Into the Icy Darkness: The Great Demon War

[Emperor Valerian]

"Near lynching?" hehe... sign I did a good job then.

I patterned Alexander's character after several rather well known people... namely George Patton (propensity for cursing, not giving a hoot what people think) and Frederick the Great (politicking, ability to hold his temper until others weren't around). Overall a very fun NPC for me to roleplay out for the players... and I know he's a favorite NPC of theirs as well.

I'm thinking that meanwhile, in the short downtime, I might post another brief list of players and NPCs... what level they're currently at (or as I should say... were at as of that adventure)

 

[Emperor Valerian]

Well... once I sat down and wrote up (over about an hour) all the NPCs that were rather important... the list ended up not being short. But anyways, if readers are starting to get confused on the cast of characters, here's the place to look.

First, I'll start with the PCs (or, in Grumki's case, pseudo-PCs):

PLAYER CHARACTERS

Tesseron Keldare Bard lvl 14 - Age 22 CG
Tess was born in the High Northern borders of the Empire on Midsummer's Eve, the daughter of parents who owned a bodyguard business. Unlike her brothers, who took up the family trade, Tess set out on her own as a musician.

She's tall and statuesque, over 5'8" in height, will a voluptous body and long blonde hair usually braided around her head. She tends to dress herself finely for any occasion, and loves the opportunity for "civilized" entertainment, be it in taverns, or ballrooms.

Tess has emerged as the group leader... the logical thinker. Nonetheless, she is prone to fits of righteous anger and rage when her or her loved ones are threatened... moods that one should not see her in (contact Rogar or the Black Roses' for information on what she does to people then ) She also has a slight tendency to be the loner of the group.

Shaun Dice Rog 9 /Bard5 CG Age 21
Shaun comes from a muddled background. His father was a well respected but very crooked merchant, who hated Shaun and loved his other brother. Jealous arose with tragic results, leading Shaun to run away from home at age 13. Living life on the streets, he taught himself how to filch pockets, as well as play the flute to gain money.

Shaun's average sized for the day, around 5'5" tall. His mid-length black hair is always greased back, and he has a swarthy look about him (for basketball fans, imagine Steve Lavin). He too tends to dress himself well for occasions, though Tess would claim he lacks a great deal of "civility."

Shaun is a prankster. He always seeks opportunities to poke fun at other group members, Xanadu the dragon, or quip towards folks that annoy him. He also happens to be the best archer in the group, as his longbow has made a reputation for him. Married to Elenya Barachis.

Siabrey Sipner Fighter 4/ Bondblade 9 CG Age 25
The daughter of Lady Stodiana Sipner (a minor noble from the Eastern Coasts) and Kelir (a siabre from the Obashi desert), Siabrey was a loner as a child, chiefly because of her inherited looks (red eyes, copper skin and small wings from father). Her mother, a noted warrior in her own right, taught Siabrey how to use a katana, and the young girl practiced fervently as a way to vent her frustrations... eventually becoming a travelling mercenary (she tended to hunt "pests," such as sandhogs, goblins, and the like... not people).

Siabrey is a slight 5'3", and perhaps 120 pounds. Her small size belies her comparatively strong muscles. She has deep copper skin, red eyes, and small, flightless wings on her back (they resemble the wings of a dragonfly). Her reputation has been forged by Kelir, her intelligent katana (a family heirloom), which she wields with deadly precision.

Siabrey is impulsive by nature... as well as defensive of her friends. When matters turn to her love, Lucius, she becomes very wary and defensive of him... anyone who trifles with him risks having her blade slicing their their innards. She's compiled quite a list of foes she'd like to skewer... Empress Zoe, the Black Roses, Rogar, Ilia, Shivalas, Lucius' mother...

She is married to Lucius Caladron.

Grumki the Loud Clr lvl 13 Kord CN Age ?
Not much is known of Grumki's background. His mother was a priestess of Kord who travelled, and he was raised in the Church of Strength. Now, he is becoming one of its most respected priests, through his deeds in helping rid the Valley of demons, monsters, and evil forces.

Grumki is a hulking half orc, 6'4" tall and over 270 pounds, mostly of pure muscle. His head holds no hair, and usually there are one or two broken chains hanging around his neck. Otherwise, he is usually clad only in short trousers, and carries a huge, hulking warhammer blessed by Kord.

Grumki is the originator of the oft used phrase, "The Strength of Kord requires..."

Orion the Monk Monk lvl 11 LG
Not much is known about Orion’s background either. He is a member of The Order of the Mantis, a mystical monastic organization with its main residence in the midst of the Obashi desert.

Orion has a reputation as a dragon-hunter... though most of the ones he chased in the Obashi desert away from the monastery were small ones. He has no qualms or quarrel with any good dragons... something he made clear to the party when he first met them.

As with most monks in the Order of the Mantis, Orion’s physical and spiritual conditioning allows him great speed, and even more impressively, immense leaping ability. Because of this, and his ability to still be an offensive force with no weapons required, he has become a valued member of the party.

 

[Emperor Valerian]

And now... the baddies:

ENEMIES

Countess Lucilda Caladron CE lvl ? Age 44

Mother of Lucius Caladron (and now, coincidentally, mother-in-law of Siabrey), Lucilda Caladron had, at one time, been a breath of civilization in the normally rough and tumble frontier. Her family seat, the city of Holstean, was previously a center of art, culture, and money... from the massive gold, mithril, silver, and iron mines in the mountains that surrounded the city.

Lucilda, like all Caladron's had an unfortunate flaw... the family was descended from an ill-gotten union between an unfortunate human and a demon several hundred years earlier. Thus, all family members have an affinity towards magic... of a most demonic sort. And once a powerful source of demonic power comes near them...

Lucilda a few months prior found herself in possession of an exquisite staff... one that happened to have the soul of Graz'zt himself bound inside of it, and her mind wouldn't allow her to throw away such a powerful artifact... or did she plan for a long time to grab said staff, plotting her rise to the top using demonic means?

...the demons, orcs, goblins, and beasts that are marching north are testaments to her eventual plan... crush the kingdoms of man and beast on this plane...


Empress Zoe I Paleologus, Empress of the Holy Santoric Empire – CN deceased

Zoe Paleologus was the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Dmitry Paleologus. She grew up into a strikingly beautiful teen, surrounded by wealth, power, and intrigue. Dark rumors persist that she first bloodied herself with her own father... Prince Dmitry died mysteriously in a massive fire that incinerated only his room. The next day, a court mage who was rumored to frequent the Princess’ chambers (and who had a propensity for using fire) was found hanging... a note pinned to him saying he was remorseful for killing the Crown Prince after Dmitry refused him the Princess’ hand. Some say she seduced the man into doing it... others say she did it herself using his magical items, and then pinned the crime onto him.

Nonetheless, her reputation increased as one to not be trifled with. As the years went by, she grew increasingly confident in this state, and brooked less and less dissent. Her rages grew more and more apocalyptic, and dark rumors then began that she was mad. Her appetite for men grew as well... it was rumored an endless stream of lovers entered and exited her chambers. She was proud of her ability to stun and draw in numerous men... proud enough that she neglected to marry one hapless fool.

The need to marriage reared its ugly head when her grandfather’s health took a turn for the worst. With the prospect that she might face competition from her suddenly politically active younger brother, Zoe knew she needed powerful allies... and the Countess of Holstean not only had a young, virile son, but also owned numerous gold, silver and platinum mines in the mountains. A betrothal was arranged... but the Countess’ rebellion precluded the arrangements.

She journeyed to Irulas to try and secure the deal with the young Lucius, now Count in his own right, but to her surprise and rage, he refused her deal... he was in love with a mere commoner. Never having been spurned as such before, Zoe took this as a personal affront, and began immediately plotting the downfall of the young woman, even after she saved Zoe’s life.

After the death of her grandfather, Zoe, through threats, coercion, and bribery, managed to get herself crowned Empress. She knew that the Count of Holstean, if allied with her brother, might pose a threat to her throne, and thus arranged to have the Count disgraced, while she won a great victory. She sent the young Lucius off, away from his friend’s help, with a smaller army than was needed, while she marched into the teeth of the Countess’ advance. Her hope, was that Lucius would be defeated or even killed, while she would win a decisve victory... sealing her throne as secure on the blood of her enemies. Alas, it was not to be...

Order of the Black Rose – various

A mysterious order of assassins and spies for hire. They freely do the dirty business of the nobility, if the price offered is high enough. So far, the Black Roses have killed Quin (at the behest of Rogar and the Countess in Obash), and assaulted Siabrey (at the behest of then-Empress Zoe).

The Order focuses their assassins on unarmed assaults... as one can smuggle a weapon anywhere if one’s weapon is one’s body. Additionally, they have earned their name through their signature calling card; A black rose left on the body of the victim. In recent years, many of the assassins have taken to carrying a black rose with them, magic keeping it everfresh, its thorns dipped in vile poison.

The party assassinated one of their chief assassins, Belyia, during an attack in the midst of a concert in Irulas. None know if the Black Roses are truly gone, if they’ve found other employment, or if they are biding their time for vengeance...

Rogar Mithras Rog10/Asn5 CE– deceased

Rogar is the bastard brother of Lucilda Caladron, and while he thus cannot hold a formal noble position, he gained her confidence when they were youths, and now finds himself the head of her, “less than legal or moral” operations. Among a few circles, Rogar is renowned as an assassin...

He was sent north with the party by the Countess to keep an eye on events... if necessary, he was to kill the party and steal the artifact the party was looking for. Deciding it would be more fun to chase them down, Rogar let the party live, merely paralyzing Lucius and stealing the diamond of power the party had finally won.

Thereafter, Rogar led the chase on their heels. After his initial attempts at assassination failed, Rogar then moved his operations further east, towards the Obashi desert, basing himself out of a converted Temple of Hextor located there. He planned a kidnapping of hte lover of Lord Lucius, only to have his plan go awry and the wrong person be grabbed.

A few days later, he recieved a message that he was to head towards Irulas, there to meet Lord Tor, a traitor in the Imperial midst. Alas for him, the party intercepted him and his small escort along the way....

Rosalyn Ilia Mithras – lvl ? – CE Age 40

Wife of the infamous Rogar, Ilia in some ways represents the “brawn” to Rogar’s “brains.” Deadly in combat with her preferred weapon, a battleaxe, she has fought many duels... and emerged with a scar on her face, robbing her of sight in her left eye. An eyepatch rests there, spoiling what otherwise would be a rather pretty face.

She worked alongside her husband in planning the downfall of the meddlesome party, arranging for an assassination attempt on Hidalas in Kulloden, as well as chasing down the party in their flight towards Irulas. Recently, she’s been doing various special jobs for the Countess... supervising the recovery of a magical key from the northern ends of the Valley, hunting down errant paladins and the like. Most recently, the Countess has sent her back north, for a most special mission.


Shivalas Geragis Mithras – Rog6/Asn3/Brd2 CN Age 19

Son of Rogar and Ilia, who has spent much of the past 6 years at his parent’s side, learning the tools and tricks of being a master of the darker arts of thievery, spying, and assassinations. A formidable figure in his own right, Shivalas arranged for an assassination attempt on then Crown Princess Zoe in Irulas... an assassination which he changed once it became apparent the lover of Count Lucius would be there.

Everyone knew it was Lucius’ friends that kept him from becoming evil himself... and Shivalas thought that if he could remove the closest one from the Count, he might succumb to his rage, and his demonic blood would do the rest. The plan went awry, and Shivalas found himself captured. He is still being interrogated by paladins of Hieroneous... though he is confident his mother and father will find a way to get him out.

Kardatic Doppleganger Clr4/Ftr4 LE Hextor
Palador Rakhasa Clr7 LE Hextor

The Church of Hextor had been banned in the Empire for over half a millenia. Forced underground, the section left in the Valley, headed by a rakhasa named Palador, felt their best chance of rising to the surface again was to not plead their case to the Imperials... but instead... become the Imperials.

To that end, Palador began his efforts, killing minor officials and polymorphing into them. However, through bad luck and/or fate, he was never able to manuever himself into a position of real power.

As his days waned, the ancient rakhasa realized his polymorphing powers were waning, but his mind remained strong. So he took in a young, unusual creature, named Kardatic, and began planning machinations around him.

It took 20 years, but eventually Kardatic was able to slip into the Imperial Governor’s chambers disguised as a trusted chamberlain, and assassinate him... thus assuming his form. The ruse only lasted six months, before a meddlesome group of adventures ambushed Kardatic and Palador as they met... Kardatic was captured, and later hung, while Palador was killed outright by an ancient nemesis they both recognized.

 

[Emperor Valerian]

FRIENDS

Lucius Caladron, Count of Holstean Ftr2/Sor12 CN Age 17
Lord Lucius, only three months ago, was a politically savvy but otherwise naive boy of 16, whose life revolved around learning how to be the eventual heir to his mother's realm. Now, due to her rebellion, he finds himself Count of Holstean, and second ranking noble in the entire valley next to the Empress and Crown Prince themselves.

In the interceding months, he has grown up greatly by neccessity. Life on the run has taught him survival, as well as appreciation for things around him. What initially began as a simple crush three months ago when a dashing blonde woman with a katana rescued him from goblins has now bloomed into something more.

Luke is still trying to figure out his sorcerous background, and sometimes his tendency to impetousity brings him into conflict with his wife, Siabrey.


Elenya Barachis Adept3/Wiz8 (two ECL for were-raven) CG Age 19
Elenya, four months ago, was a young woman from the city of Kulloden. She helped her father in the magic shop he owned, as well as assisting her uncle in the tavern he owned. In said tavern, four months ago, she met a dark haired young man that would change her life forever.

Now she is caught with her husband Shaun and his friends in a web of thickening plots, with the fate of the entire Empire in the balance. During the course of her adventures, she was captured by agents of Graz’zt, and tortured. Due to the horrors inflicted upon her, she emerged from the experience as a were-raven.

At present, Elenya continues to not only use the practical magic she knew before meeting the party (3 levels adept), but the wizard’s abilities she has gained since, from using a friend’s spellbook. At present, she is pregnant with triplets by Shaun.


Kelir - Siabrie Age, 3,441 CG
Siabrie of the Obashi Desert. Kelir is a noble, just soul, a protector of the sands, unlike some of the other siabrie in the area. Some 28 years ago, he met a young human noble from the east, by the name of Stodiana Sipner. They fell in love, and had many adventures together. In fact, Kelir reforged for her a katana that now bears his name (and is carried by Siabrey)

After three years adventuring, Kelir felt his heart calling him home to the deep desert. Knowing his love could not survive there, and also knowing if he told her she would stubbornly try to follow, Kelir slipped away from her during her sleep, leaving her no note as to which way he had gone. Unbeknownst to him, he had left her impregnated with a daughter...

...a daughter some 25 years later he would meet, per chance, in the Obashi desert. She would even be carrying the sword he had reforged. Struck by disbelief, a confused Kelir would quickly decide to assist his daughter and her friends in rescuing a captured member of their party, before returning to the deep desert, a new purpose in his existence... to find his lost love...


Quin Keldare – Ftr 6 Age 28 CN
Quin is the beloved brother of Tesseron Keldare, and has followed her family’s traditional work... bodyguarding. He met up with his sister in Kulloden after escorting some merchants there. He and his contingent of guards escorted the party up to Irulas, at great loss of life. Later, he followed them towards the Obashi desert, only to die at the hands of an assassin in Obash. His sister was crushed, but the Church of Hieroneous, in return for a favor from the party, managed to raise him.

Quin is the quintessential fighter/bodyguard. He has few focuses in life... culture and learning are not among them. He loves his wine, his songs, and his women... to the irritation of Tess (and at least once, to his detriment).


Xanadu Brightcold Male Very Old Silver Dragon.. Age 712
Xanadu, known variously as Xanadu the Bright, or Xanadu Brightcold, is an ancient being who has spent years living in the Valley. Due to a run in with a demon, he has spent much of the past 300 years as a cat.

Upon revealing himself to Tess, Shaun, Siabrey and friends, Xanadu has taken to becoming their protector, in many ways.

Xanadu takes the form of an enormous silver dragon, easily near 200 feet long, his silver plated scales living up to his species name. A massive frill runs from the back of his head down his back, and his massive wings are nearly as wide as his body is long once spread. Most of the time, however, Xanadu prefers to take the form of a middle aged half elf... as he finds it easier to maintain disguise, and also associate with the humans and elves he likes when he can easily walk among them.


Stodiana Sipner Aris2/Ftr9 Age 43 LN
Stodiana Sipner, head of the minor House Sipner from the eastern coasts of the Empire, is the mother of Siabrey Sipner, now Crown Princess. In her youth, she was a renowned mercenary as well...and even met and had a child by the siabrie Kelir. She raised Siabrey in a sheltered lifestyle, protecting her from ridicule, but leaving her with swordplay as her only solace.

Now that the Empire is threatened, and a general callup of troops has been issued, Stodiana has once again strapped on her crimson armor, and has led House Sipner’s small contingent of troops into the Valley. In the first battles with the Countess’ forces, she was injured by a demon in the shoulder, and is currently recovering.


Pellaron Bylthankis Pal9/Clr3 LG Hieroneous Age 188
Unusual for a paladin of the predominantly human religion of Hieroneous, Pellaron is a full blooded elf. His family were killed in an orc raid, and as he was being taken to be sold off into slavery, paladins of Hieroneous freed him. HE was raised as a ward of the church, and has now taken their banner as his own.

He is the subject of a rather popular ditty (the tune is quite catchy) written by a bard in his previous party, some 40 years ago, that wrote about Pellaron slaying a dragon. Of course, the facts were greatly embellished (according to the tune, Pellaron slew a great wyrm with almost his bare hands... in fact it was a juvenile white which he slew with an impromptu use of siege equipment). The tune still embarasses him to this day.

Pellaron has what can best be termed as a “crush,” on Tess... one that she doesn’t reciprocate. As an honorable paladin, he doesn’t push the issue, and deals with it in silence. He does grow annoyed, however, whenever Siabrey brings up the issue again and again...


Hidalas Marengo Cleric 10 Tarantor LN Age 40
Hidalas Marengo three months ago was a war cleric of the Church of Tarantor (LN God of Justice and Law), chief tutor to His Highness Lord Lucius. Taken with the party when Lucius went north, Hidalas initially quarreled with Siabrey and Tess over Luke’s training, but quickly became a valued friend and ally.

After the assault on Mephys, Hidalas became concerned about the mental stability of his charge, fearing demons might be taking over his mind, and that the staff that the Countess had so recently recieved might be giving her abyssal powers. He went to Kulloden to find out for sure, and barely survived an assasination attempt by one of his former mistress’ minions.

Hidalas served in the fight against raiders who tried to sneak into Kulloden, and at present is in the city of Irulas, offering his services to the Imperial armies there.



Aeron Wiz 15 N Age 39
A proud and vain mage, Aeron is among the youngest of the High Court Mages, and is in position to take over as the Chief Court Mage. To his disdain, he was assigned to babysit a minor Countess and her companions on a ride north, while many of the other mages either were assigned researching positions to find out more about a potentially vile artifact, or found service as battle mages in the Imperial army.

Feeling left out, Aeron was exceedingly grumpy to the Countess... and found her to be equally grumpy (her sword ended up at his throat). Now, he’s found out that this same Countess is now the Crown Princess of the entire Empire... and he’s been forced to change his tack.


Harrapias Paladin 11 LG Hieroneous Age 46
The High Priest of the Church of Hieroneous in Kulloden, Harrapias is a trusted friend of Hidalas, and helped the cleric discover the true nature of the black staff the Countess now possesses. It was he who affixed his name and reputation to the party’s first warnings about the danger... the warnings that mobilized the Imperial armies into marching. He also is now in Irulas, awaiting assignement with the Imperial armies.


Geoffrey War10 CN Age ?
Geoffrey, a halfling from Kulloden, was formerly an assistant to Ilia... functioning as a messenger and runner. HE had little idea what her plots were about... he mostly cared that he was recieving a steady 25 gp/year from her, which helped him afford his passion; drinking.

Whether it be wine, ale, or even measely beer, Geoffrey loves to drink. The only thing he loves more is getting back at people who cheat him (which Ilia did). After a short stint with Shaun adventuring, no one knows for sure where he ended up. He was good with a dagger, but only when he was sober... and angry he didn’t have alcohol...


Alexander V Paleologus, Emperor of the Holy Santoric Empire – Aris6/Ftr6/Cavalier4/Bondsbalde4 CG Age 38 – deceased (or is he?)
Alexander was the second child and eldest son of Crown Prince Dmitry Paleologus, son of the Emperor Alexius II. Alexander’s father died tragically when he was but a teen, under mysterious circumstances. As his sister Zoe was ahead of him in succession, Alexander focused exclusively on training for military service, rising to become one of the most brilliant commanders in the Imperial officer corps. One of his closest friends was Count Aldemar of Holstean, who unfortunately died young, leaving behind his wife and a baby boy as Alexander’s godson (Lucius)

As his grandfather’s health faded, Alexander was forced to become more aware of politics. He married out of love, however, a union that has yet to bear any children at all... yet his independent spirit remains, as he refuses to take a concubine.

At the death of Alexius, Alexander became the Crown Prince on the ascension of his sister. Immediately they quarreled... over army dispositions, of her treatement of his godson, and other matters. The quarrels continued onto the battlefield, and possibly contributed to the massive Imperial defeat by the Countess’ forces outside of Kulloden (The Empress insisted on leading a charge before Alexander’s reinforcements could arrive... she paid with her life, and almost half of that Imperial army was wiped out).

Alexander has consolidated the Imperial lines, but it remains to be seen whether the damaged Imperial forces can hold the Countess off...


Dingalas Soreham - deceased
One of the first friends of the party, Dingalas was a kindly old cleric who had retired from the service of Tarantor. He donned his armor again to help fight the oncoming demon armies, only to lose his life fighting the hordes of demonic orcs and goblins sent northward by the Countess of Holstean.

 

[K_S_Snyder]

Okay. I don't want to seem critical, but I have a comment and a question. You know, that's an awful lot of NPC's... One might think that the GM is actually the biggest player in the game and is really trying to get a story told.

From the way that the story is written so far, it seems to be that Lucius is the main character. Wouldn't it be more typical that the main character in such an adventure be a PC as opposed to an NPC?

 

[Emperor Valerian]

As for the number of NPCs:

1) These are all of the major ones the party has met in their journey from being 3rd level folks looking for money to becoming 14th level nobility. Some, like Dingalas, are included because while they appeared rarely (he was only in two sessions) they made a major impression on the players. Some, like Luke, are plot devices (originally he and later Elenya were just supposed to provide magical backup... once the PCs started jumping into relationships with them, the players started wanting them to stay, and the DM saw chances for plot points). There's also quite a few that don't actually adventure with the party... they were given levels mainly in case the party decided to do something completely unexpected (lets go attack the Emperor and steal the crown! Oh wait, he's 20th level), or I decide spontaneously to be a bastard (Siabrey, while you're talking to Stodiana, a vampire attacks! Roll initiative...), which tends to happen quite a bit. Which leads me to reason two...

2) Most of the time my sessions aren't planned far in advance... so I tend to stat out my NPCs in case I decide on last minute changes. Having many NPCs floating around in the world also gives me a variety to pick and choose from as to who will actually appear in that session. Most sessions there tends to be very few: Luke and Elenya, and usually one or two more the party actively interacts with, but who usually don't go "adventuring" with them. The list appears so long because its a list of people they've run into (as well as fought beside) over the course of 16 sessions (perhaps 80-90 hours of game time).

3) Another reason there's so many is because I try to bring in PC's backgrounds into the game... if the player takes up the time to write up a background,its my opinion I should include it somehow. Siabrey and Tess both have pretty extensive backgrounds, which is where another chunk of the NPCs come from (Kelir, Quin, Stodiana).


As to Luke seeming the main character, its not my intention. He appears quite alot because of his close relationship with Siabrey (who I could see being argued as vying for being a main character), and as such, is quite convenient to give the party ideas on where to go. For example, after Siabrey's player turned in her background, I wanted to get a chance to introduce her father (mainly for the dramatic moment of daughter meeting the father she never knew). Siabrie, however, are not native to massive metropolises, but to deserts. How can I lure them out of the nice, big metropolis of Irulas and its safety, into a hot, dusty, uncomfortable place? By putting a nice little artifact out there for them to find, and using the NPC her PC is attracted to as the bait. That also led to the Hextor fun session, as well as the freeing of dragons... I thought it was worth it, and I'm pretty sure my players would agree.

Another reason it might seem as such is simply because the players themselves are good roleplayers... with each other and the NPCs. Luke wouldn't be anything like he appears written without Siabrey's constant attentiveness over him. Elenya would be little more than a wizard that shoots lightning and says nothing if it weren't for Shaun fretting over her (and now the baby). Quin would be little more than a random swordmen the party met if it wasn't for Tess' caring (and mocking) of him. The players are the ones that breath alot of life into these NPCs.

And as this campaign was intended as just a fun "wouldn't it be cool if," kinda affair (it really is a goof off campaign for me and the players... most of us play in a more serious campaign on the side that Isida runs) the lines are kinda blurred. The players think its fun (I've asked them repeatedly if they think they're being railroaded, and if they're having fun... so far the unanimous response has been, "Keep it up!" ) In a regular campaign I probably wouldn't have an NPC become a were-raven, or given an NPC such a powerful sword (Ik Mataar was another one of the "wouldn't be cool," things, and none of the players wanted it for their characters), but in this campaign, the response from the players has been "thats really cool!" and has added excitement and fun to the game.

But, then again, in a "real campaign," it would take longer than 3 months in game to go from 3rd to 14th level.

I guess the thing that sums it all up is that the players are having fun. If they had fun running around by themselves, I'd do it. If they had fun running around with a million (well... maybe not a million... maybe two or three times more) NPCs, I'd do it. Chances are, if they're having fun, I'm having fun at the same time.

 

[Lela]

*Collapses*

 

[K_S_Snyder]

Some, like Luke, are plot devices (originally he and later Elenya were just supposed to provide magical backup... once the PCs started jumping into relationships with them, the players started wanting them to stay, and the DM saw chances for plot points).

Ah, I see. That makes perfect sense.

Luke wouldn't be anything like he appears written... Elenya would be little more than a wizard... and Quin would be little more than a random swordmen... The players are the ones that breath alot of life into these NPCs.

Okay. Silly near-sighted of me before. I understand perfectly. The NPC's have assumed more life than you could have given them yourself because of the life given them by your players. Truly a testament to their roleplaying.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Gets some oxygen for Lela.*

 

[Lela]

*Gets some oxygen for Lela.*

Tess is my new favorite character.