My old campaigns for 2ed AD+D are set in the bits of Forgotten Realms no one
wrote about in the books. you know the sort of thing. "not really there dale "
just east of Shadowdale, the one Elmister never visits..
Many of the later quests were set up through three characters from my old
player days who became financial backers for adventures to come.
To re kindle those fine times the new quest will feature some old characters
the players have chosen to bring out of retirement for a while.
This is the opening letter each of the players will receive through the post
shortly.. they will know exactly what to do...!
would appreciate any comments and views..
The letter..
At the center of a broad rock-strewn clearing deep in the darkest heart of the ancient
forest, stands a gnarled and twisted tree that has haunted that spot with poison and
shadow since before the time of Elves. Even they had no love for this tree and feared
to give it a name. Their paths and their lives steered around that lonely tree until
even they forgot the reason why.
Man has visited that place. Wild eyed shamans and forest dwelling druids have sat and
pondered that tree and they found there a mystery they could not explain or would not
share. Rangers and hunters have countless times skirted the clearing in chase of game
and made note of how the game did the same. They gave tell of fear and danger there
most likely caused by the ancient tree’s poison or rot. They spoke of its place and ruled
it closed to all.
On the maps they drew the clearing was simply marked “wrong !” ……..
no one has walked this way in a hundred years or more…Until now that is !.
I have spoken to one who has a tale to tell of this place from a journey they were
forced to make to that clearing just this very summer. A journey they made not in
search of poison old trees, but for herbs and the petals of rare plants.
For me actually, would you believe?
They entered the clearing and found there a safe place to camp. The tree it self
to their well trained eyes, little more than a very ancient specimen of the Yew tree genus.
One that had no doubt been struck by lightning several times in its youth and
that accounting for its twisted and deformed growth pattern. Perhaps indeed of
some older breed, stronger, purer and more generous in spreading its poison to clear
its own life space, but otherwise harmless if left well alone.
They retrieved without issue or danger the pickings they sought and more,
they brought back a secret.
Near by, with no wall nor marker to show where, they found a well or pit. A pit
into which a spiral stone staircase descends. Tight and twisting, steep
and long forgotten, the stairwell leads to places unexplored by anybody for
centuries. or at least not by any that told the tale. They explored no further,
but hid the place well and returned to me with the news. Wise men.
What age old secrets hide, waiting in the dark down there ? What ancient treasures
so far only imagined, lie discarded in the dust beneath that ancient forgotten place ?
Bring me back those secrets. The treasure you can take for yourselves.
I desire only to know all.
Meet with Fable and Glossop at the sign of the Restful Dragon. My coin on it !
Doric Lawmaster.
Arch-mage of Craven Churchtown.
could i beg you're indulgence ?
Moderator: Stik
Glossop,
I saw this when you posted it and then never responded, was a little busy at the time.
I like the idea, esp. bringing back old favourites, I did think of doing something similar, then the players could slip into those oh so familiar roles, the ones that fit then like a second skin.
The opening is good, it is a unique way of opening what could otherwise be a simple dungeon crawl. Plus you are of course lucky to have the addition of all of that background.... I'm in a Crawl at the moment and for me its the interaction between my character and the others that makes the game what it is... Plus the great DM.
IT sounds like the start of something good, be careful not to let it slip into "just another Crawl" otherwise you loose what has the chance of being a great game.
I saw this when you posted it and then never responded, was a little busy at the time.
I like the idea, esp. bringing back old favourites, I did think of doing something similar, then the players could slip into those oh so familiar roles, the ones that fit then like a second skin.
The opening is good, it is a unique way of opening what could otherwise be a simple dungeon crawl. Plus you are of course lucky to have the addition of all of that background.... I'm in a Crawl at the moment and for me its the interaction between my character and the others that makes the game what it is... Plus the great DM.
IT sounds like the start of something good, be careful not to let it slip into "just another Crawl" otherwise you loose what has the chance of being a great game.
"Doors and corners, I told him. Doors and corners."
I like the letter, it's well written and definitely has my imagination piqued at what is in that damn well! Also the idea that the quest-giver cares not about treasure but only wishes to know all...it casts this character in an uncertain light which may mean more danger or more riches for the players than they may expect. Sometimes it is those who don't seek treasure who end up being the most sinister. Then again, it sounds like this Doric Lawmaster already has a strong background so maybe he is not evil at all! But my writer's mind was teeming with possibilities just from reading that letter.