So, after a very, very long time working on my newest Eberron campaign (I get sidetracked very easily), I have finally gone with a simple, much more local, overarching adventure (I think this is more fitting with the Heroic Tier anyhow). The basic plot is the rivalry (as I perceived it from the ECG) between Sheshka and Tzaryan Roc (sp?), with Tzaryan making a move to eliminate Sheshka as step one in a wider plan to grow his own power in Droaam. He wouldn't take on the Daughters directly (at least yet), but he would certainly work to remove some of the other more powerful warlords. His loyalty to the Daughters, as you may have guessed, is entirely calculated and unsentimental (the Daughters probably know this; however, they always struck me as ineffable puppetmasters, so they aren't doing anything about it).
The story is going to begin with an attempt on Sheshka's life while she is away from her stronghold in Cazhaak Draal. The attempt isn't meant to succeed; Tzaryan sends Ogres (I am assuming there are identifying marks to distinguish those who work for the Daughters from others) marked to appear as if they work for the Daughters. This is designed to make Sheshka think that the Daughters want her dead. Tzaryan's plan involves alienating the Queen of Stone from the Daughters until the rift is wide enough where he can convince the Daughters to destroy her (he would, of course, be more than willing to be the one to carry this out). Thus, he could be the Hero of Droaam who destroyed the traitorous Queen of Stone.
The problem I am encountering is connecting this to Graywall, where I am beginning the story (I wanted to use Backdrop: Graywall and have invested so much in using Graywall that I can't begin it anywhere else; it's also the most logical location for two out of the three of my characters). I don't want to involve Xorchylic; I actually think he'd inform the Daughters of the plan if he caught wind of it, and Tzaryan seems too clever to allow anyone who knows anything important the potential of being caught by a psion. So, the relationship to Graywall ought to be incidental. I was thinking perhaps the attempt on Sheshka's life takes place there, but then I'd need a compelling reason for her to leave Cazhaak Draal and travel all the way to Graywall (it's quite a distance if I remember correctly). Any ideas?
Any further ideas from anyone?
could be some ideas there too.
"The world has never been a safe place. Bastions of civilization populate a dark, menacing world—islands of order and reason exist in a land otherwise overrun by dark cults, vile monsters, creatures from the dark edges of the imagination, and worse.
Many in the Five Nations like to believe that this darkness comes from the untamed wilderness. Over this mountain, through that forest lie dangerous monsters. This is a convenient lie. The truth is that monsters are everywhere and, more importantly, everyone. Are the Daughters of Sora Kell, rulers of the monstrous Droaam, any more safe because they know who their monsters are? For that matter, how can they be sure? Usually, it's the devil you don't know that proves your undoing. Knowing monsters doesn't change that."
Good luck; I have a soft spot for Droaam and hope your campaign succeeds.