Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 scipio Nov 01, 2003 23:49:34	Well, looks like this is our new home, so we might as well get comfy. Along those lines, this thread will be for discussion of the until-recently-abortive campaign I've had going at my college. The story is a fairly simple one, as this is a group that is new to the 'loft and I don't want to scare them off. Basically, the main action takes place in the Domain of Monte Mal (see link in my sig). Assuming all goes to plan, it should be close to this. The PCs arrive in town on the day that a major new exhibit opens in the local museum, it's centerpiece being a mysterious artifact, a sword known as Xibalba's Bane. Shortly after the PCs visit the museum, a break-in occurs, and the sword is stolen. From there the PCs have to research the sword, find out why someone would want to steal it, and get it back. This is complicated by the fact that there are several groups who want the sword for various reasons. Among these groups are the Doge and his lackeys, the Underground, the Ter'ces, and the Academia Mansuetae Noctis. Also, what the PC's don't know is that the sword is an intelligent, cursed, item with a pit fiend trapped within. While it offers extraordinary power to the weilder, that power comes at the price of the weilder's humanity. With each use of one of the swords major powers, the weilder must make a will save against the sword's ego, or progress one step along the transpossession process as the fiend fights to escape from the sword.
#2 scipio Nov 07, 2003 22:34:20	This is the background on one of the main NPCs in the campaign. I should have his stat block ready to post tomorrow. Dr. Cornelius Scipio Appearance Dr. Scipio is not an impressive figure by any means, standing only about 5 feet 8 inches tall. His years as an adventurer are evident, as he appears several years older than his actual age of 35. His hair is brown, with tinges of grey at the temples. He also wears spectacles due to years of working with his nose stuck in books. Typically he wears clothes which are more functional than attractive, in earth tones. However, if he gets into one of his "crazy adventuring moods" (old habits die hard, after all) he dons a suit of old, but well kept, studded leather armor. No matter what he wears a scabbard at his side with a parthian rapier. Background Cornelius Scipio was born 35 years ago to a fairly affluent family in Paridon. He was not your average child, taking almost as much interest in his studies, and in martial training, as in the games that he and his friends played. He seemed to take a special interest in history, and mythology. It was this love that would lead to the events which haunt him to this day. When Cornelius was 16 years old, he felt the wanderlust which affects all young men, and he left his home to seek adventure. He signed up with a trade caravan, heading to the nation of Richemulot. He served as a guard on the caravan for 3 years, learning the lay of the core. Finally he earned enough money to set out on his own, he bought himself a new suit of studded leather armor, and a Parthian rapier, and sought out work as a “champion of the people.” This work brought him to the town of Rien. It was here that he finished his studies while working on a contract basis with the city guard and various shopkeepers. It was also where he first met the love of his life, a fellow Paridoner named Elizabeth Hamilton. The two fell immediately in love, but things were not meant to be. Elizabeth fell violently ill, and died shortly afterwards; this was when things started to turn against young Cornelius. Cornelius left the town which reminded him of his lost love and spent the next 2 years trying schemes and adventures which he never expected to survive. He had lost his will to live and was willing to risk anything and everything. This led to the greatest, and worst, adventure. He set out with a party of 6 other adventurers for a remote cavern system, seeking treasure beyond their wildest imaginings. Not much is known as to what, exactly, occurred in those caves. Scipio was the only member of the group to come back from them, and he refuses to speak of the encounter except to mention something about “that sword” and a man who was “not a man.” When he returned, the hair at his temples had turned decidedly grey, despite the fact that he was still only 27 years old. Scipio’s hair was not the only thing to change after his trip to the caves. His attitude was drastically transformed. His apparent brush with death sparked a more cautious side in him. He decided to settle down and get a quieter occupation. His educational background in history helped him to land a position at the Richemulot Museum of Lost History. He worked there uneventfully until the museum closed due to lack of funding. Scipio then drifted to the town of Vallaki, Barovia where he drifted between jobs. He had problems holding down any one position due to his spending an inordinate amount of time at the Malodorous Goat tavern trying to drown the past. Current Sketch After losing his home in the recent fire which devastated the town of Vallaki, Scipio hit the road one more time. This time he headed to the city of Monte Mal, where he had been offered a position on the staff. He is currently in charge of the military antiquities, including one eerily familiar sword. Personality Scipio is a very serious man. He does not joke often, and when he does his sense of humor is so dry that it should be kept away from open flame. His years on the open road have taught him that he should not judge people until he gives them a chance to prove themselves. Despite this, he bears a deep distrust of magic users. He especially distrusts clerics, and other religious types. He just does not understand how they can worship the gods, if those same gods would allow the things that he has seen.
#3 scipio Nov 10, 2003 18:04:21	This is the artifact around which the campaign centers. The Sword of Viggo Davage, AKA Xibalba’s Bane Tales speak of a battle in the history of Richemulot. This battle, which raged over half of the country side, finally ending in a swamp, was between a paladin named Viggo Davage, and a fiend of unspeakable horror, Xibalba. According to the legends, the paladin finally managed to vanquish Xibalba. What the tales do not say, is what happened after Xibalba’s death. The Dark Powers intervened, not wanting to lose such a valuable asset. They funneled the essence of Xibalba into Davage’s sword, corrupting the blade. Eventually Xibalba managed to wrest control of the paladin’s mind, turning him to evil. Davage went on a rampage, slaughtering dozens before he was hunted down and killed. The sword passed into relative obscurity, and people began to doubt its existence. Then, one day, an archaeological dig discovered an old longsword covered in infernal runes. But, before the sword could be sent to a museum for further study, it went missing again. Appearance: The Sword of Viggo Davage is a finely made longsword, with origins in Pont-A-Museau. It is 4 feet long including the hilt, which is wrapped in fine leather, and has a large ruby set in the pommel. Along the blade run a series of runes which read: Xibalba’s Bane Beware he who would use this blade to hunt monster’s that you do not become one. Powers of the Sword: The sword functions as a +4 unholy longsword, and is an intelligent artifact with Int 18, Wis 18 and Cha 22; its alignment is LE. The sword is telepathic and can speak Common, Abyssal, Infernal, and Draconic. The wielder does not need sleep, and gains the power to detect good, as the spell, at will. Also, the wielder gains the blind-fight feat, and can cast detect thoughts 3 times per day, and Telekinesis (250 Lbs maximum, 10 min/use) 2/day. The Curse: Any time the wielder uses one of the use activated powers, he must make a will save Vs the swords ego of 29 or fall one step along the transpossession process as outlined in the Ravenloft Campaign Setting book.
#4 william_cairnstone_dup Nov 11, 2003 4:39:16	What level are the PCs ? Isn't it bit dangerous to put such a sword in the campaign outright ? The PCs will have it, if they are to succeed (by definition). Also, is it truly an Artifact (in game terms) or was it just colourful text (artifact in world terms) ? W.C.
#5 scipio Nov 11, 2003 19:24:10	If things go right, the sword will not actually make an appearance until late in the campaign, as it is stolen from the museum rather quickly. And, yes, it is a true artifact.
#6 scipio Nov 17, 2003 20:01:15	Well, we had the first session today. Things started pretty much as I hoped. The PCs all started in the museum just in time to see the unveiling of a new exhibit, which was naturally missing when the curtain was pulled. From there they started looking for clues, mostly to get out of the museum which was then under lock-down. Towards the end of the session, one of the players, who managed to sneak out, went around the back and found the perp's tracks. When he informed the director of the exhibit, the PCs were hired by the museum to track the sword down. The session ended with the PCs getting a reading from the Vistani, with several vague references to the sword, the dangers associated with it, and evil men who also seek it. One of the highlights of the session was a moment of sheer brilliance from our CN wizard. He asked Dr. Scipio if "The person who stole the sword would be some kind of thief" then hit himself upside the head, after realizing what he had said.