TheFamilarRaven
2015-10-18, 03:56 AM
Hello playground, as you might have gathered from m the title of this thread, I am in dire need of a good ol' fashioned conspiracy. You see, while I can slap on a few broad strokes and paint a big picture, the devil is in the details, as they say.
In common, I have a general idea of the overall scheme is and who some of the major players are. I am currently wracking my brain trying to come up with an in depth plot that will thicken over the course of the adventure. So let me lay out what I have so far, starting with the big details and moving down.
-My players have requested a roleplay heavy, intrigue adventure. Not my forte, but certainly not outside my capabilities
- The system we have decided to use is Pathfinder, the party will be starting at a low level (1-3, I am undecided as of now)
- I have chosen to use my usual homebrew world for the setting, most of my players are familiar with it.
- The campaign starts 32 years after a major, nation shattering world war.
- The adventure will take place in the metropolis of Solmnus, part of the Myzandian republic
- The game will be primarily play-by-post (don't know if relevant, but thought i'd best add that fact)
Solnmus is the largest city (by population) in the Myzandian republic, and is the capitol city of the Caliviae region, (just the region, not the whole republic). The races that make of the majority of the demographic are humans, Venmera (wood elves, if you will), Jomera (high elves, if you will), Emoc (gnomes), and other. The Caliviae region boasts a Mediterranean climate near the oceans, but gets more arid the further west/south-west you go. It is also home to some of the biggest slums in the country. Its primary exports are food, weapons and other metal goods. The city is situated near a mountain chain rich in mineral wealth (namely iron), and the valleys and fields north of the city are very fertile. Solmnus also has a large port, in which to trade across the oceans.
Due to said war happening 32 years ago, a flux of Venmeran , refugees have put down roots in Solmnus (and various other cities across the republic). Because of circumstances back in their home country, more and more Venmerans flee to the republic whenever they get the chance.
Most of the wealth that the exports generate go to the land/business owners, while the working class remains poor. The refugees have displaced many of the local workers, as the venmerans agree to much lower pay and harsher conditions just to keep themselves and there families fed. This has led to resentment towards the venmerans from the locals.
The Caliviae region is is governed over by an elected official, helped along by an elected council. Terms last for 8 years, with no limit on how many times an individual may run for office.
It's getting late so I'll speed things up
Basically, my idea is to have a cult of Y'vos (Demonlord of Corruption) influence events in the city. Their ultimate goal is to destabilize the republic and sow chaos, because demons (more concrete reason to come). To do that they are going to have to be able to influence the politicians, the merchants and some of the gangs in the streets. They plan to ignite a race war that will weaken the republic, so that their enemy nations will gain an opportune time to strike.
My general map for how the PC's unravel the plot goes as follows
gang violence -> thieves guilds -> merchants guilds -> politicians -> Y'vos cult
Problem is that seems like a pretty straight path....
So what do I need?
- Any ideas for false leads
- What are obstacles that hinder the PC's investigation? (I've already checked off corrupt city guard).
- What are good ways to drop hints and clues as to whats really going on without the obvious "note off big bad" trope?
- any cool ideas for a character or scenario that might happen in such a city.
- Anything I might have missed because it's late, and, like I said, conspiracy plots are not my forte.
In common, I have a general idea of the overall scheme is and who some of the major players are. I am currently wracking my brain trying to come up with an in depth plot that will thicken over the course of the adventure. So let me lay out what I have so far, starting with the big details and moving down.
-My players have requested a roleplay heavy, intrigue adventure. Not my forte, but certainly not outside my capabilities
- The system we have decided to use is Pathfinder, the party will be starting at a low level (1-3, I am undecided as of now)
- I have chosen to use my usual homebrew world for the setting, most of my players are familiar with it.
- The campaign starts 32 years after a major, nation shattering world war.
- The adventure will take place in the metropolis of Solmnus, part of the Myzandian republic
- The game will be primarily play-by-post (don't know if relevant, but thought i'd best add that fact)
Solnmus is the largest city (by population) in the Myzandian republic, and is the capitol city of the Caliviae region, (just the region, not the whole republic). The races that make of the majority of the demographic are humans, Venmera (wood elves, if you will), Jomera (high elves, if you will), Emoc (gnomes), and other. The Caliviae region boasts a Mediterranean climate near the oceans, but gets more arid the further west/south-west you go. It is also home to some of the biggest slums in the country. Its primary exports are food, weapons and other metal goods. The city is situated near a mountain chain rich in mineral wealth (namely iron), and the valleys and fields north of the city are very fertile. Solmnus also has a large port, in which to trade across the oceans.
Due to said war happening 32 years ago, a flux of Venmeran , refugees have put down roots in Solmnus (and various other cities across the republic). Because of circumstances back in their home country, more and more Venmerans flee to the republic whenever they get the chance.
Most of the wealth that the exports generate go to the land/business owners, while the working class remains poor. The refugees have displaced many of the local workers, as the venmerans agree to much lower pay and harsher conditions just to keep themselves and there families fed. This has led to resentment towards the venmerans from the locals.
The Caliviae region is is governed over by an elected official, helped along by an elected council. Terms last for 8 years, with no limit on how many times an individual may run for office.
It's getting late so I'll speed things up
Basically, my idea is to have a cult of Y'vos (Demonlord of Corruption) influence events in the city. Their ultimate goal is to destabilize the republic and sow chaos, because demons (more concrete reason to come). To do that they are going to have to be able to influence the politicians, the merchants and some of the gangs in the streets. They plan to ignite a race war that will weaken the republic, so that their enemy nations will gain an opportune time to strike.
My general map for how the PC's unravel the plot goes as follows
gang violence -> thieves guilds -> merchants guilds -> politicians -> Y'vos cult
Problem is that seems like a pretty straight path....
So what do I need?
- Any ideas for false leads
- What are obstacles that hinder the PC's investigation? (I've already checked off corrupt city guard).
- What are good ways to drop hints and clues as to whats really going on without the obvious "note off big bad" trope?
- any cool ideas for a character or scenario that might happen in such a city.
- Anything I might have missed because it's late, and, like I said, conspiracy plots are not my forte.