations, possibly flesh golems. They also may stumble upon hints of such a plot by accident.

- Suggested character levels for this campaign: Unknown. Possibly level 9 to start. Depending upon creatures used, may finish around level 20 or even to epic levels.

- Suggested area: Unknown.

Pardon if it doesn't quite sound very cohesive or what-not, but then again, brain children of mine like this don't tend to flesh out the greatest. But how does it sound, anyways?
Melblen_Cairn
01-24-07, 12:03 PM I likey. Good ideas and you're leaving it open for our own interputations and campaign placment. I could actually use this in quite easily in one of my games. Thanks for the idea :cool:
_SIN_
01-24-07, 12:48 PM The one thing I disagree with is the 'reading induced insanity' thing. Honestly, do you think that these DRAWN images and WRITTEN descriptions are as likely to turn one insane, as say, having an Illithid latching onto your face, burrowing it's tenticles into your head??..... I don't.

BUT, I commend you for you creativity on the alignment changing ability - I LIKE IT A LOT!! But I'd possibly incorporate some side-trek adventures with regards to the book. Maybe mention some places and instructions etc - just to keep the PC's reading it over a reasonably long time, making the alignment change much more subtle to the degree that the players don't even know it!

I would maybe adopt a technique used in the computer game "TES: Oblivion", when you become a vampire. As the change kicks in you're haunted by various obsure and horrific dreams. Then during certain circumstances - could be pretty much anything - tell the PC that they have an urge to do "**an evil action"...

** - by an evil action, I would be specific. If a street beggar was asking for some spare coin, I'd tell the player that he's overcome with an urge to "Gut the beggar" or something akin. Could be quite fun actually - You have a sudden inexplicable urge to grope Lady Alustriel....:eek:
Mad Mage
01-24-07, 02:20 PM The one thing I disagree with is the 'reading induced insanity' thing. Honestly, do you think that these DRAWN images and WRITTEN descriptions are as likely to turn one insane, as say, having an Illithid latching onto your face, burrowing it's tenticles into your head??..... I don't.

Hmmmmm.... I do kind-of get what you're saying. Part of the reason why I thought the book should induce insanity was because of how crazily the book was written. Mind you, a DERRO wrote it, and a sane one of those creatures is rare.

At this point, I'm starting to consider that there may be some spells both written for studying by wizards (or possibly for sorcerers upon level-up) in there, and maybe some enchantments on the book that - while they assist in some ways with creating all these stitched-up monstrosities, should also have some influence on the reader's mind, whether it is insanity or CE alignment.

BUT, I commend you for you creativity on the alignment changing ability - I LIKE IT A LOT!! But I'd possibly incorporate some side-trek adventures with regards to the book. Maybe mention some places and instructions etc - just to keep the PC's reading it over a reasonably long time, making the alignment change much more subtle to the degree that the players don't even know it!

I would maybe adopt a technique used in the computer game "TES: Oblivion", when you become a vampire. As the change kicks in you're haunted by various obsure and horrific dreams. Then during certain circumstances - could be pretty much anything - tell the PC that they have an urge to do "**an evil action"...

** - by an evil action, I would be specific. If a street beggar was asking for some spare coin, I'd tell the player that he's overcome with an urge to "Gut the beggar" or something akin. Could be quite fun actually - You have a sudden inexplicable urge to grope Lady Alustriel....:eek:

Like I said, add to it what you wish if you want to use it. I'm just giving the bare and fleshy details for people to put together (pun DEFINITELY INTENDED! :D ).

Then again, I guess I'm a mad genius in my own right. :rofl:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mad Mage 01-23-07, 06:21 PM	I've been thinking about this over a couple of days, and this is what I've come with so far: - Centuries ago, a Derro lich began experimented with various surgical, alchemical and arcane processes to create freakish servitors that functioned as competent (but near-mindless) shock troops. These ideas range from simple or advanced flesh golems to new artificially created monsters of the DM's own creation or choice from existing sources. :evillaugh - This journal, though written with powerful methods of creating Frankensteinesque monstrosities, is filled with horrifying images and script that often baffles the mind. The reader must make a DC 20 (adjust to fit the campaign) Will save or be driven insane. If the reader succeeds, he must make a further save (preferedly DC 15 or so) or avoid being shaken by the imagery of the book. :gah: - The journal is written in a scirbbled - yet legible - form of Dethek alphabet, and the language is Draconic. In addition to risks of insanity, readers of the journal - as they progress chapter by chapter - slowly change alignment to Chaotic Evil, due to both the haphazard script and the traumatizing images within. - Not too long before the beginning of the campaign, a studious and talented Ogre Mage had uncovered the journal. He does succeed in decoding the methods to making these monstrosities and begins assembling a horde of them to start carving out a niche for his experiments and comfort. However, he begins becoming further debased, slowly slipping into a form of deranged madness like the Derro lich that first wrote the book. :looloo: - As far as the Ogre Mage antagonist is concerned, I'd suggest statting him so that he has levels in the Fleshwarper PrC from Lords of Madness. - The lich may still exist, and maybe the journal in the ogre mage's possession is a copy that an apprentice of the lich made years ago and sold away. Let's face it: Derro may be talented, but they're crazy and may do things both maniacal and unwise. In any case, the lich may also come into play as an additional antagonist who may fight the players AND the Ogre Mage's forces in an effort to steal the main antagonist's copy of the journal, destory it, or whatever else may fit. - The player characters may become involved in it after being hired to exterminate an increasing insurgence of abominations, possibly flesh golems. They also may stumble upon hints of such a plot by accident. - Suggested character levels for this campaign: Unknown. Possibly level 9 to start. Depending upon creatures used, may finish around level 20 or even to epic levels. - Suggested area: Unknown. Pardon if it doesn't quite sound very cohesive or what-not, but then again, brain children of mine like this don't tend to flesh out the greatest. But how does it sound, anyways?
Melblen_Cairn 01-24-07, 12:03 PM	I likey. Good ideas and you're leaving it open for our own interputations and campaign placment. I could actually use this in quite easily in one of my games. Thanks for the idea :cool:
_SIN_ 01-24-07, 12:48 PM	The one thing I disagree with is the 'reading induced insanity' thing. Honestly, do you think that these DRAWN images and WRITTEN descriptions are as likely to turn one insane, as say, having an Illithid latching onto your face, burrowing it's tenticles into your head??..... I don't. BUT, I commend you for you creativity on the alignment changing ability - I LIKE IT A LOT!! But I'd possibly incorporate some side-trek adventures with regards to the book. Maybe mention some places and instructions etc - just to keep the PC's reading it over a reasonably long time, making the alignment change much more subtle to the degree that the players don't even know it! I would maybe adopt a technique used in the computer game "TES: Oblivion", when you become a vampire. As the change kicks in you're haunted by various obsure and horrific dreams. Then during certain circumstances - could be pretty much anything - tell the PC that they have an urge to do "an evil action"... - by an evil action, I would be specific. If a street beggar was asking for some spare coin, I'd tell the player that he's overcome with an urge to "Gut the beggar" or something akin. Could be quite fun actually - You have a sudden inexplicable urge to grope Lady Alustriel....:eek:
Mad Mage 01-24-07, 02:20 PM	The one thing I disagree with is the 'reading induced insanity' thing. Honestly, do you think that these DRAWN images and WRITTEN descriptions are as likely to turn one insane, as say, having an Illithid latching onto your face, burrowing it's tenticles into your head??..... I don't. Hmmmmm.... I do kind-of get what you're saying. Part of the reason why I thought the book should induce insanity was because of how crazily the book was written. Mind you, a DERRO wrote it, and a sane one of those creatures is rare. At this point, I'm starting to consider that there may be some spells both written for studying by wizards (or possibly for sorcerers upon level-up) in there, and maybe some enchantments on the book that - while they assist in some ways with creating all these stitched-up monstrosities, should also have some influence on the reader's mind, whether it is insanity or CE alignment. BUT, I commend you for you creativity on the alignment changing ability - I LIKE IT A LOT!! But I'd possibly incorporate some side-trek adventures with regards to the book. Maybe mention some places and instructions etc - just to keep the PC's reading it over a reasonably long time, making the alignment change much more subtle to the degree that the players don't even know it! I would maybe adopt a technique used in the computer game "TES: Oblivion", when you become a vampire. As the change kicks in you're haunted by various obsure and horrific dreams. Then during certain circumstances - could be pretty much anything - tell the PC that they have an urge to do "an evil action"... - by an evil action, I would be specific. If a street beggar was asking for some spare coin, I'd tell the player that he's overcome with an urge to "Gut the beggar" or something akin. Could be quite fun actually - You have a sudden inexplicable urge to grope Lady Alustriel....:eek: Like I said, add to it what you wish if you want to use it. I'm just giving the bare and fleshy details for people to put together (pun DEFINITELY INTENDED! :D ). Then again, I guess I'm a mad genius in my own right. :rofl: