City Setting Adventure - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

City Setting Adventure

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
theocratissak
Aug 18, 2003 10:57:22 Hi all-
I need some help in planning a city adventure.
The city is Stroun, in Tenha. My campaign is set in CY 596, in the expanded lands of the Theocracy of the Pale (in which the Pale has conquered much of Nyrond, Tenh, and parts of C.o Urnst. The Pale is still at war with Dimre, but most of that fighting is covert or using guerilla tactics. The Great Kingdom is again whole, Keoland is an empire, and war continues throughout the lands.

Most notably, Stroun is now a border city - it is constantly attacked by the orcs and hobgoblins of Sil-Krag, a new Empire established north of Stroun and in the captured former capital of Tenh - Nevond Nevnend. Although part of the Theocracy, and certainly not open to heathen religions, it is somewhat more open. But none of the PC's are members of any religions other than those accepted within the Pale (LN's Church of the One True Path and the much older LG Church of the Blinding Light [not to be confused with the Flanaess wide LG Church of Pholtus]).

The party is coming back from a successful mission to secure an abandoned outpost in the Griff mountains. I have the mission after the city taken care of, but would like them to have a nice city adventure that allows them to interact with the citizens. I've seen a couple of neat movies recently, but thought that would be too cheesy to copy one of them. I'm not looking for full encounters, just the concept and a few major encounter ideas.
Any ideas would be appreciated. I have a couple weeks before this aspect will get underway (there is still about 4 or 5 rooms to go in the outpost dungeon before they'd get to leave, but I believe in the 7 P's [proper prior planning prevents **** poor performance]).
#2
Argon
Aug 18, 2003 13:54:24 Well in my opinion you have a great basis to start with. The Pale is alot like a monotheistic society. Think of underground religious groups that most players would not see as a threat but could pose a treat to the belief's of the pale folk and it's goverment.
St. Cuthbert would be a more obvious choice. Perhaps a former Tenha noble was exiled from these lands, now a rouge group has banded together creating heinous acts in the name of the blinding light trying to unvalidate the church's intentions in the lands. Many religous oganizations would want a hold of such power. In fact think of the crusades were Christain belief's were being forced on non christains. For most of history saw monotheism as a evil practice.
Perhaps this changes the way your PC's think maybe instead of trying to stop this group they become a part of it. You could even have a group of Polytheistic priests trying to regain what was lost when the Pale enforced their beliefs on the lands they conquered.
These are all some ideas, let me know if they help you at all.
#3
theocratissak
Aug 18, 2003 15:48:03 Hi all-
Argon, perfect. I haven't yet posted my Stroun City anywhere, but you've read it already! I've mapped out over 250 city locations for Stroun (based heavily upon by Harn). There is indeed a Tenha noble that lives in the city. I haven't decided which religion he follows, but it isn't Pholtus (in any of its forms).
He isn't trying to overthrow the Pale's rule, but would like to have a greater say in how things are run. The next adventure involves the PC's going out about 1/2 day ride to a "fort" that has been overrun by Orcs. They'll rescue the fort and find the previous commanders dead. This will then give the PC's the fort and land that they should be getting around levels 9-10. So maybe I can have him involved with a bandit group that is trying to restore that "forts" land to the Noble. This doesn't mean that he's actively involved, but neither does he not want it to succeed.

There are also followers of the EbonGleam, high up in the ranks of the Church of the One True Path that interact with the Party.
Knelix Dar is the Headmaster of the Dept. of Hero's. He is a member of the EbonGleam. The Party cleric used their Figurine of Wondrous Power: Steed to return to Stroun with the very injured Bard. Upon returning the cleric PC (One True Path follower), asked for potions of healing -CLW, CSW, etc...They were provided, but one was a poison. I rolled randomly as to who was going to be the recipient. The Cleric did. He got it but instead of curing him, it caused him damage. His next action was to cast CSW on himself. Yet the poison was something I snagged from Ronin Press Poisons (I've forgotten which one in particular). It caused all Healing spells to be the reverse. The party saw him drink the potion of healing (IMC all healing potions are orange), and then heal himself, but fall after healing and die. So Knelix Dar is a bad guy. He wouldn't do anything to overtly cause his position to fall, but he does hinder the party by supplying wrong information and such occasionally.

So, how's this sound:
The party is in the city, and raids upon the small village outside the walls are being raided by human bandits and not the normal Orc raiders (well there are the Orc ones too, just not the main focus). Knelix Dar sends the PC's out to investigate. They have to capture a bandit and get information that they are wanting the lands of the Noble to be returned to him. The bandits are really just down on their luck peasants from Redspan, Wooten and other areas and are being paid to raid on their countrymen. I'll have to look for a few common names of people in Stroun and say that "Jack" is paying them, and that he lives in Stroun. The PC's will investigate all the "Jacks" living in Stroun. They'll find that it is a minor dude and that he's not even involved. All descriptions say it is this particular "Jack." After going on trial - not a pretty sight within the Pale, a Doppelganger will come forward. He will come forward as "Jack" and declare the PC's to have committed hearsay...in that they have helped in causing an innocent man to be committed and put to death (this is not the Hug-Your-Heathen (c) Pale of the RPGA). Doppelganger "Jack" gets away because he can change his looks. Here's where I think I'll have problems. What next? I know that I'll have him look like the Noble at another point and cause problems.

The doppelganger is really in league with Knelix Dar. Knelix Dar wants the "fort" to fall. He truly hates the Pale, as his background has him from Dimre (but this hasn't been found out by the Pale/Church authorities). So, as the Doppelganger is running around looking like the Noble and causing more problems, the "fort" will be attacked by the Orcs (this has been a plan for sometime). The Orcs will hold onto the "fort" for a couple of days. But that seems like a "re-hash" of what they just did (the recovery of the Outpost). So how about the Orc's not wanting the "fort" and torching it after they take it. Oh that sounds fun. So the Orc's torch the fort, the PC's are looking for the Noble, because he's been seen to be in league with the Bandits (and have Orc's [because the doppelganger can make himself look like an Orc].) So this will implicate the noble.

This is Dungeons and Dragons right. So I gotta have a Dragon involved. So would a "random" Dragon attack work? When the Party attacked the Outpost, a Rock Dragon (Mongoose's Slayer/Dragons Guide), and that Dragon attacked both the Orc's and Party. So maybe he only attacks the Party this time. Is this generating any other ideas? People scamming it for their own campaign? I hope so, but please let me know so I can steal your ideas in return.
#4
Argon
Aug 18, 2003 16:38:41 Well, you got something their, but why can't the doppleganger be a rouge with greatv disguise skills. Simple lifts allow the theif to be taller, dyed hair and a false mustache work well too. A few fancy clothing atire and you got yourself a noble. Also remember in five shall be one that the pc's disguised themselves as orcs. But you can also have the recently defeated orcs get hired to raid the outpost this time they get paid just to pester the outpost residents. Knelix Dar could be looking to get rid of the PC's they have become a thorn in his side. The Pc's never have to know this of course. The rouge character could be their leader but should escape PC capture in your scenario. Plus the rouge character need only get rid of his shoe lifts and false mustache to pose as an outpost resident or visitor. Heck the rouge character could even ask for the PC's to escourt him back to Stroun city or else where. This could lead to conveintly placed ambushes by the orcs or human bandits. Heck if the Pc's are seen with the rouge character too often they may become suspects of the authorities giving Knelix Dar a way of disposing of the PC's. Plus if this outpost is getting too much attention then the cities forces might need to get involved. Maybe while a contigent of the cities militia are sent to protect the outpost a bandit army could attack the city proper claiming the city for their former lord Knelix Dar could do his best to thwart any city forces with his presence in the EbonGleam. Well that's what I got for now good luck!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 theocratissak Aug 18, 2003 10:57:22	Hi all- I need some help in planning a city adventure. The city is Stroun, in Tenha. My campaign is set in CY 596, in the expanded lands of the Theocracy of the Pale (in which the Pale has conquered much of Nyrond, Tenh, and parts of C.o Urnst. The Pale is still at war with Dimre, but most of that fighting is covert or using guerilla tactics. The Great Kingdom is again whole, Keoland is an empire, and war continues throughout the lands. Most notably, Stroun is now a border city - it is constantly attacked by the orcs and hobgoblins of Sil-Krag, a new Empire established north of Stroun and in the captured former capital of Tenh - Nevond Nevnend. Although part of the Theocracy, and certainly not open to heathen religions, it is somewhat more open. But none of the PC's are members of any religions other than those accepted within the Pale (LN's Church of the One True Path and the much older LG Church of the Blinding Light [not to be confused with the Flanaess wide LG Church of Pholtus]). The party is coming back from a successful mission to secure an abandoned outpost in the Griff mountains. I have the mission after the city taken care of, but would like them to have a nice city adventure that allows them to interact with the citizens. I've seen a couple of neat movies recently, but thought that would be too cheesy to copy one of them. I'm not looking for full encounters, just the concept and a few major encounter ideas. Any ideas would be appreciated. I have a couple weeks before this aspect will get underway (there is still about 4 or 5 rooms to go in the outpost dungeon before they'd get to leave, but I believe in the 7 P's [proper prior planning prevents **** poor performance]).
#2 Argon Aug 18, 2003 13:54:24	Well in my opinion you have a great basis to start with. The Pale is alot like a monotheistic society. Think of underground religious groups that most players would not see as a threat but could pose a treat to the belief's of the pale folk and it's goverment. St. Cuthbert would be a more obvious choice. Perhaps a former Tenha noble was exiled from these lands, now a rouge group has banded together creating heinous acts in the name of the blinding light trying to unvalidate the church's intentions in the lands. Many religous oganizations would want a hold of such power. In fact think of the crusades were Christain belief's were being forced on non christains. For most of history saw monotheism as a evil practice. Perhaps this changes the way your PC's think maybe instead of trying to stop this group they become a part of it. You could even have a group of Polytheistic priests trying to regain what was lost when the Pale enforced their beliefs on the lands they conquered. These are all some ideas, let me know if they help you at all.
#3 theocratissak Aug 18, 2003 15:48:03	Hi all- Argon, perfect. I haven't yet posted my Stroun City anywhere, but you've read it already! I've mapped out over 250 city locations for Stroun (based heavily upon by Harn). There is indeed a Tenha noble that lives in the city. I haven't decided which religion he follows, but it isn't Pholtus (in any of its forms). He isn't trying to overthrow the Pale's rule, but would like to have a greater say in how things are run. The next adventure involves the PC's going out about 1/2 day ride to a "fort" that has been overrun by Orcs. They'll rescue the fort and find the previous commanders dead. This will then give the PC's the fort and land that they should be getting around levels 9-10. So maybe I can have him involved with a bandit group that is trying to restore that "forts" land to the Noble. This doesn't mean that he's actively involved, but neither does he not want it to succeed. There are also followers of the EbonGleam, high up in the ranks of the Church of the One True Path that interact with the Party. Knelix Dar is the Headmaster of the Dept. of Hero's. He is a member of the EbonGleam. The Party cleric used their Figurine of Wondrous Power: Steed to return to Stroun with the very injured Bard. Upon returning the cleric PC (One True Path follower), asked for potions of healing -CLW, CSW, etc...They were provided, but one was a poison. I rolled randomly as to who was going to be the recipient. The Cleric did. He got it but instead of curing him, it caused him damage. His next action was to cast CSW on himself. Yet the poison was something I snagged from Ronin Press Poisons (I've forgotten which one in particular). It caused all Healing spells to be the reverse. The party saw him drink the potion of healing (IMC all healing potions are orange), and then heal himself, but fall after healing and die. So Knelix Dar is a bad guy. He wouldn't do anything to overtly cause his position to fall, but he does hinder the party by supplying wrong information and such occasionally. So, how's this sound: The party is in the city, and raids upon the small village outside the walls are being raided by human bandits and not the normal Orc raiders (well there are the Orc ones too, just not the main focus). Knelix Dar sends the PC's out to investigate. They have to capture a bandit and get information that they are wanting the lands of the Noble to be returned to him. The bandits are really just down on their luck peasants from Redspan, Wooten and other areas and are being paid to raid on their countrymen. I'll have to look for a few common names of people in Stroun and say that "Jack" is paying them, and that he lives in Stroun. The PC's will investigate all the "Jacks" living in Stroun. They'll find that it is a minor dude and that he's not even involved. All descriptions say it is this particular "Jack." After going on trial - not a pretty sight within the Pale, a Doppelganger will come forward. He will come forward as "Jack" and declare the PC's to have committed hearsay...in that they have helped in causing an innocent man to be committed and put to death (this is not the Hug-Your-Heathen (c) Pale of the RPGA). Doppelganger "Jack" gets away because he can change his looks. Here's where I think I'll have problems. What next? I know that I'll have him look like the Noble at another point and cause problems. The doppelganger is really in league with Knelix Dar. Knelix Dar wants the "fort" to fall. He truly hates the Pale, as his background has him from Dimre (but this hasn't been found out by the Pale/Church authorities). So, as the Doppelganger is running around looking like the Noble and causing more problems, the "fort" will be attacked by the Orcs (this has been a plan for sometime). The Orcs will hold onto the "fort" for a couple of days. But that seems like a "re-hash" of what they just did (the recovery of the Outpost). So how about the Orc's not wanting the "fort" and torching it after they take it. Oh that sounds fun. So the Orc's torch the fort, the PC's are looking for the Noble, because he's been seen to be in league with the Bandits (and have Orc's [because the doppelganger can make himself look like an Orc].) So this will implicate the noble. This is Dungeons and Dragons right. So I gotta have a Dragon involved. So would a "random" Dragon attack work? When the Party attacked the Outpost, a Rock Dragon (Mongoose's Slayer/Dragons Guide), and that Dragon attacked both the Orc's and Party. So maybe he only attacks the Party this time. Is this generating any other ideas? People scamming it for their own campaign? I hope so, but please let me know so I can steal your ideas in return.
#4 Argon Aug 18, 2003 16:38:41	Well, you got something their, but why can't the doppleganger be a rouge with greatv disguise skills. Simple lifts allow the theif to be taller, dyed hair and a false mustache work well too. A few fancy clothing atire and you got yourself a noble. Also remember in five shall be one that the pc's disguised themselves as orcs. But you can also have the recently defeated orcs get hired to raid the outpost this time they get paid just to pester the outpost residents. Knelix Dar could be looking to get rid of the PC's they have become a thorn in his side. The Pc's never have to know this of course. The rouge character could be their leader but should escape PC capture in your scenario. Plus the rouge character need only get rid of his shoe lifts and false mustache to pose as an outpost resident or visitor. Heck the rouge character could even ask for the PC's to escourt him back to Stroun city or else where. This could lead to conveintly placed ambushes by the orcs or human bandits. Heck if the Pc's are seen with the rouge character too often they may become suspects of the authorities giving Knelix Dar a way of disposing of the PC's. Plus if this outpost is getting too much attention then the cities forces might need to get involved. Maybe while a contigent of the cities militia are sent to protect the outpost a bandit army could attack the city proper claiming the city for their former lord Knelix Dar could do his best to thwart any city forces with his presence in the EbonGleam. Well that's what I got for now good luck!