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looking at how the series are sequenced together I decided to create one large over-arching story that does not just the death of Xin, but also the unification of Varisia into the United City-States of Varisia! (UCSV)
Rise of the Runelords
The party consists of a Universalist Human Wizard, an Assimar Cleric of Desna, Human Cavilier, and a Dwarf Ranger. The Wizard over the course of the journey went from being a wizard who saw Thassilon as a great wizardry empire into seeing it as a fallen civilization, whose only great figure was its first emperor. After he and his team slew Karzoug, they plundered the city for everything it had and slew every monster that had taken up residence (putting them at the desired level 20). After they had cleaned the city of treasure and monsters, the wizard went on a bluff overlooking the city and using the volcano nearby and an earthquake spell, destroyed Karzoug's spire and buried the city beneath lava and ash.
Returning to Sandpoint, the Cleric joined a varisian caravan and traveled the length of the nation, becoming friend and leader of every caravan in the country. The dwarf took only a small chestful of the wealth and departed back into the wilderness to continue his hobby of giant slaying. The cavalier ended up become the new head of the Watch, and was forced to marry Shayliss, due to knocking her up before he went to Xin-Shalast. while the marriage was forced at first, the two began to love one another and both of them cleaned up their acts and became faithful to one another. The wizard gained a large portion of the treasure and with the later acquisition of the Kaijitsu Manor in Magnimar, he began to build a university of Thassilonian Studies in the city, moving the library from Jorgenfist along with its librarian to Magnimar. storing all the books and relics he gained. But the wizard also began to design something bigger as he began to look for other like-minded people to help him build a united Varisia.
Curse of the Crimson Throne
the party consists of a Human Paladin, Shoanti Barbarian, A Rakshasa-Spawn Tiefling Bard, and a Devil-spawn Tiefling Conjurer Wizard. When the four have overthrown Queen Ileosa, The Paladin became regent protector of the realm with command over the military. thew Shoanti Barbarian journeyed to the Cinderlands and through a series of challenges became the High-chieftain of all the clans, unifying them for the first time in ages. The Tiefling Bard, disappeared after the events in the swamp, wanting to travel and see the world rather then stay in one place forever. The Wizard soon became the new head of the Academae, and with the skills he learned from the Egorian School in Cheliax, turned the school into one of the greatest schools of magic in Varisia.
The paladin's first order of business in Korvosa was to outlaw the faith of Asmodeus, citing that they did nothing to stop the queens tyranny and only helped its evil. Demolishing the temple in the city and building a cathedral to Iomedae in its place. The Wizard was however able to convince the paladin to let the Academae continue its practice of devil summoning, and was able to get the Hellknights to stay in Korvosa to continue their service.
when a banquet was held on the anniversary of the queen's overthrow, they recieved an unexpected guest in the form of the Wizard from Magnimar, who came in hopes of seeing if the heroes of the city were interested in helping in his plan to unify Varisia. as they talked the Paladin of Korvosa and the Wizard from Magnimar both watched as a comet began to fall from the sky towards Riddleport.
more soon.
Oooh.
Keeping an eye on this baby.
Dot
Second Darkness
Group consists of a Human Cleric of Groetus (Jasper Kandamerus from Shattered Star), Kitsune Street Performer Bard, Halfling Rogue, and a Half Drow Bladebound Magus. After arriving at Crying Leaf the rogue, bard, and cleric will return to riddleport as they are not interested in "elf problems". the Magus however decides to help in order to aid the elves against his hated progenitors. the new party consists of the Magi, an Elven Oracle of Lore Lorekeeper, Elven Fighter, and Elven Ranger.
After stopping the destruction of Kyonin, the Magus is made a member of a new council to replace the winter council, the council of seasons, which consists of the magi and his companions along with the old members of the winter council. at their request knowledge of the change is made known so that the elves can begin to work together to find ways of preventing it from happening to anyone else and to perhaps find a way to reverse it. They also cleanse much of Tanglebriar, and help to slay Treerazer and end his taint, though it will take years for the forest to heal.
Meanwhile in Riddleport, the cleric disappears among the masses, later being found in Magnimar continuing to preach about the end of days. the halfling continues to work at the golden goblin under the owner (the kitsune bard) who has now become one of the lords of Riddleport. After the Bard receives a letter from their old Magus friend, a patron who just beat the house asks to meet with the owner to discuss a proposition. What this Wizard from Magnimar wants, the Bard Doesn't know, but the fact that he's rich and that his idea seems profitable for Varisia as a whole appeals to him. He allows the wizard to talk with him for ten minutes. They talk all night.
Shattered Star: Part One
A group of pathfinders consisting of an Human Archaeologist Bard, A catfolk rogue cat burglar, a Sorceress of arcane heritage (who later gains Sorshen's clone body), and a Human Alchemist. This group is assembled under the premise of finding the pieces of an artifact that could help defend against further runelords. Upon their return after finding the first shard they meet the benefactor of their search, the Famous Wizard who helped to kill Karzoug! He says that as part of the Co-operation between the Pathfinder Society and the Order of the Sihedron Star, an organization being formed to try to unify Varisia under one government of common rule, in order to produce an item that will not just help them against further runelords but also to produce a symbol of unification for the land.
under this knowledge the group sets out to find the shards, gaining help along the way with information about Thassilon and being paid by the wizard for every Thassilonian related artifacts they find and for a copy of each report they give to the pathfinder society. during this time the group aids with certain efforts that the Order is gaining difficulty with such as making contact with the City of Kare Maga in hopes of getting their consent to the alliance. and after the events of the Doomsday Doors, the society aids with the Abby's reconstruction in hopes of turning Windsong into the new capital of the Nation. If it was a neutral site for the world faiths, then it can perfectly serve as a neutral site for all factions of Varisia!
After collecting the last shards, the group returns to Magnimar for an event that both the Society and the Order Hope to bring greater peace and unity.
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Shattered Star: Part 2
When the speeches are made and the forging process begins, as each shard is place the Wizard makes a statement as to the shards representing the factions of Varisia,
Pride:"This shard represents Magnimar, the City of Monuments!"
Greed:"This shard represents Janderhoff, and the Dwarves of Varisia!"
Lust:"This shard represents Korvosa, The City of Arcana!"
Gluttony:"This shard represents Kare Maga, The City of Srangers!"
Envy:"This shard represents Riddleport, The Cypher City!"
Wraith:"This shard represents the Shoanti, Warriors of the Storval Plateau!"
Sloth:"Last but not least, This shard represents the Varisians, The Children of the Wandering Road!"
The Elves of crying leaf are not spoken of but are told that they have an honorary place on the council.
after the shards are united, the Earthquake and Tsunami begins to happen, the Tsunami however is diverted when the Catfolk rogue uses his "lucky blade" to wish away the wave and protect the city. after the disaster is averted members of the order assemble at the pathfinder lodge as the wizard, using divination has seen a dark fate ahead. Noticing a large patch of bare land appearing near the crystal palace, the wizard calls all the factions together to form an army to keep the clockwork soldiers at bay long enough for the heroes to go inside and stop Xin with the Sihedron Star.
the next day as the heroes sneak to the opposite side of the island, the forces of Magnimar and the caravans (the only ones to have assembled so far) gather on the shores of the new island and fight the clockwork army. but after a few hours things begin to look bleak for the army until the forces of Korvosa, Janderhoff, and the Shoanti Clans arrive to supply their aid. Later the forces of Kare Maga arrive putting pressure on the clockwork army with the Ardoc family's own construct force. The clockwork dragons however are giving them one hell of a beating, until the pirate ships of Riddleport packed with criminals and the elves of crying leaf arrive sending the dragons down to the deep.
after the heroes defeat Xin, his clockwork army shuts down and deactivates, causing a great cheer from the united armies on the field. in the palace, the Heroes are joined with the members of the order who witnesses Xin's final words.
"What have I done wrong, all I wanted was to make a truly great and powerful empire."
The Wizards stands before the spirit and says, "you did make a great empire. But no empire will be great forever as every empire falls. your vision however will not die, for here it stands before you the people of Varisia unified under one nation. A unification that will last the ages and be even greater then Thassilon." with these words Xin smiles and passes onto the afterlife.
Months later a celebration is held at Windsong City in honor of the Varisian Council's first official meeting. the Heroes are given rewards for their work and the position of Rune Defenders, to act as a response team to any Runelord activity. In the center of the chamber standing as a beacon in the Sihedron Star floating in the light of the high noon sun, a beacon to a bright future ahead.
There it is the epic saga, though this is more of a plot draft with vague characters, there is enough to use and adjust for your own game sessions.
Any thoughts to add to this epic design?
Really, *really* awesome. If only ever I had the time to run 4 adventure paths...
I would, however, swap the varisians with Korvosa with their respective shards - varisians are much more related to lust (the lust of music, of travel, and of course of flesh) than Korvosa is.
I had it like that because, Korvosa sits on top of Sorshen's city, and they get some powerful enchanters out of the Academae. and the Varisians represent more of the virture opposite of sloth, zeal. their constant movement from place to place seems to be a good example of Zeal.
Also "doting" for further consideration (as I am right now running RotR AE (soon to start part two of "The Hook Mountain Massacre") and plan on running CotCT, then on to SD, (I'll also add in JR) and then "come back" to Varisia for Shattered Star) ... or what I like to call my "Varisia Project".
Nicely done zergtitan. :)
~Dean
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I had it like that because, Korvosa sits on top of Sorshen's city, and they get some powerful enchanters out of the Academae. and the Varisians represent more of the virture opposite of sloth, zeal. their constant movement from place to place seems to be a good example of Zeal.Really, *really* awesome. If only ever I had the time to run 4 adventure paths...
I would, however, swap the varisians with Korvosa with their respective shards - varisians are much more related to lust (the lust of music, of travel, and of course of flesh) than Korvosa is.
Very good point, never thought of it that way. I agree.