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TheJustLawOfShamash
Acolyte
4 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 02:02:52
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Hail and well met, sages of Candlekeep. I come here today looking for some help coming up with a few ideas for events, quests, adventures, and fun things of that sort. I make my home on a Neverwinter Nights server set in Cormyr and Deepingdale, as of the year 1375 DR. The server's area stretches from the Sunset Mountains in the west, to the Stonelands in the North, Suzail to the south, and the Glaemeril serves as the easternmost terminus. The server started off at 1372 or so, and from there took on nature that differs slightly from canon. Here are the major events that took place in the years 1372 to 1375.
quote:
Roughly speaking, 1373 to early 1374 was the second Shadovar war, fighting mostly over Halfhap and the Stonelands/etc, and ending after Hadrhune's death in the Battle of Halfhap.
1374 also saw fighting with the Drow in the Semberholme, an attack on the elven town of Ssrenshen resulting in that settlement getting badly damaged, and the ultimate defeat of the matron mother behind that advance.
Late 1374 was the rise of the phenomenon known as the Whispers, which saw a rash of people being driven to madness, hearing strange eldritch voices, culminating in a battle atop a ruined Netherese outpost with an ancient evil entity on the edge of the Anauroch desert.
It was in this battle that the Crown Princess and Regent was sucked into a portal to parts unknown, along with the Mage Royal, which has caused the current Regency Crisis.
What I am looking for are ideas for events, plots, adventures, and the like, that strongly tie into the area's lore and history. Not generic "Fetch me the sword of a thousand truths!" type events that could be dropped in to any area of the Realms, but things that are dripping with local flavor.
As most of you know the realmslore better than I do (and probably better than most of the people that write for the official sourcebooks!), I thought you might be able to help.
Thanks in advance!
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"Then did Ur-Nammu the mighty warrior, king of Ur, king of Sumer and Akkad, by the might of Sîn, lord of the city, and in accordance with the true word of Šamaš, establish equity in the land; he banished malediction, violence and strife." - Code of Ur-Nammu |
Edited by - TheJustLawOfShamash on 02 Aug 2013 21:01:26
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Lord Bane
Senior Scribe
Germany
479 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 11:04:28
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| Mind giving a rundown on the prominent factions and what their ties to each other and the enviorment(reputation among the populace) are? |
The driving force in the multiverse is evil, for it forces good to act. |
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TheJustLawOfShamash
Acolyte
4 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 23:36:46
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Sure thing, Boss. I should stress, however, that something like 80-90% of the PC adventurers on this server have no strong ties to any faction.
Purple Dragons - We all know them. The professional army of Cormyr. On this server, the PC Purple Dragons all belong to a special unit of the Purple Dragons called the 'Talons'. Whether this is to set them apart as an elite unit, or because the higher ups in the regular army don't want to deal with adventurers, is all up to interpretation. :p The Purple Dragon Talons have, at least in the past, had close ties to the Elves of Velethuil and the Eilistraee worshippers of Deepingdale. Individual members of the Talons often find themselves having to cross the border to deal with threats there, though the politics of doing so can be tricky, as they're operating outside of Cormyrean territory.
War Wizards - The standard faction. PC War Wizards are closely tied to the Purple Dragon Talons. Currently, the Mage Royal, the leader of the War Wizards is missing.
Orcs - Arabel was occupied by orcs in the past, something which the residents of Arabel have not easily forgotten. For this reason, orcs and orc bloods are the only race that are explicitly forbidden from entering Arabel (Although in practice other hostile races are forbidden entry as well). The orcs settled in large numbers in the King's Forest, where the crown has been unable to entirely oust them. Recently they tried to claim Arabel once more, but were defeated, and they retreated to the forest to lick their wounds once more.
Velethuil/Bristar - The only remaining Elven settlement in Deepingdale, the city grew quite a bit larger than a humble village, owing to the arrival of refugees from Ssrenshen/Moonrise Hill. Ssrenshen was destroyed by Llolthite drow. Many, but not all, PC elves have some allegience to Velethuil. Currently, the elves of Velethuil are engaged in an effort to drive a number of Cyricists from within a tower on Lake Eredruie (A lake considered sacred to the elves). In this matter they have the support of Cormyr. Velethuil has had very strained relations with the Eilistraeean grove, but they are currently on peaceful terms, owing to the Eilistraeean aid given during the Llolthite assault.
Eilistraee Grove - A small group of Eilistraeean drow and elven allies, represented mostly by PCs, with a smattering of NPCs. Relations with Velethuil prior to the drow assault ranged from tense to outright hostile. The then high priestess of Eilistraee nearly killed herself contributing to a spell of elven high magic that pierced the Llolthite matron's considerable magic defenses and slew her, alongside a number of Elven mages and priests. In return, a priestess of Corellon gave up part of herself to heal the damage done to the Eilistraeean high priestess, Ty'el. The priestess of Corellon was slain just as the spell finished by a Sheverash worshipper.
Berrybriar Village - A halfling village that forms something of a 'suburb' to Velethuil. The halflings of Berrybriar and the elves of Velethuil have a mutual defense pact, and do much in the way of trade with one another.
Auzkovyn Drow - The first major group of drow to settle Deepingdale in large numbers, they are worshippers of Vhaeraun. They resisted the Llolthite incursion, and so, they had an uneasy truce with Velethuil during the invasion. Where they stand politically at the moment is unclear, but one assumes that the truce is no longer in force.
Llolthite Drow - Relative newcomers to the dale, they were lead to the surface by the late Matron Zuerv. Remnants of their forces remain in isolated parts of the Semberholme Forest.
Cyricists - There are two groups of Cyricists present, both of them being Zhentarim. The larger, more organized, and more powerful group is in Darkhold, in the Sunset Mountains. The smaller group occupies Darkwatch, where the elves are busily trying to oust them.
Gondegal's Rebellion - The Rebellion of Gondegal happened before the server's timeline, but elements of the rebel forces are still scattered across Cormyr, biding their time and gathering their strength in secret.
Stonelands Reclaimers - Not the formal name for any group, but at least two PC led groups are trying to carve out an independent space for themselves in the Stonelands. One group is being led by a retainer of Lord Marliir of Arabel, the other by an outlander adventurer.
Violet Flame - A mage's guild centered in Arabel, they are not directly aligned with, or responsible to, the war wizards.
White Cloaks - A new organization, led by an elven swordsman PC. I know little about them, but they strike me as a "Heroes for Hire, Evil Need Not Apply" type of group.
There are also a number of defunct PC organizations, but I didn't feel those needed to be listed. |
"Then did Ur-Nammu the mighty warrior, king of Ur, king of Sumer and Akkad, by the might of Sîn, lord of the city, and in accordance with the true word of Šamaš, establish equity in the land; he banished malediction, violence and strife." - Code of Ur-Nammu |
Edited by - TheJustLawOfShamash on 01 Aug 2013 23:42:37 |
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Lord Bane
Senior Scribe
Germany
479 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2013 : 10:04:35
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Thank you.
Here are some ideas to spice up the enviorment:
The cyricists of Darkwatch, aware of Cormyrs support of the elven efforts against them orechstrate a diplomatic incident when Purple Dragons cross the border into Deepingdale, causing tension that can lead to a war brewing based on slander and lies of "aggression out of Cormyr" and Sembia flexing muscles.
The War Wizards seeking for their missing leader turn to questionable matters and strike deals with fiends in order to find him. Little do they know that this causes the formation of cultists within their ranks with the aim to undermine the War Wizards and turn them slowly but surely into tools of a fiendish lord, may it be Baatezu or Tanar'ri.
The Orcs in the King´s Forest regroup and misteriously start to recieve new equipment and faster than expected start to push other groups out of the forest. Rumors start to circulate that an unknown force is supplying them. If nothing against the Orcs gets done, they strike out of the woods and raid the lands.
The Elves of Velethuil become target of Veldreth Veluuthra propaganda and recruiting efforts, some elves, boldened by their success against Drow and Men join cause and secretly start creating a cell in Velethuil which given time can become a danger for any relations between Cormyr and the elves.
The Eilistraee Grove becomes victim of increasing Shevarash actions against them, the slaying of the priestess of Corellon could have been a signal that no collaborators are spared when the Dark Hunter takes revenge. This causes again tension between Velethuil and the Grove that could lead to hostility.
The hin of Berrybriar Village are in fear, as a gruesome murder is discovered in their community. Each night a new body is found brutally slain, all evidence leads to a wild animal and sounds in the night keep the small folk cowering behind closed doors as soon as the sun goes down.
The Vhaeraunite drow see the losses of Velethuil and the lolthite drow as a chance and sublty start to move in on Velethuil territory, claiming it for themselves.
The Drow of the Spider Queen lick their wounds and start to soldify their holds where they currently reside, setting out on slave raids in the surrounding areas, starting to build up strenght again.
The Cyricists of Darkhold secretly try to strike an alliance with the Rebels of Gondegal to cause strife in Cormyr and start to move troops towards the Western Reaches of Cormyr, at a given mutual signal, Darkhold and the Rebels strike.
The Stoneland Reclaimers are becoming target of Shade patrols, with the aim to drive them out of the Stonelands and create a spying outpost against Cormyr in the stony landscape and seeking an ancient magical artifact.
The Violet Flame learn of the ancient artifact that the Shades seek and set out to claim it before the Princes of Shade can triumph, putting them in conflict that can lead to new tension between the followers of Shar and Cormyr.
The White Cloaks are getting competition from a rivaling mercenary company, who secretly try to put them out of business.
With the Regent gone due to the magical portal the Fire Knives increase their attempts to eradicate the Obraskyr line completely, assassination attempts on blood relatives increase all over Cormyr.
Ambitious young nobles see the missing regent as a chance to get their share of power and supported by the same unknown force that supplies the orcs, form a secret group with the goal to take the throne.
What you use and what you mix is up to you. But let me sound my protest that your community needs more banite love! 
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The driving force in the multiverse is evil, for it forces good to act. |
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TheJustLawOfShamash
Acolyte
4 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2013 : 14:36:01
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Ooh, thank you very much. 
We actually did have a group of Banite PCs in the past, although they seem to have drifted away for one reason or another. |
"Then did Ur-Nammu the mighty warrior, king of Ur, king of Sumer and Akkad, by the might of Sîn, lord of the city, and in accordance with the true word of Šamaš, establish equity in the land; he banished malediction, violence and strife." - Code of Ur-Nammu |
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Lord Bane
Senior Scribe
Germany
479 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2013 : 14:57:08
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Have the unknown group become Banites then. Maybe that will drive some out of hiding and have them push back the heretics agendas while furthering the Black Hands might!  |
The driving force in the multiverse is evil, for it forces good to act. |
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Some ideas needed, as regards adventures in Cormyr
