Sailors on the River of Worlds- Update
- Thread starter Psion
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Psion
Adventurer
Tokiwong said:I wish I would have seen this sooner, this looks like a very cool concept... ack Dawnforge calls... but this sound slike such a good idea... must not break and grab new idea.. must focus.... ahhhhk
Hey, no reason you can't just use Dawnforge as a stop along the river or worlds.
Psion
Adventurer
Small update:
My campaign is SLOWLY meandering towards this plot, but so far it's looking like one of my more typical slavery-and-intrigue type games. I'm sort of looking for some ideas to connect the dots.
The set up so far: I had considered making the yuan-ti mentioned above the central villains that I hope they would chase back to their source. The last few adventures, the players rescued one of their NPC companions from a secluded manor on a remote island, and found out while they were rescuing that the Baron who owns the castle is slave-trading with the yuan-ti in exchange for the services of the yuan-ti (who make pretty nifty assassins and scouts, and would nicely supplement the house troops. The island has a social structure not unlike dark ages italy, medieval Japan, or dune; each of the houses sports a company of soldiers, and inter-house grudges often escalate into warfare.)
The players return to the main city and seek asylum with one of the Baron's rival houses. They send the PCs to a castle owned by an allied house in the south. That part of the adventure I don't have planned out yet.
I am thinking the best way to get them involved in the river of worlds is to have them either imprisoned on, stowed away on, or casing one of the yuan-ti slave trading ships. But right now I am moving them away from the port city. I figure that the yuan ti are operating out of an uncontested island to the south. The island has not been taken over by any of the major houses because it is occupied by a tribe of jungle giants, and dealing with them would cost more resources than any house can spare; the other houses would doublessly use the weakness in the troop strength of a house that occupies the island as an opportunity to attack.
Once they follow or are onboard the yuan-ti slaveship on its way out of the world, and they enter the river of worlds, they are attacked by "chaos reavers". This leaves them stranded, without a means to get back. (The yuan ti had whatever gate key or technique was needed to get back to their world gate. If it was an object, the reavers took it. If it is a technique, the yuan ti who knew it is dead.) So, they are left possibly with a disabled ship with a motley crew assembled from remnants of their own crew and whatever slaves the chaos reavers left behind.
So now, the question is connecting point A to point B. They are headed to a noble house and I want them to end up chasing snakemen across the sea. And some activities for them at the noble household wouldn't hurt either. (I am thinking of highlighting the island's code duello here as well, so an excuse to get into a duel would also be nice.) Perhaps one of their hosts has a beloved or a relative that was abducted, and upon hearing about the party's tales, ask them to search for the yuan ti base, perhaps sponsoring them with a ship?
There are more details I have already brewed up that I am not going into here, but I just thought if anybody out there has their creative wheels spun by any of this stuff they could throw a few extra ideas my way.
My campaign is SLOWLY meandering towards this plot, but so far it's looking like one of my more typical slavery-and-intrigue type games. I'm sort of looking for some ideas to connect the dots.
The set up so far: I had considered making the yuan-ti mentioned above the central villains that I hope they would chase back to their source. The last few adventures, the players rescued one of their NPC companions from a secluded manor on a remote island, and found out while they were rescuing that the Baron who owns the castle is slave-trading with the yuan-ti in exchange for the services of the yuan-ti (who make pretty nifty assassins and scouts, and would nicely supplement the house troops. The island has a social structure not unlike dark ages italy, medieval Japan, or dune; each of the houses sports a company of soldiers, and inter-house grudges often escalate into warfare.)
The players return to the main city and seek asylum with one of the Baron's rival houses. They send the PCs to a castle owned by an allied house in the south. That part of the adventure I don't have planned out yet.
I am thinking the best way to get them involved in the river of worlds is to have them either imprisoned on, stowed away on, or casing one of the yuan-ti slave trading ships. But right now I am moving them away from the port city. I figure that the yuan ti are operating out of an uncontested island to the south. The island has not been taken over by any of the major houses because it is occupied by a tribe of jungle giants, and dealing with them would cost more resources than any house can spare; the other houses would doublessly use the weakness in the troop strength of a house that occupies the island as an opportunity to attack.
Once they follow or are onboard the yuan-ti slaveship on its way out of the world, and they enter the river of worlds, they are attacked by "chaos reavers". This leaves them stranded, without a means to get back. (The yuan ti had whatever gate key or technique was needed to get back to their world gate. If it was an object, the reavers took it. If it is a technique, the yuan ti who knew it is dead.) So, they are left possibly with a disabled ship with a motley crew assembled from remnants of their own crew and whatever slaves the chaos reavers left behind.
So now, the question is connecting point A to point B. They are headed to a noble house and I want them to end up chasing snakemen across the sea. And some activities for them at the noble household wouldn't hurt either. (I am thinking of highlighting the island's code duello here as well, so an excuse to get into a duel would also be nice.) Perhaps one of their hosts has a beloved or a relative that was abducted, and upon hearing about the party's tales, ask them to search for the yuan ti base, perhaps sponsoring them with a ship?
There are more details I have already brewed up that I am not going into here, but I just thought if anybody out there has their creative wheels spun by any of this stuff they could throw a few extra ideas my way.
Dr. Strangemonkey
First Post
One important element of continuity to remember is the ship itself.
The most recent source to mine ideas for that off of is Voyager. You know how the ship evolves as they are forced to make repairs off of foreign parts, discover new stresses, and trade for new tech?
A process that is assisted by having cool NPCs who are bound to the ship where the PCs are more free roaming.
That sort of thing works wonders in a plot line like this. You as a player get to see your base change with your adventures and occasionally get to go on adventures to change it, people will recognize your ship or parts of your ship, and overtime it becomes another character in the adventures, a reflection of you and your journeys and a treasure you must both use and protect.
On another note: If this truly is a river that spans worlds, I don't see why it shouldn't have a whole pantheon of deities with their own concerns and conflicts within the river. Gives you a chance for some Deus ex river action on both the malevolent and benevolent side.
The most recent source to mine ideas for that off of is Voyager. You know how the ship evolves as they are forced to make repairs off of foreign parts, discover new stresses, and trade for new tech?
A process that is assisted by having cool NPCs who are bound to the ship where the PCs are more free roaming.
That sort of thing works wonders in a plot line like this. You as a player get to see your base change with your adventures and occasionally get to go on adventures to change it, people will recognize your ship or parts of your ship, and overtime it becomes another character in the adventures, a reflection of you and your journeys and a treasure you must both use and protect.
On another note: If this truly is a river that spans worlds, I don't see why it shouldn't have a whole pantheon of deities with their own concerns and conflicts within the river. Gives you a chance for some Deus ex river action on both the malevolent and benevolent side.
Hob Marshmallowfoot
Explorer
Sounds like everything is going well, glad to hear this idea got off the ground for you. Two quick ideas:
First, have some kind of interim introduction to the river of worlds concept before the pcs get sucked in entirely. Have some river of worlds pirates (githyanki maybe) raid the allied manor to the south where the Pcs are staying, or maybe even the yaun-ti themselves, utilizing the river of worlds to travel away quickly or something along those lines.
Second, make the ship the Yaun-ti are on into the object that allows travel between worlds; perhaps it can create a gateway which stays open long enough for a few ships to sail through. The Pcs could be chasing the Yaun Ti ship and then get pulled through the gateway just as they are beginning to close with the slave-ship. After the chaos reaver things attack, they could simply steal the ship, leaving the Pcs with their current vessel stranded. Then the adventure/ search for the ship and/or important slave Npcs can ensue.
Also, what arcana unearthed variants did you decide to use for this particular campaign concept?
Also, what arcana unearthed varients did you decide to use for this particular campaign concept?
First, have some kind of interim introduction to the river of worlds concept before the pcs get sucked in entirely. Have some river of worlds pirates (githyanki maybe) raid the allied manor to the south where the Pcs are staying, or maybe even the yaun-ti themselves, utilizing the river of worlds to travel away quickly or something along those lines.
Second, make the ship the Yaun-ti are on into the object that allows travel between worlds; perhaps it can create a gateway which stays open long enough for a few ships to sail through. The Pcs could be chasing the Yaun Ti ship and then get pulled through the gateway just as they are beginning to close with the slave-ship. After the chaos reaver things attack, they could simply steal the ship, leaving the Pcs with their current vessel stranded. Then the adventure/ search for the ship and/or important slave Npcs can ensue.
Also, what arcana unearthed variants did you decide to use for this particular campaign concept?
Also, what arcana unearthed varients did you decide to use for this particular campaign concept?
Psion
Adventurer
Hey all, thanks for the ideas. Quick note:
That's a possibility, but I had intended the slaves aboard the yuan-ti ship to be a source of unusual NPCs.
Right now I am using Level Adjustment reduction and Action Points. Action points because starting out as a seafaring campaign, I pictured a bit of swashbuckling. I was going to use the swashbuckling cards posted elsewhere, but never got a chance to print them out; action points is a simpler solution (if not as fun...)
Later, when players visit exotic world, racial variations could come into play.
Hob Marshmallowfoot said:
That's a possibility, but I had intended the slaves aboard the yuan-ti ship to be a source of unusual NPCs.
Right now I am using Level Adjustment reduction and Action Points. Action points because starting out as a seafaring campaign, I pictured a bit of swashbuckling. I was going to use the swashbuckling cards posted elsewhere, but never got a chance to print them out; action points is a simpler solution (if not as fun...)
Later, when players visit exotic world, racial variations could come into play.
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Psion
Adventurer
Time for a little bump. The campaign is underway, and the players are a few sessions away from the River itself. In addition to the excellent Portals and Planes, I am using Beyond Countless Doorways, Complete Book of Eldritch Might, Classic Play: Book of the Planes, and Chaositech for various aspects of the game, such as stops, diversions, and villains (particularly the games major villain, the unstoppable forces of chaos).
I plan to let the players spend a few sessions not understanding where they are or what is up, but eventually they will learn about planar civilization on the River of Worlds. To this end, I started conceiving two cities. One is the illustrious Jeweled City (real name pending). The other is the aptly named Dragonwatch Harbor. Suggestions and futhers ideas welcome.
Note on some entities hereafter:
These are just starting ideas so again, input is welcomed:
The Jeweled City
Planar metropolis. Home of the Jeweled Magi. Visitors are all quizzed about whether they are spellcasters. Those who admit to such abilities are allowed in and noted. But those who are not spellcasters and lie about or otherwise attempt to hide it are subject to arrest. There is an inner sanctum area in which those noted as spellcasters are subject to greater scrutiny and not permitted without invitation.
The city is ruled by Jeweled Magi. Commoners who are particularly strong or handsome make it a habit to make themselves plain, and wear unflattering clothing, cowls, etc. Beautiful creatures walking about might be assumed to be a clueless visitor of a jeweled mage or gem guardian. Golems are occasionally spotted walking about the streets.
Unsurprisingly, the Jeweled city is a place where the gem trade is particularly active. This has attracted other wizards and psions to the city, particularly crystal masters.
Dragonwatch Harbor
Minor planar trade port. Primarily dominated by the Combine, though they have mostly moved to headquarters on ships, as have wealthier members of society. The mainland city is primarily for poorer folks.
The city was once protected by the dragonmagi. The reputation of dragonmagi as marauders somewhat dampened the popularity of the city as a trade stop, an action the Combine quickly acted to counter. Many of the dragonmagi who once ruled the city departed, and others were dragged down or destroyed by agents of the Combine.
Ever since the power of the dragonmagi started dwindling, the locals have considered the city’s days numbered, as the protection of the city is uncertain at best. But few who were profiting from it wanted to abandon it altogether. This created the push for wealthy merchants to base all of their business out of their ships. The harbor has become extremely crowded, however, it is likely that if a great raid did come, that many of the ships could vacate the harbor fast enough to escape.
Mercenaries from the Faceless legion defend the city, paid primarily from cannibalized troves of downcast dragonmagi. While these plundered troves are dwindling, the legions remain steadfast, hoping to prove themselves against the gathering hordes of chaos.
The few remaining dragonmagi are the last remaining bastion of wealth on the shore. While they were formerly very secretive, they have taken to selling their knowledge to whatever students they could to keep a tenuous grip on their wealth in the city – and to fatten their precious hordes. Though their political and economic power is slipping, few doubt their magical power.
I plan to let the players spend a few sessions not understanding where they are or what is up, but eventually they will learn about planar civilization on the River of Worlds. To this end, I started conceiving two cities. One is the illustrious Jeweled City (real name pending). The other is the aptly named Dragonwatch Harbor. Suggestions and futhers ideas welcome.
Note on some entities hereafter:
- The Combine - a planar trade consortium, described in Classic Play: Book of the Planes
- Faceless Legion - Another organization from Classic Play: Book of the Planes, the faceless legion is composed of criminals who, though the means of their faceless helms, fight to enjoy redemption of their souls.
- Recently, I have been wondering how aristocrat (classed) characters would really be the dominating forces in a world ripe with magic. This has influenced my city ideas. The cities both feature major wizardly orders as major powers (both representing prestige classes.) Both Jewel Mages and Dragon Mages are from Bastion's Spells & Magic.
These are just starting ideas so again, input is welcomed:
The Jeweled City
Planar metropolis. Home of the Jeweled Magi. Visitors are all quizzed about whether they are spellcasters. Those who admit to such abilities are allowed in and noted. But those who are not spellcasters and lie about or otherwise attempt to hide it are subject to arrest. There is an inner sanctum area in which those noted as spellcasters are subject to greater scrutiny and not permitted without invitation.
The city is ruled by Jeweled Magi. Commoners who are particularly strong or handsome make it a habit to make themselves plain, and wear unflattering clothing, cowls, etc. Beautiful creatures walking about might be assumed to be a clueless visitor of a jeweled mage or gem guardian. Golems are occasionally spotted walking about the streets.
Unsurprisingly, the Jeweled city is a place where the gem trade is particularly active. This has attracted other wizards and psions to the city, particularly crystal masters.
Dragonwatch Harbor
Minor planar trade port. Primarily dominated by the Combine, though they have mostly moved to headquarters on ships, as have wealthier members of society. The mainland city is primarily for poorer folks.
The city was once protected by the dragonmagi. The reputation of dragonmagi as marauders somewhat dampened the popularity of the city as a trade stop, an action the Combine quickly acted to counter. Many of the dragonmagi who once ruled the city departed, and others were dragged down or destroyed by agents of the Combine.
Ever since the power of the dragonmagi started dwindling, the locals have considered the city’s days numbered, as the protection of the city is uncertain at best. But few who were profiting from it wanted to abandon it altogether. This created the push for wealthy merchants to base all of their business out of their ships. The harbor has become extremely crowded, however, it is likely that if a great raid did come, that many of the ships could vacate the harbor fast enough to escape.
Mercenaries from the Faceless legion defend the city, paid primarily from cannibalized troves of downcast dragonmagi. While these plundered troves are dwindling, the legions remain steadfast, hoping to prove themselves against the gathering hordes of chaos.
The few remaining dragonmagi are the last remaining bastion of wealth on the shore. While they were formerly very secretive, they have taken to selling their knowledge to whatever students they could to keep a tenuous grip on their wealth in the city – and to fatten their precious hordes. Though their political and economic power is slipping, few doubt their magical power.
Nightfall
Sage of the Scarred Lands
Some good stuff Psion.
Now while I think using Yuan-ti as a major protagonist is cool, I think you can do better.
The Dark Plea. But go further than that. See the Dark Plea is actually a manifestation of a single group consciousness of Slacerian God minds from the future. (They have succeeded in destroying the gods and everything else on Scarn and it its cosmology.) They have found out there's more beyond Scarn than the originally thought. It's annoys them because they can sense the thoughts of other beings and its like a thousand scraps against a very large chalkboard. (Yes I'm borrowing from Futurama but sue me!)
So now they are using Chaositech as means of undoing everything. The Galthall are merely powerful servants of theirs warped by their insane desire to obliterate everything.
Psionic wise, they have started using more dreamstained items as well as engramed Psionic arks to help rattle realities as best they can.
In one instance they have very nearly destroyed a world thanks to sundering the star, (Avidarel). Another, (the Violet) is their attempt to unmake reality by using their psychic might to reform realities.
Howse that?
Now while I think using Yuan-ti as a major protagonist is cool, I think you can do better.
The Dark Plea. But go further than that.
See the Dark Plea is actually a manifestation of a single group consciousness of Slacerian God minds from the future. (They have succeeded in destroying the gods and everything else on Scarn and it its cosmology.) They have found out there's more beyond Scarn than the originally thought. It's annoys them because they can sense the thoughts of other beings and its like a thousand scraps against a very large chalkboard. (Yes I'm borrowing from Futurama but sue me!)So now they are using Chaositech as means of undoing everything. The Galthall are merely powerful servants of theirs warped by their insane desire to obliterate everything.
Psionic wise, they have started using more dreamstained items as well as engramed Psionic arks to help rattle realities as best they can.
In one instance they have very nearly destroyed a world thanks to sundering the star, (Avidarel). Another, (the Violet) is their attempt to unmake reality by using their psychic might to reform realities.
Howse that?
Psion
Adventurer
Nightfall said:
Actually, the Yuan Ti are sort of small potatoes in this whole thing. They are being used primarily to draw the PCs in. They will be recurring villains, but the Hordes of Chaos is the big baddie.
I guess it has been quite a while since I started this thread, so perhaps my view has morphed a bit. To be clear, yuan ti are not big players in the planar crossroads. They just exploit it to get slaves.
I don't know if I mentioned this upthread, but the basic idea behind my view of the Galchutt is that they are remnants from the time before, a sundered realm of which only The Far Realm remains. When the creator made the worlds and brought order, nobody asked for their vote and they are mad! So they are recruiting agents through the veil to slowly bring the universe down, in hopes to one day undo creation. Of course, this is sheer madness on the part of those who follow chaos, but everything chaos touches becomes tainted.
I am using both Chaostech and Chaos Legionnaires (from Portals & Planes) to represent the forces of chaos. Actually, I am actively looking for more chaos material, and want to make many different flavors of choas.
If you tune into the rogues gallery, I've already started up a thread of chaos:
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=103406
That was, in fact, part of how I had intended on using my that world... as a showcase of the successes of chaos.
I hadn't thought about using the dark plea. If I currently had any psionic PCs, it would be something I would consider.
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Nightfall
Sage of the Scarred Lands
Ah my bad. But that's cool you're using "chaos based" stuff for the main thrust.
I was thinking more psionic based myself if only because I think the Slacerian Godminds combined into one as the Dark Plea is kind of cool.
I honestly can't think of anything that strikes me as more chaos based...but check maybe CC2/CC3 for demons. That's about all I can think of off hand. Or maybe the Plane of Agnoy from ToH 2 might have something you can use.
Perhaps a subset of Ten Hells?
I was thinking more psionic based myself if only because I think the Slacerian Godminds combined into one as the Dark Plea is kind of cool.
I honestly can't think of anything that strikes me as more chaos based...but check maybe CC2/CC3 for demons. That's about all I can think of off hand. Or maybe the Plane of Agnoy from ToH 2 might have something you can use.
Perhaps a subset of Ten Hells?
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