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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zaruthustran" data-source="post: 6623138" data-attributes="member: 1457">Addendum: here's more development that covers some plot holes (why the PCs? why the NPC captor villain? how did this water-tower last this long without being plundered?)The PC and the NPC captor villain are two keys to the ziggurat. Without the keys, the ziggurat is impregnable. Maybe it doesn't even exist on the plane unless the two keys are together, and near.The keys are generational. They turn up from time to time, evidenced by distinctive birthmarks.The NPC was in the employ of a Sorcerer King. The tattoo was noticed and recognized for what it was. He wasn't told it's significance, but was promoted (so they could keep an eye on him). With one key in hand, the SK started a search for the other. They finally found it, in the form of one of the PCs. This PC and the NPC are related (the keys turn up in a specific lineage). So: THAT'S why the NPC and PC are on this mission, one as captor, one as captive, both unwitting tools. THAT's why the party doesn't kill the captor immediately (he's family!). THAT's why the Dragon is interested.The last bit needs elaboration. The ziggurat was a safeguard against The Dragon's ancient depredations. It was the last stand and last hope of a rival faction. They knew they were going to lose so they warded it strongly and hid it away, hoping that their values and bloodline would persist and, sometime in the future, this resource used to heal the world. The faction died but the bloodline didn't. The SK recognizes the significance of the PCs to The Dragon but doesn't know the extent of their purpose. He doesn't know about the ziggurat or it's treasure, he just knows that The Dragon wants these two delivered to a certain place between two landmarks. The Dragon wants them because it's his chance to acquire an important resource and eliminate a threat.Heck, if this is a one-shot... maybe have the actual dragon show up instead of an avatar, and have the PCs pin it in the tunnels and drown it in water. That's crazy epic for a Dark Sun one-shot adventure.Think of it like this: if you were doing a one-shot Star Wars adventure, you'd for-sure want to include Vader. Right? What's the point, if you don't throw in the setting biggest and baddest villain? If you're going Dark Sun, go all out.</blockquote>

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