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Message: <blockquote data-quote="I'm A Banana" data-source="post: 9806987" data-attributes="member: 2067">If I was to build a campaign around Cormyr and the PDKs and keep the lore from the recent books, here's how I might run it:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Our antagonist list includes Werewyverns, the Cult of the Dragon (so dragons, and undead), and, broadly, "Aberrations." Amethyst dragons are also planar scholars, so I might add Fiends to the list (which also aligns with the PDK's knightly inclinations). Cormyr is having issues with the Cult of the Dragon, former and current dracoliches, and a shadow rift. This is a pretty healthy and diverse list of enemies. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I think I'd select the Cult of the Dragon as the central antagonist. There's an active dracolich in Cormyr, the ruins of another, and the Well of Dragons, which is awash in dead dragons. So dragon cultists, dragons, and undead, with occasional forays into other areas. Werewyverns are a new cult of the dragon plot to become dragons, and maybe we have some werewyverns pursuing a kind of lichdom as well. Tiamat cultists and chromatic dragons can feature as important steps on that path. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Every actual PDK apparently has been chosen by an Amethyst dragon, so maybe the PC's are all chosen by the same dragon, who serves as their main ally and patron. The dragon treats them as curiosities and as possessions - they are "his" knights. Part of his hoard.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Amethyst dragon has a special interest in the Shadowfell and in the Nine Hells, so there's good overlap in the planar study with the activities of the Cult of the Dragon. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">1st Tier: The party goes up against the Cult of the Dragon as they work their mischief. At the top of the tier we have threats like mages, wyverns, and wraiths -- perfectly cromulent for the capstone of "undead werewyverns!". The amethyst dragon is mostly in the background. At the end of the tier, it lairs with one of the PC's (the new Bastion feature for PDK's). </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">2nd Tier: More dragons get involved. Werewyverns make their first true appearance ~ level 7 or 8. A Haunting Revenant made of the dragon bones in the Well of Dragons sounds fun, and we have a Cultist Heirophant and all the Young Chromatics (capping with a Young Red Dragon). Maybe the amethyst dragon helps fly the party to various locations as they uncover more about the Shadowfell and the Nine Hells.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">3rd Tier: Adult Red dragon is the right CR, so let's loop that into the dragon cult. The werewyvern plot revolves around venom, so maybe our Adult Red is one of the sources of wyvern venom. The Amethyst dragon might become something the PC's need to save or protect from the Adult Red. Shadow Dragons make an appearance here, too.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">4th Tier: Now, the Amethyst Dragon is on board with effectively "joining the party." Can't go into dungeons, but happy to fight while the party does the dungeon run. The dracolich fight happens and the Amethyst is participating as an ally (and allows me to make it two dracoliches!). </li> </ul>Keeps the dragon ally manageable, but constant.</blockquote>

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