Return of Arkosia.
The story is about the return of an ancient dragon ruled, dragonborn populated empire.
Start with some campaign acts.
Stage 1: Prophesy. (Rumbles of what is to come)
Stage 2: Dracolich Cult. (Dracolich seeks to warp prophesy to own new empire)
Stage 3: Cataclysm. (Prophesy triggered, world shook)
Stage 4: A New World (Consequences of returned empire)
Mechanics:
We want dragonriding.
Because even small dragons are a bit strong, we need to scale up PCs without leveling them up (because I want plot and advancement after dragonriding).
Dragonbond:
1) Your HP are maximized.
2) Your attributes are all increased by 2, as is your max.
3) When casting a spell that has increased effect at higher slot levels, you get 1 higher slot level for free.
4) When doing a weapon attack, it does 1 extra weapon die of damage (so 4d6 for greatsword)
5) Once per day you can take a short rest as an action.
plus per character toys (rogues, for example, get the short shrift from the above)
That should boost the "CR equivalent" of PCs so low level dragon mounts aren't crazy imbalancing.
This would trigger around stage 2, against the dracolich. The dragon bonded to a PC would sometimes be busy elsewhere, and sometimes join up for an adventure arc.
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I would leave the possibility of Arkosia returning as an ally, foe, undead corrupted empire, etc up to the choices and actions of the players.
Probably needs a seperate foe to show up, like devils or demons or the chained oblivion whatever, in stage 3. To shake things up.
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Dragon campaign
The campaign is built around the rebirth of an ancient fallen empire ruled by Dragons. The PCs can change how the prophesy is fullfilled and join many sides in the world-changing consequences.
Book 1: Dreams of Dragons
- Prophesies and Rumours of what is to come.
- Initial seeds
Factions:
- Dragonborn Sage who is looking into ruins
- Kobold prophet who knows what is coming
- Church of Ioun seeking out whispers
- Mercenary Guild, blades for hire
- Merchants concerned about trade
- The Prophesy and fragments from it
Beat:
* Kobolds attempt to create a true dragon, get a warped monster
Climax:
* A true dragon egg hatches. Someone bonds to it, or consumes its life essence.
** Possibly a PC. Bonding or Consuming gives a similar huge buff to PC power level
** Possibly an NPC. Too bad, so sad.
** Agent of Dracolich should show up, out of left field.
Book 2: The Shadow of Arkosia
* 4 major factions
** Dracolich left over from Arkosia wants to swallow the 13 heralds
** Arkosia herself, rising
** The mortal kingdoms, afraid of Arkosia
** The PCs themselves
* Major plot elements:
** Race to the 13 heralds between the major factions
** Bond, Consume or Suppress
Book 3: End of All Things
Factions
** Reborn Arkosia (either under Dracolich, or not)
** The Ancient Enemy of Arkosia
** The mortal kingdoms, if they are left
** The PCs themselves
- World torn asunder by the rise of Arkosia
- Ancient enemy of Arkosia rises to oppose her
- Players could destroy both, neither, or either of the two powers
Book 4: A New World
- Players get say in how the world rebuilds
- Players then defend their choices against other forces
