Orc Horde Invasion: help/advice needed!

[Beretta]

One big problem with the invasion approach is, that you have to keep the uber NPCs (like Alustriel) at a very low profile. Seriously, if the orcs become a threat for the Silver Marches, the big lady could just snip her fingers and let the king fall over dead. There's not much hindering her to do so, right?

I anticipated that this might pose a problem, and found this article useful into giving a reason why it wouldn't be:

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/fx20030115rt

It appears that the League is somewhat fractious, and by attacking towns/villages that aren't a part of it, the various groups that make it up will be more concerned with keeping their forces at home to defend their holdings, rather than form up a massive army to go and crush the invasion.

Alsutriel's responsibilities go far beyond destroying the invading horde herself - and so enter the PC's.

Anyways I would definitely try to get some differing sidestories into the campaign, because fighting orcs all day long will get repetitive pretty fast. The Silver Marches have many perils waiting for travelers and the PCs might as well encounter some of them during their journey, which have no direct connection with the orc invasion.

P.S. I believe there was a novel which had the orc invasion in the Silver Marches as theme, but I don't recall which it was. Maybe someone else can.

Absolutely! It would indeed get stale. I'd like the confrontations with the orcs to be spread out a bit over levels 1 - 9. In between that I hope that they might choose to explore the ruins of Hellgate Keep, or the Dungeon of Death, help the people of Deadsnows, perhaps rescue a noble trade delegate to the Black Lion Tribe etc etc.

I was just wanting the pending invasion to be a backdrop, one that looms ever nearer with the PCs encounters with more brazen Orc attacks in the region (makes for okay foreshadowing).

The Hunter's Blade Trilogy - thanks everyone who pointed that out! I'm not a fan of Salvatore's writing, but it might prove worthwhile to read those books to mine for ideas.

The problem with Obould's "horde" is that according to the books it's only like a few thousand guys. The Silver Marches is more than capable of mustering a trained, experienced army to match this, and with magical backup the fight would turn into a route. This is in addition to the problems presented by Taern and Alustriel.

Maybe Obould could suddenly gain in power, either from increased levels or a powerful artifact (I'd recommend the Black Grail from BoEM2).

From here:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/fr/manyarrows

"Obould has also successfully bargained with monsters of all sorts, including the winged perytons along his eastern border, and the frost giants beholden to the giantess runecaster Gerti Orelsdottr, among others. Such is the fear that Obould strikes in hearts throughout the North that even the nihilistic Monks of the Long Death seek to assist him."

The size of the 'horde' does pose a problem, but with allies like these it could be come a serious threat (add in packs of Worgs for the Orcs and their Giant allies pet Winter Wolves). With the perytons, I was thinking of perhaps having orcs ride them as an airborne cavalry unit, but it might be a bit goofy as opposed to threatening - I don't know. Thoughts?

An powerful, evil artifact that the PC's will also have to destroy does have some sinister appeal for sure, and adds an extra element/complication to the mix!

Weres from Moonwood have allied with the orcs and are infecting the defenders with lycanthropy. Maybe a dragon or two has joined Obould's cause with a promise of plunder and elf-flesh. Or the shamans summon demons and undead to fight.

Sounds good! One of the non-chromatic dragons might make an interesting change. The demons/undead could tie into the artifact idea as well, or perhaps they're escapees from the destruction of Hellgate Keep who have chosen to ally themselves with Obould. I've been wanting to use a tanar'ruk or two - nice!

Keep in mind that part of Obould's strategy is waiting for the massive Orc horde (100,000 or so) to burst forth from the Spine of the World and lay waste to everything in its path. Obould's army of Dark Arrow Orcs will come in afterwards, after the Silver Marches forces are weakened. At least, that is his plan.

Also, I don't think that the fight would go out of the Orcs, should Obould be slain. His 8(?) sons will surely see this as an opportunity to increase their own power, so if anything the Orcs may war upon each other

While using the massive orc horde would be an even better way to go about it, the logistics would be a nightmare. My head would explode with all the planning I'd have to do! It's easier for me to use the smaller force.

My idea about the horde fleeing with Obould's death was a weak - it would be better to say that the disparate units/tribes under the command of his sons begin to turn on each other in a bid to control his legacy. That would do the job of eliminating the threat (for a time!) while ending that story arc on a satisfactory note. Orcs aren;t going to cut it as a major nemesis from levels 10+. Of course I have to think of another arc to go from levels 10 - 20 but that's something else entirely...

Thanks again everyone for the great ideas, and if you (or anybody else) have any more please post them here and let me know!

 

[Vanye]

I, too, am starting a Silver Marches campaign.

Keep in mind that part of Obould's strategy is waiting for the massive Orc horde (100,000 or so) to burst forth from the Spine of the World and lay waste to everything in its path. Obould's army of Dark Arrow Orcs will come in afterwards, after the Silver Marches forces are weakened. At least, that is his plan.

This is what my campaign is currently doing. Obould is actually courting Khannyr Vhok to add to his forces, but in the meantime has managed to prod the orcs in the mountains to come out. Of course, no one (yet) realizes it's not Obould. In about two tendays they'll figure it out, but not yet....

Also, I don't think that the fight would go out of the Orcs, should Obould be slain. His 8(?) sons will surely see this as an opportunity to increase their own power, so if anything the Orcs may war upon each other.

IMC, one of Obould's sons is the reason WHY the orcs have come out.

 

[Vanye]

An powerful, evil artifact that the PC's will also have to destroy does have some sinister appeal for sure, and adds an extra element/complication to the mix!

IMC, one of the things that the bad guys are looking for is the Gatekeeper's Crystal, the artifact responsible for destroying the wards around Hellgate keep...and the keep itself. See, Silverymoon is so nicely warded....

Sounds good! One of the non-chromatic dragons might make an interesting change. The demons/undead could tie into the artifact idea as well, or perhaps they're escapees from the destruction of Hellgate Keep who have chosen to ally themselves with Obould. I've been wanting to use a tanar'ruk or two - nice!

Or Khannyr Vhok's Scoured Legion, mostly made up of tanarruk soldiers? That works good....heh.

 

[drWlad]

I am using red hand of doom advanture as template for invasion of obould on silver marches, my crew are dukes in the evermoors(after solving giant problem in moors) and now struggling for the north against orcs and their allies.

Part 2 of advanture is going, and had a good time implementing module in Silver marches