OMG PONIES
2010-06-03, 03:50 PM
So, I've finally decided to take the reigns of my gaming group in a short while to DM a campaign. I'm going to be running an Eberron campaign centered on the Draconic Prophecy, and I have a few ideas. However, I want the input of the creative folks lurking in the Playground. My soon-to-be players, please keep out. If you have met Peacekeeper, please close this thread.
Now, with that being said, onto the plot. What follows is some rough background for how I'd like the campaign to begin, spoilered for those who prefer to skip the details:
The campaign is going to start not with a motley crue of random adventurers, but with our players as detectives in Sharn. A serial killer is about, and he's eliminating members of the dragonmarked houses. The reason for this is that he's actually a member of the Chamber who's snapped. He thinks he understands the Draconic Prophecy, and he believes that murdering a member of each dragonmarked house is the key to unlocking the prophecy. So I think the Draconic Prophecy will turn out to be one sentence--a rather lengthy sentence, with each word beginning with the same letter as one of the Dragonmarked Houses. Rather than sticking to the 13 true houses, I will be using all 15 (including Houses Vol and Tarkanan).
I'm trying to drum up one sentence that sounds like a prophecy, using the first letter of each dragonmarked house to represent one word. I have some ideas, and a bit on their meaning/fulfillment. Please provide any constructive criticism, or feel free to create your own (using the same rules and providing some level of meaning or fulfillment).
1. God's chosen king shall join the many veering paths to valiantly lead the deathless one: Each murder tears a hole between the Prime Material Plane and another (the Feywild, Xoriat, etc). The killer hopes that, by uniting all of the planes as one, he will gain power and rule the multiverse forever. Classic single bad guy scenario, with the possibility for widespread chaos.
2. One takes the last mark to violent death so joyful pawns can vault godless kings: By destroying the dragonmarked houses, the killer hopes to break down the world's political infrastructure in hopes of inciting political revolution and bringing democracy to Eberron. The players must choose: uphold oppressive monarchs, or commit evil to usher in a new era of enlightenment? More political intrigue and ambiguity, perfect for Eberron.
3. Siberys' child leads Khyber justly, though many vile persons despise the vestige of good.: In a twisted display of morality, the killer (perhaps a paladin gone awry) is attempting to destroy the political powers above not for democracy, but to pave the way for another king. However, the paladin believes wholeheartedly that their acts are not just necessary, but for the greater good. This seems like the most cliche fantasy plot, with the possibility for noble court intrigue.
4. The chosen one gains power through valiantly leading Khyber versus Siberys down jagged mountains: The killer views his work as crippling Siberys to pave the way for full-out war. This scenario would definitely end with a large-scale battle, with the possible twist that the killer had the Prophecy wrong, and the Chosen ones (the party) are leading Siberys versus Khyber to victory.
So, Playground, which one (or ones) would you find most compelling as players? Or are there any better ideas you have for what the prophecy should say and mean? I'd love to hear your ideas! Please number them so others can comment on yours as well.
Now, with that being said, onto the plot. What follows is some rough background for how I'd like the campaign to begin, spoilered for those who prefer to skip the details:
The campaign is going to start not with a motley crue of random adventurers, but with our players as detectives in Sharn. A serial killer is about, and he's eliminating members of the dragonmarked houses. The reason for this is that he's actually a member of the Chamber who's snapped. He thinks he understands the Draconic Prophecy, and he believes that murdering a member of each dragonmarked house is the key to unlocking the prophecy. So I think the Draconic Prophecy will turn out to be one sentence--a rather lengthy sentence, with each word beginning with the same letter as one of the Dragonmarked Houses. Rather than sticking to the 13 true houses, I will be using all 15 (including Houses Vol and Tarkanan).
I'm trying to drum up one sentence that sounds like a prophecy, using the first letter of each dragonmarked house to represent one word. I have some ideas, and a bit on their meaning/fulfillment. Please provide any constructive criticism, or feel free to create your own (using the same rules and providing some level of meaning or fulfillment).
1. God's chosen king shall join the many veering paths to valiantly lead the deathless one: Each murder tears a hole between the Prime Material Plane and another (the Feywild, Xoriat, etc). The killer hopes that, by uniting all of the planes as one, he will gain power and rule the multiverse forever. Classic single bad guy scenario, with the possibility for widespread chaos.
2. One takes the last mark to violent death so joyful pawns can vault godless kings: By destroying the dragonmarked houses, the killer hopes to break down the world's political infrastructure in hopes of inciting political revolution and bringing democracy to Eberron. The players must choose: uphold oppressive monarchs, or commit evil to usher in a new era of enlightenment? More political intrigue and ambiguity, perfect for Eberron.
3. Siberys' child leads Khyber justly, though many vile persons despise the vestige of good.: In a twisted display of morality, the killer (perhaps a paladin gone awry) is attempting to destroy the political powers above not for democracy, but to pave the way for another king. However, the paladin believes wholeheartedly that their acts are not just necessary, but for the greater good. This seems like the most cliche fantasy plot, with the possibility for noble court intrigue.
4. The chosen one gains power through valiantly leading Khyber versus Siberys down jagged mountains: The killer views his work as crippling Siberys to pave the way for full-out war. This scenario would definitely end with a large-scale battle, with the possible twist that the killer had the Prophecy wrong, and the Chosen ones (the party) are leading Siberys versus Khyber to victory.
So, Playground, which one (or ones) would you find most compelling as players? Or are there any better ideas you have for what the prophecy should say and mean? I'd love to hear your ideas! Please number them so others can comment on yours as well.