Eberron: My players think they can rule the known world

[Nightfall]

Obviously this is where you start the Age of Worms and show them what REAL power is like as the Lords of Dust start the catascylm to end all catacylsm. Also pick up Dragon 338. Believe me, if you thought there weren't enough high level threats in Eberron now, just wait until the Lords of Dust get involved. Didn't think so before I read about them, NOW I know they rock.

 

[Glyfair]

As far as ruling the known world, very unlikely. They might have a chance at Khourvaire. Sarlona, on the other hand, would be a major challenge. The Quori certainly would retaliate, so the PCs shouldn't sleep (literally).

Of course, them arranging to take over Khourvaire hinges on the high level enemy groups not directly interfering. If the Lords of the Dust, Daelkyr or even the Lord of Blades decides to get involved, then they have a major obstacle in their path.

 

[Nightfall]

ESPECIALLY the Lords of Dust. Some of them could in fact find a way to bring back a rajah or two, THEN all crap will hit the fan.

 

[Solarious]

I know. The top tier of the Lords of Dust are scary enough on their own. You ever need big baddies to tackle your confident heroes, the fiends suddenly notice your PCs.

After all, all DMs love their 29 Hit Dice Pit Fiend with a special ability capable of confusing everyone in the party even when that was not the intent.

 

[shilsen]

10th lvl seems a little low to have delusion of grandeur. Just the Sharn book alone has half a dozen groups who would wipe out a party of that level. Not to mention that levels really aren't any help when you're dealing with political machinations and the like.

If they get really cocky, unleash the gnomes on them. Rajahs and the like are all well and good, but gnomes in Eberron are the really scary guys.

 

[drothgery]

It's probably worth noting that it's not just the ancient Evils of Eberron that are capable of squashing a tenth-level party like bugs. If the PCs aren't LG and/or followers of the Flame, and don't confine their empire-building to outside of Thrane, the Church of the Silver Flame can be quite effecient in cutting their ambition short. So could the Knights Arcane of Aundair.

 

[Nightfall]

Bah. Gnomes aren't scary. They just like playing with fire...and water, and air, and earth.

Like to see them TRY to play with fiends.

 

[Aaron L]

Well, isnt the POINT of Eberron?

They ARE movers and shakers now.

Im not talking on a level of a kingdom, but these guys are supposed to be big shots now. Dont let them think that they can just topple kingdoms, but dont take away thier special feeling of being important badasses, either. Have them be recognized, respected, and have a few kings or the like call on them for help (with plenty big heaps of reward) as Elite Operatives.

But also have them run into a few people who could hand them thier beehinds every once in a while. If theyve gotten to 10th level, then others who started earlier should have gotten higher. Good advice for any game, but dont forget to really let them feel special in an Eberron game.

But if they really want to try taking over someplace, let them try and deal with the consequences. No reason not to. Just inform them of what theyre getting into if they do.

 

[Ero Gaki]

Eberron is a funny setting in my mind. It talks about being lower level in the npc factor; it stats that PC classes are rare and gifted. And then it talks about how special being a mid to high level pc is, and how you are someone to be taken seriously. But in my mind, that is not the case. This thread is an example of this. From what I've read so far, it feels to me that most people are more interested in squishing the PC's hopes instead of letting them play.

I don't know about the rest of you, but one of the aspects of D&D that appeals to me is playing the hero; you save the world, defeat evil, and marry the princess. Now, I realize that Eberron is more of a pulp, bad guys will win sometimes kind of setting. It sounds to me that all you are trying to do is keep the PC's tiny little ants at the mercy of all the big, bad, scary organizations. Maybe the PC's can't take any army out, but I tell you what, by the time you reach 10th level in Eberron, your characters should be something that is feared and respected, since the whole basis of the setting is about that sort of thing. I'm not saying that the PC's should be handed the world, I am saying that the PC's are, by their very nature, special, elite, and powerful, and they should be given their due.

I'm playing in an Eberron game nwo, and my character has just recently gained 10th level as well. So far, all the DM has stated is "a few people have heard of you." Sorry, but in a setting that claims that 10th level characters are very few, and PC's are exceptionsal, we should be getting more than a few. The 10th level mage in our party should be getting alot of respect has one of the most potent wizards known in Khorvaire. Instead, we get stuff like, the small town on the Breland border has heard of you, but that about it."

Sorry about the rant, but I feel that instead of saying "oh look, the PC's think they are cool, I better make them look sad now," you should be letting them bask in their glory, and give them the chance to actually be a world power. Sure, there are bigger fish out there, but there always are.

 

[Imruphel]

Eberron is a funny setting in my mind. It talks about being lower level in the npc factor; it states that PC classes are rare and gifted. And then it talks about how special being a mid to high level pc is, and how you are someone to be taken seriously. (snip)

People forget that both Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms started much the same way but, over time, "power creep" became inevitable. This is going to happen to Eberron (NB: one B, two Rs- if you can't spell it, don't post about it! ), too, and the designers are well-prepared for it by including a plethora of Epic-level foes.

Having said that, let the PCs enjoy their fame... and the drawbacks that fame brings.