Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Twonky 05-17-05, 03:28 PM	SPOILER SPACE - - - - - - - - - I'm going to start an evil campaign in Forgotten Realms soon, and I could use some constructive advice. The PCs are all level 1, very diverse. One is a Mind Flayer (Savage Species progression), one is a cleric of Bane, and one is a Barbarian that will eventually become Blackguard, and the other two are still undecided. They've come up with a good story that binds them all together, and explains why they work together don't just kill each other for loot when a nice opportunity presents itself and why they would ressurect each other if such need arises. The Mind Flayer, while still in his cabal had a most unusual dream: a dark-hooded figure approached him, and he sensed its immense power. The mysterious entity spoke: "Use your ring as the key" and then flung him miles away into an unknown cavern. He immediately understood the cave's location, and then he woke up, still feeling the power of the dream. He had a strange ring for as long he remembers (and that's not much, since he was recently turned into a Mind Flayer). He could not ignore the dream, and he left his cabal secretly, and headed for the cave. When he arrived, he found a secret passage that was opened by his ring. Inside, he found an old room with a single glowing tome in it. It had five circular indents on it, one matching his ring. As he put his ring in the appropriate indent, it opened on its first page. On it he read that he must find other ring-bearers, and, following the instructions from the tome (although somewhat vague and cryptic) he found the other four (other PCs). They all have rings which fit the indents on the tome, and none remembers how he got it. They all went to the cave and, putting their rings in the appropriate places, the tome opened. This is where the campaign starts, and the PCs read the first page which gives them instructions on what to do, and promises great rewards (which the PCs reap whenever they accomplish something significant the tome shows them). Another page is turned whenever they finish a given quest, and a bit of information on the mysterious entity is found. Now, I'm thinking about the mysterious hooded entity. Who could it be? I already have some ideas. It could be Bhaal himself (A FR diety destroyed during the Time of Troubles), his immortal soul left with enough power to contact potential followers this way (and this indirectly because any other, more direct action would either rquire poqer he doesn't have or attract the attention of other dieties). Bhaal would probably try to increase the PC's power first, and then get them to find a way to bring him back to life. The mysterious entity could also be a powerful wizard/outsider/epic creature that has sent this discreet call to many in order to secretly and slowly gain followers and power. Do you have any ideas for this? I'm also wondering what the first quest should be (probably some sort of attack on a merchant caravan or looting an old tomb to increase the PCs power first) and how should they be given information on the tome's creator. Thanks for any help. :)
Taralist 05-17-05, 05:26 PM	Make the hooded guy a good god/epic wizard or whatever. Make the "book quests" all seem like evil deeds, but in the end work some greater good. Perhaps even lead to thier own demise when they are a more powerful force for evil........screw with them.
Kayoz_Majick 05-17-05, 09:19 PM	Now, I'm thinking about the mysterious hooded entity. Who could it be? I already have some ideas. It could be Bhaal himself, his immortal soul left with enough power to contact potential followers this way. Bhaal would probably try to increase the PC's power first, and then get them to find a way to bring him back to life. ..... Do you have any ideas for this? I'm also wondering what the first quest should be (probably some sort of attack on a merchant caravan or looting an old tomb to increase the PCs power first) and how should they be given information on the tome's creator. I like the idea of bringing Bhaal back into the game. A couple of questions though. Are you using Cyric as the insane god with 3 packages to run? or later, when they get divided up? In any case, it sounds like the party is pretty... well, evil. I think that you should start out doing some minor, but flashy evil stuff. Raiding caravans of worshipers of a specific diety, slaughtering a minor villiage, except for one poor guy out to spread the news of your PCs. I also really liked the Quest Book idea. I think that I might have something like that put into my campagin ;) if you dont mind! You might also consider just making the book a major artifact. its major powers merely being giving out quests (good or evil, depending on the PCs that open it) and then conjuring the treasure into the chamber, and have the maker Gond, for something interesting :cool: Anyways, hope this helps!
Gnome_Dragon_Disciple 05-17-05, 10:21 PM	Make the hooded figure Bane himself... This way the Cleric will follow the book unquestioningly and the rest of the party has a natural Face for the party ("This man is our leader!"), especially if the Barbarian eventually goes Blackguard of Bane. Beyond that, there's enough strife between the evil gods that the party wouldn't be able to assume "Hey, those guys are evil, too! We can trust 'em!" If you don't go that route, have the hooded figure be Eilistrae (sp?). She would be just the sort of diety who is USED to working with evil people for good ends... All you'd have to do is make sure the last person in the party is a Drow, then have the book quests not only serve good ends but also gradually show that Evil is Wrong...
Twonky 05-18-05, 01:10 AM	Thanks for your suggestions, but I don't think I'll be using Bane. He's too powerful to contact followers so weak so indirectly. Plus, it'll make an interesting decision for the cleric when they find who they'e working for. :D Are you using Cyric as the insane god with 3 packages to run? or later, when they get divided up? I'm not sure what do you mean by that. I'm using Cyric as he is now, not insane.
VerinBlod 05-18-05, 05:57 AM	Nice idea! I would go with some evil outsider bent on becoming a god. So he let them do quests which eventually makes him a god. The group could establish temples, shrines and the like for him, eliminate oppossers. Could be very interesting. Or you could go with a good outsider or dragon with a twisted way of showing in the end that evil doesn't pay. Good luck
Szat 05-18-05, 06:56 AM	There are so many possibilities. Personally I'd stay away from reintroducing Bhaal since his domains and portfolio have been divied up amongst the other gods. He may be back to life but he'd have not deific rank or power. Making the book a Lich's phylactery could work. It could be a book forgotten from time from the original Netherese Empire. Coined as "The Oracle" it gave great quests to those mad enough to attempt the deeds. This could even have been the motivation for Karsus' attempt to steal the original weave from Mystra. It'd be an interesting way to tap into the rich history of Forgotten Realms instead of making just another campaign. It'd take them deep into the haunted past of the realms and we take them virtually across the globe as tales of this book could span generations as well as cultures. Involving the God-Kings of the East and the Imaskar Empire. Alternatively you could make it a direct conduit of the Great Old Ones. Dabbling a little Cthulu Mythos into any campaign has never hurt in my opinion. However I like the link to the Netherese Empire as it ties into current Realmslore and past Realmslore. The Shades, the last suriving Netherese City, could be looking to retrieve the artifact and the PC's would have to protect the knowledge of the book. Ioulam, an Elder Brain Lich of epic proportions could provide some insane insight about the books origins. Tapping into this part of the game would make it into a truly epic evil campaign as the party could traverse levels 1-20 easily by doing various CONquests and other sorts of nefarious deeds. Eventually garnering enough power to rival that of local thieve's guilds. Epic levels would bring them on par with organizations like the Night Masks and even the Zhentarim although undoubtedly not as far-reaching. Just remember that any game set in Forgotten Realms can be far more than just a setting. If the characters immerse themselves in the setting and you enjoy crafting stories within a certain framework anything is possible. My current campaign set in Forgotten Realms involves Orcus and his plans for ascension. His goal was to create a direct, permanent, portal from his layer on the Abyss, Thanatos, and the Prime Material. Unfortunately wielding magic on that scale is fickle and something has gone terribly awry. The end result is chaotic rifts that are opening everywhere sweeping cities into the Abyss and vice versa. The characters are currently adventuring to find a way to close these rifts. As anything from the 9 levels of magic seems to have no effect on the portals. Sorry I'm rambling. Your campaign idea is a creative one and your PC's sound like a lucky group of individuals. If any of my suggestions intrigued you I'd suggest getting your grubby little mitts on the following books. - Lost Empires Of Faerun - Unapproachable East - The Underdark - Also, post further details about your campaign it sounds really intriguing.
Rocketmonkey 05-18-05, 07:37 AM	Nice setup... beats the hell out of adventurers meeting in a tavern. Anyway, regarding the identity of the robed figure (and this is a slightly odd idea, but hear me out) why not have it be an extension of the book? It sounds like this book is a seriously powerful magical item, quite possibly even a major artifact; such an item could easily be intelligent and have both the motive and the means to contact and manipulate people for its own ends. Of course, there's nothing to say that the book wouldn't be serving something else in turn, and adding another layer of manipulation and intrigue is never a bad thing... players should never know precisely who's pulling their strings.