After reading the latest issue of Dungeon, I was intrigued by this new monster, the Greater Doppleganger. For those who don't know, this doppleganger has the ability to take alignment, skills, spells, etc. from the consumed brains of its victims. I have always loved the doppleganger and had an idea for a campaign focusing on this creature. My idea is simple. It starts off where the PC’s get together, a school for adventurers. The school is run by a greater doppelganger,(Ixildrim), disguised as a retired adventurer of some renown (Ixildrim ate his brain). Ixildrim acts as patron towards the PC’s, finding areas that are in need of their services. All of the trainers within the school are normal doppelgangers. Ixildrim whole purpose for having this school is to take part in a vast contest. Ixildrim has his group of adventurers and his opponent has a group as well. Until the PC’s get up to 10th level, they never know of the other group's existence. As soon as the reach 10th level, Ixildrim informs them of a rival group of adventurers that has been encroaching on their territory (the rival group is told the same thing by their handler). That’s as far as I’ve gotten so far and I welcome and comments or suggestions you guys may have.
Wow! That sounds very clever and interesting. What a shock when the truth is revealed (whatdaya mean our beloved patron is an evil mastermind?!!). Sounds like great stuff.
Sounds interesting. Be sure to post how it goes. So this is nothing more than a massive game between two Doppelgangers? Is there any underlying hate between the two or are they friends (do dopplegangers have friends)?
Oh there's hate. However, there are also rules. After one group of adventurers destroys the other, the victorious group's handler kills one of the members, eats his/her brain, takes his/her place in the group and leads his group to kill the opposing doppleganger.
Oooh. I'm not sure I'd be on board for your latest "wrinkle" in the story. I was going to mention this in my first post - that I think your idea is great as long as the characters aren't in constant danger of being murdered by their mentor, or worse, murdered after they successfully complete their intended task (which is exactly what you just said). I personally get very attached to my characters and wouldn't be pleased to sacrifice some 10th level or higher character just to further the story-line. The danger with dopplegangers is swinging the game balance way out of whack toward the DM (even though as a DM myself 95% of the time, I recognize that the temptation is great).
Cool idea. Keep us appraised. I'm sure I'd post more, but I should be off to another D&D session. (apparently, yesterdays session went so well we're having one today. This might be the last. There is one last major plot twist...)
Mwahahahaah!
Looking forward to playing again.
WaterdhavianFlapjack
See, I don't want any of my PC's to die either. That's just what the contest rules are. What I was thinking was to have the PC's discover the existence of not only the doppleganger-run school, but also have something click and say, "Wait a sec', I wonder if our patron is a doppleganger?" I'm thinking maybe some mysterious figure that somehow moves the plot forward after the PC's take care of their "patron" can give some clue.
See, I don't want any of my PC's to die either. That's just what the contest rules are. What I was thinking was to have the PC's discover the existence of not only the doppleganger-run school, but also have something click and say, "Wait a sec', I wonder if our patron is a doppleganger?" I'm thinking maybe some mysterious figure that somehow moves the plot forward after the PC's take care of their "patron" can give some clue.
Mysterious figures are always nice. You could have someone give an anonymous tip.
WaterdhavianFlapjack
Excellent setup. Sounds like if you play it right, you have all the makings of a total final battle of excellence.
It's not the clues, so much as the timing. In other words, play it straight as a school until just before you're ready for the Big Reveal. Or the Final Battle with The Doppelganger(s). Then drop a bomb or two and let matters unfold.
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Somethings you might consider:
The Rival Doppel has consumed so many good people that his alignment has truely shifted to Good.
The Patron Doppel uses the player party to accomplish tasks which set back the Rival Doppel's plans in such a way that the (presumably) good PC party can't tell they're actually performing evil tasks.
They don't discover the truth of their Patron until after they've killed the Rival Doppel. Leaving them to have to take up his duty of stopping their Patron.
After they break from their Patron, they have to deal with the fallout from their previous acts.
For those who don't know, this doppleganger has the ability to take alignment, skills, spells, etc. from the consumed brains of its victims.
If I remember it correctly, that sounds exactly like the main antagonist in one of the mini-adventures from ye olde White Dwarf, back in the eighties: "The Halls of Tizun Thane"...