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Sergeant of the Guard
Acolyte
5 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 04:13:31
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Hi all-
I want to run an adventure that is similer to the movie "Underworld" IE the players stumble into the middle of a war between Vampires and Werewolves.
The werewolves are like Druids and rangers and the Vampires are like Fighters and mages. It has also been a long and costly war but it continues but now it might engulf all of Waterdeep and if not checked, perhaps the FR itself.
So with that said, I'm trying to figure out a way to get the players involved and thats why I came here, perhaps you guy's could help me with a few idea's on getting the players involved in some good old wholsom carnage.
so idea's will be helpful.
Thanks guys
SoG
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 04:33:03
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Well, if you are setting this war in Waterdeep and you want to stay close to canon, its not working too well. According to some of the adventures that Eric Boyd wrote for Dungeon (and supported by his material in City of Splendors), vampires aren't very common in Waterdeep, and there is a reason they don't proliferate there. Also, if the werewolves are rangers and druids, Waterdeep doesn't seem to be a likely power base for them.
If you wanted the war to be fairly recent, you could check out what happens in the aftermath of that adventure series, but that wouldn't be an ancient struggle in that case.
On the other hand, its your campaign, and you can modify it as you see fit. All I can say is the source material isn't going to be of much help in this case. Westgate has a better history of Vampires, though the werewolf angle would still have to be worked in. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 04:51:52
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Well not sure if you want to go into Waterdeep either, hough there certainly can be agents of both factions hidden within the city. A long running war can exist that could run accross the planet with two power centers and hubs in places where Clerics and Silver weapons are low (or those that weild then allied to the faction).
How to get PCs involved, the best way would be them seeing a few battles, with random damage included. I would include things like a vampire appearing to recuit the PCs into the legion of Vampires, attacked by a werewolf saving the party as the two fight each other, and of course the reverse a Were trying to recuit into the blood and saved by a vampire. Neither of these concerned much about the welfare of the PCs, just more focused on the war between the two races. You could of course go to actual recuitment, biten PCs that then have to be rescued from both factions (though curing a vampire is harder then curing a werewolf could be a balance factor).
As a DM you can put out many hooks, and some will catch clean (do what you hope they will do), some will be missed and some might have a reverse reaction (When reading about the Black Eagle Baron I was more sympatictic to the Baron then the Duke bringing war against him, though did not like the Baron much he appeared the lessor Evil). |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 05:37:47
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| Should also point out that the most powerful cleric of Malar (The deity most tied to Lycanthropes) is also a Vampire |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Sergeant of the Guard
Acolyte
5 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 05:53:28
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Hi-
Well, I think I have an idea how to involve the players. The Werewolves are in Waterdeep to save a preistess of Mielikki but are ambushed by a group of Vampires. Enter the players. The players are not able to save the werewolves from the vampires but one Werewolf, close to death, tell's the players that they must save one of their own from being auctioned off by a Ghoul named Nathan.
The Preistess does not know of her Werewolf roots and is being held down in SkullPort with other contraband at a tavern called the Hobbits Armpit.
More on this later, must sleep.
Oh and thanks for some really cool suggestions.
SoG |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 05:58:25
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Why werewolves? Why not another were-type, one that would be more likely to do something like try to rescue a good priestess?
I've not seen the movie, but your description makes me think more of the World of Darkness than anything else... |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 05:58:55
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Westgate is a good option for a vampire/werewolf conflict. Currently, the head of the Night Masks is a vampire (and former clone of Manshoon of the Zhentarim). The 2E sourcebook Prayers of the Faithful notes Malarite activity near Westgate in the Silvanus entry I believe (or possibly the Tymoran one - don't have the sourcebook handy at the moment) and Malar is known to have battled Nobanion in the nearby Gulthmere Forest during the Time of Troubles. As such, were-creatures might be flocking to Westgate in preparation for an assault on the Gulthmere (to restore Malar's pride etc.) only to come into conflict with the Night Mask vampires - see the 2E sourcebook Cloak & Dagger for the best info on this organisation.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 07:26:15
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Westgate is a good option for a vampire/werewolf conflict. Currently, the head of the Night Masks is a vampire (and former clone of Manshoon of the Zhentarim). The 2E sourcebook Prayers of the Faithful notes Malarite activity near Westgate in the Silvanus entry I believe (or possibly the Tymoran one - don't have the sourcebook handy at the moment) and Malar is known to have battled Nobanion in the nearby Gulthmere Forest during the Time of Troubles. As such, were-creatures might be flocking to Westgate in preparation for an assault on the Gulthmere (to restore Malar's pride etc.) only to come into conflict with the Night Mask vampires - see the 2E sourcebook Cloak & Dagger for the best info on this organisation.
-- George Krashos
Westgate (AKA Faeruns answer to Sunnydale) is a good choice but Id go another way to involve the were creatures. Use the other goddess non for who involvement with Were creature ie Selune. It could even tie in with the war of Light and Darkness because one of the leaders of the Night masks is a Cleric of Shar.... |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 12:16:20
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| A cool were-race for such a clash is the were-rat... The wererats described by Salvatore in Calimport are so cool and the comain they control through the sewers are the perfect underworld dominion... |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
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Firhyanda
Learned Scribe
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 15:34:57
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Here are some notes from my waterdeep champagne they should provide good background for lycanthropes in waterdeep. I think if I wanted to include more vampires in waterdeep I might have them associated with a corrupted cult of Malar. What im looking for now is an expert on Al-Qadim who knowes where to find a write up for Kiga.
The new moon Pack.
The temple of Selune in league with the temple of Siamorphe are fighting the cult of the beast lord Malar who is corrupting nobles during hunts and converting them to worshipers of Malar and or wear creatures. Selune and Siamorphe have been opposing this corruption of water deeps nobility by the church of Malar for decades using the new moon order to hunt down followers of Malar in waterdeep. The temple of Siamorphe has turned the new moon order to other purposes as well namely lycanthrope bodyguards for vulnerable nobles and dungeon delvers to help find Siamorphe long lost rituals. Selune uses the order to hunt doppelgangers in addition to cult of Malar members.
Bardic Knowledge Check, Knowledge Religon, knowledge local or gather information.
DC: 10 The kindered a group of good aligned wear creatures make there home in waterdeep this extended family is protected by the church of Selune in waterdeep publicly and the lords council in secret.
DC: 15 The cult of Malar still exsistes in waterdeep and has corrupted several noble houses over the years.
DC: 19 The new moon pack was all but destroyed in 1369 the year of the gauntlet as waterdeep nobility war with each other behind the Shadowes. The church of Siamorphe and Selune would like to reestablish it.
DC: 20 The temple of Selune in league with the temple of Siamorphe are fighting the cult of the beast lord Malar who is corrupting nobles during hunts and converting them to worshipers of Malar and or wear creatures.
DC: 25 Selune and Siamorphe have been opposing this corruption of water deeps nobility by the church of Malar for decades using the new moon order to hunt down followers of Malar in waterdeep.
DC: 30 The temple of Siamorphe has turned the new moon order to other purposes as well namely lycanthrope bodyguards for vulnerable nobles and dungeon delvers to help find Siamorphes long lost rituals.
DC: 35 Selune uses the order to hunt dopplegangers in addition to cult of Malar members.
DC: 40 New Moon Pack ( Thanks Sage)
The NMP (before the chaos of the Heresy) was an ancient order of priests and warriors who acted in Selune's service throughout much of the north and west of the Realms. They were never large, but they were an old group. They gained signiicant power and wealth through the years, while basically answering to no temple or clerical hierarchy. It is said the NMP handled the "dark deeds" for the church... deeds that were never spoken of in the open. They were defenders and avengers working against the interests of larger temples. They embraced werewolves and lycanthropes of all kinds. Because of this, the rest of the church feared the order.
DC: 45 DM note AL- Qadim: Kiga the Predator is the deity of wereleopards, Kiga is one of the Forgotten Gods of the Ruined Kingdoms, no longer worshipped by anyone alive
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jan 2006 : 17:23:36
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Here's an existing, semi-official group:
quote:
Most of these shapeshifting cats are followers of Selûne, goddess of the moon, several of whom, such as Feluna Moonstar of Waterdeep, serve her further as clerics or as members of the Knights of the Half Moon. The number of werecats is fairly small in the City of Splendors. Nevertheless, they work tirelessly to eradicate the wererats in the Waterdeep’s sewers and the neighboring Rat Hills.
That's from the werecat entry in the Realms Bestiary, Volume 1 by Eric L. Boyd and Thomas M. Costa. |
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Iliphar1
Learned Scribe
Austria
133 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 14:52:37
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I can only agree with everybody else, I personally don't think there is even the slightest chance, that Khelben, Piergeison, Mirt, or the other Lords of Waterdeep, the Mages, Magistrates, the families (like the Wands) etc. would miss that direct threat to their city and act against this.
Westgate would also be my first choice!
Now what I would do is inventing a "good druid or ranger" (who is in fact a Malar Priest Were Creature) who claims to be a vampire hunter. He would enlist the PCs to track down a Vampire, only to let them discover that there is not one single Vampire, but a whole Cabale. The NPC will try to get reinforcement from his clergy... I always like the idea of some evil posing as good but using the PC to further their own cause
The questions you should ask youself is: What do the Werecreatures want from Westgate and where (and why) do they cross the lines with the Vampires? I think nobody fights a war without reasons! Dominance in the "Black Lotos" (opium) or slave market might be a good reason.
Another reason might be, that the Vampires have captured somebody or something very important for the Werecreatures and therefor they want to have it back! |
'You see dead bones? ... I see an army!' Ezechiel 37 |
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Sergeant of the Guard
Acolyte
5 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2006 : 12:08:25
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Hi all-
Ran my game yesterday, alot of RP'img with perhaps 2 combats at most during the 7 hour game. Below is an AAR, also, thanks for many very useful suggestions, I think you guys will see that some of your suggestions were taken into account, so enjoy:
Slavers of Waterdeep:
Characters:
Druid/ Wizard elf-Drew
Fighter/ Sorcerer human-Josh
Barbarian human- Sara
Rogue elf-Angila
Ranger ½ elf-Matt
Cleric/Rogue/ fighter Dwarf-Mark
Everybody should have a total of five levels
The Druid and Ranger were sent by their respective elders to help Clan Wild Wolf find one of their own. These two have been tasked with finding Princess Rachel, whom ran away from her people due to the pressures of royal life. She ended up becoming a cleric of Melikiki, the Nature goddess but a few day ago had undergone her transformation to a full fledged werewolf, she attacked her teacher, Sister Leia and after a brutal fight, ran out into the streets of Waterdeep. Later in the night she was captured by slavers and taken to Skullport to be sold into slavery.
Enter the Super friends of Nature, a group of shapeshifting do gooders whom were tasked to go to Waterdeep to save, find and bring back the Princess so she could fullfill her duties as the new queen of the werewolves. But The Vampires of Waterdeep whom can smell a werewolf a 100 mile way, had other ideas, Led by a Bard named Lexi, the Vampires ambushed and decimated the Super freinds of nature. Only the Timely arrival of the Players saved the day or evening I should say.
Later the players find that they must gat ahold of a portal key to enter Skullport and save the Princess from being sold to a Vampire lord named Carlos, whom is also rumored to go out into the High Forest and hunt down shapechangers for sport. The Players had gotten the key to the portal from Kip and entered the celler of the Yawning Portal only to be confronted by two large Ogres guarding the Gate, sure the players can have the key, but they have to get past Bud and Spike to use it. Well a vicious fight ensues, oh how I love to hear the whinning about encounters being not jiving...........
The Characters won the battle and entered the Portal into Skullport, there they checked out the areas before heading towards the Black Tankared. The Rogue actually found a pair of platform boots with a dead fish of Elven kind at a retro type shoppe down in Skullport. They also met Sabbitkie the Squirrel Master- aWizard of great power indeed. Finally the players reached the Black Tankard, a real scummy place but here they would meet up with a Dwarf named Almargo, a Slaver Lord and one who knows the fate of Rachel.
The Slaver Lord strikes a deal with the players, escort his merchant brother through the Mere of Dead Men and they will get Rachel back. Of course, he does tell them they might have to deal with Carlos after the transaction is completed.
So there you have, todays adventuring notes.
SoG
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Sergeant of the Guard
Acolyte
5 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2006 : 11:29:18
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Hi all-
Once more a great game was had by the lads. Anyway here is part 2 of my campaign:
Slavers of Waterdeep part 2
Almargo’s brother, Gustov Hinzalmen knows the party will meet him at the Village of Dunwich near the Mere of dead mens edge. They are to Meet Gustove at the Broken Arrow Inn. There he will tell the players they are going to escort him a few miles from Gloomwind as his guards, he is selling off Several captured elv’s To a party of Drow and needs the extra muscle just incase things go horribly wrong.
The Players will not find out about the sale until they reach the rendevous point, he keeps his caravan just outside of town with his Regular Mercenary band called the Meat Grinders whom are apart of the Reevers, a cannibalistic and vicious race of Humans who like to kill, raid and eat their captives alive. Elves are their favorite delicacy but have been told to keep their hands off these perticular elves. Although Gustove has allowed them to eat one or two just to keep them from grumbling.
The Drow they do meet are not the Lolth Worshiping types, ther god is Kiaransalle, the Drow Goddess of The dead. But even these stalwart Drow are put off by Gustoves Mercenaries of Reevers. Even nervous and seem to want to rush the transaction to its conclusion. Of Course this is where the players whom are at this transaction must decide on the fate of the Shapeshifter princess or the poor elves being handed over to certain death IE sacrofice.
But for now, that is the future, for now, the players are leaving Waterdeep to meet the Slaver and there is plenty else to do.............
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2006 : 17:28:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Sergeant of the Guard
the Reevers, a cannibalistic and vicious race of Humans who like to kill, raid and eat their captives alive.
Hmmm... I wonder where this idea came from?
There's no place I can be
Since I found Serenity
But you can't take the sky from me... 
While this part does sound good, I'm not keen on the idea of a cannibalistic race of humans. I'd change this to either some other form of humanoid critter, or maybe swap them out for followers of Malar... But that's just me, and my preferences. |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2006 : 17:38:52
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Well met
I liked the sound of this, Sergeant of the Guard. I have to agree with KnightErrantJR, Wooly Rupert et al regarding the location of Waterdeep (although I see the adventure is already underway) and the cannibal humans. Nevertheless, being a fan of Underworld, I like the idea to base such a tale in the Realms.
I'd be interested to hear any further developments of this  |
Alaundo
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Werewolves & Vampires in Waterdeep
