Hey ENWorld,
So while toying with some ideas for an Eberron game, I though of playing Pathfinder's Kingmaker in Eberron. The idea isn't new, I know that, but from what I've read so far most people tried it with Q'barra as where the action takes place. Now I would instead go to Xen'drik. Why? First, its outside the power stuggle in Khorvaire. I have a hard time believing that existing powers sit still and wait while yet another new nation is declared among them. Fragile cold-war balance or not, someone will try to prevent this. Second, Xen'drik holds a lot of secrets and maybe answers to core mysteries/questions of the setting, like the warforged origins or the Quori invasion. Having possible access to answers or ancient powers would give a new Xen'drik nation considerable power and maybe even let them take part in Khorvaires game of thrones without being as vulnerable as other core nations due to simply being on a remote continent.
Other reasons I came up with:
- Stormreach makes a good frontier city where you can get supplies from in the beginning, and it'll make an interesting competitor in later gameplay. With it being the only reasonable settlement characters will have access to, it also provides wilderness feeling. Its not one possible source, its the only source.
- Siberys Dragonshards could provide some sort of income right from the beginning and can lead to all sorts of future contacts/encounters/power building.
- Giant ruins. The Secrets of Xen'drik supplement literally says they can be found everywhere, so there is plenty of locations characters can explore, loot or maybe even transform into functional buildings again.
- Dragonmarked Houses. If the players are successful in establishing a settlement, I imagine almost all dragonmarkes houses to knock on their door for some contracts because no matter what this new nation looks like, from the houses' perspective it will be much more attractive than dealing with those pirate lords in Stormreach.
My concern now is that Xen'drik, as written, is a place too challenging for beginning characters. Of course I can change all encounters into somewhat appropriate CRs, but then question will be why nobody else settled down here long time ago. Also, I would like to use as much materials as possible as-written. The traveler's curse, giant tribes, drows (expecially the Sulatar) and all the wonders of Xen'drik are cool but I am unsure if they can fill the sandbox of Kingmaker without a ridiculous bodycount on the party.
Has anyone done this idea before? Am I overthinking this? I would love to hear your opinions.
So while toying with some ideas for an Eberron game, I though of playing Pathfinder's Kingmaker in Eberron. The idea isn't new, I know that, but from what I've read so far most people tried it with Q'barra as where the action takes place. Now I would instead go to Xen'drik. Why? First, its outside the power stuggle in Khorvaire. I have a hard time believing that existing powers sit still and wait while yet another new nation is declared among them. Fragile cold-war balance or not, someone will try to prevent this. Second, Xen'drik holds a lot of secrets and maybe answers to core mysteries/questions of the setting, like the warforged origins or the Quori invasion. Having possible access to answers or ancient powers would give a new Xen'drik nation considerable power and maybe even let them take part in Khorvaires game of thrones without being as vulnerable as other core nations due to simply being on a remote continent.
Other reasons I came up with:
- Stormreach makes a good frontier city where you can get supplies from in the beginning, and it'll make an interesting competitor in later gameplay. With it being the only reasonable settlement characters will have access to, it also provides wilderness feeling. Its not one possible source, its the only source.
- Siberys Dragonshards could provide some sort of income right from the beginning and can lead to all sorts of future contacts/encounters/power building.
- Giant ruins. The Secrets of Xen'drik supplement literally says they can be found everywhere, so there is plenty of locations characters can explore, loot or maybe even transform into functional buildings again.
- Dragonmarked Houses. If the players are successful in establishing a settlement, I imagine almost all dragonmarkes houses to knock on their door for some contracts because no matter what this new nation looks like, from the houses' perspective it will be much more attractive than dealing with those pirate lords in Stormreach.
My concern now is that Xen'drik, as written, is a place too challenging for beginning characters. Of course I can change all encounters into somewhat appropriate CRs, but then question will be why nobody else settled down here long time ago. Also, I would like to use as much materials as possible as-written. The traveler's curse, giant tribes, drows (expecially the Sulatar) and all the wonders of Xen'drik are cool but I am unsure if they can fill the sandbox of Kingmaker without a ridiculous bodycount on the party.
Has anyone done this idea before? Am I overthinking this? I would love to hear your opinions.
