Brainstorming: the Meat-Pit

[Scribble]

I think you need to figure out, or decide upon, a reason why the meat pit is such an unthinkable place that pople don't like talking about.

Why is it worse then a field full of cows (some of which might have names) destined to be slaughtered? Why do only iredeamable criminals work there, while normal men and women work on farms slaughtering animals for food?

These are the things I think you need to answer, because right now I'm wondering what's so wrong with the meat pit. In fact I think without some "reason" to find it horrifying, I would kind of prefer a meat pit to the way we do things now!

 

[chronoplasm]

I would kind of prefer a meat pit to the way we do things now!

I would too. I actually support in vitro meat.
I understand though that a lot of people are creeped out by the idea and have an irrational fear of it.
Maybe the people of Kire fear the meat-pit because it offends their religious beliefs?

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Perhaps Guilds (either from this world or planar) who in the past used to supply this besieged kingdom with food are spreading lies and rumours about the Meat-Pit to try and destroy it.

Perhaps the populace simply distrusts magic, and consider it unnatural and abhor anything to do with it. This would become even more so, when it is replacing a natural process of the world, and again more so when they are expected to eat this magic created food.

 

[chronoplasm]

Heh. Perhaps the guild of herders could summon a minor patron deity of herders to attack the meat-pits.

I swear. This is an entire 1-30 level campaigns worth of ideas.

 

[Scribble]

I would too. I actually support in vitro meat.
I understand though that a lot of people are creeped out by the idea and have an irrational fear of it.
Maybe the people of Kire fear the meat-pit because it offends their religious beliefs?

That could be something you can expand on. Don't get me wrong, I like your concept so far, I'm just saying I think it needs a hook. Something that gets your players in the same "this is bad" mindset. (Soylent green is People!!!)

Even irrational fears, are generaly supported by some sort of claim. (It's just that the claim isn't supported by actual facts.) The claim is what drives the fear, so even if the meat pit fears are irrational, you still (in my opinion at least) need to figure out what claims drive that fear.

 

[humble minion]

I think you need to figure out, or decide upon, a reason why the meat pit is such an unthinkable place that pople don't like talking about.

Why is it worse then a field full of cows (some of which might have names) destined to be slaughtered? Why do only iredeamable criminals work there, while normal men and women work on farms slaughtering animals for food?

These are the things I think you need to answer, because right now I'm wondering what's so wrong with the meat pit. In fact I think without some "reason" to find it horrifying, I would kind of prefer a meat pit to the way we do things now!

Because the meat mines are dank, and close, and pitch black, and the workers wade through unspeakable filth to do their work.

Because every possible disease, and some which are only just beginning to be born, festers in the biological cesspool that is the pits.

Because the meat needs to excrete, and the workers are going to wade knee-deep in it, and continually shovel it out of the pit to be used as fertiliser or the pit will fill with the stuff.

Because the meat pit talks to you, when you're alone in there.

Because the parts of the meatpit devoted to the production of brains for illithids are made of human flesh. And the management might need to seed it with yours - don't worry, this will only sting for a little while, and then part of you will live forever. (And maybe it will escape, and come back to find you...)

Because the meat sometimes retains its primal reflexes and urges, and will try to eat you (or worse), if you are unwary or get too close.

Because the city's vampires have gravitated to it, and feed both off the blood from the growing meat and from the condemned workers, dwelling feral and naked and blood-encrusted in the winding pathways of the meat mines, living a continual orgy of deep crimson gluttony, while dominated overseers conceal their activities.

Otyughs. Stirges. Giant leeches. Blood elementals. You name it, it'll lurk down there.

 

[chronoplasm]

Heh. Maybe the whole thing about growing brains to sell to Illithids could just be an urban legend.
The meat coming to life and attacking people? Urban legend.
The meat causing people to mutate and become monsters? Urban legend.

I do intend for the meat pits to become a dungeon crawl though.
Parts of the pits could fall into disrepair and become infested with vermin. The adventurers could be called in as exterminators!

 

[Bold or Stupid]

Heh. Maybe the whole thing about growing brains to sell to Illithids could just be an urban legend.
The meat coming to life and attacking people? Urban legend.
The meat causing people to mutate and become monsters? Urban legend.

I do intend for the meat pits to become a dungeon crawl though.
Parts of the pits could fall into disrepair and become infested with vermin. The adventurers could be called in as exterminators!

I like it, take an idea that suggests nasty weird stuff, lets it percolate into the palyers brains then send them in. They will be looking for all sorts of nasty stuff in there. They will spend every encounter waiting for a freaky surprise. heheheh.

 

[Darkthorne]

1) one of the criminals has extensive alchemical knowledge & plans to slowly kil/infect all the top siders with something unwholesome.
2) The brains while emotionless become sentient & develop mind influencing powers and start controlling the criminals

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Because there is no meat pit. It's an illusion.

The overpopulated city is just feeding everyone human meat. The prisoners do leave. As meat.