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ShortQuests -- individual adventure modules! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed to plug in to your game.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ry" data-source="post: 1879046" data-attributes="member: 8314">Note: Skip to the bottom for my questions, or read below for my campaign's central plotline.  I'm basically looking for advice on how to present this conspiracy, so it feels like the players are really using their brains, rather than just D&D with thematically-connected things to kill.Here's the underlying elements of my conspiracy:In one corner, we have the Toolmasters, an undead-and-construct-creating cult that have daytime lives ranging from craftsmen and smiths to important noblemen.  They worship Beyogo, a yugoloth pit fiend, and seek to make their leader, called the Lich King, into a demigod.  The Toolmasters' achilles heel is that there are several members that want power for themselves, and others who aren't willing to stick their necks out unless it's really, really important.In the other corner, we have the followers of Zolanderos, black dragon that ruled the island in ancient times (now indisposed, see below).  They have more magical/monstrous resources (flock of evil vultures/spies, tribe of hobgoblins, group of changeling spies, and Zolanderos' old hoard of magic items), but fewer human resources (really just a small group of bards, good thieves guild connections, and the ownership of a few businesses).  They have the benefits of a rich, solid hierarchy, however; their leadership is undisputed, they all believe in the cause, and they have a better ability to put manpower onto a scene on short notice (due to Zolanderos' hoard).Now the battleground:  Twelve hidden citadels, built over major magical sources.  In ancient times, refugees from a conquered elven kingdom swore fealty to Zolanderos, and built the citadels.  Zolanderos believed that these would eventually grant him even more magical might, but they were actually designed to turn the elves' hidden prince into a demigod.  Zolanderos was fooled, and shattered into thousands of pieces (black pearls that are now scattered over the island).  Each citadel has its own quirks, but basically the same function; they channel magical energy into the central hub, called the Chamber.The Prize:  The Chamber is the prize; the spirit of Zolanderos is trapped there, halfway between life and death.  Control and understand the mechanics of the Chamber, and align all 12 citadels, and you can do one of the following:  1.  Revive Zolanderos (this also requires a substantial portion of the black pearls).  This is really the reversal of the original process.  2.  Create a Demigod (this means finishing the process that started before).  The Toolmasters want to put the Lich King in here, and do that.QUESTIONS BEGIN HERE:How do I play this to my PCs, so that it actually feels like a mystery?  It's important that my players really feel smart at figuring out what's going on, and I don't know how to put that together - how to make sure the information is doled out in small enough portions that they can put it together themselves.(BTW, thanks for everyone that's responded to my earlier posts about puzzles and the Vault of Larin Karr - this is how far I've come since then).</blockquote>

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