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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Jun 2005 : 04:54:47
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For some reason, for years now I have had this idea about an epic orc campaign bouncing around my head, but I have never fleshed it out. I doubt I will use it in my current campaign, even though I have a really good hook to get into it.
I would start it out near Palishchuk, with a half-orc finding the party and asking them to go with him to Thar to investigate some ruins that he was interested in. On the way to Thar, the PCs would run into an evil half-orc adventuring band that is working for a rather nasty and intelligent half-orc cleric of Grummsh.
In Thar, the PCs would find a rather fine ruined temple of Grummsh, fight some orcish undead and some orc fanatics that still see the abandoned site as holy, and in the temple they would find mention of a lost orcish city, long stricken from any records. It would also mention that the orcs of that city had abandoned Grummsh and turned from the true path.
The half-orc would definately want the PCs to come with him to the city, witch would lie in the Giant's Belt mountains near Mulhorand.
The survivors of the half-orc adventurers, and perhaps more hired by the cleric, would assail the party on the way down.
As they get nearer to the mountains, in territory held by the Mulhorandi, a fanatic sect of Mulhorandi that are pledged to hold the city secret attack the PCs. The PCs may resist the sect, or they may think that they are being reasonable in assuming that the city is evil.
The half-orc that hired the PCs will tell them that he had a dream that either great good or great evil can come of the city being found, and that the evil cleric that seeks the city will still be looking for it, and likely has the means of reaching it if they do not go themselves.
After finding the lost city, many more orcish undead would swarm them, and the evil half orc cleric would arrive, trying to reopen a gate to the orcish homeworld that the Imaskari opened so long ago. If the PCs kill the cleric, they will still run into a powerful orcish lich that haunts the ruins, trying to open the gate himself, though he is foiled by the "bound one."
If the PCs survive the lich, they will find writings in a vast library that indicate that within the deeper levels of the city lies a secret that the caused the orcs great shame. If they venture forth, they will find an ancient sarcophagas that can only be opened with the blood of the one trapped within.
At this point, the Mulhorandi sect challenges them, and tells them to leave the city immediately. They also threaten the half-orc's life. The writing in this room indicates that trapped within the sarcaphagas is an orcish demi-god of explorers and adventurers, that drew away many orcs during the Orcgate Wars. Grummsh was so enraged that he sent a major detachment to the city to destroy the god and imprison him in this tomb, and the Grummshites that raided the city tried to open another gate to their homeworld to bring in more reinforcements.
The Mulhorandi know that the god is not evil, but they are afraid that knowing that some orcs are not evil, and what they are capable of, might soften the resolve of other races against orcs, and thus the city and the god must remain forever hiddden. No matter what, they will not listed to the PCs, and if they do not leave and give up the half-orc, they will attack them.
If the PCs defeat them and let the half-orc try, he will find out that he is a blood decendant of the orcish demi-god, and that the god wants the half-orc to travel the realms and find like minded orcs to the city to revitalize it. The half-orc started having dreams becuase the evil half orc cleric had found an ancient inscription himself that revealed the lost city.
The half-orc would begin to secretly start bringing half-orcs, and even full blooded orcs, of non-evil temperment to the city to rebuild it in secret, knowing that the Mulhorandi and others would see the city as a threat.
The orc demi-god, Vhroshast, is Chaotic neutral, and is the patron of wanderers, dreamers, and adventurers, and while he is still a martial, restless god, he considers it one of the greatest adventures to revitalize orcish culture in the Realms.
Now perhaps I can get on with my life now that I have written all that out! Let me know if you think this would be a good epic FR campaign, or even if you just think that I have way too much time on my hands. Thanks!
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2005 : 05:57:42
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This sounds like a fine epic campaign, KnightErrantJR. However, would you mind if I add some suggestions to it?
You mentioned about the PCs going to Thar to find a temple of Grummsh. Since you are making an epic campaign, perhaps you could also some dragons to tie in with the Year of Rogue Dragons event right now. The temple could also be one of the places that Sammaster had visited and left several blue dragons to guard. |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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Xysma
Master of Realmslore
USA
1089 Posts |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2005 : 17:08:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Xysma
As an avid fan of all things orcish, I love this idea. I like the concept of a society of non-evil orcs and half-orcs, that would definitely be a worthy goal for any group of good-aligned adventurers. One question, the outcome seems to hinge on the pc siding with the half-orc rather than abandoning him to the Mulhorandi, what if they don't?
Then he should send the pc to cania. BTW, a fellow orc fan! Finally! |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2005 : 23:15:44
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Go for it! Sounds great. I'm also a bit fan of orcs and use them often. I've got a number of orc sourcebooks too (maybe i'm a little over obsessed).
I'd like to hear how you get on with this campaign if you could take time periodically to post back here with the progress  |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6680 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2005 : 01:07:50
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And if you want to add another element to the mix, check out the orcish artifact in "Volo's Guide to the Dalelands" - a bone IIRC.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Lysander
Learned Scribe
USA
183 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2005 : 01:55:40
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| Don't forget the Ondonti; they seem like they'll fit in nicely, maybe even give you more background materials for this campaign. |
Lysander
Defender of the Second Edition
Moderator, Project Gemengan, Worlds of D&D |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2005 : 02:35:23
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Wow, thank you all for your responses. I kept thinking that I was just obsessing over something that would only seem cool to me, so it really is gratifying to know that some of my ideas can strike a nerve. Thank you for all of the responses.
And George, thank you, I had almost forgotten that. Its especially appropos since my PCs are in Mistledale, though I am still trying to resolve if I want to spring this campaign on them or wait until we start a new party. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2005 : 03:09:21
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Trying to start at the begining, and working through my thoughts, I think that the main half-orc that the PCs will interact with in Palishchuk will be a ranger. He can work as a guide in the wilderness of the mountain regions, and I may make him a follower of Shaundakul (I toyed with making him a bard, but that seemed like too much of a forced "he's not a typical half-orc" thing to do, and I thought of scout as well, but I WANT him to have a tie to the divine, and I think Shaundakul may understand if he changes deities).
I want him to be average intelligence, not stupid, but not over the top brilliant so as to force the issue of his not being a "standard" half-orc, but he will be jovial, generally vicious in battle, and pretty loyal to his friends. I may still have him sing popular ballads from time to time, though not as well as he would if he were a bard 
On the other hand, I do want the half-orc cleric of Grummsh to be above average intelligence, scheming and seeing the Orcgate Wars and the less distant remnants of Thar as the golden age of orcish power, that may be returned to if only the orcs could get in touch with the secrets of their lost home, or even just their past.
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2005 : 03:15:07
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Originally the fanatics that were trying to stop the half-orc from reaching the city would have been zealot Helmites, but several things made me change my mind. First, I started rereading my Realmslore and looking at Ed's original intent for Helm. I also now have a player that runs a devout cleric of Helm that is so dedicated to restoring Helm's reputation that it really did make me rethink this decision. I think Helm became too easily the poster boy for intolerant religeon, and there was not enough emphasis on the fact the the FOLLOWERS were doing bad things, not Helm himself.
So the zealots are going to be Mulhorandi. I must admit I was a little bit inspired by the Medjai from The Mummy, though these fanatics aren't going to "turn good" once the city is discovered.
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2005 : 18:47:52
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Originally the fanatics that were trying to stop the half-orc from reaching the city would have been zealot Helmites, but several things made me change my mind. First, I started rereading my Realmslore and looking at Ed's original intent for Helm. I also now have a player that runs a devout cleric of Helm that is so dedicated to restoring Helm's reputation that it really did make me rethink this decision. I think Helm became too easily the poster boy for intolerant religeon, and there was not enough emphasis on the fact the the FOLLOWERS were doing bad things, not Helm himself.
So the zealots are going to be Mulhorandi. I must admit I was a little bit inspired by the Medjai from The Mummy, though these fanatics aren't going to "turn good" once the city is discovered.
I have never had any problem with Helm. In fact, he is the realms god I like the most. As you said, it was his followers that did stupid things, not he in person. Think of the Tormites in Tantras for similar examples. "Never betray trust, such is the way of the vigilant one". (gods, I love that line)
Ps. What was Eds original intent for Helm?
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If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2005 : 04:06:19
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| Sorry, I didn't mean to imply any secret hidden meaning to Helm, I only meant that Ed didn't create Helm to be the poster boy for intolerant religeous orders. If that were the case I doubt one of the Company of Crazed Venturers would have been a cleric of Helm and founded Helm's Holdfast. |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2005 : 18:33:04
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply any secret hidden meaning to Helm, I only meant that Ed didn't create Helm to be the poster boy for intolerant religeous orders. If that were the case I doubt one of the Company of Crazed Venturers would have been a cleric of Helm and founded Helm's Holdfast.
I had no idea he was considered intolerant. Cyric, Shar, Lloth and Lathander could be considered intolerant(or in Lathander`s case, stupid) but Helm? Come on. And I still can`t understand why he has taken all this flack for his actions during the time of troubles. If they have to blame anyone, blame Ao, not the god of guardians who was ordered by the SUPREME GOD OF REALMSPACE to fullfill his duty! |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2005 : 19:08:29
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| I think time may have healed some wounds. The Maztica trilogy so soon after the Time of Troubles really seemed to paint Helm in a bad light. Being an old geezer I remember how it seemed back them. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2005 : 22:41:43
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| Anyone else have any thoughts as to what might have been trapped in the old city with the force that Grummsh sent? The main baddie, inside the city, will be an orcish lich, and in the lower levels the undead orcs will be lead by an orc death knight. But what monsters would the lich have collected over time? Behirs spring to mind, possibly, and of course undead Worgs, but I'm still trying to get some more variety here. |
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 01:25:30
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KnightErrantJR, you could perhaps add a few golems as bodyguards for the lich. A few magic or iron golems never hurt anyone...  |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2005 : 03:29:04
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Thanks DDH, I knew I wanted something that made them seem more advanced, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Contructs really fit the bill though, I don't know why it didn't sink into my think skull.
Thus I am thankful for my fellow scribes, lol. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 05:29:25
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Now that I read about Sons of Grummsh taking place in Thar I will have to get that adventure to see what that has to say about the region and tribes there.
Thankfully the PCs have a while before they run into this particular adventure. Especially after the fiasco with the Shadovar diplomat. |
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Forge
Learned Scribe
USA
218 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 14:39:22
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| Just curious why more Gruumish-Aligned forces wouldn't be arrayed against the PCs? That or a mingling of forces from the lower planes who don't want to see their power diluted. |
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Thureen Buroch
Learned Scribe
169 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 18:31:03
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quote:
Anyone else have any thoughts as to what might have been trapped in the old city with the force that Grummsh sent? The main baddie, inside the city, will be an orcish lich, and in the lower levels the undead orcs will be lead by an orc death knight. But what monsters would the lich have collected over time? Behirs spring to mind, possibly, and of course undead Worgs, but I'm still trying to get some more variety here.
quote:
KnightErrantJR, you could perhaps add a few golems as bodyguards for the lich. A few magic or iron golems never hurt anyone...
Perhaps a Shield Guardian. I realize that most shield guardians are emplyed by arcane spellcasters, and it sounds like you want the lich to be of a more divine sort, but perhaps you could create a Flesh Guardian, a kind of combination of Shield Guardian and Flesh Golem, a creation of powerful clerics of death, that has some attributes of undead, like negative energy healing. Perhaps positive energy spells targeted at the amulet wielder could affect the Flesh Guardian instead, and negative energy directed at the Flesh Guardian can be redirected at the wielder instead of healing the Flesh Guardian, at the amulet wielder's discretion. Heh, heh, that could be a challenge in itself for the PC's.  |
Goblins? *Slash* *Scream* *Thunk* What goblins? |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 20:41:28
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Most of the Orc opposition that I want to use will by up North, especially since the Northern orcs are suppose to be of a more spiritual slant than orcs in the Savage Frontier or elsewhere. The orcish opposition drops off as they travel south to help underscore why there is a Mulhorandi cult that guards the place, namely that the far southern Realms near Mulhorand have been largely cleared out of orcs due to the destruction that they caused during the orc gate wars.
Hm . . . I am wondering if the Mulhorandi cult should worship Ra with the Servant of the Fallen feat. That would give them a more rigid outlook.
I really want to work in the Odonti, but it might be a bit too much and dilute the contrast between what the orcish demi-god wants to reintroduce and what current orcs are, for the most part. |
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An Epic Orc Campaign
