[FR] Distracting Waterdeep

[Bugbear]

The main plotline for my upcoming FR campaign involves a Great Wyrm Red Dragon (Charmigizon) who has gained control of a number of humaniod and giant tribes in the north, which he is using to raid civilized communities in his terretory for wealth, food, and sacrifices (Charmigizon beleves that if he gains enough worshipers, and if they sacrifice enough intelligent being to him, he will acend to a divine status. He has convinced the tribes under his control, through treachery and Intimidation, that he is a god.)

The two major powers in the region, Waterdeep and the Silver Marches, of course would want to stop him as soon as Charmigizon's hordes began razing villiges and towns. As such, Charmigizon has cut a deal with Obould Many-Arrows, Lending him suport in his campaign against the Silver Marches, thus keeping Silverymoon and her allies to busy to interfere with his plans.

My question is, what could Charmigizon do to distract Waterdeep from his activites and keep them from interfering?

 

[Derulbaskul]

I see Waterdeep as being vulnerable to two things:

1. Assassinations of mid-ranking figures. Key figures are too well protected, but once a plethora of mid-ranking Watch officers and and nobles are murdered, Waterdeep will be a gripped in chaos.

Perhaps it is time for your red dragon to ally with the Cyricists of Amn or the Shadow Thieves (IMC, the Cyricists are strongly linked to the Shadow Thieves as well) so that these assassinations can be arranged?

2. The blighting of Goldenfields. Waterdeep relies heavily on the temple-farm for its food. What if your red dragon had in his possession an ancient relic of Moander, perhaps a rod?, and he traded this to Talontar wererats for their use against Goldenfields.

If you have the BoVD, perhaps the rod allows the Talontar to form hiveminds of dire rats, albeit with the plaguebringer template from the WotC website. Can you imagine a force of the Guard being despatched from Waterdeep to put an end to this rat plague, only to succumb to disease?

Also, if the Guard are being used to replace lost Watch officers lost to assassinations, as well as for rat-slaying duty, do you think that Waterdeep will be able to whelm an army to march north?

One more thing, perhaps Arcane Brotherhood-sponsored pirates could also be involved, seeking to stop the flow of food, in particular, from reaching Waterdeep.

Have fun!

Cheers
NPP

 

[Bugbear]

Derulbaskul, it seems our mind is as one on this. I was thinking of using cranium rats (from planescape) as Charmigizon's eyes and ears. A force of cranium rats could be used also for assinations as well as spreading disease in waterdeep. I hadn't thought of Goldenfeilds though, thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will look for this Plaugebringer template you spoke of as well.

So with the Cranium Rats spreading disease and killing off key officials, and with obould laying seige to silverymoon that takes the two major powers out for while. Are there any other major threats to Charmigizon's plan that I should be aware of, and if so any sugestions on how to deal with them.

Charmigizon's Hunting terretory is the land south of the Evermoors and north of the larch Hills, and from the lost peaks in the east to the kryptgarden forest in the west. This places the following towns in imediate danger: Westbridge, Yartar, Tribor, Longsaddle, Bellard, and Noanar's Hold.

 

[Derulbaskul]

Bugbear,

Yes, it seems we are in accord. I like the idea of cranium rats (post-it note now placed on my own brain); they're an interesting critter... plus a good excuse to use an alhoon (what do you think about a renegade from Ch'Chitl now allied with Charmigizon?).

BTW, here's the Plague Bearer template:

http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20011219b

IMC, I would have the Morueme family of blue dragons posing as a threat to Charmigizon (simply them being territorial), and thus also a potential ally of the PCs. However, if this family was out of the way, perhaps the big C could recruit their vassal hobgoblin tribes to his cause?

A few thoughts:

- How are the Arcane Brotherhood being bought off, or are they just adopting a "wait and see" position?
- Have you considered destabilising the dwarven realms in the Silver Marches? If you have Races of Faerun, maybe it's time for the orogs to march? I also think another solution would be the storyline suggested in the Shadow Path series from Perilous Gateways, ie, the forces of Baphomet (don't forget the Ice Spire ogres and their ghour ally) are on the march, perhaps with Baphomet in the lead.
- Is the Charmigizon the true BBEG or is there something more sinister and powerful in the shadows whispering these ideas to the dragon? If this is the case, my two suggestions are either (or both) a night hag servant of Shar (with suitable class levels, plus perhaps the paragon and/or shade templates) or a renegade pit fiend based in the ruins of Chaulssin (with class levels and the shade template, and again a follower of Shar).

OK, enough typing from me.

Cheers
D

 

[iwatt]

Klauth

Seriously, no great red wyrm is gonna get far without covering his ass against Old Snarl. I think I read in the Wizards page that Klauth was recovering from a mighty battle against another dragon, so maybe a plot hook would be for the heroes to help him recover enough to aid them.

 

[Derulbaskul]

Thanks, iwatt. I am currently plotting out a Silver Marches campaign and I note that there is mention of a big battle between two unidentified dragons in the skies of the North in Marpenoth (IIRC).

One must be Klauth... so I will make the other one Malygris (? must check) the blue dracolich ruler of Anauroch.

Cheers
D

 

[Bugbear]

Klauth

Seriously, no great red wyrm is gonna get far without covering his ass against Old Snarl. I think I read in the Wizards page that Klauth was recovering from a mighty battle against another dragon, so maybe a plot hook would be for the heroes to help him recover enough to aid them.

Well originaly I was going to replace klauth with charmigizon, But I like this idea better. Perhaps having the battle happen "Off-camera" and the PC's hear bits and peices as they travel would be a good way to introduce the aspiring dragon god.

It make scense that Klauth would challenge Charmigizon, as their hunting grounds are near each other. It also gives me a baseline for designing him, as he would have to be able to defeat Ol' Snarl in combat.

 

[Bugbear]

Bugbear,

Yes, it seems we are in accord. I like the idea of cranium rats (post-it note now placed on my own brain); they're an interesting critter... plus a good excuse to use an alhoon (what do you think about a renegade from Ch'Chitl now allied with Charmigizon?).

BTW, here's the Plague Bearer template:

http://wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20011219b

IMC, I would have the Morueme family of blue dragons posing as a threat to Charmigizon (simply them being territorial), and thus also a potential ally of the PCs. However, if this family was out of the way, perhaps the big C could recruit their vassal hobgoblin tribes to his cause?

A few thoughts:

- How are the Arcane Brotherhood being bought off, or are they just adopting a "wait and see" position?
- Have you considered destabilising the dwarven realms in the Silver Marches? If you have Races of Faerun, maybe it's time for the orogs to march? I also think another solution would be the storyline suggested in the Shadow Path series from Perilous Gateways, ie, the forces of Baphomet (don't forget the Ice Spire ogres and their ghour ally) are on the march, perhaps with Baphomet in the lead.
- Is the Charmigizon the true BBEG or is there something more sinister and powerful in the shadows whispering these ideas to the dragon? If this is the case, my two suggestions are either (or both) a night hag servant of Shar (with suitable class levels, plus perhaps the paragon and/or shade templates) or a renegade pit fiend based in the ruins of Chaulssin (with class levels and the shade template, and again a follower of Shar).

OK, enough typing from me.

Cheers
D

-The Morueme Dragons, eh? Where are they located? I am going to have the hobgoblins (Generaly) not be in Charmigizon's service, so this may be a good explanation for that. Beyond alignment incapatibilities that is

-The Arcane Brotherhood are waiting and seeing as far as getting directly involved with the charmigizon threat. They will be using the destabilization in waterdeep to further their goals though.

-The Dwarves of the silver marches will be standing against Obould Many-arrows army, fighting allong side the Defenders of the Silver Marches. This should keep them busy. I don't have Races of Faerun, but I do have the Oorgs from Tome of Horrors, and plan on using them.

-As of this writing Charmigizon is at the top of the "pyramid of evil intent". Though I am considering other Big Nasties who will oppose the PCs and either aid or oppose Charmigizon. Nothing solid yet, but I have time to work on it.

 

[William Ronald]

Hi, Bugbear!


Charmigizon, being quite old, could have a few enemies who may have waited for centuries for the right time to strike at him. Perhaps a few could emerge from the shadows with offers of help for the PC. Each foe could have different agendas, several of which could conflict with each other and the goals of the party.

You should also keep in mind how effective the leadership of the Silvermarches and Waterdeep would be in meeting the threats to them. For example, a key question to ask is what sort of threats do the leaders of Waterdeep expect Goldenfields to face.

I think the PCs should have a chance to head off at least some of the threats. Even if they do, there are still things that could keep the leadership busy. (For example, a possible link between Calimshan and the trouble in the area. Might be a wild goose chase. Might not be a wild goose chase.)

 

[Derulbaskul]

-The Morueme Dragons, eh? Where are they located? I am going to have the hobgoblins (Generaly) not be in Charmigizon's service, so this may be a good explanation for that. Beyond alignment incapatibilities that is (snip)

Western part of the Nether Mountains.

As for your cranium rat idea, the Fiend Folio now has their stats as three different sizes of swarms. They can be very dangerous, especially the largest size which has the powers of a 10th level sorcerer or, more dangerously, a 10th level psion (you know, toss out a fate link or two or then let rip with the swarm attack) ... and, um, they're immune to weapons. I would probably avoid cranium rats, but a rat swarm with the plague bearer template might do the trick.

Cheers
D