Next BigBadEvilGuy Plot Getting things rolling question - My players stay out!

[Celtavian]

re

It might be cool if Bothriechis had an Ogre Mage master spy or a group of Ogre Mage spies. They could take the shape of a variety of different figures in the life of the characters like fellow Inn patrons, serving wenches, travelers on the road, farmers, caravan guards and the like.

If you are able, it would be real cool if the Ogre Mage spy becomes a good friend of one of the PC's. That would really hit them hard when they eventually find out.

I used an Ogre Mage spy to great effect to keep tabs on the party. I even had the Ogre Mage become the lover of the bard. You should have seen the look on the player's face when they found out...hehe. It was priceless.

It even works well given the background of your campaign world. Bothriechis uses Ogre Magi or other shapeshifters to spy on human settlements. It sounds like they kill humanoids on-site in human cities in your campaign world, so what better type of creature to be part of a spy network than an Ogre Mage and possibly other shapeshifters.

It is best to use a ruse such as this while the characters are low level. Then they don't have access to powerful divination magic like True Seeing. By the time they get it, they probably won't even think to use it on a trusted friend aka the Ogre Mage Master spy.

P.S. If you decide to use this idea, don't let the cat out of the bag too soon. Really let this guy become a figure in the campaign. The Ogre Mage who became the bard's lover was a constant figure in the campaign for months and many character levels. That is what made it such a surprise when they found out who and what he really was.

 

[BSF]

Now that is just cruel!

I like it.

 

[pogre]

OK, the campaign is cooking and as the pcs are around 3rd level I thought I might introduce one of the Ogre Magi spies. They are currently on an investigation in the City of Zandyrium.

The question I need a little help with is: Why are the PCs being spied upon? Especially in light of their current low level.

I have a partial answer built into my campaign background. Folks who gain PCs levels are a bit rarer than the normal D&D campaign. They are chosen for a special life - fated if you will. It is a concept I have stolen from my previous favorite RPG Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.

Thanks in advance for any ideas. Believe me, I am using this thread!

 

[Allanon]

I'd let them disrupt or hinder a minor plot of either Bothriechis or the lizardman shaman. Nothing spectacular just something which would attract either ones attention or the attention of a powerfull underling like the Ogre-mage spy.

Or you could have the Ogre-Mage try an assasination of reasonably important NPC which is foiled/hindered/or just watched by the PC's. The Ogre-Mage could flee but keep an interest in the PC's, maybe because competent people are rare (in light of you're campaign background) and he sees them potentialy as handy carriers or messengers maybe even unwitting accomplices. Just my $0,02

 

[Wippit Guud]

Well, if PC levels are rare, go the other route, rather than thinking the PCs are a threat, maybe he's looking to see if he can manipulate them to join him somehow, either of their own free will or through subterfuge. Give the PCs tests to find their abilities, while at the same time look for character flaws he can exploit. Works out perfect if, when they find out who he really is, 1 or 2 of the players have to really consider going against him.

 

[pogre]

Thanks folks. That's enough to get me going. I like the minor plot idea - the pcs are involved in breaking up a slave ring, even though they have not figured that out yet. I just need to tie the lizard man or Ogre Magi to the plot in a minor way.

I would have gotten away with it too - except for these darn kids!

 

[NarlethDrider]

btw,pogre, do u want thopse sketches I posted about?

 

[pogre]

btw,pogre, do u want thopse sketches I posted about?

I would love to see them!