Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Herremann the Wise" data-source="post: 1308945" data-attributes="member: 11300">Hmmm...Come on you guys, Klaus obviously wishes for a big introduction to the campaign and what have we so far...TrialTournamentSimulataneous murder conspiracyEnslaved by death cult [I'm making some assumptions here]and then of course a few facetiously suggested "Taverns".All sound reasonable but how about this one:The Monk is on pilgrimage to a place important to her order - a small outpost that needs a 1st level monk so they can maintain influence in the far away region and foster the talents of the promising Monk with a known and highly respected member of the order.On the way as she is heading deep into the mountainous terrain, she sees a wagon approaching in the distance. There are two figures obvious upon it but of a more disturbing nature is the cloud of insects that are hovering above the wagon.As the wagon gets closer she makes out the pained expression of the Rogue and the determined face of granite of the Paladin. The cargo of the overladen wagon also becomes obvious. It is a mound of putrifying heads, attracting every flying insect in the region.This is where I would start the game. The Rogue and Paladin know what is happening but the Monk obviously has no initial idea.The Rogue's village was massacred by beastly humanoids of some nature with only the halfling left to take the heads of all she knew to the local Earl. She is not told what this means or what message the heads are supposed to provide for the Earl - a person who she knows or cares little about. All that she knows is that an enchantment has been placed upon her by the main Shaman of the Beasts that inflicts incredible pain upon her unless she takes the wagon to the Earl - a dark geas of some nature.The Paladin was crossing over the mountains in search of something - some quest that can be followed at a much higher level. On the way, he is confronted by the miserable sight of the Halfling on the death wagon. Initially, suicidal action to right the tragedy is considered but halted as wisdom comes to the fore. The Paladin chooses to investigate the matter further as well as to care for the obviously distressed halfling before acting. The Monk of course knows none of this and such is the starting interaction of your party. However she will be inconsolable when she finds out that the massacre occured in the outpost village she was travelling to. Included in the wagon is the head of her future tutor. Tragedy has struck the lives of all three and entwined them in a web they will not fully discover until it is most likely too late.The actions of the Earl and the despicable beings that massacred the village are up to you. I prefer to think that both the Earl and the "Beasts" are evil and have engaged in some deal that the Earl has since reneged on. However, present the Earl as humble and a man of good and high standing. His treachery will only be found out later. I would encourage the use of a third party that the group initially distrusts but who will know the truth. The Earl was doing something bad and underhanded with the "Beasts" - perhaps he was selling them a person whose lineage was of importance to some prophecy he knows little of but that the Beasts are interested in. In return, he was to receive some reward or token of value. However, his mind has now changed but his initial betrayal to the people he is suppose to care for has not been erased.Hmmm... I think you get the rough idea.I always like to join characters up in curious ways that they don't know about. It is the finding out of these links that is fun.Anyway, this seemed a little bit more interesting than the generic tavern get together. Post back if you like it and I'll develop it further with you.Best RegardsHerremann the Wise</blockquote>

Verification