Hot Dark Elven Action (NPC and Plot Help)

[Cassius_the_Elf]

I think the owner could be the key, Luccia of the staring eyes.

Why have a cadre of powerful gladiators and not use them? OK He/She could just be a sadist and like getting rich off the entrance money, but surely they could be of other uses?

How about giving Luccia some kind of other motive? Have something in his/her past that needs dealing with. Perhaps the gladiators are going to be used to storm some small drow house, or perhaps take on a duergar armoured caravan? Does he/she hire gladiators out as a strike team when they are skilled enough to be part of the elite teams? Perhaps he/she needs some good or non evil aligned folk to do some specific job (like enter through an alignment based perm. glyph or forbiddance?).

Just a few thoughts.

 

[Ashrum the Black]

How this:

Luccia is a minion of Chaos. The big "C" is there on purpose. She secretly worships the forces of chaos that exist in the great beyond. The powers that are locked away from creation for all time. Powers and creatures without form, and to alien to truley understand. (Think cuthulu)

The areana is a means to an ends for her. She sees the gladiators as the perfect means of experimentation to expand her, and her cabals, knowledge of these chaos powers. The use the arena to test the influx of chaos energy on creation to understand its effects and to control it to further their goals. The fights allow them to see how things react under duress.

Ocassionaly a promising spectator may also turn up missing as well. This dark reputation would make the place shunned on the surface, but in the underdark this just adds to the thrill of the fights.

Perhaps the characters will witness her and a couple of the other gladiators lugging a struggling bundle through the uinderways of the arena. The see an arm stick out with a distinctive tattoo. Two days later they fight a creature that has the same tattoo upon its tenticle.

She stares at the paladin because as a paragon of goodness and law he is the antithesis of all she stand for. She see's him as the perfect guinea pig to test her creatures against, but ulitmately she expects to use him as the focal point of a ritual to unleash some chaos minions directly into this world.


Along these lines the characters can notice some of the gladiators changing subtley over time. Their faces take a more distinct look, becoming more angular. Or they become less distinct, slightly melted.

Perhaps they are approached by an outside individual. This person is a relative of one of the missing spectators that went missing. They would like to have the help gladiators in finding out what happened to thier loved one. The promise to but the gladiators freedom if they succeed.

Just some thoughts. Let us know in what direction you actually want to go and we may be able to be of more help.

-Ashrum

 

[Delgar]

Wow, some more great ideas!

Just to let you know, one of the players did get some "Hot, Dark, Elven Action" but not quite in the way he had hoped, and he'll never be the same again. Also, the players had been told by several other gladiators that once a year the best gladiators get sold off to the drow, nobody has any idea why or for what purpose.

Here is a brief Synopsis of Game Session 4:

The items that were given to them by Ph'belpol (mindflayer councilor), had become attuned to them and grew in power. Celene (human groupie), stopped by and dropped off a book about the city, complete with maps and layouts. Celene also invites Phaedra to come to her birthday party next week!

The group faced off against their rivals in a water arena, with floating platforms, and in the water were two very large and very hungry sharks. None of the characters started with any weapons, and two weapons of their choice were placed on the center platform. In two of the far corners, a supposedly Powerful magic weapon was placed (+3 Flaming Burst Greatsword and a +3 Shocking Burst Greatsword) which could only be reached by swimming through th shark invested waters. The battle was a hard fought victory for the group and the paladin almost became a very tasty shark snack.

Merklo asked for their aid in helping his tribe. Telling them that the drow broke the peace treaty, and attacked his tribe under a banner of truce and that his Queen sent him away, saying that drow were after his knowledge. He has no idea what she is talking about.

Phaedra (Centaur) gets escorted to Celene's birthday party, where all the kids get to take turns riding her!

Kur (Hound Archon) and Kandiel (Ghalee), get questioned/beat regarding the escape of the blink dog and Merklo's life is threatened.

Shank (Minotaur), unknowingly ingests a sleep poison, wakes up on a stone slab, tied up. He meets the doctor, who then surgically removes his Horns!

Fredrick (Paladin) has a meeting with Luccia in which she seduces him, ties him to the bed and then locks him in the room with a female and male dark elf.

All of them are told to never betray Luccia again.

Fredrick makes a blood vow to come back and clense this place of Evil!

The party decides to plan an escape, but are quickly ushered into the arena to fight in an exhibition match against a contingent of drow. Again they have no weapons and two gladiators are chained together (Merklo made the 6th gladiator). Another, hard fought victory later, the crowd is awestruck at their ability to overcome adversity.

As they are finally planning a way to escape, the entire arena begins to shake, and explosions are heard off in the distance. The arena guards begin trying to lock down the slaves. (At this point I wanted to stop but my players wouldn't let me, they just had to continue!)


The players take the chance and fight their way out of the arena, and using their knowledge of the city to escape into the underdark.



Keep the ideas coming, now I need some interesting things to throw at them on their journey to the Kobolds lair (Both combat and non-combat), not too mention a reason why the drow are interested in Merklo. I kind of have the idea that Merklo stumbled upon an Ancient Drow stronghold at some point, but I really need to expand on it. I'm probably going to steal Piratecat's White Kingdom, or at least start introducing some of the events that will take place in the future.

Thanks again!

Delgar

 

[Delgar]

Ph'belpol's Thoughts:

How exquisitely wonderful it will be to see the expression on that fat
human's face when he learns that his prey has eluded him. Not only did
my servants vanquish his troupe in front of the entire city, but then
they bested those arrogant fools that call themselves masters of the
Underdark. Such a pity that the Minotaur split the Drow female in two.
I would have liked to have savored the defeat in her mind. It is no
matter, there are plenty more diversions to amuse me now that the
surface dwellers have come. There will be many new slaves to sample
once the battle is over and the spoils split among the survivors.

Perhaps the council will grant me Lucia now that she has failed once
again. How pathetic her excuses will be. She did not know that the
Ghaele was a shape-shifter? She could not foresee the effect that
beating her pets would have? She is as stupid as the hound she thought
was a blink dog.

Now is the perfect time to take the girl Celene. The eyes are busy,
and all blame will fall on the centaur if she goes missing. Yes, I
think the good counselor will pay handsomely to learn where the
escaped slaves have taken her. Pity that she will have died before he
reaches her, but that is the cost of business.

Ah, my new pets still carry my trinkets. Lucia should have known that
you can catch more fools with baubles than with collars. Yes, run to
the darkness my pets. Spread your mischief and grow strong. I may have
further need of you yet. There may be an open seat in the council very
soon.


Delgar

 

[LordVyreth]

Have you considered turning this into a Story Hour? You seem to have a knack for writing and enjoy sharing your game's stories with us, and you could ask your readers for their suggestions for how to continue the campaign.

 

[Delgar]

I can't actually take credit for most of the writing, as most of it's from one of my players. I wish I could do a story hour, but I don't think that I have the time.

Delgar

Have you considered turning this into a Story Hour? You seem to have a knack for writing and enjoy sharing your game's stories with us, and you could ask your readers for their suggestions for how to continue the campaign.

 

[Delgar]

Episode V: Attack of the Fungi <scrolling up screen>

Somewhere deep in the darkness a force awakens, a force of untold
power. It slowly seeps it's way to the surface, destroying
everything in it's path.

Our band of hapless heroes have just escaped the clutches of Luccia
and her Arena of death. Fleeing from danger through the unknown
abyss known as the "Underdark" they have been following the Kobold,
known only as Merklo, into untold danger.

Hot on their heels, was the bounty hunter, Blarg Teff. His attempt
to capture them was thwarted only by their mighty resolve and nerves
of steel.

Still fleeing for their lives they stumble onto a horrific scene as
several decaying, and rotting creatures gorge on a large mushroom.
Once again fighting for their lives, the white cloaked creature
utters in his dying breath, "The White Kingdom is coming and nothing
will stand in it's way!"

As the white cloaked creature spasms and collapses at the heroes
feet, several of the other large mushrooms begin jumping up and down
and chanting....


O.k. This is where I left off last session, tonight will feature:

1) Mushroom people and the crowning of King Shank!
2) An Umber Hulk Gardener with a missing son
3) A Hag, banished to the underdark by sylvan creatures, polymorhed into a sweet old elderly dwarf woman. Secretly sucking the lifeforce from the underdark inhabitants and adding their power to hers.

Depending on time, the players may finally end up at Merklo's home, but what kind of homecoming will they recieve?

Anyway, I'm looking for any sort of interesting ideas/characterizations that I can add to tonights events. Give me some interesting traits that I can role-play up tonight for the mushroom people, the umber hulk and the hag!

Thanks in advance

Delgar

 

[Delgar]

Here is an excerpt of what happened to them just before they fled the arena. Originally I had planned it as a handout, but instead I ran it for each of the players pausing at tense moments and moving on the next player and then circling around. It worked out fairly well, and it clearly made everyone want to flee the arena as soon as possible!

Shank:

Suddenly everything goes black…

You bolt awake as you feel cold water splashed all over your face. Outside the door you can hear at least two hobgoblin guards chatting away about something. The room itself is empty, except for large stone table in the centre, which you are chained to hand and hoof like to a cross. Most disturbing, however, is the fact that the stone slab and surrounding floor is stained a reddish brown. Looking up you can see that the ceiling also, contains the same brown stains.

Suddenly the guards hush and you hear the stone door creak open to reveal a strange looking white creature that appears to be some grotesque cross between an elf and a dwarf. He’s wearing what appears to be a leather apron, covered in dark stains. It looks as if he has no hair on his body, his face is all wrinkled and all that remains of his left eye is a dark empty socket. He limps forward towards you slowly favoring his right leg, in his right hand appears to be a large cloth bundle. As he finally nears the table you can smell his fetid rotten breath.

“Greetings, Minotaur!” he slurs. “Luccia, has asked me to prepare you for your next fight.” He drops the cloth bundle revealing a wicked serated saw, cackling madly.

<after sawing off his horns>

“Luccia wanted me to remind you that you are HER property, lest you forget it!”

Phaedra:

Tordd, and a couple of hobgoblin lackeys escort you, bound and blindfolded out of the arena and into a cart. Several minutes of bumpy travel later you can hear music playing and children screaming and cheering. When your blindfold is finally removed you are looking upon a large three story stone structure, completely walled in with a three foot high stone wall. Off to one side of the courtyard is a large colorful tent filled with tables, chairs. It seems as if some sort of small carnival is taking place right here in the courtyard. Your presence seems to elicit gasps from the crowd and finally a familiar face comes running towards you:

“Phaedra! Phaedra! You made it to my party!” Celene runs up and gives you a big hug.

“You don’t know what this means to me, I’ll be the most popular girl in all of Akin’s Throat!” Celene begins jumping up and down in excitement. Just then you notice that one of the hobgoblins is pulling a leather saddle out of the cart and begins moving towards you.

Placing the saddle on you, all of the children begin to crowd around screaming. “I want a turn! I WANT A TURN!!”

Celene turns to them and says, “No, nobody gets to ride Phaedra <dramatic pause> until after me, it is my birthday after all!”

All day the children take turns riding you, and looking up at one of the windows on the third floor you can see an elderly gentleman staring down at you with a huge smile on his face.

Kur and Kandiel:

Zolam has asked you to join him in the arena for a well deserved lesson. Arriving in the arena area you see that Zolam is there waiting for you with 5 of the guards. Sitting in the center of the arena are two stone chairs. Zolam motions you closer and asks for you to have a seat. As you sit down in the chairs you suddenly realize that these are not normal chairs, as your body seems to be instantly glued to them. An evil grin appears on Zolams face.

“Tell me what you know about the blink dog”

-He slaps them around a bit, once even knocking the chair over

They bring out a tiny form, bound and gagged. The look of fear on Merklo’s face is easily recognizable. Zolam draws a curved dagger and holds it to Merklo’s throat, Merklo begins to squirm.

He tosses Merklo to the ground.

“Next time, your friend won’t be so lucky, don’t EVER cross Luccia again” He walks away with a smug look on his face.

Fredrick:

One of the guards approaches you and tells you that Luccia wishes to see you in private. He blindfolds you and then guides you down several hallways, spins you around a couple of times until you are disoriented and then continues on. Eventually you are lead to a room, the blindfold is removed and the door is closed behind you. You are in lavish apartment, lit up by the hundreds of candles that fill the room. Laying on the palet at the far end of the room is the soft, silken haired, scantily clad Luccia. She motions you forward with her finger.

As you lie on the bed she whispers in your ear. “Such a beautiful specimen.” As she clasp a chain cuff over one of your hands. You know you should resist but for some reason you can’t. Soon you are tied to the bed and she is standing at the side bending over you. I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time and her lips brush yours and you feel a cold chill…

The door opens and in walks a very beautiful black skinned elf. Luccia looks at her and nods in agreement. As the elven woman approaches you Luccia backs away, and then there is another figure standing in the doorway, a black skinned, muscular elven male.

“Don’t ever betray me again Fredrick.” Luccia blows you a kiss, and passes by the elven male and leaves the room.

The door closes behind her.


Delgar

 

[Delgar]

Merklo the Hero

As the last of the fleeing drow guards is cut down, you hear cheers erupt from the room filled with kobold females. Many comments can be heard, such as:

“Thank you for saving us!”
“Our Saviors!”
“Our Men! Our Men! Will you save our men?”
“Praise Tiamat!”

Finally, one of the females quiets the women down, and steps forward. She bows deeply in your direction. She like the rest of the women and children looks very thin and malnourished. Although, clearly she is weak and tired she rises and holds her head up tall and regal.

“We are indebted to you brave warriors for saving us from our horrible fate. My name is Elanna. We have nothing tangible to offer to you as a reward, but I promise that our tribe would be forever grateful for anything that you can do to help out the men and our queen who are still held captive?” She bows her head deeply and opens her arms in a desperate plea for help.

Whispers begin to start up amongst the women:

“Who is that kobold with them?”
“I think it’s Merklo.”
“No way, Merklo? It can’t be.”

Merklo’s skin, normally of a light pinkish hue, begins to darken and take on a more reddish color.

Elanna looks in Merklo’s direction, “It is you, isn’t it Merklo. You have brought help and saved the tribe. The rumors are not true then.” She begins quickly making her way towards Merklo.

Merklo looks down at the ground and crosses his legs, as his skin begins to darken even more. Elanna reaches him and wraps her arms around him and embraces him deeply planting a kiss on his cheek.

Merklo’s skin is now a deep purple, and his legs begin to quiver. He begins to open his mouth but words don’t seem to be able to come out.

Elanna releases her grasp from around Merklo and pleads with you “Will you help us, brave warriors, in our time of need?”

A soft thud is heard as Merklo’s tiny body slumps to the floor, and several giggles can be heard from the throng of women.

 

[Delgar]

Ok right now here is where things stand:

Shank was declared King of the Mushroom people, only to leave Fredrick behind in his place as regent.

The group rescued an Umber Hulk child from the clutches of an Evil Hag, and destroyed her life force sucking pendant (unknowingly). The Hag, however, managed to escape

They freed the kobold slaves from their drow overlords, and managed to save the kobold queen. The drow leader, however, managed to escape. Not before threatening to make them pay.

As a reward the kobolds gave the group some of the Adamantium ore that they had been forced to mine by the drow, and were asked to help solidify a treaty between their clan and that of a small group of deep dwarves that the kobolds have traded with for a long time.

Upon reaching the dwarven caves, the group was asked to investigate the disappearence of a dwarven miner as well as investigate some "haunted howling caves". In return, the dwarves will craft weapons for the group and the kobolds.

Investigating the caves they find the body of the miner and the source of the howling is found out to be steam passing through some hollow rocks. However, upon further examination of the body, it was determined that the dwarf was stabbed and poisoned, but who could have murdered him?

Was it one of his co-workers?
Was it his wife?
Was it some random dwarven serial killer?

These are all questions that will hopefully be answered soon!

In the meantime any help/ideas anyone can give me in regards to what I can do with any of the NPC's I have at my disposal, etc. would be fantastic.

Right now, I'm looking to develop:

An Ancient Drow Temple

And I can use all the help I can get!

Delgar