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Post by restless on Jun 27, 2018 12:34:02 GMT -5
I am introducing a new sandbox campaign that will incorporate some elements of what I discussed before regarding a megadungeon idea I have. However, to introduce players and give them some opportunity to work into the mysteries I plan to incorporate a twist on the familiar old Keep on the Borderland. In the setting I am envisioning the Borderlands have been overrun for years by agents of Chaos, including the Keep. Lately, the man who lays claim to the title of Baron 1 of the area has sailed boat and barge downriver to a small lake about a half-day's journey from the Keep and established a foothold there with a considerable garrison of men-at-arms and mercenaries. He has advertised by crier and handbill looking for adventurers to come and seek their fortunes and help liberate the Borderlands! Now comes the question that I have: if the players are going to go in and risk life and limb there has to be something in it for them, and of course that's treasure. However, there has to be something in it for the Baron, too, to outlay all this money to reestablish a presence in the Borderlands. It could be completely altruistic or he could have hidden motives. I'm having a touch of a problem thinking of the Baron's motives. Also, if the players raid the Keep or a royal manor house those treasures they find are likely to belong to the bloodline of the Baron. Wouldn't that be a bit of a sticking point if your precious family heirlooms are being dragged off by murder hobos? Additionally, it's not unlike typical players to say, "well, we cleared the Keep... let's just keep it for ourselves!" which honestly, isn't the type of game I want to run. Can I get some suggestions on motives for the Baron to be putting this much money into a camp to attract adventurers?
1 No one knows if the man laying claim to the title is actually the rightful heir, making false claims or just won the title in a card game. All that is known is that he claims it, he has the wherewithal to hire enough men to keep this toehold on the edge of the lake. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2018 12:49:33 GMT -5
IN the middle ages, land was wealth and power.
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Post by restless on Jun 27, 2018 14:07:04 GMT -5
Yes, but what of the artifacts and treasures of his family?
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Post by Admin Pete on Jun 28, 2018 9:43:26 GMT -5
restless, I can't take the time to post right now, but I have a number of ideas and I will be posting them sometime in the next couple days, probably after the 30th. I think this sounds like a fascinating campaign and I hope that others will also contribute ideas for you.
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Post by True Black Raven on Jun 29, 2018 21:50:34 GMT -5
Wow, restless, this is a great project you have started here. I too will have to get back to you on some comments. This will require some thought. This looks to be a classic when it is developed. |
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Jul 2, 2018 11:18:25 GMT -5
One idea, is he adventured there and saw something of immense power and or worth, but he could not get it. The forces of Chaos have made doing so since his initial foray beneath the keep impossible until now, after years of adventuring and consolidating wealth and power he has the means to tempt other adventurers to do it for him. He may have been given the task of clearing the ruins by his King, who hopes to expand his own influence in the region and the "Baron" suggested he'd be willing to do so if he could claim the keep as his own and then serve the king as his loyal vassal. Whether that is his true motivation, or he needed the backing of the local kingdom to help him achieve his goal would be up to you.
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Post by True Black Raven on Jul 2, 2018 17:16:04 GMT -5
One idea, is he adventured there and saw something of immense power and or worth, but he could not get it. The forces of Chaos have made doing so since his initial foray beneath the keep impossible until now, after years of adventuring and consolidating wealth and power he has the means to tempt other adventurers to do it for him. He may have been given the task of clearing the ruins by his King, who hopes to expand his own influence in the region and the "Baron" suggested he'd be willing to do so if he could claim the keep as his own and then serve the king as his loyal vassal. Whether that is his true motivation, or he needed the backing of the local kingdom to help him achieve his goal would be up to you. this is really very good. restless I like this idea and it is way better than anything I have come of with yet. Better it gives you several different ways that you can spin it. |
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Post by mormonyoyoman on Jul 2, 2018 18:19:18 GMT -5
And there's always the motivations of insurrection (Baron killed the PCs' loved ones, including their dogs.), power (Baron gained his forces due to a Green Lantern battery), or espionage. Doesn't have to be wealth, per se.
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Post by True Black Raven on Jul 2, 2018 18:32:10 GMT -5
And there's always the motivations of insurrection (Baron killed the PCs' loved ones, including their dogs.), power (Baron gained his forces due to a Green Lantern battery), or espionage. Doesn't have to be wealth, per se. Boy that Green Lantern seems to really get around everywhere. |
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Post by mormonyoyoman on Jul 2, 2018 21:51:34 GMT -5
And there's always the motivations of insurrection (Baron killed the PCs' loved ones, including their dogs.), power (Baron gained his forces due to a Green Lantern battery), or espionage. Doesn't have to be wealth, per se. Boy that Green Lantern seems to really get around everywhere. Except the first JLA movie and Ryan Reynolds' career. |
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Post by Admin Pete on Jul 2, 2018 23:29:47 GMT -5
Boy that Green Lantern seems to really get around everywhere. Except the first JLA movie and Ryan Reynolds' career. The exceptions that prove the rule. |
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Post by mormonyoyoman on Jul 3, 2018 0:27:54 GMT -5
Contradictions within contradiction! Does - not - compute.
Norman! Norman!
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Post by Admin Pete on Jul 3, 2018 7:29:06 GMT -5
Contradictions within contradiction! Does - not - compute. Norman! Norman! Warning! Warning! Danger! Will Robinson! |
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Post by mormonyoyoman on Jul 3, 2018 8:03:21 GMT -5
Remember when the argument was Star Trek vs Lost in Space rather than Star Trek vs Star Wars?
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Post by Admin Pete on Jul 3, 2018 11:30:46 GMT -5
Remember when the argument was Star Trek vs Lost in Space rather than Star Trek vs Star Wars? Only us old guys remember that. Here is something you should read, good comment and perspective. |
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Post by restless on Jul 26, 2018 13:06:15 GMT -5
Sorry I went MIA on the thread. Right after I posted it I got sick and work has been a bear, plus I found out my better half is having surgery next month. Pretty crazy three weeks.
Anyway, I decided to walk back the "reclaiming the Borderlands" idea. I like the idea, but it makes the idea of having many humans in the area still doing things a little distant, which limits some of the things I wanted to do. I guess I'll stick more to the tried-and-true "points of light" concepts.
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Post by Colinouchou on Jul 26, 2018 14:27:38 GMT -5
Sorry I went MIA on the thread. Right after I posted it I got sick and work has been a bear, plus I found out my better half is having surgery next month. Pretty crazy three weeks. Anyway, I decided to walk back the "reclaiming the Borderlands" idea. I like the idea, but it makes the idea of having many humans in the area still doing things a little distant, which limits some of the things I wanted to do. I guess I'll stick more to the tried-and-true "points of light" concepts. I don't know, the people could still be there trying to keep a low profile from the agents of Chaos and this guy comes in and starts unifying them and pushing Chaos back. |
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Jul 26, 2018 15:40:11 GMT -5
Sorry I went MIA on the thread. Right after I posted it I got sick and work has been a bear, plus I found out my better half is having surgery next month. Pretty crazy three weeks. Anyway, I decided to walk back the "reclaiming the Borderlands" idea. I like the idea, but it makes the idea of having many humans in the area still doing things a little distant, which limits some of the things I wanted to do. I guess I'll stick more to the tried-and-true "points of light" concepts. I am all for a Points of Light approach as it fits the baked in setting assumptions of OD&D just right. My issue is crafting such a setting that makes internal sense to me as well as is fun. I've been toying with the idea of resurrecting my development of world of Xôðûn as it fits that style of play & I want to see where it goes. |
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Post by restless on Jul 27, 2018 19:56:52 GMT -5
I don't know, the people could still be there trying to keep a low profile from the agents of Chaos and this guy comes in and starts unifying them and pushing Chaos back. True, and some of the people could also be ne'er-do-wells like cultists, bandits, freeboots, etc. I guess it could work. I rewrote my campaign elevator pitch: Also included is a thumbnail and link to the handbill:  |
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Post by xizallian on Jul 27, 2018 20:34:25 GMT -5
I don't know, the people could still be there trying to keep a low profile from the agents of Chaos and this guy comes in and starts unifying them and pushing Chaos back. True, and some of the people could also be ne'er-do-wells like cultists, bandits, freeboots, etc. I guess it could work. I rewrote my campaign elevator pitch: Also included is a thumbnail and link to the handbill: I love your elevator pitch and I love your handbill. That is a classic for "this is how you do it." Have an exalt. |
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Post by Hexenritter Verlag on Jul 28, 2018 1:27:40 GMT -5
I don't know, the people could still be there trying to keep a low profile from the agents of Chaos and this guy comes in and starts unifying them and pushing Chaos back. True, and some of the people could also be ne'er-do-wells like cultists, bandits, freeboots, etc. I guess it could work. I rewrote my campaign elevator pitch: Also included is a thumbnail and link to the handbill: Impressive, you get an exalt! |
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Post by El Borak on Jul 28, 2018 12:34:22 GMT -5
I will not quote the whole thing again but restless like the two posters before me, let me also provide you with a well-deserved exalt. |
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