Eberron in a Zombie/Undead Apocalypse - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Eberron in a Zombie/Undead Apocalypse

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Scrinoverlord
Apr 25, 2010 1:09:37 Well, I haven't been to the Eberron section of the Wizard forums in a while. Or, to be honest, the DND forums.

But alas I have returned to seek advice from people more experienced than me at running campaigns.

The very basic idea I have for a campaign so far (needs fine tuning, etc.) is that Vol is planning to basically cause a global outbreak of undead that, given enough destruction and death, will weaken the barrier between Khyber and Eberron and free Orcus. I plan on starting with Keep on the Shadowfell, Eberron version: Kalarel is opening a rift for a powerful minion to come forth and serve Vol and, more specifically, Orcus.

How would the kingdoms of Khorvaire respond to undead outbreaks? Would they band together or take advantage of each other's weaknesses? What will the dragonmarked houses do? What will the Inspired do about the inevitable outbreaks in their Riedran Empire?

What I'm basically asking is for help to flesh out this potentially awesome campaign. I'm not sure if it belongs here or in the "What is a DM to do?" forum (or whatever incarnation it's in these days), but I'll take my chances and post it here.
#2
Ogiwan
Apr 25, 2010 10:49:16 Hm. I think I've seen this in another board (here on the Wizards forums), but in a far simpler form. This catches my attention.

First question, why is Vol cooperating with Orcus? Second, where are you going to put the Keep on the Shadowfell?
#3
Gilo
Apr 25, 2010 10:59:36 Personally I like the idea that Kalarel is trying to release Doresain (not Orcus) from Mabar. Doresain (aka King of Ghouls) could be an old undead champion of Vol, he tried to build her an army of undead sometime in pre/early-Galifar times, but failed when the knights of Dol Dorn pushed him and his army into the Mabar rift and sealed it.

What if the PC are successful in the keep and stop Kalarel from opening a portal to Mabar? Is Vol's plan is solely based on Kalarel success in Karrnath? or is the Keep on the Shadowfell just one of a number of locations across Khorvaire in which blood of vol seekers/emerald claw agents work to create/release more undead (like City of the Dead in Sharn, Last War battlefields etc) and are they doing it in sync?

Why will Vol want an uncontrolled undead outbreak anyway? Maybe she hope to draw the Deathguard to Khorvaire and then unleash a second phase against Aerenal.

I think the location and scale of the undead outbreak will determine the nations awareness and response.
#4
Ogiwan
Apr 25, 2010 12:00:40 Oh, good ideas, Gilo!
#5
Scrinoverlord
Apr 25, 2010 13:21:31
Hm. I think I've seen this in another board (here on the Wizards forums), but in a far simpler form. This catches my attention.

First question, why is Vol cooperating with Orcus? Second, where are you going to put the Keep on the Shadowfell?

Because Orcus had promised Vol she would get both her revenge on those who destroyed her life and, the cliche attraction of power in Orcus's domination of Eberron. This relationship will be more fleshed out, but this is it for now.

Personally I like the idea that Kalarel is trying to release Doresain (not Orcus) from Mabar. Doresain (aka King of Ghouls) could be an old undead champion of Vol, he tried to build her an army of undead sometime in pre/early-Galifar times, but failed when the knights of Dol Dorn pushed him and his army into the Mabar rift and sealed it.

That would be cool. Maybe eventually he is released from somewhere else and acts as one of Vol's chief lieutenants?

What if the PC are successful in the keep and stop Kalarel from opening a portal to Mabar? Is Vol's plan is solely based on Kalarel success in Karrnath?

No, but it would definately be a very painful thorn in her side if the PCs do suceed in stopping Kalarel. Other adventures would consist of Vol's forces from trying to seek artifacts or allies to get one step closer to releasing Orcus. Other adventures would be to help with containing early undead outbreaks, but as they get worse they are forced to focus on Vol and her pursuit of allies or other assets.

...or is the Keep on the Shadowfell just one of a number of locations across Khorvaire in which blood of vol seekers/emerald claw agents work to create/release more undead (like City of the Dead in Sharn, Last War battlefields etc) and are they doing it in sync?

Not in sync, they don't want to make it seem like the undead outbreaks are created by a intelligent force, at least not in the early stages.

Why will Vol want an uncontrolled undead outbreak anyway?

One, because this is what Orcus wants. When he is released he will be perfectly capable of controlling all of them. Two, because this will merely be a front for her to divert potential heroes from stopping her objective of trying to get assets. Three, they believe that given enough undead on Eberron it will weaken Orcus's prison.

Maybe she hope to draw the Deathguard to Khorvaire and then unleash a second phase against Aerenal.

The Deathguard? O_O

#6
Gilo
Apr 25, 2010 18:19:21

The Deathguard? O_O

"The Deathguard is an elite order of knights and priests in Aerenal dedicated to the complete eradication of all negatively charged undead and the necromancers defile the souls and bodies of the dead by creating them.

With skull-tattooed faces and partially decomposed skin, the Deathguard were created to battle corrupted spirits and the undead. They were instrumental in the destruction of the House of Vol and to this day continue to fight the Blood of Vol. "

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Scrinoverlord Apr 25, 2010 1:09:37	Well, I haven't been to the Eberron section of the Wizard forums in a while. Or, to be honest, the DND forums. But alas I have returned to seek advice from people more experienced than me at running campaigns. The very basic idea I have for a campaign so far (needs fine tuning, etc.) is that Vol is planning to basically cause a global outbreak of undead that, given enough destruction and death, will weaken the barrier between Khyber and Eberron and free Orcus. I plan on starting with Keep on the Shadowfell, Eberron version: Kalarel is opening a rift for a powerful minion to come forth and serve Vol and, more specifically, Orcus. How would the kingdoms of Khorvaire respond to undead outbreaks? Would they band together or take advantage of each other's weaknesses? What will the dragonmarked houses do? What will the Inspired do about the inevitable outbreaks in their Riedran Empire? What I'm basically asking is for help to flesh out this potentially awesome campaign. I'm not sure if it belongs here or in the "What is a DM to do?" forum (or whatever incarnation it's in these days), but I'll take my chances and post it here.
#2 Ogiwan Apr 25, 2010 10:49:16	Hm. I think I've seen this in another board (here on the Wizards forums), but in a far simpler form. This catches my attention. First question, why is Vol cooperating with Orcus? Second, where are you going to put the Keep on the Shadowfell?
#3 Gilo Apr 25, 2010 10:59:36	Personally I like the idea that Kalarel is trying to release Doresain (not Orcus) from Mabar. Doresain (aka King of Ghouls) could be an old undead champion of Vol, he tried to build her an army of undead sometime in pre/early-Galifar times, but failed when the knights of Dol Dorn pushed him and his army into the Mabar rift and sealed it. What if the PC are successful in the keep and stop Kalarel from opening a portal to Mabar? Is Vol's plan is solely based on Kalarel success in Karrnath? or is the Keep on the Shadowfell just one of a number of locations across Khorvaire in which blood of vol seekers/emerald claw agents work to create/release more undead (like City of the Dead in Sharn, Last War battlefields etc) and are they doing it in sync? Why will Vol want an uncontrolled undead outbreak anyway? Maybe she hope to draw the Deathguard to Khorvaire and then unleash a second phase against Aerenal. I think the location and scale of the undead outbreak will determine the nations awareness and response.
#4 Ogiwan Apr 25, 2010 12:00:40	Oh, good ideas, Gilo!
#5 Scrinoverlord Apr 25, 2010 13:21:31	Hm. I think I've seen this in another board (here on the Wizards forums), but in a far simpler form. This catches my attention. First question, why is Vol cooperating with Orcus? Second, where are you going to put the Keep on the Shadowfell? Because Orcus had promised Vol she would get both her revenge on those who destroyed her life and, the cliche attraction of power in Orcus's domination of Eberron. This relationship will be more fleshed out, but this is it for now. Personally I like the idea that Kalarel is trying to release Doresain (not Orcus) from Mabar. Doresain (aka King of Ghouls) could be an old undead champion of Vol, he tried to build her an army of undead sometime in pre/early-Galifar times, but failed when the knights of Dol Dorn pushed him and his army into the Mabar rift and sealed it. That would be cool. Maybe eventually he is released from somewhere else and acts as one of Vol's chief lieutenants? What if the PC are successful in the keep and stop Kalarel from opening a portal to Mabar? Is Vol's plan is solely based on Kalarel success in Karrnath? No, but it would definately be a very painful thorn in her side if the PCs do suceed in stopping Kalarel. Other adventures would consist of Vol's forces from trying to seek artifacts or allies to get one step closer to releasing Orcus. Other adventures would be to help with containing early undead outbreaks, but as they get worse they are forced to focus on Vol and her pursuit of allies or other assets. ...or is the Keep on the Shadowfell just one of a number of locations across Khorvaire in which blood of vol seekers/emerald claw agents work to create/release more undead (like City of the Dead in Sharn, Last War battlefields etc) and are they doing it in sync? Not in sync, they don't want to make it seem like the undead outbreaks are created by a intelligent force, at least not in the early stages. Why will Vol want an uncontrolled undead outbreak anyway? One, because this is what Orcus wants. When he is released he will be perfectly capable of controlling all of them. Two, because this will merely be a front for her to divert potential heroes from stopping her objective of trying to get assets. Three, they believe that given enough undead on Eberron it will weaken Orcus's prison. Maybe she hope to draw the Deathguard to Khorvaire and then unleash a second phase against Aerenal. The Deathguard? O_O
#6 Gilo Apr 25, 2010 18:19:21	The Deathguard? O_O "The Deathguard is an elite order of knights and priests in Aerenal dedicated to the complete eradication of all negatively charged undead and the necromancers defile the souls and bodies of the dead by creating them. With skull-tattooed faces and partially decomposed skin, the Deathguard were created to battle corrupted spirits and the undead. They were instrumental in the destruction of the House of Vol and to this day continue to fight the Blood of Vol. "