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An odd idea popped into my head while reading a thread about the Deck of Many Things being used in a campaign as a plot device rather than something the players are meant to use for themselves.
I've often wondered how exactly the Staglord managed to achieve his current position considering that he seems to be an unmotivated drunkard with questionable mental stability. What if the events surrounding the Staglord were merely the result of his draws from a Deck of Many Things?
Imagine if the Staglord-to-be had instead started off as a goodly and clever ranger in service to Erastil (which explains his helm) who was out exploring the Narlmarches when he somehow came across a DoMT. Perhaps he was offered the opportunity to draw cards by some mysterious fey being in exchange for a service or simply for the sake of amusement; either Nyrissa herself or the Old Beldame could fit this role handedly. However it happened, our goodly ranger felt ambitious and decided to draw five cards from the deck! His first card was the Star. Being an archer, he chose to improve his Dexterity (up to 18). Next he drew the Throne, granting him a small castle (which he chose to locate next to the picturesque Tuskwater) and a +6 bonus to his diplomacy . The following card turned out to be the Balance; and so his heart suddenly grew dark and malevolent. From then on he advanced as a rogue rather than a ranger. He next drew the Knight, granting him the service of a fighter; which turned out to the dimwitted Auchs. For his fifth and final draw our Staglord-to-be drew the Idiot (knocking his Intelligence down to 10) which indirectly pushed him into becoming a drunkard. Then, having the choice of drawing again and hoping for his luck to turn around, he opted for one final card and so drew the Rogue; which made his father and mentor turn against him... violently.
And so with six draws of the deck (three good, three bad) we end up with the Staglord we all know; a not particularly bright though evil drunkard who's good with a bow, has a modest keep, a faithful lieutenant (initially) and a bad relationship with his druid father (who he's since subdued and now keeps locked up in his cellar).
Assuming the PCs discover this background (I'd have him bitterly muttering "Star, Throne, Balance, Knight, Idiot, Rogue..." over and over when the PCs encounter him), it could serve as nice foreshadowing should the GM ever want to introduce the Deck of Many Things into the campaign at a later date.
Comments?
It's a very fascinating prospect, and certainly makes for an interesting plot. I could see it being a lot of fun, assuming you were more than willing to allow the DoMT to resurface with potentially disastrous results (unless the party abuses augury, which is a great way to deal with the deck...)
It's a very fascinating prospect, and certainly makes for an interesting plot. I could see it being a lot of fun, assuming you were more than willing to allow the DoMT to resurface with potentially disastrous results (unless the party abuses augury, which is a great way to deal with the deck...)
A GM who allows augury to pierce the veil of a Deck of Many Things is a fool. The best - nay only - answer you could hope for should be "weal and woe".
I've often wondered how exactly the Staglord managed to achieve his current position considering that he seems to be an unmotivated drunkard with questionable mental stability.
What you're failing to remember is that the "unmotivated drunkard" part is actually fairly recent, thanks to his lack of recent contact with certain parties.
The reason he's managed to attract such a crowd is because he was the baddest mo'fo out there until your party comes along. People - and bandits especially - flock to strength in a place like the Stolen Lands.
Not to say your ideas aren't fine - but it (thematically) removes a lot of the tragedy from the Stag Lord.