Challenges for a Desert-bound campaign. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Challenges for a Desert-bound campaign. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
nightside_samurai
07-24-07, 06:25 PM I have decided to give my current DM a break from the stresses that I have inflicted upon him and volunteered once more to try and run a campaign for our group. I'm looking for help here this time since I had trouble with my last try and I want to make sure everyone has fun.

The basics of the campaign are as follows:

Starting level 5
4500 geeps
Core books, plus whatever I own.
Wizards use the Tattoo Spellbook Variant.

The campaign world is a global desert dotted by Oasis' and very harsh terrain. There are 4 suns, and many varying tribes, and the PCs are from one of these tribes.

They've all been exiled from their tribes and the goal of the campaign is to first survive and second to create their own tribe by raiding, acquiring wealth, and again surviving.

My worry is that with the semi-open-ended nature of the game, they'll get bored and start randomly killing stuff (they are fans of "kick-in-the-door-style" gameplay).

So what kind of interesting challenges would you use in this situation?

:)
Averroes
07-24-07, 06:53 PM I'd start with water.
They need it.

Let em see what they come up with. Hopefully they don't just have a cleric or Druid to make life too easy.

There's a great book (If your in the buying mood) Sandstorm. Its all set up for that kind of campaign.

Unless I'm mistaken in that kind of enviroment you probably want to raid other tribes for supplies.

I'd start with something real basic. Like food and water needs, that kind of thing. Starts with the character grounded.
nightside_samurai
07-24-07, 06:59 PM I was thinking of providing a small well that is close to drying up (in about 2 sessions) and that would give them a bit of a buffer but remind them that they need to find a reliable source soon.

Also, I think their first adventure will be to clean out a tiger's den so they can use it as a base. And when they get to the last room...

WERE-TIGER

:D
Anathema
07-24-07, 07:12 PM Sounds almost like a Dark Sun game .. too bad that setting stayed in 2nd edition. It had some really intriguing ideas.

Have you checked out the Sandstorm book? There's a lot of good inspiration in there.
TheWerg
07-24-07, 07:15 PM Sandstorm is excellent for a desert campaign. I should know, I'm running one right now. The main point of interest is to make sure they have the means to acquire water. My group specifically decided to play without a cleric or a druid, for more of a challenge, but those would make it much easier. Also, Sandstorm really helps in terms of giving you lots of desert-based monsters to throw at them (the Dune Hag is one of my favorites).
Kensan_Oni
07-24-07, 07:17 PM You know, I hate to say it, but....

They've all been exiled from their tribes and the goal of the campaign is to first survive and second to create their own tribe by raiding, acquiring wealth, and again surviving.

My worry is that with the semi-open-ended nature of the game, they'll get bored and start randomly killing stuff (they are fans of "kick-in-the-door-style" gameplay).

You have set up a game where they are going to have to go around mindlessly killing stuff, and maybe attract followers, or steal some women to start their own tribe somewhere.

So, unless you give them an oasis or a whole exiled tribe to save, as they're going to have access to leadership real quick, I don't know if they can do anything else BUT randomly kill stuff and hide in places they find. You've kinda eliminated a lot of options by sticking them in a extremely hostile world where tribes do not trust each other and don't invite strangers in. (As I would assume Water is stronger then life in this kind of world)

While I have lots of options of stuff you could do, your setup limits what players can do. I'm sorry.
nightside_samurai
07-24-07, 09:15 PM Then share the options anyways.

By the way, I've set up a code of conduct followed by the tribes of the world with consequences set up to stop just mindless killing and rape.

Also, I'm banning any evil alignments.
MarkJames
07-25-07, 02:30 PM Like Anathema said, sounds like you're pretty much running a Dark Sun campaign there.

Since you're basing the campaign around a desert populated by tribes, you should undoubtedly check out the Dark Sun supplement Slave Tribes. I know it's second edition, but a large majority of it isn't rules anyway, it's maps, campaign ideas, and descriptions of existing tribes which you could tweak for your campaign if you wanted.
Lazigothi
07-25-07, 02:39 PM Sounds almost like a Dark Sun game .. too bad that setting stayed in 2nd edition. It had some really intriguing ideas.

Have you checked out the Sandstorm book? There's a lot of good inspiration in there.

I'm guessing you never checked out, then, the "Burnt World of Athas (http://www.athas.org/)?"
Dunsel
07-25-07, 04:06 PM Sounds almost like a Dark Sun game .. too bad that setting stayed in 2nd edition. It had some really intriguing ideas.

Have you checked out the Sandstorm book? There's a lot of good inspiration in there.

Actually, Dark Sun has been updated to 3.5.
http://athas.org/

Their message board is here:
http://boards1.wizards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=290

I run a Dark Sun campaign based on these converted rules. They work very hard over there to convert the old rules and there are even some new adventures.

To the OP, it sounds as though you just want a desert flavor as opposed to a whole setting. Perhaps Annauroch (sp?), from the FR setting, would work for you.

You have four suns huh? It is ever dark or do the suns overlap considerably? The player will ask that question. Do the Suns have names? Are there any moons? What is the native language? What is the typical daytime and nighttime tempuratures? They will ask.
Anathema
07-25-07, 04:06 PM I'm guessing you never checked out, then, the "Burnt World of Athas (http://www.athas.org/)?"

Hey that's really awesome! I knew there was a 3rd edition fan update for Planescape, it's great to see one for Dark Sun too.

Nightshade you should really check this one out for some ideas. It's really a great game world and right up your alley for this adventure, I would say.
Onikani
07-25-07, 04:25 PM The quest for food/water can easily be circumvented with a few zero and 1st level spells.

I dunno, somethign about a single 1st level cleric being able to dump out around 10 gallons of water a day make the 'serach' seem slightly more casual.

But, if you insist, Sandstorm has some good rules on dehydration and some spells which help cause it...
Regular_K
07-25-07, 04:29 PM My best advice would be for Clerics, make them pick an elemental plane to worship and elemental domains. Also, if they choose water, I think Create Water should either be cast at half level or take 2 levels for each spell, just because water should be hard to come by. These are the rules for Dark Sun when converted to 3.0, so good luck!.
queenfange
07-25-07, 04:42 PM A few very young blue dragons would be an appropriate challenge once the PCs have gained a level or two. In additon to providing valuable xp and treasure from the metagame standpoint, killing them is unlikely to bring up the same moral issues as raiding a humanoid tribe would bring. Perhaps the dragons were left by their mother in a somewhat sheltered, cool location (aka a cave) with access to a well or stream, providing a base for the adventurers as they seek to start their own tribe.

Ruins with mummies, other undead, and aberrations are rather cliche, but if you put in a bit of their own flavor, they could be great. For example, tribal tradition keeps most away from the Lair of Amastai, a former village now haunted by the spirits of the deceased. It's clear that another culture lived in the village, judging by the detailed paintings of vines on most of the building walls and the use of aquamarines, a gem not found in the desert, on the relics and weapons the characters find there. If the PCs aren't too roleplaying-focused, you don't need it to be super-detailed, just special enough to be memorable.
nightside_samurai
07-25-07, 06:28 PM You have four suns huh? It is ever dark or do the suns overlap considerably? The player will ask that question. Do the Suns have names? Are there any moons? What is the native language? What is the typical daytime and nighttime tempuratures? They will ask.

I'm going to be incorporating the regular D&D pantheon so the 4 suns will the domain of Pelor and I'll be equating other core Gods to desert stuff.

The planet orbit a bigger mass many light years away that has weird properties that keep at least 2 suns directly on one hemisphere but the other is dark.

No moons and since there are no seas on the surface, they don't affect the tides.

The tribal languages are related so basic communication is possible but there is no common tongue. There's a trade-tongue that is used by merchants making deals but it's more number oriented.

And the daytime temp is super hot, and the night-time is cold :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nightside_samurai 07-24-07, 06:25 PM	I have decided to give my current DM a break from the stresses that I have inflicted upon him and volunteered once more to try and run a campaign for our group. I'm looking for help here this time since I had trouble with my last try and I want to make sure everyone has fun. The basics of the campaign are as follows: Starting level 5 4500 geeps Core books, plus whatever I own. Wizards use the Tattoo Spellbook Variant. The campaign world is a global desert dotted by Oasis' and very harsh terrain. There are 4 suns, and many varying tribes, and the PCs are from one of these tribes. They've all been exiled from their tribes and the goal of the campaign is to first survive and second to create their own tribe by raiding, acquiring wealth, and again surviving. My worry is that with the semi-open-ended nature of the game, they'll get bored and start randomly killing stuff (they are fans of "kick-in-the-door-style" gameplay). So what kind of interesting challenges would you use in this situation? :)
Averroes 07-24-07, 06:53 PM	I'd start with water. They need it. Let em see what they come up with. Hopefully they don't just have a cleric or Druid to make life too easy. There's a great book (If your in the buying mood) Sandstorm. Its all set up for that kind of campaign. Unless I'm mistaken in that kind of enviroment you probably want to raid other tribes for supplies. I'd start with something real basic. Like food and water needs, that kind of thing. Starts with the character grounded.
nightside_samurai 07-24-07, 06:59 PM	I was thinking of providing a small well that is close to drying up (in about 2 sessions) and that would give them a bit of a buffer but remind them that they need to find a reliable source soon. Also, I think their first adventure will be to clean out a tiger's den so they can use it as a base. And when they get to the last room... WERE-TIGER :D
Anathema 07-24-07, 07:12 PM	Sounds almost like a Dark Sun game .. too bad that setting stayed in 2nd edition. It had some really intriguing ideas. Have you checked out the Sandstorm book? There's a lot of good inspiration in there.
TheWerg 07-24-07, 07:15 PM	Sandstorm is excellent for a desert campaign. I should know, I'm running one right now. The main point of interest is to make sure they have the means to acquire water. My group specifically decided to play without a cleric or a druid, for more of a challenge, but those would make it much easier. Also, Sandstorm really helps in terms of giving you lots of desert-based monsters to throw at them (the Dune Hag is one of my favorites).
Kensan_Oni 07-24-07, 07:17 PM	You know, I hate to say it, but.... They've all been exiled from their tribes and the goal of the campaign is to first survive and second to create their own tribe by raiding, acquiring wealth, and again surviving. My worry is that with the semi-open-ended nature of the game, they'll get bored and start randomly killing stuff (they are fans of "kick-in-the-door-style" gameplay). You have set up a game where they are going to have to go around mindlessly killing stuff, and maybe attract followers, or steal some women to start their own tribe somewhere. So, unless you give them an oasis or a whole exiled tribe to save, as they're going to have access to leadership real quick, I don't know if they can do anything else BUT randomly kill stuff and hide in places they find. You've kinda eliminated a lot of options by sticking them in a extremely hostile world where tribes do not trust each other and don't invite strangers in. (As I would assume Water is stronger then life in this kind of world) While I have lots of options of stuff you could do, your setup limits what players can do. I'm sorry.
nightside_samurai 07-24-07, 09:15 PM	Then share the options anyways. By the way, I've set up a code of conduct followed by the tribes of the world with consequences set up to stop just mindless killing and rape. Also, I'm banning any evil alignments.
MarkJames 07-25-07, 02:30 PM	Like Anathema said, sounds like you're pretty much running a Dark Sun campaign there. Since you're basing the campaign around a desert populated by tribes, you should undoubtedly check out the Dark Sun supplement Slave Tribes. I know it's second edition, but a large majority of it isn't rules anyway, it's maps, campaign ideas, and descriptions of existing tribes which you could tweak for your campaign if you wanted.
Lazigothi 07-25-07, 02:39 PM	Sounds almost like a Dark Sun game .. too bad that setting stayed in 2nd edition. It had some really intriguing ideas. Have you checked out the Sandstorm book? There's a lot of good inspiration in there. I'm guessing you never checked out, then, the "Burnt World of Athas (http://www.athas.org/)?"
Dunsel 07-25-07, 04:06 PM	Sounds almost like a Dark Sun game .. too bad that setting stayed in 2nd edition. It had some really intriguing ideas. Have you checked out the Sandstorm book? There's a lot of good inspiration in there. Actually, Dark Sun has been updated to 3.5. http://athas.org/ Their message board is here: http://boards1.wizards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=290 I run a Dark Sun campaign based on these converted rules. They work very hard over there to convert the old rules and there are even some new adventures. To the OP, it sounds as though you just want a desert flavor as opposed to a whole setting. Perhaps Annauroch (sp?), from the FR setting, would work for you. You have four suns huh? It is ever dark or do the suns overlap considerably? The player will ask that question. Do the Suns have names? Are there any moons? What is the native language? What is the typical daytime and nighttime tempuratures? They will ask.
Anathema 07-25-07, 04:06 PM	I'm guessing you never checked out, then, the "Burnt World of Athas (http://www.athas.org/)?" Hey that's really awesome! I knew there was a 3rd edition fan update for Planescape, it's great to see one for Dark Sun too. Nightshade you should really check this one out for some ideas. It's really a great game world and right up your alley for this adventure, I would say.
Onikani 07-25-07, 04:25 PM	The quest for food/water can easily be circumvented with a few zero and 1st level spells. I dunno, somethign about a single 1st level cleric being able to dump out around 10 gallons of water a day make the 'serach' seem slightly more casual. But, if you insist, Sandstorm has some good rules on dehydration and some spells which help cause it...
Regular_K 07-25-07, 04:29 PM	My best advice would be for Clerics, make them pick an elemental plane to worship and elemental domains. Also, if they choose water, I think Create Water should either be cast at half level or take 2 levels for each spell, just because water should be hard to come by. These are the rules for Dark Sun when converted to 3.0, so good luck!.
queenfange 07-25-07, 04:42 PM	A few very young blue dragons would be an appropriate challenge once the PCs have gained a level or two. In additon to providing valuable xp and treasure from the metagame standpoint, killing them is unlikely to bring up the same moral issues as raiding a humanoid tribe would bring. Perhaps the dragons were left by their mother in a somewhat sheltered, cool location (aka a cave) with access to a well or stream, providing a base for the adventurers as they seek to start their own tribe. Ruins with mummies, other undead, and aberrations are rather cliche, but if you put in a bit of their own flavor, they could be great. For example, tribal tradition keeps most away from the Lair of Amastai, a former village now haunted by the spirits of the deceased. It's clear that another culture lived in the village, judging by the detailed paintings of vines on most of the building walls and the use of aquamarines, a gem not found in the desert, on the relics and weapons the characters find there. If the PCs aren't too roleplaying-focused, you don't need it to be super-detailed, just special enough to be memorable.
nightside_samurai 07-25-07, 06:28 PM	You have four suns huh? It is ever dark or do the suns overlap considerably? The player will ask that question. Do the Suns have names? Are there any moons? What is the native language? What is the typical daytime and nighttime tempuratures? They will ask. I'm going to be incorporating the regular D&D pantheon so the 4 suns will the domain of Pelor and I'll be equating other core Gods to desert stuff. The planet orbit a bigger mass many light years away that has weird properties that keep at least 2 suns directly on one hemisphere but the other is dark. No moons and since there are no seas on the surface, they don't affect the tides. The tribal languages are related so basic communication is possible but there is no common tongue. There's a trade-tongue that is used by merchants making deals but it's more number oriented. And the daytime temp is super hot, and the night-time is cold :)