GM Help: Have a story idea, where to put it?

[Ice_Deep]

Greetings,

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know there is a lot of posts on here. I also know there is a lot of very smart, and talented people (just like @ Paizo) and I think someone can help me rather easily.

Before you read any further here is the question(s).

1. What island if any, would be good to use in Golarian to from a small new nation?
2. Is the island between Osirion and Qadira inhabited, or claimed?
3. I would prefer the Island have a "lost city" nearby that is why I am trying to use the one indicated in #2.
4. Any ideas for what Creature/Demon would be the best to use for one inhabiting a island/cavern, and can charm/dominate/take-possession-of someone to turn them from good, into evil.
5. Any recommendations based off of a city/lost city area? I have all the City/Lost City/City of Stranger books, Inner Sea Primer, Guide to the River Kingdoms, and others. I was thinking Kael Mar but I doesn't "feel right" for this story.

The basics:

1. I am next up for GMing
2. I previously ran RotRL
3. Someone else is currently running Second Darkness (just ran session1, so I have a while).
4. I don't wish to run a AP, though I am considering running Harrowing as I will be buying it(I just signed up to be a AP subscriber)
5. I have a certain "overall story" that will be going on, though I want it to be "sandboxy" so the players are not hindered by any railroads, and can completely ignore the main plot, and make their own.
6. Though knowing my "players" they will follow any interesting, and intriguing plot. I mean they followed RotRL which was hard to follow in some ways.

a whole bunch of notes/stuff on my background for my campaign:

Ok now that you have a little info here is the story I have.

In 4081 during the creation of Imperial Cheliax a lesser Lord (Turis Rakir) or Andoran unhappy with the change leaves, stocking several vessels on setting sail for places unknown.

After many months at sea as well as many false hopes they come to a island with several large statues showing various monsters, and with no signs of towns, or villages on the coast they set anchor and send in a party along with Turis (who is interested to find out who made these statues) head inland.

During the parties time island, only Turis and one other member of the party make it back. While the many sailors take this island as possessed, Turis refuses to listen and starts his township and produces diamonds found on the island as proof of the Gods wish for them to stay, and the start of a new nation is born.

(Turis was possessed by a Demon/Ghost/Monster when he went inside, the other crew member hide and since he failed to see the possession/domination/charm, murder of his fellow sailors he was left alive)

Fast forward about 700 years later..

Though much of the island is still unexplored a vast network of caves are built into the mountain in the middle of the island due to the vast search for precious diamonds. The Rakir family has managed to keep control over the nation now named Diamant.

City of Racor
CN small city
Corruption +5; Crime +5; Economy +4; Law -1; Lore +3;
Society +1
Racially intolerant Human (Chelaxian), unholy site, properous (Nobles),
Danger +15, superstitious
DEMOGRAPHiCS
Government secret god
Population 10,420 (6,220 humans; 1,518 halflings; 1,033 half-
orcs; 850 dwarves; 850 other)
Notable NPCs
Queen Ersula Rakir (NE female Half Elf Oracle 12)
Headmistress of the Mage Guild Detasa (NE female human wizard 13)
Puppet Sheriff Honer Felabor (LE male human aristocrat 2)
MARKETPLACE
Base Value 6,000 gp; Purchase Limit 37,500 gp; Spellcasting 7th
Minor items 4d4; Medium items 3d4; Major items 1d6

Magic:
In the region of Diamant, and the city of Racor all magic is controlled. Any person who is capable of casting spells must by law register with the guild and serve a period of 2-5 years in service to the city. To own a magic item you must first get a permit, pay a tax, and then it also must be registered indicating the use and reason for the item. A group of "Mage Hunters" go around tracking down anyone using a non-registered magic item, or casting spells when they have yet to offer their service to the nation.

Religion:
Norgorber is the formal God/religion of the city, and it's temples, though he goes under a new name of Wargris. Though small private shrines to other gods have been found they are considered blasphemy.

Any ideas?

[Ice_Deep]

Anyone have a idea if that Island would work at least?

[Evil Lincoln]

I count five decent sized islands between Qadira and Osirion. One of them — Stonespine Island — is considerably larger and has the settlement Okeno on it. I don't know any details, still waiting for the Campaign Guide.

But hey, man. Screw it, if you like the location of the island, put your country there. Campaign settings exist to save you work, not to create more work for you.

Given the scale of the map, any of those islands could easily hold an autonomous state. Bahrain's been in the news lately, have you noticed just how small it is?

Obviously, geographically the island would have been explored or claimed by one of the adjacent nations. Use that as a starting point for some new colonial push by whichever nation you like best, then put the players in charge.

As for monsters what live in ruins and dominate people, it's tough to beat a lamia matriarch... but perhaps your players are burnt out on them after Runelords.

Best of luck!

[Evil Lincoln]

Ice_Deep wrote:

Anyone have a idea if that Island would work at least?

Or...

since the principle deity of your island is Norgorber, I should say it is well within your prerogative as GM to say the island is not on any maps.

[Steven T. Helt]

You can put your island anywhere, bro. If you're jonesing for a specific map (I get it - I hate making maps), then use any map of a largish island you can find, but the island doesn't have to appear on the larger map pf Golarion for you to palce it there. It's your game. Change the world, man.

Also, you could flirt with the implications of that game world. An island previously unmapped shows up, or the PCs belong to a culture that doesn't get out much and doesn't realize the Osirians and Qadirans don't know they exist. Play it up!

[Ice_Deep]

Evil Lincoln wrote:

Ice_Deep wrote:

Anyone have a idea if that Island would work at least?

Or...

since the principle deity of your island is Norgorber, I should say it is well within your prerogative as GM to say the island is not on any maps.

Very True :)

I mainly was hoping that Island (the one below Absolom) was unused in "Golarian" so I could use it, while still having a "Lost City" (Both Tumen and Kho) a nearby "cannon" city Cassomir, Katapesh, Absolom, Oppara all which could provide a place for the PC's to go (or have background involving) if they get "off the tracks" so to speak.

I just don't want to railroad them, and by having some area like that to mention (and having background information on them) will be helpful.

Guess I will just use it since it does not seem to have any cities listed on any of the maps I have.

Ninjad...Thanks to you as well Steve

[Evil Lincoln]

The name of the small island off the "tip" of Quadira is Yanimere. There are no settlements marked on it. I say go for it.

[H. T. J. Munchkineater]

It may not be the kind of thing you're thinking of, but having you considered it being an island that was previously unmapped? It could have been a recent discovery and relatively close to a canon settled island with a major city on it. It could have even risen from the sea, reverse Atlantis style. Just a thought.