Plots/Inspirations

As I have already confessed, I steal ideas from all over the place. None of the plots are linear. Instead, I have a notebook of mini-adventures that I can drop in depending on where the party wants to go. This way PCs get to choose their path. Some plots never get used. A few have been used more than once.

Each plot segment has a name. Just for the record, here are a few past plots that have been completed.

One Good Love

Svatt secretly loves Mara and, despite his better nature, she is the one person who he would actually endanger himself for. Mara returns those affections, but cannot admit it because it might endanger her position within the church of Mystra.

The Hook

The PCs are convinced that Svatt has done something evil. Enough so that they may move against him. Mara intervenes and, surprisingly enough, Svatt responds.

Outcome

Either Svatt or Mara puts themselves in danger for the other, leaving the PCs to come to the rescue. Hopefully a good roleplaying moment will allow a PC to play matchmaker or confidant. Ideally the episode will show the PCs Svatt's human side.

How it actually played out

I was able to convince the PCs that Svatt was a traitor instead of....well....someone else. Devin, who didn't know Svatt's level, drew down on him and took his familiar hostage. The situation was pretty tense and I DIDN'T want anyone getting trigger happy, so I decided that Svatt would play it cool. During a brief conversation with the PCs, Karen IMMEDIATELY picked up on the fact that Svatt was attached to Mara and released him on the spot. This created a nice relationship between Signe and Svatt that is still there. Later I was able to get Svatt's human element when he returned to Athkatla and was taken hostage. The Foretold rode to the rescue in a spectacular fashion.

An Irrational Moment

Grolsch wages a daily battle with his more savage side. Before he was a Paladin, he was a Barbarian and that nature is always barely held in check. Ultimately it will test his faith.

The Hook

Before the unification of the three tribes, the PCs, along with Grolsch and some of his men, will encounter a scouting party from the Horse Clans. At some point Grolsch will succumb to his blood lust and battle unchecked.

Outcome

Hopefully the party will intervene and bring about Grolsh's fall from Grace. (Plot Line: Icarus is alive and....)

How it actually played out

This came off straight down the center perfect. Kainus's strictures as a cleric of Tempus forbid him from harming a combatant who has surrendered. When an opponent laid down his weapon rather than face Kainus Grolsch turned his lance to finish the job. Kainus chose to take the lance and save his former enemy. Grolsch dismounted, shocked out of his bloodlust and Kainus responded by wiping his own blood on Grolsch's face and saying "This blood is on you." Grolsch fled the city that night. He has yet to forgive himself.

Amityville

Once upon a time there was a man named Sebastian. He was a real asshole.

The Hook

The old Sebastian house is haunted. Why won't anyone go there?

Outcome

An investigation of the house will reveal what happened to the Sebastian children so long ago. Hopefully the PCs will lay them to rest while learning about their father.

How it actually played out

This plot was first played out for group 1, the Seekers. It sucked. Using his unnatural Chip-ability, CJ walked straight in the house, ignored the haunting, went upstairs, freed the spirits and went home. When I chose to use it again for the Unforgiven, I beefed it up a bit and added some more late night horror. Knowing that 3 out of 5 (at the time) of the Unforgiven were parents, I knew that children would be a major motivator. In true heroic fashion they escaped the house and laid the Sebastion children to rest.