Post/Author/DateTime	Post
stargate525 06-26-06, 01:41 AM	I'm currently running a rather more 'open' game setting than what I'm used to, meaning I'm dangling way more plot hooks than I usually do. (way more in this instance being 20+ at once, about 15 more are there not clearly labelled.) My biggest fear in this is that I'll start running out of decent plot hooks. so this thread came to mind. 1. The local Nobility is starting/hosting a tournament. 2. an adventuring group has just arrived at the town, with a story to tell. 3. The local ruler/noble/king/mayor/bully is having an affair with his/her mistress/associate/maid/lackey/horse/etc. 4. The local smith/map maker/clothier/dry goods seller/duck herder/tavern owner has gone missing. 5. Orc tribes are on the move again in the North/s/e/w. 6. The circus is coming to town! 7. A dragon is rumored to have taken up an old lair in the hills to the north. 8. Kobolds are getting out of hand along the road to the North/e/s/w. 9. Bandits are becoming a problem. 10. There is a successor/usurper/heir to the throne/council/dictatorship/knighthood/corner office for the first time in awhile. 11. The favorite tavern has been infested with vermin. 12. As 11, but there is an outside sabotage as the source. 13. There have been a string of murders recently, and the local drunkard seems to always be the first on the scene. 14. The High Preist/ess of the temple is spending an unorthodox amount of time at the local winery, and it's not for purchasing holy wine. 15. there has been severe flood/famine/drought/storms/wrath of God to the north/e/s/w. 16. the king/bishop/lord/duke/earl/CEO is coming through the town. 17. a Local festival is around the corner, and preparations are being made. 18. it hasn't rained for three weeks. 19. It's been raining for three days straight. 20. an adventuring party has come in with mountains of loot, flooding the local economy.
Han Duo 06-26-06, 05:16 AM	21. Something or someone is killing livestock/cattle in the town at night 22. At the same date every year a person disappears from the town, never to be seen again. 23. You know that store owner from across the street? I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something fishy about him/her. 24. There's a new cleric in town, who wants to erect a temple to his god here. 25. Some people in the guard are taking money to look the other way. 26. You are not safe in this town you know. I heard a huge raiding party is on its way here as we speak! Better get out while you can.
Exquisite_Flopilidopilies 06-26-06, 01:54 PM	(Unnumbered, so you can pick and choose which you like) Town/City Rumors That's the third royal patent that's been awarded to Sturmer the Merchant this year. Why does that guy get all the favor? There must be a reason that old dwarf innkeeper closes his inn so early every night. The best pies in town--by far--are to be had at Old Lady Trollop's. I heard that funny horticulturist at the edge of town is trying to make a new sort of bean. The mayor is going to try some fancy new "innovation" in the sewers to get rid of the rat problem once and for all. The rats of the sewers are going to get rid of the mayor once and for all. The armorer near the square can never seem to keep an apprentice more than a week. Everyone in the poor quarter ties red rags to their clotheslines on a particular day of the year. Rural Rumors A group of halflings is making a farm in the hardscrabble to the north of the mountain--all women. Wow--that's three years and no mysterious force has been eating the livestock! Troll manure makes the best cabbages. One farmer in the next vale is actually a wealthy man. The hilltop folk once killed a man for straying into their demesne. Except people keep seeing him. There's a family of bear people whose strict religion requires them to extend hospitality to anyone who asks. Wilderness Rumors Crossing the Dread Swamp is actually safer than you think. Somewhere in the jungle is the overgrown ruin of a giant mosaic--they say a tile from it can cure what ails you. When I was a boy, we used to love the swimming hole in the riverbend. But no one seems to be able to find it anymore. When the desert floods, all the men who died of thirst come alive again, for a day. A battle was once fought in this meadow.
Dragons_Shadow 06-26-06, 02:28 PM	All the clerics of the town have mysterously disapered when they were looking at an old tomb. Strange noises are always heard at the same time during the night. During a voilent storm, all of the horses disapered and no one has even found a hoof print. An Evil wizard is controlind a normally good town. The local Protector (dragon, Griphon, ect.) has disapered for nearly a week.
pierow37 06-26-06, 02:52 PM	The princess ran away, and fell in love, but the prince wants to give her a letter. My favorite of all time: A letter has been appearing on the doorsteps of the houses in the town square. When they open the door, they are kidnapped by an invisable person. The next day at 6 o'clock in the morning, a crusafix with the kidnapped person is teleported above the fountain, and in the fountain, instead of water, is that person's blood, which is still dripping from the body. When someone opens the letter, it reads this: To laugh, to joke; to catch the smoke; to kill, to win; those who sin. Everyone who has died so far has been chaotic nuetral. or any evil
Borne Of Hate 06-26-06, 05:09 PM	The town clerks pet chinchilla, Nippy, has gone missing!
Dragons_Shadow 06-26-06, 05:10 PM	The local idiot isn't an idiot. The local idiot isn't a local. The Crazy Cat Lady isn't a Cat Lady. The Crazy Cat Lady isn't Crazy. The Crazy Cat Lady isn't a Lady.
metamind 06-27-06, 03:42 PM	The players overhear this coversation in a tavern (for my upcoming campaign) Barmaid: Its strange how several members from the royal/noble families have gone missing, these past few weeks, isn't it? All of them visited this very inn! Gaurd: You're fooling youyrself! Patron: no no sir, it does make sense, I mean think about it, wealthy elves (and a half-elf), Duke Azyrialeth Razorwing (the would-be hier to the elven throne, if not for the prince; who thank the gods is not missing...yet), Koderick the innkeeper, and seven or so Occult Slayers who are in charge of some group called the "Order of the Stroms" all dissaperaing at night. Barmaid: I've heard of them! They're those humans who think all magic is the work of evil, and must be stopped, or something. They consider it "Impure". Did you know the Duke has convinced most of the missing elves to study magic at the old wizard's guild in Braknor- Gaurd: Madness! Why would he do that?!? Even the village idiot know's that place is haunted! Patron: Study magic? Even with the threat of being lychned by the occult slayers, you saw Zephykus, the old diviner crucified in an alley? The work of the Occult Slayers, no doubt! Why would the Duke do this? That's insane of him! Why if he was aroundd, I would tell him- Gaurd (growing uneasy): Look, what you are saying is beggining to boarder on treason! Barmaid: better get back to work, Koderick is looking at me funny again. Patron: Right, (whispering so the guard can not hear) better whatch what we say, rumor has it the Order has bribed the guards into arresting anyone they hear talking about the duke for treason* Gaurd: :mad: THINK I CAN'T HEAR YOU? I'M AN ELF! YOU FILTHY PEASANT! ACCUSING THE GAURDS OF ACCEPTING BRIBES?!? I'LL SEE YOU HANGED FOR THIS! MAY PURITY PREVAIL! *raises sword, but seaths it when he notices the whole inn is looking at him* I'll be whatching you.
UndeadMouse 06-27-06, 06:04 PM	the local blacksmith/innkeeper/tanner/etc. needs help doing a "small favor" (not small whatsoever) man i loved doing that quest. (i think i made everyone psycotic after that one)
Han Duo 06-29-06, 04:06 AM	21. Something or someone is killing livestock/cattle in the town at night Wow--that's three years and no mysterious force has been eating the livestock! Next time I will think of a rumor that's less cliche :P (If I used Exquisite's rumor, my players would get paranoid like you wouldn't believe :D)
Exquisite_Flopilidopilies 07-06-06, 09:20 PM	Seagoing rumors The captan of the Gyre isn't back from the sea yet, and his wife's about to give birth. The whole coast is shrouded in fog every year on the first day of spring. A man just arrived in the village down south--he says he crossed the entire sea paddling a tiny boat made of skin! Someone said the sharks in these parts won't eat orcs, which is why everyone is hiring them for their crews. They were loading up a ship in harbor with the biggest barrels anyone ever saw.
wolf_mage 07-07-06, 01:15 AM	I'm currently running a rather more 'open' game setting than what I'm used to, meaning I'm dangling way more plot hooks than I usually do. (way more in this instance being 20+ at once, about 15 more are there not clearly labelled.) My biggest fear in this is that I'll start running out of decent plot hooks. so this thread came to mind. 1. The local Nobility is starting/hosting a tournament. 2. an adventuring group has just arrived at the town, with a story to tell. 3. The local ruler/noble/king/mayor/bully is having an affair with his/her mistress/associate/maid/lackey/horse/etc. 4. The local smith/map maker/clothier/dry goods seller/duck herder/tavern owner has gone missing. 5. Orc tribes are on the move again in the North/s/e/w. 6. The circus is coming to town! 7. A dragon is rumored to have taken up an old lair in the hills to the north. 8. Kobolds are getting out of hand along the road to the North/e/s/w. 9. Bandits are becoming a problem. 10. There is a successor/usurper/heir to the throne/council/dictatorship/knighthood/corner office for the first time in awhile. 11. The favorite tavern has been infested with vermin. 12. As 11, but there is an outside sabotage as the source. 13. There have been a string of murders recently, and the local drunkard seems to always be the first on the scene. 14. The High Preist/ess of the temple is spending an unorthodox amount of time at the local winery, and it's not for purchasing holy wine. 15. there has been severe flood/famine/drought/storms/wrath of God to the north/e/s/w. 16. the king/bishop/lord/duke/earl/CEO is coming through the town. 17. a Local festival is around the corner, and preparations are being made. 18. it hasn't rained for three weeks. 19. It's been raining for three days straight. 20. an adventuring party has come in with mountains of loot, flooding the local economy. I want to live in this town. ;)
Whisper_Swiftblade 07-07-06, 01:17 AM	I'm currently running a rather more 'open' game setting than what I'm used to, meaning I'm dangling way more plot hooks than I usually do. (way more in this instance being 20+ at once, about 15 more are there not clearly labelled.) My biggest fear in this is that I'll start running out of decent plot hooks. so this thread came to mind. 1. The local Nobility is starting/hosting a tournament. 2. an adventuring group has just arrived at the town, with a story to tell. 3. The local ruler/noble/king/mayor/bully is having an affair with his/her mistress/associate/maid/lackey/horse/etc. 4. The local smith/map maker/clothier/dry goods seller/duck herder/tavern owner has gone missing. 5. Orc tribes are on the move again in the North/s/e/w. 6. The circus is coming to town! 7. A dragon is rumored to have taken up an old lair in the hills to the north. 8. Kobolds are getting out of hand along the road to the North/e/s/w. 9. Bandits are becoming a problem. 10. There is a successor/usurper/heir to the throne/council/dictatorship/knighthood/corner office for the first time in awhile. 11. The favorite tavern has been infested with vermin. 12. As 11, but there is an outside sabotage as the source. 13. There have been a string of murders recently, and the local drunkard seems to always be the first on the scene. 14. The High Preist/ess of the temple is spending an unorthodox amount of time at the local winery, and it's not for purchasing holy wine. 15. there has been severe flood/famine/drought/storms/wrath of God to the north/e/s/w. 16. the king/bishop/lord/duke/earl/CEO is coming through the town. 17. a Local festival is around the corner, and preparations are being made. 18. it hasn't rained for three weeks. 19. It's been raining for three days straight. 20. an adventuring party has come in with mountains of loot, flooding the local economy. I do live in this town!!
stargate525 07-07-06, 01:34 AM	I want to live in this town. ;)That can be arranged. Gimme a low-level statblock and I'll throw you in somewhere :D I do live in this town!! So who the bloody heck are you? You're not the one who's been animating random furniture in the bars are you?
BW0222 07-07-06, 01:36 AM	Rumor #1 - Someone is spreading false rumors in the city.
wolf_mage 07-07-06, 01:59 AM	That can be arranged. Gimme a low-level statblock and I'll throw you in somewhere :D Ha ha, sure. Can I be a librarian? Suppose the mayor/noble/ruling family/whatever has a library. Human Expert2 - Int 12, Wis 12 Knowledge (Local) Knowledge (Nobility) Knowledge (History) Search (good for finding books ;)) Profession (Librarian) Forgery Decipher Script Appraise Speak Language -> Common, Gnome, Elvish, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan, Draconic. [Common + 1 bonus + 5 skill points] Mezzo (nickname "Cricket") has been employed as librarian in the town of whatever for only three years, and is becoming known for his tendency to insert odd-sounding snippets of other languages in his speech - hence his nickname. He's a polyglot and translator at heart, interested in copying foreign scripts for the library and attempting to understand their meaning. He will ask to copy any foreign-language texts the PCs happen to have. He's especially interested in anything written in Celestial, Infernal and Abyssal: he's heard of these odd tongues, but has never seen more than a glimpse of their script. He will offer to translate anything the PCs carry, for a price; however, given an interesting text, he will translate for free, or even pay for the privilege of making himself a copy. Mezzo is young and has a bit of a weakness for alcohol. When he's not at the library or doing specific errands, he meets friends at the tavern. Lemme put it this way - he's just as likely to sing a Gnomish drinking song as one in Common... ;) Hey, maybe one of the party wizards will befriend him and give him a Comprehend Languages potion. :D
stargate525 07-07-06, 02:38 AM	Ha ha, sure. Can I be a librarian? Suppose the mayor/noble/ruling family/whatever has a library. Human Expert2 - Int 12, Wis 12 Knowledge (Local) Knowledge (Nobility) Knowledge (History) Search (good for finding books ;)) Profession (Librarian) Forgery Decipher Script Appraise Speak Language -> Common, Gnome, Elvish, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan, Draconic. [Common + 1 bonus + 5 skill points] Mezzo (nickname "Cricket") has been employed as librarian in the town of whatever for only three years, and is becoming known for his tendency to insert odd-sounding snippets of other languages in his speech - hence his nickname. He's a polyglot and translator at heart, interested in copying foreign scripts for the library and attempting to understand their meaning. He will ask to copy any foreign-language texts the PCs happen to have. He's especially interested in anything written in Celestial, Infernal and Abyssal: he's heard of these odd tongues, but has never seen more than a glimpse of their script. He will offer to translate anything the PCs carry, for a price; however, given an interesting text, he will translate for free, or even pay for the privilege of making himself a copy. Mezzo is young and has a bit of a weakness for alcohol. When he's not at the library or doing specific errands, he meets friends at the tavern. Lemme put it this way - he's just as likely to sing a Gnomish drinking song as one in Common... ;) Hey, maybe one of the party wizards will befriend him and give him a Comprehend Languages potion. :D heck, why not. You want to give him a name, or should I?
Whisper_Swiftblade 07-07-06, 02:41 AM	So who the bloody heck are you? You're not the one who's been animating random furniture in the bars are you? no, ovcorce I'm not..........I haven't done that in years.......Theis days I summon armies turtles to do my bidding, which brings me to this. peaple have been reported missing and the only clues so far are a huge number of turtle tracks at the homes of the missing.