Xallace
2009-05-22, 05:22 PM
EDIT: Thanks to Flickerdart for some historical accuracy!
A friend of mine recently acquired a 3rd party d20 book (v3.5) similar to Frostburn. It seemed like an OK read, until we got to the back. Much to out surprise, there was an entire chapter pertaining to the Slavs! Slavic culture, classes, monsters, magic, etc. Now, this friend of mine is very much into Russian Studies, and so inspired, asked me to DM a campaign using the material.
Now, I don't know too much about Russia or the Slavs (he still needs to lend me that book), but I've been doing some independent research. Here's what I've got so far:
What The PCs (and the Populace) Think
For as long as anyone can remember, Grigori Rasputin has ruled over Russia with an iron fist. Terrible creatures roam the country-side and even the larger towns at night. Those born in the cities are free from worry of the monsters, but face a different problem: the all-seeing Okhrana, Czar Rasputin's ultimate military force.
It's a bleak existence, but not everyone thinks that there are no means of escape. Underground even the Underground, rebellious factions exist that plan to overthrow the Czar and instate a new kind of government. So far, though, any public attempts have been met with unstoppable force from the KGB.
The (Possibly) Real Story
At the peak of World War I, Grigori Rasputin persuaded the Russian Royal Family to join him in a ritual that he claimed would "end attacks on Russia forever." Using the family as extra conduits for the energy, Rasputin unleashed a massive torrent of magic across the country that cut off Russia from the rest of the world (In game terms, Russia is now a finite demi-plane). Several documents supposedly written by the Royal Family claimed that Rasputin would serve as the next Czar. This caused legitimate controversy, but in the end, Rasputin ascended to the thrown.
Rasputin's reason for this act was twofold: Firstly, the removal of Russia from the war was imperative to Rasputin, who was a firm believer in non-violence. Secondly, the removal of outside influences and his own ascension to monarch would allow Rasputin ultimate control over the messages fed to the country so that Rasputin could realize his goal: the spiritual enlightenment, and subsequent eternal happiness of the Russian people.
Unfortunately, Rasputin's use of the ritual had several unintended side-effects. First, for reasons unknown, creatures, places, and objects from Slavic folklore and "mythology" have come (or returned into existence). Second, other individuals with magical powers- both arcane and divine- began to spring up around the country.
Lastly, Grigori Rasputin himself became partially merged with an entity known as Koschei the Deathless (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koschei). As time goes on, Grigori has an increasingly tough time dealing with Koschei's mental influence, and he does not understand what has happened to him.
Rasputin's original views, now warped by his merging with Koschei, have been twisted and any original, benevolent method he had is now lost. Indeed, Koschei/Rasputin now plans on absorbing the entire demi-plane inside himself. In effect, this would remove the mortal aspects of Koschei/Rasputin's existence, creating a new god (which fits the definition of "enlightenment" in his new mindset).
Wary of his weaknesses in his current state (the entity's soul resides on Buyan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buyan), just like Koschei alone), Rasputin created the Okhrana) to act as his "sword and shield" against threats to the throne.
The Okhrana act as intelligence gatherers and military police, utilizing the best individuals (especially Diviners) they can gather. They also act as suppressors of dissent, performing frequents raids on individuals they deem a threat to the country or its idealogies.
In addition, the Okhrana commands far more technological advances than the rest of the country, especially militarily. These include firearms, bombs, tanks, advanced architectual designs, and even some mechanical walkers. Often times, these are further enhanced by magic.
Further Ideas and Explanations
Maria Rasputin (Matryona Rasputina), Grigori's daughter, knows of Koschei's existence within her father, and has fled the Czar's palace after several (bloody) failed exorcisms. She now works as a dancer and entertainer in the Underground. Immortal just like her father, she believes that he had nothing to do with Russia's dimensional shift, and that his personality can be saved from Koschei's.
The island of Buyan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buyan) exists, though mostly as rumor among the common folk. None have been there, though many have tried or claimed that a "friend of a friend" succeeded.
The three prophetic birds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamayun) exist, and I intend to have them appear in visions to the PCs.
Baba Yaga exists, though possibly in a state similar to Koschei.
Cossacks act as rangers and adventurers in the wilderness, and know quite a bit about the strange things that have happened.
The DnD races exist, although I need to get my friend's book, as it has explanations of how they would fit into a Slavic campaign setting.
So I need to research more about:
Russian History
Cossacks
Slavic Folklore
What do you think? What should I change, what can I add, and how can we flesh this all out?
I appreciate all feedback! I really want to make this an enjoyable campaign for my friends, since they all think it's a great idea.
A friend of mine recently acquired a 3rd party d20 book (v3.5) similar to Frostburn. It seemed like an OK read, until we got to the back. Much to out surprise, there was an entire chapter pertaining to the Slavs! Slavic culture, classes, monsters, magic, etc. Now, this friend of mine is very much into Russian Studies, and so inspired, asked me to DM a campaign using the material.
Now, I don't know too much about Russia or the Slavs (he still needs to lend me that book), but I've been doing some independent research. Here's what I've got so far:
What The PCs (and the Populace) Think
For as long as anyone can remember, Grigori Rasputin has ruled over Russia with an iron fist. Terrible creatures roam the country-side and even the larger towns at night. Those born in the cities are free from worry of the monsters, but face a different problem: the all-seeing Okhrana, Czar Rasputin's ultimate military force.
It's a bleak existence, but not everyone thinks that there are no means of escape. Underground even the Underground, rebellious factions exist that plan to overthrow the Czar and instate a new kind of government. So far, though, any public attempts have been met with unstoppable force from the KGB.
The (Possibly) Real Story
At the peak of World War I, Grigori Rasputin persuaded the Russian Royal Family to join him in a ritual that he claimed would "end attacks on Russia forever." Using the family as extra conduits for the energy, Rasputin unleashed a massive torrent of magic across the country that cut off Russia from the rest of the world (In game terms, Russia is now a finite demi-plane). Several documents supposedly written by the Royal Family claimed that Rasputin would serve as the next Czar. This caused legitimate controversy, but in the end, Rasputin ascended to the thrown.
Rasputin's reason for this act was twofold: Firstly, the removal of Russia from the war was imperative to Rasputin, who was a firm believer in non-violence. Secondly, the removal of outside influences and his own ascension to monarch would allow Rasputin ultimate control over the messages fed to the country so that Rasputin could realize his goal: the spiritual enlightenment, and subsequent eternal happiness of the Russian people.
Unfortunately, Rasputin's use of the ritual had several unintended side-effects. First, for reasons unknown, creatures, places, and objects from Slavic folklore and "mythology" have come (or returned into existence). Second, other individuals with magical powers- both arcane and divine- began to spring up around the country.
Lastly, Grigori Rasputin himself became partially merged with an entity known as Koschei the Deathless (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koschei). As time goes on, Grigori has an increasingly tough time dealing with Koschei's mental influence, and he does not understand what has happened to him.
Rasputin's original views, now warped by his merging with Koschei, have been twisted and any original, benevolent method he had is now lost. Indeed, Koschei/Rasputin now plans on absorbing the entire demi-plane inside himself. In effect, this would remove the mortal aspects of Koschei/Rasputin's existence, creating a new god (which fits the definition of "enlightenment" in his new mindset).
Wary of his weaknesses in his current state (the entity's soul resides on Buyan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buyan), just like Koschei alone), Rasputin created the Okhrana) to act as his "sword and shield" against threats to the throne.
The Okhrana act as intelligence gatherers and military police, utilizing the best individuals (especially Diviners) they can gather. They also act as suppressors of dissent, performing frequents raids on individuals they deem a threat to the country or its idealogies.
In addition, the Okhrana commands far more technological advances than the rest of the country, especially militarily. These include firearms, bombs, tanks, advanced architectual designs, and even some mechanical walkers. Often times, these are further enhanced by magic.
Further Ideas and Explanations
Maria Rasputin (Matryona Rasputina), Grigori's daughter, knows of Koschei's existence within her father, and has fled the Czar's palace after several (bloody) failed exorcisms. She now works as a dancer and entertainer in the Underground. Immortal just like her father, she believes that he had nothing to do with Russia's dimensional shift, and that his personality can be saved from Koschei's.
The island of Buyan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buyan) exists, though mostly as rumor among the common folk. None have been there, though many have tried or claimed that a "friend of a friend" succeeded.
The three prophetic birds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamayun) exist, and I intend to have them appear in visions to the PCs.
Baba Yaga exists, though possibly in a state similar to Koschei.
Cossacks act as rangers and adventurers in the wilderness, and know quite a bit about the strange things that have happened.
The DnD races exist, although I need to get my friend's book, as it has explanations of how they would fit into a Slavic campaign setting.
So I need to research more about:
Russian History
Cossacks
Slavic Folklore
What do you think? What should I change, what can I add, and how can we flesh this all out?
I appreciate all feedback! I really want to make this an enjoyable campaign for my friends, since they all think it's a great idea.