Brainstorming "Ponymaker" - Adding Ponyfinder to KM... yeah, I know...

[T.A.U.]

Mine Kingmaker AP campaign is probably going to be known for the many spin-off quests taking the time of the main campaign plot (i.e. The Yoda Mites, the little Kobolds, the 4 commoners in Candelmere).
But our group is liking those games so much, 'cause many of this sessions are able to make them feel their kingdom 'alive' and not something secondary in the Main-Party's way to the maximum level.

One of mine players is a very addicted fan of My Little Pony, and brought a Ponyfinder manual... hence mine idea of adding a dedicated spin-off, using the always present connection to the First Word as a way to introduce those special ponykind of Fey.
This should be a 'one-shot' session, but those (N)PCs should also became recurring characters if the players wish so.

I usually avoid adding 3rd party products to mine campaigns but, from what I've seen the last time we played (she will lend me the manual in the next week), this manual seems to have a very little impact on the pathfinder official rules.

Now, to prepare a spin-off quest, the first step is a brainstorming.
I hope you could help me in creating an interesting side-quest.

Mine current ideas:
- Ponies are Fey, as stated in ponyfinder manual, coming from the First Word, maybe trapped in the Greenbelt due to some accident.
- Their quest would be to find a way back home, and doing so they have to interact with kingdom's leadership (the NPCs, the PCs will conveniently be out in one of their adventures.)
- They are not (yet?) involved in the main Nyrissa plot.
- I'll pregen 4 of them, giving those to mine players when time will come.

As always, I'm open to any suggestion.
Thanks in advance.

[pennywit]

My first thought is to involve Windchaser, the awakened horse in the Slough (he's in Blood for Blood, I think). And as far as villains, I think somebody modeled on the Horseman (from Piers Anthony's Night Mare) might work. Perhaps there is a master horseman (fey or non-fey) out there who intends to put the Ponies under his sway. The Ponies must seek the protection of Windchaser if they are to stand against him. Along the way, they have adventures and learn about the importance of friendship.

[Chuckbab]

pennywit wrote:

Along the way, they have adventures and learn about the importance of friendship.

That's the important part.

[Norin d'orien]

Some connection with Aecora maybe? Or even better, with Xananthe!

[Kobold Catgirl]

If I could offer some brony-based advice, I'd suggest you give the ponies very simple, archetypal personalities (the grump, the shy one, that sort of thing), just to capture the spirit. :P

Other than that, you could have a monster from their world journey into Golarion, and their task could be twofold: Not only must they get home, they must capture and bring this errant villain back with them so he can't do any more harm.

Consider having them clash with local fey. Design the majority of encounters to offer the possibility of nonviolence, be entirely nonviolent, or at the least the possibility of making a new friend strategic ally:

An owlbear threatens them, but observant little ponies will notice that it is actually defending its hiding cublet.

A hostile goblin tribe that is all but scared stiff of the little ponies and can be intimidated, or perhaps even subdued, with the right show of charismatic force.

The ponies encounter a bunch of hobgoblins beating on one of their own. This hobgoblin is a Lawful Evil wizard, and he's being targeted for his use of "elf magic". He will be grateful for any rescue, however, and could perhaps be redeemed in time.

The ponies come across a bandit camp that's in the process of morphing into a very small permanent settlement and is currently throwing a merry festival (with contests and food and all that fun stuff). Their festival plans are in jeopardy, however, as two bandits (ex-lovers) threaten to turn it into a bloody custody battle over the prize cow/chicken/horse.

The ponies come across a wrecked bridge, and must help a few wandering pilgrims get across. How they accomplish this—flying across and fixing the bridge, using magic, swimming—is entirely up to them.

A con artist has come to the village pretending to be [one of the PCs], using their reputation to extort money from the peasants. The players will know, but the ponies won't initially, and they'll have to find a way to prove it when they realize.

Giving these guys more nonviolent challenges gives you a chance to show a different side of this growing kingdom. Obviously, a lot of these depend somewhat on the progress of advancement and stuff and I haven't really played Kingmaker so I've no feedback there. :P

[pennywit]

This might also be a chance to show your players some of the good fairies in the kingdom -- dryads, pseudodragons, brownies, and such.

[T.A.U.]

Thanks for all your ideas. I'm starting thinking of a possible first adventure setting, but if you have others advices those are very welcome!

The campaign is currently at book 2. The main PC haven't explored the southern part of the Stolen Lands, focusing instead on developing their kingdom north, and having political encounters with Brevoy.

They befriended Perlivash and Tig in book 1, and now (after some Troll related events), the fairies of the northern forest are helping the Spymaster and the Marshal (+1 Stability).

Also their kobolds Mini-Me are involved with fairies and "Elemelons"