3.5 Loyalist |
My game is half way through, I was wondering where to take it, how to merge where the players are now to the next stage, and then a friend gave me an idea.
Context
The players were tasked to take a far off border keep from invaders, try to save some nobles, and win the day. They didn't save the nobles, but did clear the hobgobs almost out, took the leader and monk bodyguard alive. Then as they attempted to leave after their heroic victory, the corpses and horses attracted a mighty, hungry dragon. It ate a lot of horses, some corpses, an npc.
Jump ahead, they skirmished the dragon, eventually won, almost lost a party member, the keep is partly destroyed. The hobs they freed and worked together, it is looking like they will let them head their separate ways, everyone left alive lives. Except, now they will hear of the dragonslayer curse from the monk.
The Curse
The curse is simple, the hob monk (who didn't help them fight the dragon, but which they spared) tells the heroes that survived that dragonslayers are doomed. They never last long after their first victory. They are now set apart from mere mortals, and because of the curse they will be betrayed. Dragonslayers do not live to gloat about their deeds, dragonslayers die often by foul means.
Aftermath
After this, their employer will turn against them (they didn't rescue the nobles, they are great and mighty heroes with a claim to power and leadership. This keep is going to be something they will have to hold against immense odds, perhaps from both hob and human (no longer dragon though).
That is what I have planned, knights will soon be attracted to the chance at killing dragonslayers, soldiers will invade, they will be set up, it will be tough going, but victory is possible.
I smiled as I hammered this idea out, because I got to thinking, would you trust someone who could kill a dragon? Such power and skill, such bravery could cause great offence in a warrior society. My fiend suggested that with such deeds, they may no longer be considered human (and yet they can of course die). Quite different to how a dragonslayer is received and accepted in Skyrim.
Rynjin |
Seems like a bit of a dick move TBH unless they're getting something out of it.
This is the equivalent of "F!++ you for being good at something!" to me.
It really doesn't make sense that they're universally hated for killing the dragon. In a warrior society they WOULD be revered, because killing a dragon is a sure sign of a peerless warrior.
Yes, some would FEAR them instead (like their employer) but it seems like a very large chunk of the unaligned warriors and mercenaries would turn out in droves to associate themselves with the mighty dragon slayers.
3.5 Loyalist |
Except if they are not revered, are now no longer trusted, now have a claim to multiple thrones and to upset the present hierarchies through the obvious power of their warrior bloodline. As they win, the fear and hatred will likely only grow--they become seen as monsters.
A peerless warrior is someone without peers. If you get my meaning, they are above those that currently are high up, above knights, hardy soldiers. That is going to inspire jealousy, hatred, and yes, a bit of fear, but it is not good to be an enemy of every proud warrior.
Like Skyrim no one has killed a dragon in the civs they are from in a very long time, adoration is not going to follow especially as they are slandered and troops get thrown at them.
Thank you for your quick reply.
Rynjin |
Yes.
I'm just saying they should be getting into HEROIC situations, not defending themselves from 90% of the population who fear the dragonslayers.
I just think if you're going to go the route of the jealous/fearful authority figure assaulting them in their castle, you should go whole hog. Plunge the entire region into chaos as people pick sides: Those who revere the dragonslayers and those who fear them. Turn it into this big epic battle instead of what's kind of teetering on the edge between "Epic castle defense" and "Petty noble throws a b!~!# fit". Give them the option to try to settle it peacefully or take over the region from its obviously dishonorable nobles and bring the nation under their benevolent rule or some such.
It's a cool idea, and it makes sense except in a couple of ways I think.
3.5 Loyalist |
I guess post skyrim, I'm a bit over the revere the dragonslayer idea, when to me it makes more sense for them to be viewed in the negative after such a huge victory. This isn't like normal dnd, by 10th level you have knocked off a big dragon or the equivalent.
It is time for something a bit different, not just praise and respect for the dragonslayers, no, a curse of sorts, a wave of hate and suspicion.
Velcro Zipper |
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I actually like the idea. In a sense, you're basically just describing the pressure that comes with celebrity. You could probably just watch a few VH1-Behind the Music episodes to get adventure ideas.
You've already said the players are going to get all sorts of perks, accolades and support for being renowned dragon killers so it isn't like they're universally reviled. You might consider having a small population of devoted dargonslayer groupies (basically villagers looking to the PCs for security or wanting to bask in their awesomeness) show up asking to set up camp in the PCs fort. Some of the more obsessive fans might begin stalking the party on their adventures, unscrupulous traders might come around looking to make endorsement deals or powerful factions might try to lure characters away from the group with lucrative offers of employment.
I notice you didn't mention the PCs venturing into the dragon's lair. If the players find a hoard of gold, thieves might infiltrate their fort looking for easy pickings. If there was no hoard, thieves might still show up expecting to find one.
3.5 Loyalist |
Ha ha ha! Behind the music ideas. Cool.
Maybe some rebels show up (of a civ knocked around a few years ago) and want to start a dragonslayer cult?
Plundering the hoard could be a side quest, but then they would leave the castle, would probably lose it and then really in a bad way given the region exists from this vale include hostile army watched pass and monster forests.
Velcro Zipper |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I wouldn't have the fort stolen from them the first time they leave for a month. They're rep for slaying giant, dangerous, fire-breating lizards should offer some protection from squatters. However, you might consider having a bunch of old friends, relatives, hangers-on and creditors show up looking for a slice of the PC's fame and fortune.
Let the PCs go get their hard-earned gold, then come home to find Shifty Uncle Dudley (the one who's spent half his life in jail and escaped prison twice) or That-One-Guy-Nobody-Really-Knows-But-He's-Always-Hanging-Around hustling up to them with a grin and a hug and a handshake as they come through the gate.
Worse yet, if any male party members are Charismatic or just dead sexy, have some women show up with kids in tow, claiming the PCs are their baby-daddies.
There are no worse monsters than family.
3.5 Loyalist |
The curse has been played up, there have been hallucinations, the halberdier character is sweating. They killed the dragon, let some of the hobgoblins go, were taken by surprise days later by the same hobs but spared. Hobs will allow them to leave, after they help with an ambush. They ended up getting away with some loot, and met Rhodokians, what they presumed would be forward scouts and on their side, yay, they are saved. They have just left the hobs and the keep behind.
Turns out the Rhodokians are there to kill them, so we ended on a cliff-hanger, just as their new friends spoke strangely (communicating to attack the pcs) and halberds chopped down upon them. There were some hints these Rhods were far more merc than standard soldiers, but in their effort to spread lies and get away from a Rhodokian reckoning, didn't realise these friendly Rhods were here for them!