Turning the World Upside Down

[jcayer]

Last night, as an experiment, I put my players in an unusual position. They were sent to a remote mountaintop monastery to retrieve an artifact. 500 years before, the monastery had been taken over by vampires.

Arriving there, they found a military outpost at the foot of the mountains, manned by the descendants of the original monks. There descendants were not particularly interested in accepting the party's help in retaking the monastery as they had their own plans to retake it.

The party was expelled from their camp and climbed the mountain during the night, arriving at the monastery at daybreak, expecting to find all the vampires nicely nestled away. Instead, they were welcomed and greeted by a vampire, out in the bright morning sun. Suffice it to say, confusion ensued as the vampires were cordial and helpful hosts while the humans below were anything but.

The amount of roleplaying this generated was exceptional, probably close to 70% of the session. In fact, we only had one battle all night long. As the DM, I had half the night off as they debated which group to side with and how to retrieve the artifact.

A great night that they all really enjoyed. So consider making your players think outside the box.

 

[Sunseeker]

Indeed, it's fun to do the unexpected. Though I'm curious who really was the good/bad side in all of that now though.

It's what disappoints me in a lot campaigns, where I find out we're just running "Stock Popular Campaign #5" and there's really nothing new or original going on.

It's like people traded their imagination and got...well nothing in return.

 

[Deset Gled]

I once dropped a party into the middle of a war where one kingdom was based on a lawful-neutral system, and the other kingdom was based on a chaotic-good one. It was briefly interesting to watch them deal with figuring out which side were the "bad guys". Of course, they chose to be a bunch of forest protectors following a woodland plot and didn't make ties to either side. Silly druids.

 

[jcayer]

The backstory, which they don't know, is pretty simple. The monks became more and more fanatical over the years attempting to recovery the monastery and return to guarding the artifact. So much so, that even though the party has a legitimate claim to it, the monks will never turn it over.

The vampires found peace after inhabiting the monastery and are anxious for the endless battles with the monks to cease.

It really isn't that hard, but the plays still are extremely leery of the vampires, expecting them to return to their evil ways once the artifact is taken. There still is very little trust from the Warlord and the cleric is almost hostile toward them. Great, great RPing.

They are close to getting the artifact now and on their way out, the monks will have attacked and the party will have to choose sides. Although, at this point, I expect them to go with the vampires.

I have to wait 2 weeks to find out what happens.

 

[the Jester]

I have to wait 2 weeks to find out what happens.

Well, please let us know when you do!

 

[Relique du Madde]

Although, at this point, I expect them to go with the vampires.

I have to wait 2 weeks to find out what happens.

What would be truly awesome if they play towards the center with half the group helping the vamps and the other helping the monks just so they could kill off both groups and take off with the artifact that the end of the battle.

 

[Verdande]

It's always fun to subvert tropes, especially ones that are as common as "retake this place from these evil people." The world's not in black and white, so why should your gaming be?

 

[TarionzCousin]

They are close to getting the artifact now and on their way out, the monks will have attacked and the party will have to choose sides. Although, at this point, I expect them to go with the vampires.

Are the vampires going to join the fight, too? Ya know: peace through exterminating your enemies. The vampires could say "We came to save you."

--just a thought. It sounds like a fun scenario.

 

[S'mon]

The backstory, which they don't know, is pretty simple. The monks became more and more fanatical over the years attempting to recovery the monastery and return to guarding the artifact. So much so, that even though the party has a legitimate claim to it, the monks will never turn it over.

The vampires found peace after inhabiting the monastery and are anxious for the endless battles with the monks to cease.

I Am Legend - the book of course, not the movie.

 

[jonesy]

I have no idea what jonesy's comment means.

You haven't seen Dracula?

"Children of the night..."

He said:

...Instead, they were welcomed and greeted by a vampire, out in the bright morning sun...

So: "Children of the day..."

Though admitedly that comment was about the wolves around his castle. Damn, now you made me explain it, and it no longer works.