What's Your World's Afterlife (and session help)

[Rystil Arden]

One of the central conceits of this setting, as I've picked up reading his threads over the years, though, is that heroes of the past are often really nasty characters. Meanwhile, a legendary villain might not be so bad after all. Although don't expect him to be a hero either.

PC's are still about 14th 15th level, right?

Oooh!!! Even better! The PC is a legendary villain who wants to return to the mortal realm to either

a) clear his name because he wasn't so bad

b) right his wrongs because he has repented since his death

 

[Dakkareth]

I really like the 'ancient hero comes back to right a big wrong' idea. If power is an issue, well shades are not really in a position to fight, though they may have great insight into the workings of the underworld or diplomatic abilities. And if he wants to cross over on the way back with the party, a living (and willing) vessel might be required to make it possible ... and of course that may well impede his abilities.

"Damn, back in the times of <insert fallen empire here> I used to fight armies all by myself. And look at me now - pathetic!"

 

[Rystil Arden]

I really like the 'ancient hero comes back to right a big wrong' idea. If power is an issue, well shades are not really in a position to fight, though they may have great insight into the workings of the underworld or diplomatic abilities. And if he wants to cross over on the way back with the party, a living (and willing) vessel might be required to make it possible ... and of course that may well impede his abilities.

"Damn, back in the times of <insert fallen empire here> I used to fight armies all by myself. And look at me now - pathetic!"

Yeah, that's the feel I was going for. What do you think about the ancient villain twist instead?

 

[der_kluge]

Land of the Dead?

This can be your tour guide:

For some reason, this thread made me think of that game. It's from Grim Fandango. An older Sierra game which takes place in the Mexico "Day of the Dead" themed kind of game.

 

[frankthedm]

Heaven and Hell sorta deal, but souls that are too chaotic are taken by Yog-sothoth/Far Raelm.

 

[adwyn]

At their level some of those souls sitting patiently by the wayside really should be those the party has sent there in the first place - a running encounter that can easily burn off the evening.

 

[BSF]

Hey, now is the time to bring back one or two villains that are itching for a second shot. Or maybe they have dealt with their death, aren't quite ready to move on, but become interested/agitated when the PCs pass by.

Introducing a new PC? How about somebody who made a bad draw out of a deck of many things?

 

[BSF]

OK, people held in the ghostwalk due to promises to loved ones that they made to wait for each other before going on to the afterlife. Perhaps the PCs can barter information with these souls. They can learn a bit if they can tell the souls what is going on with their loved ones.

 

[Tonguez]

Worlds Biggest Dungeon - the first layer of the underworld is literally underground and is a vast labyrinth of tunnels and caverns in which the dead wander until they get to the center where the 'Lady of the Night' awaits to crush them into dust (the fate of those who choose to not have children) usher them on to the Shadow Realm or elsewhere (maybe into the domain of some god who has called for them eg the god of Crafts may call for a famous Artisan to be sent to him whereupon the Artisan will join the gods own cohorts and may even gain his own worshipers as a demi-god of his particular craft)

other caverns contain horros beyond beleif which will deveour the dead who wander into them

the final destination of the Dead is generally the Shadow Realm - a world of eternal twilight not unlike our own but without limitation - the wilderness area of the Shadow Realm is the habitat of Shadows and other monstrous undead

 

[Desdichado]

So... played last night, right? What'd ya do?