Intro Quest
Merchant Caravans are attacked and needs to be investigated. Party gets taken as well during the escorting of a convoy. [with the solo test the PC started in jail as chaotic evil fighter and the warden etc could put pressure on him to "motivate" his compliance, but with a bit of creative effort it is easy to find another angle if need be]. The party wakes up in a prison like chamber. Eventually the party gets taken through an underground city, architecture of ancient dwarf structures, into a room with the Drow Priestess. The Priestess explains that there are many underground passages which lead to other communities. There seem to be other Drow communities, Kobolds and Dwarves in the vast underground region.
Recently several Drow ended up dead as they patrolled past a certain passageway. It is the passageway that deals with the water supply and the dead Drow came floating back on the stream. The Priestess does not want to risk more casualties and, even though Drow can't stand humans, she ordered the attacks on the merchant caravans in hope that an adventuring party would come and "persuade" the party to investigate for the Drow.
The merchants and goods however still got confiscated by the Drow and will not be returned. The Merchants work either as slaves in one of the many caverns which lead to farms etc. And those that were of no use are being held captive until they can be sold as slaves to either Troll or Orc camps to the North. Unless the Drow are inspired for new experiments.
She suspects that the dwarves are the ones responsible, because they still might hold grudges about the hostile take over by the Drow in the current city. The Priestess doesn't think highly of kobolds after all...what can kobolds do even in groups?
-Investigate the murder of the drow? Decide to go to the dwarves, escape or assist the drow?
-If Dwarves: The party learns that they have no part in the drow killing, but have been hearing strange noises in the depths of the caves which caused the Dwarfs to be on alert. They also talk about finding strange markings on the walls during diggings.
-If Drow: Investigate the murder spot and find odd markings and sounds in the distance. This spot can also be investigated on the way to the Dwarf community it's only a minor detour.
-If Escape: When the party arrives outside, before going a bit further to the dwarves, they can decide to go back to town. But the attacks on the merchant caravans will once more commence. The law enforcers in town will not be pleased by the party's results. Now the enforcers could be bit more lenient if the party also attempted to rescue some merchants...which obviously triggered Drow attacks. Meaning the party came out the underground guns blazin'
-Markings: Confront the priestess with your findings, but she'll be hesitating. Learn about experiments on kobolds which created the Urbam which they used for bloodsports, cannon fodder in wars, slaves etc. Now these slaves have been disappearing during times that no one was paying them any attention. Then the party can ask if there have been more "break outs". Depending on the Diplomacy check they hear nothing or find out that a Shur escaped as well.
-Markings 2: If the party decides to simply follow the markings, footmarks and other markers deeper into the cavern they will bump into the Urbam and need to fight their way through them. Eventually the party will meet the Shur. Depending on intimidate/bluff or diplomacy checks the party can learn:
1. The Shur broke free, because he does not accept being imprisoned by mere drow while he is far superior to them. Battle Begins.
2. The Shur will say he released the Urbam so that he has his own, temporary, army to battle against the drow as pay-back. Battle begins.
3. The Shur says it isn't the matter for these impudent mortals and should just die where they stand. Battle Begins.
4. The Shur offers the Party a role as commanders against the Drow and will let them in on his master plan to rule the Underground communities, and maybe even the entire world. If the party agrees so be it, if they don't a battle begins.
After the battle there will be rewards in the form of coins, basic armor and weaponry, gems, maybe even some low level magic items. All of these which the Urbam took with them, from the Drow's and Merchant Caravans, into the Shur's lair.
The Party can now decide to either:
1. go back to the Drow Priestess and explain how it has all ended. There will be no rewards other then being allowed to leave this once still alive and free. Party can still decide to go guns blazin' while trying to free prisoners/merchants.
2. leave the underground system and have a chat with the Dwarves for a quest or something. Reputation will be gained due to the fact that their involvement prevented another war between Drow + Dwarfs.
3. decide to go back to Town and report to the law enforcers gaining some reputation and basic coins as reward and go through town looking for new quests/adventures.
New party members can be introduced at the presenting of the Drow Priestess. Other Party members were captured with previous merchant convoys. Another location is dwarf members at the dwarf community.
Battle encounters are highly customizable. Drow warriors, drow clerics, dwarf warrior, Dwarf Duergar, Kobolds, various Drow pets like the drider/giant spider etc.
Could be added: Various traps such as rock slides, floods, spikes, perhaps even a place with poison. Various locations with boxes and barrels containing some loot, but mainly useless stuff. Maybe a dwarf left behind a gem somewhere though. Locked doors here and there. No magical barriers/traps unless it is near the Shur's Lair.
Rewards: Experience is giving not merely by battle encounters, but also by overall role playing and delving into the story.
If you want to play with Drey characters then might I suggest doing a bit of evul? Especially if you plan on making them captives of the Priestess at the beginning. You might want to become freed by The Shur and join him in terrorizing the Drow. Or break out yourself and join up with Shur. Add an angle in which you manipulate the dwarfs into causing a war between them and the Drow and that you+Shur make use of the situation.
Some more explanation perhaps which might make it easier to implement it into your own setting...
It is a very basic starting adventure. I was looking for a beginning of the solo campaign and what easier method then that is there? Then the question was who would bother raiding merchants. And then one thing lead to another.
The Drow guide has been used to get ideas. What are Drow, what do they do etc. Made it easier to understand them and find motives. Only the Bruma and The Shur have been taken from the manual to be actually used in this opening adventure. Since the Priestess explains that there are many settlements etc it is possible to add the entire The Underdark if you want. It is basically how I'm setting up my entire world. Get some starting points, but leave blank areas as well to which you, and the players, can add stuff later on.
Even though the adventure seems to be railroading the party a lot it actually leaves room for a lot of freedom later on.
1. Will the party come back later to free the merchants or do something which involves the (slave trading) orc/troll camps which can be found to the north?
2. Will the party go to the dwarf society to get some quests?
3. Will the party go back to the starting town to get quests?
4. Will the party go off road and find some goblin caverns or something else.
Concept Map of one continent. I'm still working on the maps and everything and it is still basic pencil work, don't expect anything fancy hehe. But the story begins basically at the big circle in the centre, which is the capital obviously. The caravan of merchants goes on the road to the north. And somewhere along that path during the night is the ambush and the entrance to the underground regions. Bit further to the north you'll find the mountains with the dwarfs etc. And even more the northeast/north west (still blank) will be troll/orc camps. So when the party comes above ground again there is plenty to explore and do.
Anyway, great stuff you've got. But my printing of your map isn't the greatest. Right above the region labelled "Telt" is a river, and northeast along the river are some mountains. I can't quite make out the names you've written. And just to be sure I've got the others right, could you post a list of the names? I should be able to figure out which is which. Thanks. And I'd love to see anything else you come up with.
I use that is my personal notebook. But registration is off so you can't see any attachments unfortunately. Seeing my time is limited it's not really going fast either hehe.
As for the names, at least the ones so far:
This map shows various land marks already (partially) discovered. These land marks can be used to get started but they are not confining. You as player can explore outside and discover more hidden areas outside the map.
The Continent of Imbelote consists of three distinct areas. These area's are Gungren'lin, Telt and Lugalessi. Each area has several rare creatures you might encouter. These creatures are very strong and rare so you wont encouter them often. Besides these rare creatures there are any other regular creatures you want to meet and slay.
The Northern area of Imbelote consisting of the following;
Gungren'lin
Orc tribes
Anskar Tributaries
A small piece of land in the outskirts of Gungren'lin where almost no one ever goes. Rumors has it several dangerous creatures roam, but only the Blink Dog has been seen so far.
Blink Dog A canine beast which can evoke medium magical spells. Blink Dogs are intelligent and social creatures which hunt mainly in packs. Their ability to teleport for small distances and flanking their foes makes them viable opponents.
Beyond the Anskar Tributaries you can find Troll Tribes.
Lake Haldor
The lake is located in between a forrest and mountains. A secure area..or is it. The surface looks piecefull yet within the waters live Sea Cat's. In the centre of the lake lives a savage community of Sahuagin.
Sea Cat is a large beast making use of several magical spells. The sea cat is known more for its courage and the will to fight to the death even against larger foes. They are very territorial and attack anyone to defend. They live on the shallow shores making it easier to strike with their claws.
Sahuagin is a medium monstrous humanoid living in the deep waters. They are known for thei savage fights as well as for raiding surface dwellers by night. During these raids they slaughter the dwellers and raid the lifestock for foods. In the sea they attack ships by swarming from all sights using their talons or other weapons. They can see upto 30ft underwater and they survive only one hour when out of the water. Their weakness is bright lights but be aware when they start a frenzy
The Horgier
The Horgier is a path alongside a small stream of water. It goes through a small rocky area towards the mountains.
Destrachan is a creature that makes use of sonic blasts. It can tune its sonic blasts to do various types of damage over a range of 80ft. The various types can be to shatter certain types of armor and weapons, to nock a person unconsious or shout an anergy to affect and move objects. It can hear anything approach from 100ft away. If the sonic blasts dont kill you its fierce claws will.
The Omar Mountain Range
From the foot covered in grass it ranges to the high icy winds. On these mountains live various creatures. Half way up the mountains you can encouter a Rust Monster. There are also rumors of a Remorhaz.
Rust Monster is a medium sized aberration like a pony. This creature lives on metal objects and has devoured the armors of many adventures. When a metal object gets in contact with the antenna it rusts instantly, it can scent metals over 90ft rushing towards it to feast upon. It attacks the largest metal objects first and is capable of chasing it relentlessly. A hungry Rust Monster can be distracted by throwing metal at it.
Remorhaz is a huge magical beast. It burrows through ice and earth feasting on frost giants. They lay underground waiting till they hear a sound above before they attack from beneath to suprise their prey. It can swallow most creatures as a whole and when enraged the Remorhaz generates extreme heat causing fire damage to anything that touches it. By burrowing deep underground it creates passage ways of a 5ft diameter.
Lake of Shadows
The lake is located not far from the mountain range and holds several fiendish creatures. In the water lurks a Kraken while the dense nature on the shores holds Shadow Mastiff. Several adventures reported the following when they rested within the taverns: It is dark and shrouded in mists. Not a single beam of light from sun nor moon reaches the watery surface, but several did see light reflect. The colour of the moon reflected in the colour blood red.
Kraken is a gargantuan magical beast leaving in deep waters needed to holds its 30ft body with equally long tenteacles. These creatures are highly intelligent and are able to speak common. The story goes that several ships and island sank because of these creatures. They strike their opponents with theiir barbed tentacles crushing them or dragging them towards the Kraken's jaw. If a Kraken loses 2 or 3 limbs he usually retreats so he can regrow them in 10 days.
Shadow Mastiff is a medium outsider extraplanar shaped like a large dog with a smooth black coat. They prowl by night since they are from the plane of eternal shadow. Even though they can't speak..they do understand common. Their cunning allows them to find ways around light and make use of the shadows to kill. In any condition of illumination other then daylight the Mastiff can hide in the shadows for full concealment.
River Elsen
No note worthy rumors are know. River Elsen is a river like any other with every day creatures running a mock
Mount Harfgrim
Anouar River
Gudrid peaks
TeltThe South-Western area of Imbelote consisting of the following;
Einorini River
River David
The South-Eastern area of Imbelótë with the capital city Calímón. This area shows several black dots on the map. Each dot is an unnamed town or village except for the biggest dot in the centre. This is the capital city Calímón
Lugaless
Area mainly inhibited by elf races.
Forest Lepidus
Village Erobarbus
Island Seraglio
City Relenia
Speaking of chewing, I'm going to chew on this for a little bit. I haven't checked out your noteboook yet, but I promise to, maybe a little later tonight after the drag races. Thanks for the resources!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/Enyalius/Imbeloteconcept23.jpg
I have found that when you are playing an evul campaign it is fun to pit the players against each other to a certain extent. Of course that takes mature players (you should always have mature players for evul campaigns anyways) to appreciate "character vs character" conflict without it broiling over into player vs player conflict.