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An Age of Mortals campaign idea

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
draggah
Jan 13, 2005 0:56:13 Hi all. I had been planning a War of the Lance campaign for awhile, but I received both the War of the Lance and the Age of Mortals books for Christmas. I didn’t think I would, but man if I don’t really like the Age of Mortals. Don’t get me wrong War of the Lance is their best book so far, but the age of mortals itself has so many possibilities for conflict and character development that I just can’t pass up. So, I guess I’ll run an Age of Mortals campaign first, then later run War of the Lance stuff. Anyway, on to the real reason for the post.

The Idea I have for a campaign is this, we know (at least those of us who followed the SAGA stuff) that Sable was experimenting with parasitic life forms right? What if she developed a sort of infectious version of the dragon spawn? Not so much a spawn that could make other spawn, but one that could infect others and transform them somewhat (like adding the draconic creature template from Draconomicon). These tainted ones would be compelled to obey the spawn. (Who is, in turn, compelled to obey Sable)

Now, the villain I had in mind is a minor Silvanesti noble who is captured by Sable and transformed into one of these spawn. He escapes Sable’s control somehow, and proceeds to use his abilities to recruit a tainted army of draconic creatures to take back the Silvanesti homeland. What’s so villainous about that you might ask? Well, he’s not to choosy about who he ‘recruits’ into his army (any race, willing or unwilling), he is will kill or infect anyone who gets in his way, he’s gone totally (though subtly) nuts, and he’s starting to think to only to fully protect the Silvanesti is to kill and/or enslave all the other races.

I was thinking of having the players slowly hear rumors about entire villages disappearing, encountering strange creatures (infected by the spawn), and finally learning the truth about the main villain. Then I’ll have to see where they go from there.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Where would be a good place to begin such a campaign? I’m not all the familiar with the eastern portion of Ansalon. Maybe it could be better to have it be a Qualinesti noble wanting to take back the Qualinesti homeland?
#2
zombiegleemax
Jan 13, 2005 7:49:18 The Qualinesti don't have a homeland left. Their city got sunk into the Lake of Death (Although technically their forest is still there so they could try and build a new city somewhere else). Either that or come up with some spell to rise the ruins of Qualenost from underwater. I heard that under the lake of death the city still has structure. It just can't be lived in because its underwater.
#3
frostdawn
Jan 13, 2005 8:48:02 ***spoilers***

Roughly a year or so after the events of the War of Souls, the following has happened in various novels (things to keep in mind in case you want your campaign to follow what is consider 'canon', otherwise go nuts. Sable also liked to experiment with the creation of dragonspawn with non humans, so she had alot more abominations than the other dragon overlords did; maybe something to consider as well):

Sable has been killed (by Dhamon Grimwulf- as a shadow dragon)

Dhamon Grimwulf is dead (by Sable)

Qualinost is sunken under Nalis Aren (lake of death) by and large, the city is whole, just populated by a city of ghosts who are all compelled to guard the remains of Beryl at any and all costs and will kill any who approach her

Qualinesti lands are overrun by goblins, brigands, etc so the Qualinesti people as a whole are without a land to call their own

Silvanost is overrun by the invading minotaur hordes, who have spread out over large areas of Silvanesti lands (occasionally in concert with ogres) to systematically wipe out Silvanesti elves wherever they find them. Essentially, the Silvanesti are without a homeland as well.
#4
draggah
Jan 13, 2005 9:28:33 Thanks guys, I knew about all that stuff already but I just haven't decided yet where I want to set the whole thing. It works either way really, since the spawn could be trying to drive the minotaurs out of Silvanesti or the goblins out of Qualinesti. Basically I want the PCs caught between the spawn (and his minions) and the invaders (minotaurs or goblins). I'm also hoping they'll be partially torn between wanting to liberate the elven homelands, and not liking the tactics the spawn is using.

As far as Sable's death goes, I think I'll ignore that particular novel for now. I might want to have her try to reassert control over the spawn (who needs a name soon I guess) at some point. (I have no qualms about ignoring novels that intefere with any of my stories.)

I guess it all boils down to this, do I want the PCs to come into conflict with the spawn and the Minotaurs or the spawn and goblins/ brigands? Normally Minotaurs would beat goblins hands down ;) , but western Ansalon has so many familiar locations I could use (Abnasia, Solace, Ergoth, ect...).

Now that I think about it though, the minotaurs are a threat to everyone (thier manifest destiny beleif) so it may be easier to get various PCs involved in the fight against them. So, what locations in eastern Ansalon would be a good starting point for a varied group of PCs?
#5
ferratus
Jan 13, 2005 11:10:04 Personally, I like the idea that Porthios is the new Goblin King, so if you like it too, it would affect your storyline as well.

This villain is pretty nasty, using his curse as power to drive out everyone else. I'd imagine he would need to have some means of taking control of his curse, and being able to command the spawn he creates. Certainly possible, especially if you stack some cleric of Morgion levels on him.

Now the heroes can be drawn from two sources:

1) Peasant heroes - drawn from the settlers of Qualinesti who are refugees from other parts of Ansalon simply because the Dragon Overlord destroyed their homes. I'm thinking that most of them came from Southern Ergoth and Blodeheim. Qualinesti is a place where they can actually set up farms and communities, and to be driven out is to face death.

2) Elven exiles - It is their home and livelihood as well. Certainly elven camps exist in Qualinesti, and desire to retake their nation's right to this land.

3) Mercenaries - The all-purpose adventurer explanation.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 draggah Jan 13, 2005 0:56:13	Hi all. I had been planning a War of the Lance campaign for awhile, but I received both the War of the Lance and the Age of Mortals books for Christmas. I didn’t think I would, but man if I don’t really like the Age of Mortals. Don’t get me wrong War of the Lance is their best book so far, but the age of mortals itself has so many possibilities for conflict and character development that I just can’t pass up. So, I guess I’ll run an Age of Mortals campaign first, then later run War of the Lance stuff. Anyway, on to the real reason for the post. The Idea I have for a campaign is this, we know (at least those of us who followed the SAGA stuff) that Sable was experimenting with parasitic life forms right? What if she developed a sort of infectious version of the dragon spawn? Not so much a spawn that could make other spawn, but one that could infect others and transform them somewhat (like adding the draconic creature template from Draconomicon). These tainted ones would be compelled to obey the spawn. (Who is, in turn, compelled to obey Sable) Now, the villain I had in mind is a minor Silvanesti noble who is captured by Sable and transformed into one of these spawn. He escapes Sable’s control somehow, and proceeds to use his abilities to recruit a tainted army of draconic creatures to take back the Silvanesti homeland. What’s so villainous about that you might ask? Well, he’s not to choosy about who he ‘recruits’ into his army (any race, willing or unwilling), he is will kill or infect anyone who gets in his way, he’s gone totally (though subtly) nuts, and he’s starting to think to only to fully protect the Silvanesti is to kill and/or enslave all the other races. I was thinking of having the players slowly hear rumors about entire villages disappearing, encountering strange creatures (infected by the spawn), and finally learning the truth about the main villain. Then I’ll have to see where they go from there. Any thoughts or suggestions? Where would be a good place to begin such a campaign? I’m not all the familiar with the eastern portion of Ansalon. Maybe it could be better to have it be a Qualinesti noble wanting to take back the Qualinesti homeland?
#2 zombiegleemax Jan 13, 2005 7:49:18	The Qualinesti don't have a homeland left. Their city got sunk into the Lake of Death (Although technically their forest is still there so they could try and build a new city somewhere else). Either that or come up with some spell to rise the ruins of Qualenost from underwater. I heard that under the lake of death the city still has structure. It just can't be lived in because its underwater.
#3 frostdawn Jan 13, 2005 8:48:02	*spoilers* Roughly a year or so after the events of the War of Souls, the following has happened in various novels (things to keep in mind in case you want your campaign to follow what is consider 'canon', otherwise go nuts. Sable also liked to experiment with the creation of dragonspawn with non humans, so she had alot more abominations than the other dragon overlords did; maybe something to consider as well): Sable has been killed (by Dhamon Grimwulf- as a shadow dragon) Dhamon Grimwulf is dead (by Sable) Qualinost is sunken under Nalis Aren (lake of death) by and large, the city is whole, just populated by a city of ghosts who are all compelled to guard the remains of Beryl at any and all costs and will kill any who approach her Qualinesti lands are overrun by goblins, brigands, etc so the Qualinesti people as a whole are without a land to call their own Silvanost is overrun by the invading minotaur hordes, who have spread out over large areas of Silvanesti lands (occasionally in concert with ogres) to systematically wipe out Silvanesti elves wherever they find them. Essentially, the Silvanesti are without a homeland as well.
#4 draggah Jan 13, 2005 9:28:33	Thanks guys, I knew about all that stuff already but I just haven't decided yet where I want to set the whole thing. It works either way really, since the spawn could be trying to drive the minotaurs out of Silvanesti or the goblins out of Qualinesti. Basically I want the PCs caught between the spawn (and his minions) and the invaders (minotaurs or goblins). I'm also hoping they'll be partially torn between wanting to liberate the elven homelands, and not liking the tactics the spawn is using. As far as Sable's death goes, I think I'll ignore that particular novel for now. I might want to have her try to reassert control over the spawn (who needs a name soon I guess) at some point. (I have no qualms about ignoring novels that intefere with any of my stories.) I guess it all boils down to this, do I want the PCs to come into conflict with the spawn and the Minotaurs or the spawn and goblins/ brigands? Normally Minotaurs would beat goblins hands down ;) , but western Ansalon has so many familiar locations I could use (Abnasia, Solace, Ergoth, ect...). Now that I think about it though, the minotaurs are a threat to everyone (thier manifest destiny beleif) so it may be easier to get various PCs involved in the fight against them. So, what locations in eastern Ansalon would be a good starting point for a varied group of PCs?
#5 ferratus Jan 13, 2005 11:10:04	Personally, I like the idea that Porthios is the new Goblin King, so if you like it too, it would affect your storyline as well. This villain is pretty nasty, using his curse as power to drive out everyone else. I'd imagine he would need to have some means of taking control of his curse, and being able to command the spawn he creates. Certainly possible, especially if you stack some cleric of Morgion levels on him. Now the heroes can be drawn from two sources: 1) Peasant heroes - drawn from the settlers of Qualinesti who are refugees from other parts of Ansalon simply because the Dragon Overlord destroyed their homes. I'm thinking that most of them came from Southern Ergoth and Blodeheim. Qualinesti is a place where they can actually set up farms and communities, and to be driven out is to face death. 2) Elven exiles - It is their home and livelihood as well. Certainly elven camps exist in Qualinesti, and desire to retake their nation's right to this land. 3) Mercenaries - The all-purpose adventurer explanation.