Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 skritz_the_lizardmen Apr 24, 2010 18:24:24	In my upcoming Eberron campaign, one of my player will play a rather..strange Daelkyr Half-Blood Cleric. This (quite insane) Cleric has a rather unique outlook on life and his ideas merge completely different branch of magic. Artifice/Construct Grafting and Daelkyr Magic/Symbiont. He wanted to "start his own religion" during the course of the campaign. So far I said "sure, why not? But you followers will all be insane". In a way, it can be considered a Cult of the Dragon below, even if the character has no direct connection with Daelkyr (aside from his halfblood status) and does not worship Khyber. He seeks "perfection" and his "perfection" is very much like the ideas of the Renegade Mastermaker (see Magic of Eberron) prestige class with a side order of symbionts and madness-related magic. He was unable to pick the Renegade Mastermaker prestige class since it require you to be humanoid, and half bloods are aberrations. He simply decided to buy himself a bunch of Construct Grafts as soon as he got the cash. I have decide to use this weirdness against him. The character is Neutral Good, despite his horrible belief, making him at worst an anti-hero. He's crazy, but I doubt he will abduct people to experiment on them. This makes him a bit boring, considering all the potential of such an insane character. The idea is simple. His cohort (he plans to take Leadership) will be a fellow halfblood, like him. However, he will think his mentor isnt going far enough in his "goal of perfection". Eventually, the cohort will turn evil and will strike on his own, experimenting by himself. At the same time, rumours will spread among Cults of the Dragon Below. Despite his good (but freaky) nature, this character will become a beacon for shady individuals who will see this "fusion of flesh, metal and madness" as path toward power. Meanwhile, a group of Illithids will start to think "Geez, maybe its a good idea to transform our slaves in construct hybrids" and they will ally themselves with the apprentice-turned-evil. This group will take the players ideal to a whole new level. Thus, a whole network of cultist will form, dedicated to this new ideal of perfection. It won't be as influent as the already-established power groups, but it WILL become a threat to everyone. Eventually. This will damage the character's reputation. (Hey, its not MY fault he wanted to play a freak). His "blasphemy" will make him an ennemy of many. And this new cult will emerge, stronger than ever, having developped unique (but very pricy) "Biomechanical" graft (Aberration flesh+Construct) and spells. When the players reach high level, it will have become an actual threat. So how can a rag-tag bunch of freaks become a danger? How can they become so strong so quickly? Simple! They are backed up by the Lord of Dust. Or at least by *A* Lord of Dust. Im thinking the Prakhutu of Tul Oreshka. What does aberrations have to do with the Lord of Dust, you will ask? The answer: Nothing! This army of abomination, part machine, part monster only purpose is to terrorise Eberron. Eventually, the Silver Flame *WILL* do something about it. They *WILL* start a purge. This cult *MUST* be destroyed. That was the LoD's plan all along. This army is nothing but a small cog in something far greater. So, what do you people think. Can it work? What would be best to represent their unique form of magic? Should I design a few new spells, and new grafts? If so, what could they use?
#2 Ogiwan Apr 24, 2010 20:14:05	Hahaha. It's a good start. Why does/do the LoD want to have another purge, though? Hmm. Any Dragonmarked houses involved? Cannith and Vadalis might be interested.
#3 skritz_the_lizardmen Apr 25, 2010 8:49:22	Hahaha. It's a good start. Why does/do the LoD want to have another purge, though? Hmm. Any Dragonmarked houses involved? Cannith and Vadalis might be interested.  I don't think it need to be fully explained. The LoD plans for centuries ahead. The Last War is over and I suppose everything has become boring. Releasing the Overlords is complicated (read Dragon 337) and who knows how far this chain of event will go. Its just a small cog in something far greater. One of the major idea is that this cult is supposed to be a decoy. Since they will use Artifice, I suppose some will make a connection with House Cannith (of course, im sure a few Cannith Artificers will be VERY interrested in these new infusion and spells). Since its mostly centered around Aberrations and Construct, few will suspect that fiends are actually behind everything. I don't feel I need to explain everything about them because I am not supposed to. Its what makes this new ennemy so unpredictable.
#4 Ogiwan Apr 25, 2010 10:39:59	Hahaha. Fair enough. I think that's one of the things they say about the LoD, is that later down the road you take things the PCs did and weave them into a labyrinthine plot.
#5 skritz_the_lizardmen Apr 25, 2010 11:13:42	Hahaha. Fair enough. I think that's one of the things they say about the LoD, is that later down the road you take things the PCs did and weave them into a labyrinthine plot. Yep. Thats pretty much the idea. :P Beside, I have alot of time to plan this out. Leadership is only at level 6, so these events will only happen at the highest levels, assuming the campaign last long enough. In the meantime, I can still use this "LoD sre behind the Cults of the Dragon Below" plot with regular Cults and Aberrations. Heck, I can skip the "evil apprentice" part and directly go with the formation of this new cult. Im sure the idea of using contruct grafts can spread even without the evil cohort, since the LoD probably have the whole thing planned anyway. :P