A little help with campaign ideas [Archive] - Wizards Community

A little help with campaign ideas [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ksbsnowowl
10-20-04, 12:24 PM I'm in the midst of creating a campaign world that in many ways mirrors Britain between 122 AD and 410 AD. The main area of the campaign will be divided by a wall constructed to defend an expanding and encroaching empire from the indiginous 'barbarians.' (The barbarian culture will be based largely on Rasheman from Forgotten Realms.)

I plan on using this setting for many campaigns in the future, with characters coming from different sides (empire vs. barbarians) in different campaigns. In the initial low levels all the players will have to decide whether they want the party to start with characters from the barbarian culture or the empire; in other words, at the start of each campaign, all the characters will come from the same 'side of the wall.' As an individual campaign progresses, it is possible relations between the empire and barbarian culture improve, and as such possible replacement characters (ie-after a PC dies) could come from either culture.

I have a rough idea of the progression of the first campaign I'm going to run, but just looking for ideas for adventures. The campaign will start with the empire and barbarian cultures at odds, with patrols and raids flowing back and forth across the wall. At some later point a second, more chaotic and evil barbarian culture will invade, at which point an uneasy pact will probably be formed between the empire and the barbarian culture. (I actually thought this up last June, about 3 weeks before 'King Arthur' came out in theaters; I found it funny that the movie mirrored my idea, but it was also somewhat disheartening that my idea wouldn't seem to be 'new material.')

After the invaders have been driven out, an ancient and forgotten evil will have been accidentally awakened by some of the invaders. The evil will eminate from somewhere deep within the homelands of the barbarian culture. I'm planning that this part of the campaign will happen around 9th-12th level.

Basically I'm looking for ideas for skirmishes between the empire and barbarian cultures for the early part of the campaign. Just reasons that the PC's would venture into the lands on the other side of the wall. And these ideas can be focused or oriented to either the empire or the barbarians, as I do not know on which side the PC's will choose to start their characters. Any ideas will also be helpful for later campaigns, as any peace between the cultures is unlikely to be lasting, so these ideas could be seeing use for years to come.

To start things off, I'll list one of the adventure ideas I've got:

If the PC's are from the barbarian culture, many of them would belong to a Berserker Lodge (clan society). One of the PC's siblings was on a raid into the empire's territory, and the raid was discovered. The PC's need to track down and rescue any remaining members of the raiding party.

So, who else has some good ideas?
Gargs454
10-20-04, 12:47 PM The rescue mission you mentioned was the first idea that popped into my head. i.e. important person A is held on the other side, please retrieve. Other possibilities include:

1. The PC's are asked to execute a raid of their own -- i.e. small enemy encampment, we think the leader could have some valuable info etc.

2. The PC's start out as captives of the other side, and need to find a way to break free.

3. The PC's are in a town that happens to be raided and need to either a) help defend or b) get out alive. -- I started my current campaign by having the PC's in a town that was attacked and pretty much overrun, the PC's managed to escape through the sewers.

4. PC's are sent on a recon mission to discover just how many enemy forces are moving into area Y

5. PC's are hired to escort a caravan from A to B that lies along the border. An attack could send the PC's into any of a number of different adventure paths.

Those are what came off the top of my head, I'll see if I can come up with some more.
ksbsnowowl
10-20-04, 03:03 PM Gargs,

Thanks for the ideas; those are exactly the kind of ideas I'm looking for.

As an off topic blurb, I'd like to brag that I just bought Oriental Adventures, Rokugan Campaign Setting, Creatures of Rokugan, and Magic of Rokugan at a used book store for $60 total....and they're in perfect condition. Wow, I love the Half Price Book Store.
On_the_wings_of_TPK
10-20-04, 05:41 PM If your looking for a more political adventure, the evil invaders from afar could be trying to stir up trouble on both sides of the boarder. Basically their plan would be to have both sides weaken themselves by fighting each other, then when the two are both on the ropes they invade. This would also give PCs reasons to work with PCs from the other side of the wall.
ksbsnowowl
10-22-04, 01:40 AM Wings of TPK,

That level of machination is above the truly barbaric forces that will be invading, though that is something the empire might try.....

Hmm....anyone else?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ksbsnowowl 10-20-04, 12:24 PM	I'm in the midst of creating a campaign world that in many ways mirrors Britain between 122 AD and 410 AD. The main area of the campaign will be divided by a wall constructed to defend an expanding and encroaching empire from the indiginous 'barbarians.' (The barbarian culture will be based largely on Rasheman from Forgotten Realms.) I plan on using this setting for many campaigns in the future, with characters coming from different sides (empire vs. barbarians) in different campaigns. In the initial low levels all the players will have to decide whether they want the party to start with characters from the barbarian culture or the empire; in other words, at the start of each campaign, all the characters will come from the same 'side of the wall.' As an individual campaign progresses, it is possible relations between the empire and barbarian culture improve, and as such possible replacement characters (ie-after a PC dies) could come from either culture. I have a rough idea of the progression of the first campaign I'm going to run, but just looking for ideas for adventures. The campaign will start with the empire and barbarian cultures at odds, with patrols and raids flowing back and forth across the wall. At some later point a second, more chaotic and evil barbarian culture will invade, at which point an uneasy pact will probably be formed between the empire and the barbarian culture. (I actually thought this up last June, about 3 weeks before 'King Arthur' came out in theaters; I found it funny that the movie mirrored my idea, but it was also somewhat disheartening that my idea wouldn't seem to be 'new material.') After the invaders have been driven out, an ancient and forgotten evil will have been accidentally awakened by some of the invaders. The evil will eminate from somewhere deep within the homelands of the barbarian culture. I'm planning that this part of the campaign will happen around 9th-12th level. Basically I'm looking for ideas for skirmishes between the empire and barbarian cultures for the early part of the campaign. Just reasons that the PC's would venture into the lands on the other side of the wall. And these ideas can be focused or oriented to either the empire or the barbarians, as I do not know on which side the PC's will choose to start their characters. Any ideas will also be helpful for later campaigns, as any peace between the cultures is unlikely to be lasting, so these ideas could be seeing use for years to come. To start things off, I'll list one of the adventure ideas I've got: If the PC's are from the barbarian culture, many of them would belong to a Berserker Lodge (clan society). One of the PC's siblings was on a raid into the empire's territory, and the raid was discovered. The PC's need to track down and rescue any remaining members of the raiding party. So, who else has some good ideas?
Gargs454 10-20-04, 12:47 PM	The rescue mission you mentioned was the first idea that popped into my head. i.e. important person A is held on the other side, please retrieve. Other possibilities include: 1. The PC's are asked to execute a raid of their own -- i.e. small enemy encampment, we think the leader could have some valuable info etc. 2. The PC's start out as captives of the other side, and need to find a way to break free. 3. The PC's are in a town that happens to be raided and need to either a) help defend or b) get out alive. -- I started my current campaign by having the PC's in a town that was attacked and pretty much overrun, the PC's managed to escape through the sewers. 4. PC's are sent on a recon mission to discover just how many enemy forces are moving into area Y 5. PC's are hired to escort a caravan from A to B that lies along the border. An attack could send the PC's into any of a number of different adventure paths. Those are what came off the top of my head, I'll see if I can come up with some more.
ksbsnowowl 10-20-04, 03:03 PM	Gargs, Thanks for the ideas; those are exactly the kind of ideas I'm looking for. As an off topic blurb, I'd like to brag that I just bought Oriental Adventures, Rokugan Campaign Setting, Creatures of Rokugan, and Magic of Rokugan at a used book store for $60 total....and they're in perfect condition. Wow, I love the Half Price Book Store.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 10-20-04, 05:41 PM	If your looking for a more political adventure, the evil invaders from afar could be trying to stir up trouble on both sides of the boarder. Basically their plan would be to have both sides weaken themselves by fighting each other, then when the two are both on the ropes they invade. This would also give PCs reasons to work with PCs from the other side of the wall.
ksbsnowowl 10-22-04, 01:40 AM	Wings of TPK, That level of machination is above the truly barbaric forces that will be invading, though that is something the empire might try..... Hmm....anyone else?