In the description of the Chisels Headquarters - The Hall of Carvings - in one section it discusses an Earth Pool in which a Earth Weird once dwelled.
Now I haven't got my Hardcover with me but if I remember correctly the Weird was brought there by Sundabar but recently disappeared.
I'm toying with the idea of sending my party on a mission to find the weird and bring her back for the Chisel.
Here are my questions -
Why do you think the weird disappeared?
How long a go did she vanish
Where did she go (Earth Plane, Elemental Ruins near Sasserine, etc)
Is it unbalancing to the game to bring her back - I believe Earth Weirds predict future doom
Any advice/discussion is extremely welcome
Thanks
Delvesdeep
|
I think, the Earth Weird disappeared upon the successful creation of the first Soulcage, this should be only a few weeks or days prior to the group arriving in Redgorge.
Where to?
Perhaps there is an additional shrine dedicated to the Earth in the southern parts of the mountains surrouding Cauldron (I'm thinking about a castle on the top of a mountain).
A prediction of a mountain in flames and an assault on Cauldron from the powers of madness, what a better way to foreshadow the archvillain of this campaign? This way the player's will certainly make the connection between Occipitus and Adimarchus.
I have been trying to foreshadow this with dreams about occipitu and its fall into the Abyyss, that haunted caracters that failed saves against disease...
I think, the Earth Weird disappeared upon the successful creation of the first Soulcage, this should be only a few weeks or days prior to the group arriving in Redgorge.
I like your reasoning but why did they disappear? Is it part of their own prophesy - something like: 'Hope will reclaim the earth before the truth of the hollow mountain is revealed' or something like that/another reason?
(Hope=party, earth=weird, truth=disaster, hollow mountain=cauldron)Where to?
Perhaps there is an additional shrine dedicated to the Earth in the southern parts of the mountains surrouding Cauldron (I'm thinking about a castle on the top of a mountain).So if I guess correctly you are refering to Jarls? This would be a good method for bringing the Hold and Frost Giants into play. Unfortunately for me I have another side trek planned where the players travel to Ysgard and battle Frost Giants so, even though it is a sensational idea, I don't wish to double up.
What about in the Haunted Village and a lost Kopru Ruin to the elements perhaps even beneath the lake? This would probably work better with a Water Weird but perhaps the temple is hidden beneath the village or was devated to all the elements?
Another option is to have the temple hidden on the outskirts of Sasserine in the dinosaur infested deep jungle. Or perhaps the Earth Weird is entrapped in the guidhouse of the Last Laugh or even in Lord Taskerhills manor (though this may give too much away to the 'neutral' NPC)?
A prediction of a mountain in flames and an assault on Cauldron from the powers of madness, what a better way to foreshadow the archvillain of this campaign? This way the player's will certainly make the connection between Occipitus and Adimarchus.
The prediction would prove very dramatic particularly if it occured just before the event. If the party learned earlier of the impending disaster perhaps they may attempt to evacute Cauldron earlier and locate the Cagewrights which may impact on the Foundation of Fire adventure so timing maybe an issue.
How would they make the connection between Adimarchus and Occupitus?
I have been trying to foreshadow this with dreams about occipitu and its fall into the Abyyss, that haunted caracters that failed saves against disease...
I've also been using the Haunted Dream trait to foreshadow Adimarchus, the Smoking Eye and Occupitus. Infact my 'dreams' have been more about snapshots of his life and a how he fell into darkness. I've thrown in a few instances of madness when particularly upsetting memories transpire in the dreams but as a whole I've used to more as a foreshadowing tool that as a random/incomprehensable jumble of insane thoughts. I just thought this would be a better method and tool to make Adimarchus more of a prominant villian/personality as the path progresses. Obviously you have planned along similiar lines.
A few more questions of my own -
What do you think the prophesy would be?
What gift would the Weird demand for the prophesy?
I was thinking something like the dust of a liches skull or a rock untouched by light possible found in the Haunted VIllage (see I knew I would involve the Village somehow :))
When should the side trek take place?
Thanks for your help
Delvesdeep
|
|
Why did the Earth weird disappear?
The reality warping feature of the Soulcages made the area surrounding Cauldron a living hell for the Weird. The first cage was a distant thrumming, the second a headache, the third a splitting headache until it could not bear it anymore and disappeared with the words "It is too much, I can't bear it any more... the pain... the suffering... the signed ones are dying".
Where to would it disappear?
Perpaps to a druid's grove in Sasserine - an area of elemental tranquility?
When and how should the party find the weird...?
If upon returning from Occipitus they are displaced and have to travel back to Cauldron via Sasserine, they can easily pick up a rumour, that an Earth Weird is healing in the grove. It was nearly mad, when it arrived.
What "gift" would the Weird demand for the prophecy?
The "Stone of Sanity" or "Talisman of Dreamless Sleep"... since dreams are the things that haunt the weird and pushed it further to madness... The party has to shield the Weird from further emanations from Carceri. It would be the only thing that would bring the Weird back from the edge of madness.
The item would block the results of confusion and madness spells or it would shield the bearer from dreams sent from anywhere.
What Prophecy?
I have to think about that. Something about the Dreamer in the Cage. A mountain will be consumed in flames. The bearers of the invisible sign are in mortal danger. (That may be too much)
I will try to post more about the prophecy when I have more time.
I just read through the Hard Cover last night and it mentions that the Earth Weird has retreated to the Elemental Plane of Earth. Now if this is the case I may have the party enter the Eaths Dormant Pool (with assistance of the Foreman) and attempt to find her.
One possibility could be that she has been 'captured' by Earth Genies (sorry I have forgotten there names) and the party will need to work their way through the great tunnels and caverns of the plane, battling some of its natives, before attempting to bargain for her freedom. Perhaps they decide to send the party off to battle a particular troublesome creature, retrieve an item or even have them help brooch a trade deal with the local uncooperative dwarves.
When she returns she will be very greatful but will need the dust of a kopru liches skull from the Haunted Village before she can regain her strength/foresight ability.
She will then foretell Cauldrons Doom etc - see Olivers post above.
What do you think?
Any problems/advice?
Delvesdeep
One possibility could be that she has been 'captured' by Earth Genies (sorry I have forgotten there names)
They are called Dao.
Looks good to me!
~Qualidar~