The players in my campaign have entered what remains of a large human empire. About 90 years before my campaign started, this empire (which was generally good) ruled most of the continent.
After a large-scale hobgoblin invasion that was repelled those 90 years ago, the weakened empire splintered into four parts over the next few years, and has remained splintered since. Three of the four parts have managed to become separate viable nations on their own, including one nation that still retains the old hereditary king that ruled the empire; though his nation is now only one fourth the size of the empire his great grandfather ruled 90s years earlier.
However, the players are in the one part that has not become a viable nation. The one part the PCs are in now is currently ruled by nearly 30 separate warlords because of 70 years of civil war that followed the splintering. Some of these warlords are good, some neutral, and some evil.
The PCs believe the prophecy they heard would have this war-torn land (“WTL”) reunite with the original empire & hereditary old king to form a stronger defense against another hobgoblin incursion.
My main problem is one of the warlords is dead-set against reuniting with the old king and empire. He is a L/G paladin, and his son and heir, is also a L/G paladin. He is also easily the most powerful warlord, though he is not strong enough to claim the throne of the entire WTL.
When the PCs enter this Duke’s territory, his capitol will be under siege from an evil warlord/blackguard who has managed to unite the gnolls and beasts of the nearby savannahs under his rule to form a powerful evil army.
While the PCs helping to lift the siege would be a great help, I do not think it would be enough for a paladin to suddenly renounce his lifelong dream of a united WTL under his rule (or, more likely, his son’s rule.) I would also prefer not to have the Duke killed “off camera” during the siege, and rescuing a captured daughter from the BBEG seems cliché. And, some mysterious figure appearing that has a superior claim to the throne beyond the paladin also seems a bit out there as well.
I was hoping for some deeds of valor from the PCs, coupled with some good role-playing, though I am open to just about anything.
Please let me know if more info is needed. The PCs should be around level 12 or 13 in a 3.5E campaign when they arrive in the Duke’s territory.
Any ideas?
Thanks
After a large-scale hobgoblin invasion that was repelled those 90 years ago, the weakened empire splintered into four parts over the next few years, and has remained splintered since. Three of the four parts have managed to become separate viable nations on their own, including one nation that still retains the old hereditary king that ruled the empire; though his nation is now only one fourth the size of the empire his great grandfather ruled 90s years earlier.
However, the players are in the one part that has not become a viable nation. The one part the PCs are in now is currently ruled by nearly 30 separate warlords because of 70 years of civil war that followed the splintering. Some of these warlords are good, some neutral, and some evil.
The PCs believe the prophecy they heard would have this war-torn land (“WTL”) reunite with the original empire & hereditary old king to form a stronger defense against another hobgoblin incursion.
My main problem is one of the warlords is dead-set against reuniting with the old king and empire. He is a L/G paladin, and his son and heir, is also a L/G paladin. He is also easily the most powerful warlord, though he is not strong enough to claim the throne of the entire WTL.
When the PCs enter this Duke’s territory, his capitol will be under siege from an evil warlord/blackguard who has managed to unite the gnolls and beasts of the nearby savannahs under his rule to form a powerful evil army.
While the PCs helping to lift the siege would be a great help, I do not think it would be enough for a paladin to suddenly renounce his lifelong dream of a united WTL under his rule (or, more likely, his son’s rule.) I would also prefer not to have the Duke killed “off camera” during the siege, and rescuing a captured daughter from the BBEG seems cliché. And, some mysterious figure appearing that has a superior claim to the throne beyond the paladin also seems a bit out there as well.
I was hoping for some deeds of valor from the PCs, coupled with some good role-playing, though I am open to just about anything.
Please let me know if more info is needed. The PCs should be around level 12 or 13 in a 3.5E campaign when they arrive in the Duke’s territory.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Last edited:
