Cute-Hydra
First Post
4E
This is a Forgotten Realm's setting that uses the Bhaalspawn plot device.
As a brief explanation to anyone who is not familiar with the Baldur's gate trilogy which it is shamelessly stolen: Bhaal was the God of Murder, who was killed in the time of troubles when Gods were forced to walk the earth. He was killed by Cyric who stole his domain and became the new god of murder. Bhaal foresore his own death and impregnated many mortal women to create heirs. It was predicted that the bhaalspawn would grow up and slaughter each other, the last one standing will ressurect/become Bhaal. Each of the bhaalspawn have essence, as in they have a shard of their father''s divinity. This gives them some power. When one kills another they get the losers divinity. Some bhaalspawn are therefore very powerful.
The player characters all have conflicting interests:
1. is a bhaalspawn, not inheritantly evil but ambitious and if offered godhood would have a hard time saying no.
2-3. Followers of Cyric, understandably Cyric is a little concerned about this idea of Bhaal being born again so his agents are getting involved. They have the ability to sacrifice bhaalspawn in Cyrics name and thus annihalate the essence, thus weakening the God if and when he is reborn.
3. are innocent followers who don't have much of an idea what is going on.
---
There is a powerful organisation of epic level bhaalspawn raising armies to try and slaughter their brethren. The player characters will eventually do battle with these bhaalspawn. But that is a long way off level wise.
I am planning an encounter where at lvl 7 the players manage to overwelm one of these as a lvl 21 controller with heavy use of high level consumables and terrain. This is because I felt there is too much emphasis on players treking through a dungeon to get to big bad evil guy and why don't they hunt out the players some time. So of the 5 epic bhaalspawn seeking the slaughter of all others there are 4 left.
I am re-planning the entire thing, so the 5 race wise are not the same as the original 5:
-Rakshasa (killed early on)
- others not decided on
I am planning on a finale at the end which is going to be the first time PvP is encouraged where the Cyricites desperately try to stop the bhaalspawn ascending to godhood. Or maybe a negotiation between Cyric and the player character over splitting domains. It could even have Cyric + his player characters vs. The Bhaalspawn ascended with his friends.
Sides: The 5, trying to wipe out all other spawn.
'innocent' bhaalspawn, trying to live normal lives
cyricites, trying to stop bhaal at all costs
Local Imperials, King of local area trying to create order.
The campaign starts in Tethyr where there is a bhaalspawn warlord who is a troll. After hunting him down and killing him they find that there is actually another identical troll as this one was formed by the original having a limb cut off that grew into an identical clone. Somehow the bhaal essence split as well. They start at lvl 6.
Also, it is not quite at the level of armies marching around purging bhaalspawn at all costs. It is more at the penultimate time of people hearing about these armies being raised and everyone getting a little nervous.
It would be great hearing suggestions for other iconic villains and any tips or thoughts.
Cute-Hydra
This is a Forgotten Realm's setting that uses the Bhaalspawn plot device.
As a brief explanation to anyone who is not familiar with the Baldur's gate trilogy which it is shamelessly stolen: Bhaal was the God of Murder, who was killed in the time of troubles when Gods were forced to walk the earth. He was killed by Cyric who stole his domain and became the new god of murder. Bhaal foresore his own death and impregnated many mortal women to create heirs. It was predicted that the bhaalspawn would grow up and slaughter each other, the last one standing will ressurect/become Bhaal. Each of the bhaalspawn have essence, as in they have a shard of their father''s divinity. This gives them some power. When one kills another they get the losers divinity. Some bhaalspawn are therefore very powerful.
The player characters all have conflicting interests:
1. is a bhaalspawn, not inheritantly evil but ambitious and if offered godhood would have a hard time saying no.
2-3. Followers of Cyric, understandably Cyric is a little concerned about this idea of Bhaal being born again so his agents are getting involved. They have the ability to sacrifice bhaalspawn in Cyrics name and thus annihalate the essence, thus weakening the God if and when he is reborn.
3. are innocent followers who don't have much of an idea what is going on.
---
There is a powerful organisation of epic level bhaalspawn raising armies to try and slaughter their brethren. The player characters will eventually do battle with these bhaalspawn. But that is a long way off level wise.
I am planning an encounter where at lvl 7 the players manage to overwelm one of these as a lvl 21 controller with heavy use of high level consumables and terrain. This is because I felt there is too much emphasis on players treking through a dungeon to get to big bad evil guy and why don't they hunt out the players some time. So of the 5 epic bhaalspawn seeking the slaughter of all others there are 4 left.
I am re-planning the entire thing, so the 5 race wise are not the same as the original 5:
-Rakshasa (killed early on)
- others not decided on
I am planning on a finale at the end which is going to be the first time PvP is encouraged where the Cyricites desperately try to stop the bhaalspawn ascending to godhood. Or maybe a negotiation between Cyric and the player character over splitting domains. It could even have Cyric + his player characters vs. The Bhaalspawn ascended with his friends.
Sides: The 5, trying to wipe out all other spawn.
'innocent' bhaalspawn, trying to live normal lives
cyricites, trying to stop bhaal at all costs
Local Imperials, King of local area trying to create order.
The campaign starts in Tethyr where there is a bhaalspawn warlord who is a troll. After hunting him down and killing him they find that there is actually another identical troll as this one was formed by the original having a limb cut off that grew into an identical clone. Somehow the bhaal essence split as well. They start at lvl 6.
Also, it is not quite at the level of armies marching around purging bhaalspawn at all costs. It is more at the penultimate time of people hearing about these armies being raised and everyone getting a little nervous.
It would be great hearing suggestions for other iconic villains and any tips or thoughts.
Cute-Hydra
