(if by any chance, you are one of my players, please stop reading)
Drakholm overview.
Drakholm was once a bustling metropolis city-state founded by the Silver Dragon Gregorac a hundred years before the fall of Nerath. It was known for its commerce and religious piousness, particularly towards the dragon's patron, Bahamut, although most good gods and goddesses had at least a shrine in the city. Gregorac was a kind and gentle ruler, and most the population looked upon him for wisdom. Gregorac, however, was also a player of Xorhal, the draconic version of chess, and this ultimately, was the downfall of his city. Avandrasa, Red Dragon who was a new and ruthless player to the game, utilizing only her sons and a group of kobolds was able to surgicly strike at the city over the course of a month, gradually weakening the city untill she set foot inside the great cathedrial to Bahmut, which Gregorac considered a grave insult. He challenged her to the death, which was exactly what she had planned for. She single handedly bested her elder of over two hundred years using only her wits. Tweenty years has passed sence then, and she has made the ruins of Drakholm her seat of power, the former cathedral of Bahmut her palace. Although the city is only a shadow of it's former self, the citezens of the city go about their lives fairly well. A fair bit of the citezenship is resentful of Avandrasa's rule, but noone is brave enough to challenge her, and a few actually perfer her rule, as they have had chances to use less legitimate means to further their own agendas.
Cast
Avandrasa, the Red Queen
U Dragon
Avandrasa was born to Koarasana, a magestic Red Dragon. Koarasana, a devout follower of Tiamut, was set that her daughter become a great Xorhal player, and forced her daughter to study almost day and night from the earliest of ages. She did not disapoint, as the her first action upon entering the game was to steal her mother's hoard. If that were not enough, within tweenty years she had gathered the allegiance of at least two other new players to the game as her vassals, and had taken the holdings of a veteran player, Gregorac. Much to her annoyance, however, she has yet to find the majority of his hoard, and rumors abound of his daughter lurking about, whom she thought died in her attack. She is widely considered to be a prodigy of Xorhal, already having gathered the assets of a dragon twice her age and owing allegiance to no superior. She, unlike her mother, is not religious, and sees no point in worshiping any gods, although she pays lip service to both Bahamut, to apease the populace of her city, and Tiamut, for public relations. The church of Tiamut is becoming increasingly agressive towards her impiety. She is also the mother of four Dragonspawn (statisticly, dragonborn, but very clearly with red parentage) three sons and a very young daughter. The PCs have met her, and she was impressed by them. She will seek to use them as best she can, and posiably make them trusted servants in time.
Zzavious, last son of Avandrasa
E Dragonborn Mage
Zzavious is a redspawn arcanis (dragonborn mage) who favors using minions and manipulation to further his mother's plans. Although he tries to emulate her cunning and ruthlessness, he falls short. Has a preoccupation with pleasing her and ousting his two older brothers. The PC's have already made an enemy of him, and unless otherwise ordered by his mother, will seek their demise as swiftly as posiable.
Lord Thyrus Azureheart, 'Mayor' of Drakholm
LG Human Paladin
Thyrus is a devout paladin of Bahamut, who would love to see Avandrasa replaced by Gregorac's heir. However, he is more concerned with the good of his people, and is quite aware that he lacks the resources to stop her, hence why he called the PCs in. He regulates most of the town business, and most the populace is happy with him. Also serves as captain of the gaurd and high priest of Bahamut.
Captain Varnon Beardknuckle
U Dwarf Warlord
Varnon is Thyrus' second-in-command, a grim, matter of fact dwarf who has seen a bit to much of bloodshed. He cares little for the common good, only what money and fame he can get for himself. Thyrus is aware of this, but the man does a good job marshaling the town's forces while Thyrus is usually busy with clerical or city business. Has entertained thoughts of replacing Thyrus, but is as of yet, to cowardly to activly oppose the paladin.
Priestess Elandra
G Elf Cleric
Elandra is the high priestess of Sehine, the secondary diety of Drakholm. She is young and idealistic, cheerful and kind and everyone loves her- besides for those whom her cheery disposition gets on their nerves, such as Varnon. She is un waveringly devoted to good, and has actively spoken out against Avandrasa during sermons, to which the dragon has yet to do anything about. Unbeknowest to her, she is actually the daughter of Gregorac, stuck in a humaniod form and with slightly altered memories for her protection. A few of Gregorac's old, trusted servants in the city know her true identity.
(metagamely, the fact that shes a preistess of Sehine is directly to stop the PCs from thinking shes Gregorac's heir, as he has already been established as a devout follower of Bahamut.)
Red, insane prophet
U Tiefling Warlock
Red, after peircing the stars with study, went quite insane with what she saw. She now speaks insane babble, which... just happens to come true. And she has a very prominent tattoo of a fish on her forehead.
(she is, quite litteraly, a Red Herring)
Checkov
G (White) Dragonborn fighter
Checkov is an arms and armorsmith who lives and works in Drakholm, having moved in recent years after being sent as a gift from his master, a vassal of Avandrasa. The dragonborn is always in good spirits, although he has an odd sence of humor. He has a 'useless' sword that was passed down from his grandfather, which is actually a very powerful magical blade, but has been cursed so that its useless, untill the curse is lifted.
Minouras of Spring
Eladran Wizard
Minouras is an ambassador to Avandrasa's realm from the Ghaele of Spring in the Feywild. He is aloof and cryptic, usually speaking only in verse, but those who can gain his trust (generally by successfully playing word games with him) find him to be a knowledgable sage and source of arcane knowledge.
Barker
E Halfling Rouge
Barker is the town bard, and can be found at one of the town's three inns every night, singing away. Little does anyone know that he keeps his eyes and ears open for any rumors of dissent against Avandrasa or of the heir she seeks. He is also a prominent figure in the town's black market and thieve's guild. (Maybe even guildmaster?)
The Merchant
E Devil
(heavily inspired by the merchant from RE4.) A mysterious figure (or figures?) who always seem to be around when you need something. And he can get it, of course. For a heavy price. Anything you want. As long as you have the gold. And don't mind signing the contract. No, you don't need to read the fine print....
Wow. That was alot, anyway, thoughts?
The one comment I have is about Elandra. Do you really think making her a priestess of a different god is going to throw the characters off the trail? I mean, I guess it depends on how much it comes up during the campaign, and how your players think, but for me personally I don't know if that would be a piece of evidence I would factor into my thinking, were I to suspect her to be Gregorac's heir. Perhaps there is something else you can use to throw them off the trail? But you know your players and your campaign better than I; I do not want to make you second-guess yourself if you know it will serve it's purpose.
And actually, no, I don't know my players that well. My first game I played with (almost) a completely different group, who were all new to the game. My current players I ran through keep on the shadowfel, and they are much more experianced players. Perhaps instead of giving her long, flowing silver hair like I had planned, curly blonde hair would work to set them off-course as well?
OH! And I forgoted some stuff
The Town Gaurd
The town gaurd is made up of roughly 50 or so men and women of human, dwarven, and elvish descent. They are fairly well equiped, and generally have 15 people patroling the city at any given time, although that may vary depending on the time of day. There is also a seperate division of scouts and rangers that keep an eye on the countryside of around 15 men, all elves and humans, plus a single tiefling.
Avandra's Gaurd
Avandra has a small army, which takes up residence in the ruined portion of the city surrounding her palace. Two clans of kobolds, with a rough number of about 80, plus non-combatants, and a small mercanary clan of dragonborn, numbering at about 30. Besides for that, she also has another 40 or so miscelanious beings she can call into action, ranging from the redspawn firebelcher mounts her sons ride into battle and the assassins Tragedy and Kitsune.
Thank you very much!
And actually, no, I don't know my players that well. My first game I played with (almost) a completely different group, who were all new to the game. My current players I ran through keep on the shadowfel, and they are much more experianced players. Perhaps instead of giving her long, flowing silver hair like I had planned, curly blonde hair would work to set them off-course as well?
I think you were closer with the god. I'm trying to think of another way to do it, but I'm not sure what that would be. Though now that I think about it I don't know what would lead your players to suspect that she is the heir in the first place, so I'm sure you'll be fine. Keep the dissenting religious position in there, and you can stress it if you want to (but not too much - you don't want them to think this is important) and I imagine you'll be fine.