Need help for Drow campaign [Archive] - Wizards Community

Need help for Drow campaign [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FriendoftheDork
08-25-05, 01:16 PM Hey i run a game where all PCs are (evil) drow, based off Menzoberranzan.

We're played perhaps 20 sessions, and the PCs are about 12th level now, with very high stats and expensive equipment.

They are members of House Faen Tlabbar, and the time is set some years before the Times of Trouble. Ok the campaign will culminate in the ToT and destruction of House Oblodra (their enemy) and death of the PCs Matron Mother.

But right now I'm burning out of adventure ideas fast. ATM they are gouing to the surface for the first time to punish a heretic of Ellistrea in Daggerdale, which is currently occupied by Zhent forces.

But what after that? It could be Menzo adventure, underdark adventure or even surface adventure, but preferably working for their house. They are not really mercenaries.

Party: 1 wererat Rogue/Assasin , 1 fighter/blackguard, 1 Telepath/Thrallherd and 1 monk. They are all about ECL 13, except for the wererat who are about ecl 14, and all males.

I'm a bit bored of the search and destroy missions, and would really want something with intrigue, politics or some such. They have travelled alot in the Underdark, and fougt in Menzoberranzan. But now the city is running out of challenges, as they could easily take down most high priestesses if they wanted. Most of them have attained rank inside the house, but since their commoners and males there is only so high they can advance.

So any ideas?
warlockco
08-25-05, 02:34 PM You do know how far Daggerdale is from Menzoberranzan, right?

As to what they could do, Matron Mother is dead, depart Menzoberranzan and strike out on their own.

Seek items of power to bring strength to them or their House.
clmz
08-25-05, 05:51 PM of course they have enought level to detroy a lot of houses in
enzoberrazan, so why dont you go and destroy one, but you have to think that it is not that easy to destroy a house in Menzoberrazan, you have to do it quitly, no other house can have any evidence, at least contundent evidency that you destroy the house, the other thing is that you also has to plan how you are going to eliminate every single creature in that house, eeeeeeveryone, so it is not that simple, your PCs are gonna have to think a lot how to do it..............and of course you have to bring a motive to bring down a house, there you have politics, economics, and a lot of different things you have to worry about.........For example it could be a house that is messing up with your bussines, or just because Lolth wants you to do it so the matronmother of your house could be blessed with a Draegloth.....or I dont know it depends on your PCs, what are they interest
Alac Luin
08-25-05, 07:26 PM The PC's Matron has fallen out of Lolth's Favor.

House Oblodra has convinced several of the lesser houses to take advantage of this.

You now have to avoid assination attemts, and then Defend your house from a combined attack.
clmz
08-25-05, 09:00 PM maybe what you can do now is make your PCs organize the defense of your house, or send them on amission to recover Lolths grace, or maybe you can send them to get some help maybe from a group of mercenaries........try to find them I try to make a good deal......what do you think???
FriendoftheDork
08-26-05, 05:48 AM You do know how far Daggerdale is from Menzoberranzan, right?

As to what they could do, Matron Mother is dead, depart Menzoberranzan and strike out on their own.

Seek items of power to bring strength to them or their House.

Daggerdale is near Cormanthor, quite awhile from Menzo. Then again , because of the nature of underdark passages most of the surface is far from menzoberranzan even if it's rather short way as the worm burrowes.

The party in war of the spider queen did make it from Menzo to dalelands, a long and perilous journey, but I'm sure my PCs can handle it. Also, the books' party never went straight for the surface anyway did they?

Most likely the party has to go to Schindylryn or somewhere where all the portals are and find one to the dalelands, drow has plagued Shadowdale for a long time through portals so that's where I intend for them to surface. As long as they don't go bothering Elminster they should be fine ;)

As for destroying the house... ehm well this happened in a game I played in and I think it was boring. Until now all they have done has been for the glory of House Tlabbar, if I just kill off their matron and send them away it will all be for nought.

To clmz: Yes I know they are physically and magically (psionically) strong enough to take on Menzoberranzan houses, at least small ones, but not politically strong. They are only males, and this has been imprinted in them many times, so they believe their own inferiority. Many of them are ambitous, of course, yet none of them dream of revolting against the order of things Lloth has decided.

In their house they have ranks, such as Figher becoming Captain/major of Lizriders, Rogue becming House Cutthroat.... the Psion is basically co-ruling the Braeryn (slums) along with a Beholder and his "mafia", even expelling Bregan Daerthe from the area. The monk has no house rank, but he's no longer a novice in the Fists of Lloth.

If some of them were wizards they could attain higher rank, but they are not. Other than that the position of Patron is the only one they can get, but that means killing the current patron and getting some power and prestige as well as a short life.

As for house fighting... well no House below Tlabbar has a chance of taking them on, and the House has never attacked another house before without being attacked first. Their only enemy is therefore Oblodra, who has alot less armies than it, but has access to Psionics (rare in my game), elite fighters and extremely arrogant clerics.

This fight is supposed to be the climax of the campaign, and I don't think we're ready for that yet.

Alac Luin: Falling temporarily out of favor could be good... I might want to use that. But minor houses won't ally to attack the house, that's not allowed in Menzo. Ok allied assassination is ok, but not simoultaneous attacks. If not, the city would fall apart in civil war (like it almost does in the books). The offenders would likely suffer the consequences of the Council..... hmmm

This could actaully be a good idea to show the law within the chaos. Of course Tlabbar would be part in the punishment squad, as well as the other 7 major houses and the academy. The offenders would be squashed.

Thanks for replies everyone! Please keep em coming!
Ramar Aulinvox
08-26-05, 10:23 PM The underdark, oh...ho.ho, the underdark. Whether you're 1st of 21st level, there is always the chance that something bigger and badder will come around and eat you, so going out from the city should always be a challenge.
For a more political, intrigue type experience I would suggest dealing with a group of Vhearun worshippers, a cabal of cloaker-lords or alhoon, or just the regular politics of the city. While House Benrea has the Illithid allie right now, that doesn't mean that Matron Benrea wouldn't mind having another loyal psionic advisor who is as not as mysterious as a mind flayer; lords of madness could help out alot here. This could bring even more conflict seeing as your psion "rules" the Bazaar; the Illithid advisor would probably have a few contacts, thralls, or allies who could shake things up a bit. Perhaps have the break down of the Bazaar be the key work of getting into House Benrea. aka Benrea orders the Bazaar cleared, the pc's have to do something about it, pc's cut a deal with the Matron, pc's get to stay in charge of the Bazaar. or something like that.
hope that was helpful.
warlockco
08-27-05, 01:16 AM Patron isn't a position you can kill for.
Patron is a position assigned by the Matron Mother.

House Wizard, if you kill the previous one, especially in a spell duel, or are the next highest ranked wizard in the House, then you will usually get the spot.

Weapon Master, if you kill the previous one, you are very likely to get the position.
Thraen
08-27-05, 07:59 AM The name escapes me, but there's an elven deity whose dogma consists of pretty much nothing but "hate the drow." As in, these guys are so over-the-top that, assuming a cleric of this guy truly understood all the good that Drizzt Do'Urden has done, he would gladly kill the guy. Do something with that. If they defend themselves, the entire elven community would likely be outraged and seek to kill them.

Hell, on that note, do any of them look like Drizzt? Daggerdale's close enough that they might know of the semi-local legend. Have some mage alter self one of the drow to give him violet eyes. Wait, there's four of them? Even better: polymorph the assassin to look like Drizzt, the blackguard to look like Wulfgar, the thrallherd to look like Regis (with that dominating ruby of his), and the monk to look like Cattie-Brie, Bruenor, or even Guen. The wizard who transmutes them could have the party seek to destroy the already shaky reputation of Drizzt by having the party commit atrocious acts to the people of Daggerdale. Why? 'Cuase Drizzt screwed him over all those years back. Something like that might even earn them a visit from the legendary ranger, himself. And if they managed to kill any of Drizzt's companions, think of all the fame they would gain back in the Underdark. Think of all the people that would attempt to kill them due to the "If I kill the killers of Drizzt, I'm stronger than Drizzt" mentality.

Another idea is you could have some battle cause a cave-in back to the Underdark, forcing them to travel the surface for a way back.
FriendoftheDork
08-27-05, 05:26 PM Patron isn't a position you can kill for.
Patron is a position assigned by the Matron Mother.

House Wizard, if you kill the previous one, especially in a spell duel, or are the next highest ranked wizard in the House, then you will usually get the spot.

Weapon Master, if you kill the previous one, you are very likely to get the position.

You can't become patron if there aleady is one.. so he needs to kill him in a way that impresses the Matron to take him as patron. This has happened before. But you are right that ascension is by no means automatic.

Ramar: There are alots of dangerous things in the Underdark, but CR 20 and higher is exceedingly rare. As Menzo is in the upperdark, the party can deal with any random encounters there easily. If They have to go longer though, perhaps to go to Scischyndlrin (or whatever) to find a portal, then things become more difficult.

I got an idea: The PCs must find a contact of their House in that city. Of course the contact has some things needing taken care of before he can aid the PCs...

BTW the psion doesen't rule the Bazar, he rules the slums. Which is why there is no serious opposition there.

As for Vaherun, the PCs have already killed one of their followers and one of their clerics. There is little politics in that.

Threan: Sheverash or something? Ah, not sure if I understand your ploy... Sheverash clerics hate drow and would probably attack Drizzt on sight. BTW in this timeline Drizzt has escaped but not really become famous.

Hmm, I could pit drizzt against the party though, they would kill him easily. Nice :) I hate drizzt :evillaugh

None of the party has purple eyes, if that's what you mean. In any case Drizzt has never been to Dalelands, and is hardly known there. Drizzt is basically up North.

But I like new ideas, so keep em coming ;)
BrianCritchley
08-27-05, 05:39 PM menzo is in the middle dark actually
Alac Luin
08-27-05, 07:27 PM From DDGttU
"Located beneath the River Surbrin in the upper Underdark, Menzoberranzan (whose name means "Menzoberra's Home") lies wholly beneath Luruar's claimed territory."

I think Underdark conferms this.
FriendoftheDork
08-27-05, 09:40 PM Underdark does indeed confirm it's location in Upperdark, although most other Drow cities lies in the Middledark.
warlockco
08-27-05, 09:41 PM From DDGttU
"Located beneath the River Surbrin in the upper Underdark, Menzoberranzan (whose name means "Menzoberra's Home") lies wholly beneath Luruar's claimed territory."

I think Underdark conferms this.

And Underdark confirms this: Upper Northdark.
Ramar Aulinvox
08-27-05, 11:16 PM Ramar: There are alots of dangerous things in the Underdark, but CR 20 and higher is exceedingly rare. As Menzo is in the upperdark, the party can deal with any random encounters there easily.

I had forgotten that Menso was in the upperdark. Well, you could have them delve deeper into the underdark where there are more dangerous things, (EL's at least). If you are willing to do some grunt work, I would advise picking up an old 2nd ed. box set called Night Below: An Underdark Campaign . Throw in the Book of Madness for help with conversions and you have the layout of a Kuo-toan and major Aboleth city for your house to interact with (the original story line called for surface adventures trying to destroy the cities). Your characters could be helping supply slaves or trying to discover what the aboleth are up to.
FriendoftheDork
08-28-05, 02:52 AM Ramar: Hmmm, sounds cool. If I could get that I would, but where do you find them these days?

Ah... the pain...

Anyway, I'm thinking they need to go to a middledark drow city to find the right portal to Dalelands (shadowdale), so there will be some random monster challenges. And I could of course throw in some really tough ones... there is more to the world than random challenges ;)
Ramar Aulinvox
08-28-05, 03:17 AM Nobleknight.com is where I get most of my out of date stuff. might try ebay too.
Alac Luin
08-28-05, 08:00 PM Big Sis made a thread about this in the FAQ setion

Out Of Print ~ Information & Sources (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=363734)
FriendoftheDork
08-29-05, 04:44 AM Ok thank that is helpful (or would be if I had money) ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FriendoftheDork 08-25-05, 01:16 PM	Hey i run a game where all PCs are (evil) drow, based off Menzoberranzan. We're played perhaps 20 sessions, and the PCs are about 12th level now, with very high stats and expensive equipment. They are members of House Faen Tlabbar, and the time is set some years before the Times of Trouble. Ok the campaign will culminate in the ToT and destruction of House Oblodra (their enemy) and death of the PCs Matron Mother. But right now I'm burning out of adventure ideas fast. ATM they are gouing to the surface for the first time to punish a heretic of Ellistrea in Daggerdale, which is currently occupied by Zhent forces. But what after that? It could be Menzo adventure, underdark adventure or even surface adventure, but preferably working for their house. They are not really mercenaries. Party: 1 wererat Rogue/Assasin , 1 fighter/blackguard, 1 Telepath/Thrallherd and 1 monk. They are all about ECL 13, except for the wererat who are about ecl 14, and all males. I'm a bit bored of the search and destroy missions, and would really want something with intrigue, politics or some such. They have travelled alot in the Underdark, and fougt in Menzoberranzan. But now the city is running out of challenges, as they could easily take down most high priestesses if they wanted. Most of them have attained rank inside the house, but since their commoners and males there is only so high they can advance. So any ideas?
warlockco 08-25-05, 02:34 PM	You do know how far Daggerdale is from Menzoberranzan, right? As to what they could do, Matron Mother is dead, depart Menzoberranzan and strike out on their own. Seek items of power to bring strength to them or their House.
clmz 08-25-05, 05:51 PM	of course they have enought level to detroy a lot of houses in enzoberrazan, so why dont you go and destroy one, but you have to think that it is not that easy to destroy a house in Menzoberrazan, you have to do it quitly, no other house can have any evidence, at least contundent evidency that you destroy the house, the other thing is that you also has to plan how you are going to eliminate every single creature in that house, eeeeeeveryone, so it is not that simple, your PCs are gonna have to think a lot how to do it..............and of course you have to bring a motive to bring down a house, there you have politics, economics, and a lot of different things you have to worry about.........For example it could be a house that is messing up with your bussines, or just because Lolth wants you to do it so the matronmother of your house could be blessed with a Draegloth.....or I dont know it depends on your PCs, what are they interest
Alac Luin 08-25-05, 07:26 PM	The PC's Matron has fallen out of Lolth's Favor. House Oblodra has convinced several of the lesser houses to take advantage of this. You now have to avoid assination attemts, and then Defend your house from a combined attack.
clmz 08-25-05, 09:00 PM	maybe what you can do now is make your PCs organize the defense of your house, or send them on amission to recover Lolths grace, or maybe you can send them to get some help maybe from a group of mercenaries........try to find them I try to make a good deal......what do you think???
FriendoftheDork 08-26-05, 05:48 AM	You do know how far Daggerdale is from Menzoberranzan, right? As to what they could do, Matron Mother is dead, depart Menzoberranzan and strike out on their own. Seek items of power to bring strength to them or their House. Daggerdale is near Cormanthor, quite awhile from Menzo. Then again , because of the nature of underdark passages most of the surface is far from menzoberranzan even if it's rather short way as the worm burrowes. The party in war of the spider queen did make it from Menzo to dalelands, a long and perilous journey, but I'm sure my PCs can handle it. Also, the books' party never went straight for the surface anyway did they? Most likely the party has to go to Schindylryn or somewhere where all the portals are and find one to the dalelands, drow has plagued Shadowdale for a long time through portals so that's where I intend for them to surface. As long as they don't go bothering Elminster they should be fine ;) As for destroying the house... ehm well this happened in a game I played in and I think it was boring. Until now all they have done has been for the glory of House Tlabbar, if I just kill off their matron and send them away it will all be for nought. To clmz: Yes I know they are physically and magically (psionically) strong enough to take on Menzoberranzan houses, at least small ones, but not politically strong. They are only males, and this has been imprinted in them many times, so they believe their own inferiority. Many of them are ambitous, of course, yet none of them dream of revolting against the order of things Lloth has decided. In their house they have ranks, such as Figher becoming Captain/major of Lizriders, Rogue becming House Cutthroat.... the Psion is basically co-ruling the Braeryn (slums) along with a Beholder and his "mafia", even expelling Bregan Daerthe from the area. The monk has no house rank, but he's no longer a novice in the Fists of Lloth. If some of them were wizards they could attain higher rank, but they are not. Other than that the position of Patron is the only one they can get, but that means killing the current patron and getting some power and prestige as well as a short life. As for house fighting... well no House below Tlabbar has a chance of taking them on, and the House has never attacked another house before without being attacked first. Their only enemy is therefore Oblodra, who has alot less armies than it, but has access to Psionics (rare in my game), elite fighters and extremely arrogant clerics. This fight is supposed to be the climax of the campaign, and I don't think we're ready for that yet. Alac Luin: Falling temporarily out of favor could be good... I might want to use that. But minor houses won't ally to attack the house, that's not allowed in Menzo. Ok allied assassination is ok, but not simoultaneous attacks. If not, the city would fall apart in civil war (like it almost does in the books). The offenders would likely suffer the consequences of the Council..... hmmm This could actaully be a good idea to show the law within the chaos. Of course Tlabbar would be part in the punishment squad, as well as the other 7 major houses and the academy. The offenders would be squashed. Thanks for replies everyone! Please keep em coming!
Ramar Aulinvox 08-26-05, 10:23 PM	The underdark, oh...ho.ho, the underdark. Whether you're 1st of 21st level, there is always the chance that something bigger and badder will come around and eat you, so going out from the city should always be a challenge. For a more political, intrigue type experience I would suggest dealing with a group of Vhearun worshippers, a cabal of cloaker-lords or alhoon, or just the regular politics of the city. While House Benrea has the Illithid allie right now, that doesn't mean that Matron Benrea wouldn't mind having another loyal psionic advisor who is as not as mysterious as a mind flayer; lords of madness could help out alot here. This could bring even more conflict seeing as your psion "rules" the Bazaar; the Illithid advisor would probably have a few contacts, thralls, or allies who could shake things up a bit. Perhaps have the break down of the Bazaar be the key work of getting into House Benrea. aka Benrea orders the Bazaar cleared, the pc's have to do something about it, pc's cut a deal with the Matron, pc's get to stay in charge of the Bazaar. or something like that. hope that was helpful.
warlockco 08-27-05, 01:16 AM	Patron isn't a position you can kill for. Patron is a position assigned by the Matron Mother. House Wizard, if you kill the previous one, especially in a spell duel, or are the next highest ranked wizard in the House, then you will usually get the spot. Weapon Master, if you kill the previous one, you are very likely to get the position.
Thraen 08-27-05, 07:59 AM	The name escapes me, but there's an elven deity whose dogma consists of pretty much nothing but "hate the drow." As in, these guys are so over-the-top that, assuming a cleric of this guy truly understood all the good that Drizzt Do'Urden has done, he would gladly kill the guy. Do something with that. If they defend themselves, the entire elven community would likely be outraged and seek to kill them. Hell, on that note, do any of them look like Drizzt? Daggerdale's close enough that they might know of the semi-local legend. Have some mage alter self one of the drow to give him violet eyes. Wait, there's four of them? Even better: polymorph the assassin to look like Drizzt, the blackguard to look like Wulfgar, the thrallherd to look like Regis (with that dominating ruby of his), and the monk to look like Cattie-Brie, Bruenor, or even Guen. The wizard who transmutes them could have the party seek to destroy the already shaky reputation of Drizzt by having the party commit atrocious acts to the people of Daggerdale. Why? 'Cuase Drizzt screwed him over all those years back. Something like that might even earn them a visit from the legendary ranger, himself. And if they managed to kill any of Drizzt's companions, think of all the fame they would gain back in the Underdark. Think of all the people that would attempt to kill them due to the "If I kill the killers of Drizzt, I'm stronger than Drizzt" mentality. Another idea is you could have some battle cause a cave-in back to the Underdark, forcing them to travel the surface for a way back.
FriendoftheDork 08-27-05, 05:26 PM	Patron isn't a position you can kill for. Patron is a position assigned by the Matron Mother. House Wizard, if you kill the previous one, especially in a spell duel, or are the next highest ranked wizard in the House, then you will usually get the spot. Weapon Master, if you kill the previous one, you are very likely to get the position. You can't become patron if there aleady is one.. so he needs to kill him in a way that impresses the Matron to take him as patron. This has happened before. But you are right that ascension is by no means automatic. Ramar: There are alots of dangerous things in the Underdark, but CR 20 and higher is exceedingly rare. As Menzo is in the upperdark, the party can deal with any random encounters there easily. If They have to go longer though, perhaps to go to Scischyndlrin (or whatever) to find a portal, then things become more difficult. I got an idea: The PCs must find a contact of their House in that city. Of course the contact has some things needing taken care of before he can aid the PCs... BTW the psion doesen't rule the Bazar, he rules the slums. Which is why there is no serious opposition there. As for Vaherun, the PCs have already killed one of their followers and one of their clerics. There is little politics in that. Threan: Sheverash or something? Ah, not sure if I understand your ploy... Sheverash clerics hate drow and would probably attack Drizzt on sight. BTW in this timeline Drizzt has escaped but not really become famous. Hmm, I could pit drizzt against the party though, they would kill him easily. Nice :) I hate drizzt :evillaugh None of the party has purple eyes, if that's what you mean. In any case Drizzt has never been to Dalelands, and is hardly known there. Drizzt is basically up North. But I like new ideas, so keep em coming ;)
BrianCritchley 08-27-05, 05:39 PM	menzo is in the middle dark actually
Alac Luin 08-27-05, 07:27 PM	From DDGttU "Located beneath the River Surbrin in the upper Underdark, Menzoberranzan (whose name means "Menzoberra's Home") lies wholly beneath Luruar's claimed territory." I think Underdark conferms this.
FriendoftheDork 08-27-05, 09:40 PM	Underdark does indeed confirm it's location in Upperdark, although most other Drow cities lies in the Middledark.
warlockco 08-27-05, 09:41 PM	From DDGttU "Located beneath the River Surbrin in the upper Underdark, Menzoberranzan (whose name means "Menzoberra's Home") lies wholly beneath Luruar's claimed territory." I think Underdark conferms this. And Underdark confirms this: Upper Northdark.
Ramar Aulinvox 08-27-05, 11:16 PM	Ramar: There are alots of dangerous things in the Underdark, but CR 20 and higher is exceedingly rare. As Menzo is in the upperdark, the party can deal with any random encounters there easily. I had forgotten that Menso was in the upperdark. Well, you could have them delve deeper into the underdark where there are more dangerous things, (EL's at least). If you are willing to do some grunt work, I would advise picking up an old 2nd ed. box set called Night Below: An Underdark Campaign . Throw in the Book of Madness for help with conversions and you have the layout of a Kuo-toan and major Aboleth city for your house to interact with (the original story line called for surface adventures trying to destroy the cities). Your characters could be helping supply slaves or trying to discover what the aboleth are up to.
FriendoftheDork 08-28-05, 02:52 AM	Ramar: Hmmm, sounds cool. If I could get that I would, but where do you find them these days? Ah... the pain... Anyway, I'm thinking they need to go to a middledark drow city to find the right portal to Dalelands (shadowdale), so there will be some random monster challenges. And I could of course throw in some really tough ones... there is more to the world than random challenges ;)
Ramar Aulinvox 08-28-05, 03:17 AM	Nobleknight.com is where I get most of my out of date stuff. might try ebay too.
Alac Luin 08-28-05, 08:00 PM	Big Sis made a thread about this in the FAQ setion Out Of Print ~ Information & Sources (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=363734)
FriendoftheDork 08-29-05, 04:44 AM	Ok thank that is helpful (or would be if I had money) ;)