| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 03:28:27
|
In Death of the Dragon, it was mentioned that Azoun had set up accounts in neiboring lands so that if Cormyr fell, his subjects would still have a certain amount of gold to keep them alive and let them start over again. I was thinking about incorporating this into my campaign thusly:
There is a journal that has all of the accounts in it, and the proper contacts and code words for agents of the crown to add or subtract to the accounts. This journal has fallen into the hands of a theif that is being pursued by Sembians, Zhents, and of course Harpers and Cormyreans.
Not only does the journal have a lot of gold just waiting for the taking, but I was thinking it might present the following delima: The Cormyreans have lost track of the contacts and code phrases, since much of this was entrusted to Azoun's personal agents, some of which died with him and others that have, at least for a while, left the land. While the known accounts are being found and shut down, the Harpers would like the gold to stay spread around in case Cormyr has another calamity and falls for good, but the crown would like the ledger back to gather the gold back to them to help rebuild the nation. Thus, the PCs would have to choose between "good guys" in this case.
What do you think of this plot hook? Are there any angles that I might not have thought of? What else can I throw into this little plot that would make it more interesting? Thanks for any ideas!
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 04:41:16
|
Swiss bank accouts?
Not sure what other hooks you need, I just wonder why theif does not know what he has (maybe can not read Elven?).
Oh agents spread about might seek to collect money for the good of Cormyr (or themselves).
Not sure the Harpers would want the gold speard aout in other lands either, but there again I do not understand Harpers well enough to consider that they would not want Cormyr have the funds they need.
Oh clearly there would not be just one account book of financial transactions, though a master book of accounts could exist in itself (hard to steal) there woud be records to rebuild it within weeks (or should be) of agreements in the most secure parts of Cormyr (That of course might also be stolen and many factions could be going for the same gold/wealth). |
"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 |
 |
|
|
Firhyanda
Learned Scribe
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 16:28:52
|
Knight Errant: Excellent.
I think this is an excellent plot hook as I can see it being played out in multiple locations in multiple ways.
The journal itself could be an encryption puzzle for the party to solve in order to get the information on the location of the contacts and the pass words a decipher scripted roll could be used to give them clues to breaking the encryption.
Perhaps a powerful money lender in a foreign nation and or a large city has decided that the gold on deposit with him has been forfeit. He believes that sense the Cormyreans have there own troubles just now he will just keep the money. The party could have to break into the vault of the money lender and steal back the deposit for the kingdom its mission impossible time. Howe much does 100 silver trade bares weigh anyway.
Another way to go is a gold caravan once the party has solved the issue of where the gold is and who the gold rightful owner is there is the matter of transport, assuming they do not have a high level caster with teleport moving that much cash across country is an adventure about to happen.
|
|
|
|
Mkhaiwati
Learned Scribe
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 17:22:07
|
I like this.
I may have to steal this for my own campaign.
AS to the other accounts, perhaps someone (I see Khelban or a Moonstar agent doing this) also wants the book to use the money for their own, "good" ends. The PCs could have to choose to bring the money back to Cormyr or help another, possibly greater good that is being pursued by Khelban.
Or maybe some local deposit got turned into something nifty like an orphanage or some local good. The beneficiaries of the gold could look to Cormyr as a savior, with the orphanage (or whatever it is) called St. Azouns or something... hehehehehe talk about taking money from an orphanage! Of course, they could have local troubles, the PCs could help and also recover some treasure from the baddies (such as a local cell of the Cult of the Dragon) and the orphanage (I keep calling it that even if it isn't what you could use) and Cormyr still prosper off the transaction.
hmmm... this just keeps getting better.
Thanks
Mkhaiwati |
"Behold the work of the old... let your heritage not be lost but bequeath it as a memory, treasure and blessing... Gather the lost and the hidden and preserve it for thy children."
"not nale. not-nale. thog help nail not-nale, not nale. and thog knot not-nale while nale nail not-nale. nale, not not-nale, now nail not-nale by leaving not-nale, not nale, in jail." OotS #367 |
|
|
|
Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 20:59:18
|
If you don't want to use Azoun's hidden gold, there are other characters that could have hidden money or even other items. People like Khelban, Elminster, the Seven Sisters for the good side. Or Fzoul or Manshroon for evil. Or even the gods.
Just a thought. |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
|
|
|
KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2006 : 21:04:56
|
Yeah, but this was a great hook to develop in my campaign, since of the five total players/characters, three are from Cormyr, four if you count the Tunlar barbarian. And the cleric's player at least has read the Cormyr books as well, so it would be a "oh yeah" moment if the gold is brought up.
I'm glad you guys have been helping me brainstorm, and that some of you are intruiged enough to want to use this hook, and keep the ideas coming . . . thanks! |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Campaign Brainstorming: Cormyrean Accounting
