Stront
2012-02-07, 05:46 PM
I've just started running an Evil campaign and my players are tasked with traveling to a region that has recently lost its ruler. The Master of the group would like to expand his influence into the new region and has sent the party to cause chaos and weaken/thwart any attempts by anyone to try regaining control of the region.
They are required to remain somewhat behind the scenes and not openly draw attention to themselves if possible. That being said, I have been debating on introducing a tool for them to use against the populace. This will be in the form of "Curse Crafting"; creating an almost Epic Curse that will be able to be used against an individual or an entire region/populace.
My thought so far is the following:
The party will run into a hag somewhat similar to Baba Yaga that will offer the ability to craft a nasty BBEG like curse. One of the PCs will be required to contain the curse and track the progress of creating it. This will come in the form of five tattoos on their forearm. As the requirements are met the tattoos will fill in.
I'm looking for some more ideas on this; I currently have the following thoughts for steps (that must be completed in order):
Step 1 - Shed the blood of the weak and infirm, and feed the blood to a holy man. (Now what exactly is a holy man here? Just because someone is a priest might not mean they are exactly "holy").
Step 2 - Destroy the hope of a community, filling all with despair. (Pretty vague but that is the point).
Step 3 - Slay a true champion of good; make others learn of their demise and create fear.
Step 4 - Destroy beauty on a grand scale, leaving the world more barren and devoid of such things.
Step 5 - Slay a truly pure and innocent one and bathe the curse tattoo in its blood.
When all 5 steps are completed the curse will almost becoming a living thing on the PCs arm. It will move and may gain a life of its own. Holding the curse will be a struggle but it can be done.
The PC will now have the ability to direct the curse on an item, a person, or an entire region/area of effect. If it is dispersed in the latter manner, it will be less powerful if it is focused but it would harm more things. If the PC is slain while holding any part of the curse it will be unleashed and affect those around it.
I'm looking for any other ideas, if you have any - feel free to share them.
They are required to remain somewhat behind the scenes and not openly draw attention to themselves if possible. That being said, I have been debating on introducing a tool for them to use against the populace. This will be in the form of "Curse Crafting"; creating an almost Epic Curse that will be able to be used against an individual or an entire region/populace.
My thought so far is the following:
The party will run into a hag somewhat similar to Baba Yaga that will offer the ability to craft a nasty BBEG like curse. One of the PCs will be required to contain the curse and track the progress of creating it. This will come in the form of five tattoos on their forearm. As the requirements are met the tattoos will fill in.
I'm looking for some more ideas on this; I currently have the following thoughts for steps (that must be completed in order):
Step 1 - Shed the blood of the weak and infirm, and feed the blood to a holy man. (Now what exactly is a holy man here? Just because someone is a priest might not mean they are exactly "holy").
Step 2 - Destroy the hope of a community, filling all with despair. (Pretty vague but that is the point).
Step 3 - Slay a true champion of good; make others learn of their demise and create fear.
Step 4 - Destroy beauty on a grand scale, leaving the world more barren and devoid of such things.
Step 5 - Slay a truly pure and innocent one and bathe the curse tattoo in its blood.
When all 5 steps are completed the curse will almost becoming a living thing on the PCs arm. It will move and may gain a life of its own. Holding the curse will be a struggle but it can be done.
The PC will now have the ability to direct the curse on an item, a person, or an entire region/area of effect. If it is dispersed in the latter manner, it will be less powerful if it is focused but it would harm more things. If the PC is slain while holding any part of the curse it will be unleashed and affect those around it.
I'm looking for any other ideas, if you have any - feel free to share them.