Ostien
2010-04-30, 02:07 PM
So I'm starting a game, below is a bit of backing and flavor:
The PCs are going to start in a gnomish dominated steampunk empire. However, the world outside of one particular sub-continent is mostly inhabited by aberrations. There is some aberration influence on the area though, so there are cults to Elder Evils and other such things. The idea of arcane magic is slightly flavor altered and is more a kin to H.P. Lovecraft's magic where in his case the knowledge for magic is gained by pacts with devil or demons and sometimes aberrations (So instead of Sorcs having the dragon blood flavor it is devils and demons). Diving magic functions the same but the Gods are much less powerful on this planet in contrast to Toil. There are a higher number of psionics then perhaps in other settings.
The level of technology is steampunk as mentioned with airships being present and early black powder firearms and black powder bombs and such.
There is an aspect of colonization where the gnome empire is expanding into the mostly wild and wood elf forests and there is a bit more in the way of racial tension etc. Elfs are basically second class citizens, even the high elves are seen as being suspect to barbarism. There are multiple origin stories for the elves each with their own bias. The gnomes like the idea that all elves were barbarians until they came along to try and civilize some of them, but after a colony experienced what was basically a magical nuclear explosion they were seen as hopelessly ignorant. The elves have their own myth of infighting and splinter groups who returned to nature. Some occultists ascribe to the notion that most races were brought to this planet from various other places by other beings (Neogi). Other theories each with there own bit of validity. Ironically the Orcs and Half-Orcs are see in higher regard, perhaps due to the better relations with the Orc tribes to the north. Elan are present but their origin in my campaign is they were created by the Ilithad for them to control and watch over their experiment. the experiment being, letting the former slave races escape and observe their actions so they can better deal with threats when they try to rebuild their empire (I'm taking more of the second edition concept so more ancient or from the far realms less future time travelers as is in LoM, though the far realms concept of time would be different so... but that's not as important).
I may incorporate revised Spelljammer stuff. I've found a good 3e Spelljammer book that has rules conversions but not sure what aspects of the second edition time line I'm taking as it is kind of hodgepodge and hard to sort out. But what i am sure of is that this is another planet and is in the same 'verse as forgotten Realm's Toil, Greyhawk etc. So Spelljammer stuff may come into greater focus later.
And political intrigue! The ruling imperial family has no heirs and the senate families are vying for power (the senate appoints a family from their ranks to the throne and unless something goes wrong the family stays there, at the head of the senate and the military). Also the empire has had a period where they were conquering nearby gnomish kingdoms and some were absorbed as senate nobility or kept their lands but are now regents and understandably some families are still bitter. The Empire started from a peaceful agreement among some kingdoms but has gotten a bit more despotic and warlike over the years. There are still independent kingdoms but the Empire still can basically keep them in line.
Anyways, I have a fair amount written on the history for it on a private wiki and can elaborate more if needed. This is just a crude and rambling overview.
Since I'm not asking for specific world building advice the general outline is just there to frame the advice I'm looking for.
One of the PCs is going to be a P.I. and the game will be set up more episodically rather then an epic (though it could turn into one). So I'm looking for just general ideas for plot hooks that would fit, so cults, organized crime, demon shenanigans etc. I have an opening cult kidnapping scenario that sets things up and later on I have a serial killer investigation involving a gnome mad scientist, and intellect devourer and a sentient construct :smallbiggrin:
So if anyone has any random idea to throw out that could spark some bigger ideas I'd appreciate it.
The PCs are going to start in a gnomish dominated steampunk empire. However, the world outside of one particular sub-continent is mostly inhabited by aberrations. There is some aberration influence on the area though, so there are cults to Elder Evils and other such things. The idea of arcane magic is slightly flavor altered and is more a kin to H.P. Lovecraft's magic where in his case the knowledge for magic is gained by pacts with devil or demons and sometimes aberrations (So instead of Sorcs having the dragon blood flavor it is devils and demons). Diving magic functions the same but the Gods are much less powerful on this planet in contrast to Toil. There are a higher number of psionics then perhaps in other settings.
The level of technology is steampunk as mentioned with airships being present and early black powder firearms and black powder bombs and such.
There is an aspect of colonization where the gnome empire is expanding into the mostly wild and wood elf forests and there is a bit more in the way of racial tension etc. Elfs are basically second class citizens, even the high elves are seen as being suspect to barbarism. There are multiple origin stories for the elves each with their own bias. The gnomes like the idea that all elves were barbarians until they came along to try and civilize some of them, but after a colony experienced what was basically a magical nuclear explosion they were seen as hopelessly ignorant. The elves have their own myth of infighting and splinter groups who returned to nature. Some occultists ascribe to the notion that most races were brought to this planet from various other places by other beings (Neogi). Other theories each with there own bit of validity. Ironically the Orcs and Half-Orcs are see in higher regard, perhaps due to the better relations with the Orc tribes to the north. Elan are present but their origin in my campaign is they were created by the Ilithad for them to control and watch over their experiment. the experiment being, letting the former slave races escape and observe their actions so they can better deal with threats when they try to rebuild their empire (I'm taking more of the second edition concept so more ancient or from the far realms less future time travelers as is in LoM, though the far realms concept of time would be different so... but that's not as important).
I may incorporate revised Spelljammer stuff. I've found a good 3e Spelljammer book that has rules conversions but not sure what aspects of the second edition time line I'm taking as it is kind of hodgepodge and hard to sort out. But what i am sure of is that this is another planet and is in the same 'verse as forgotten Realm's Toil, Greyhawk etc. So Spelljammer stuff may come into greater focus later.
And political intrigue! The ruling imperial family has no heirs and the senate families are vying for power (the senate appoints a family from their ranks to the throne and unless something goes wrong the family stays there, at the head of the senate and the military). Also the empire has had a period where they were conquering nearby gnomish kingdoms and some were absorbed as senate nobility or kept their lands but are now regents and understandably some families are still bitter. The Empire started from a peaceful agreement among some kingdoms but has gotten a bit more despotic and warlike over the years. There are still independent kingdoms but the Empire still can basically keep them in line.
Anyways, I have a fair amount written on the history for it on a private wiki and can elaborate more if needed. This is just a crude and rambling overview.
Since I'm not asking for specific world building advice the general outline is just there to frame the advice I'm looking for.
One of the PCs is going to be a P.I. and the game will be set up more episodically rather then an epic (though it could turn into one). So I'm looking for just general ideas for plot hooks that would fit, so cults, organized crime, demon shenanigans etc. I have an opening cult kidnapping scenario that sets things up and later on I have a serial killer investigation involving a gnome mad scientist, and intellect devourer and a sentient construct :smallbiggrin:
So if anyone has any random idea to throw out that could spark some bigger ideas I'd appreciate it.