Post by blakeryan on May 24, 2016 8:13:36 GMT
Another good Monster focused episode!
Here's my thoughts on Genie etc -
Efreeti - They enjoy silk clothes, so they could have massive silk farm plantations, perhaps with giant silk worms? maybe with Ettercap farmhands keeping the slaves who gather the silk in check.
There was mention of Red Dragon allies for the City of Brass, and since Githyanki also have Red Dragon allies, this is a perfect recipe an evil alliance-a large scale world invasion, or major faction who already rule a chunk of your world.
If your world uses Genasi (elemental descendants, the elemental equivalent of aasimaar/tieflings) you can tie them into Genie. Your characters background or motivations can be tied into an genie or elemental based war.
The Genie could sponsor or even actively run Elemental based Monasteries/Arcane Guilds, with an anti-religious sentiment since worship of gods is competition to the Genie's and their agenda/way of thinking.
Regarding the dreaded Deck of Many Things - I always treated it as tarot, in that this tells you of likely future events, open to interpretation. So its a subplot thread to weave into future games. It's beautiful if you get a couple of the results from a group draw and weave it into the one plot.
Example 1-'Flames. A powerful devil becomes your enemy.' - so it will take time for this devil to get its minions near you. But then it will destroy you, not just through a straight up fight, its not a thug. The minions will take your stuff, they will hurt your family, they will burn down your church. You may have chances to stop each of these things, but you or they may not succeed.
Alternatively a demon comes to the pcs for aid, it is being hunted by devils (because of the devils vs demons bloodwar) and wants to defect to the mortals side. This may grant the pcs/good guys insight into the devils locations/minions/tactics, but association with demons has its own problems...
Example 2 - 'Sun. Gain XP & an Item' -No not instantly in your hand, there's no challenge or appreciation. Sometime later they go on a mission, and say three of the players D20 rolls the DM gives advantage. This mission just goes easy. Then they get the XP and item.
Alternatively yes give them a bunch of XP, a great epiphany hits their minds. But word quickly spreads of their skills/prowess and a rival or enemy comes to dual them. Weave it back into the in-character story.
Now since the characters have some idea of what MAY be coming - they may have dreams, since their subconscious would have some anxiety/fear of what is to come. These dreams may contain an adventure where other characters card events come into reality.
If you want to be really dynamic, ask other players for ideas/interpretations for the card drawer players results. Then modify and alter them to make a great interactive story. Ideally you tie them into someone's background or goals.
Regarding the Black Forest Seekers -
One sacrifice a week is alot, especially if the town is less than 5,000 people. Perhaps they accept cows or pigs as a substitute, since there is a similar amount of flesh and blood, and there is still 'sacrifice' in the sense to giving something of value.
Lastly, perhaps they have a weakness for cake!
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Forest_gateau
Here's my thoughts on Genie etc -
Efreeti - They enjoy silk clothes, so they could have massive silk farm plantations, perhaps with giant silk worms? maybe with Ettercap farmhands keeping the slaves who gather the silk in check.
There was mention of Red Dragon allies for the City of Brass, and since Githyanki also have Red Dragon allies, this is a perfect recipe an evil alliance-a large scale world invasion, or major faction who already rule a chunk of your world.
If your world uses Genasi (elemental descendants, the elemental equivalent of aasimaar/tieflings) you can tie them into Genie. Your characters background or motivations can be tied into an genie or elemental based war.
The Genie could sponsor or even actively run Elemental based Monasteries/Arcane Guilds, with an anti-religious sentiment since worship of gods is competition to the Genie's and their agenda/way of thinking.
Regarding the dreaded Deck of Many Things - I always treated it as tarot, in that this tells you of likely future events, open to interpretation. So its a subplot thread to weave into future games. It's beautiful if you get a couple of the results from a group draw and weave it into the one plot.
Example 1-'Flames. A powerful devil becomes your enemy.' - so it will take time for this devil to get its minions near you. But then it will destroy you, not just through a straight up fight, its not a thug. The minions will take your stuff, they will hurt your family, they will burn down your church. You may have chances to stop each of these things, but you or they may not succeed.
Alternatively a demon comes to the pcs for aid, it is being hunted by devils (because of the devils vs demons bloodwar) and wants to defect to the mortals side. This may grant the pcs/good guys insight into the devils locations/minions/tactics, but association with demons has its own problems...
Example 2 - 'Sun. Gain XP & an Item' -No not instantly in your hand, there's no challenge or appreciation. Sometime later they go on a mission, and say three of the players D20 rolls the DM gives advantage. This mission just goes easy. Then they get the XP and item.
Alternatively yes give them a bunch of XP, a great epiphany hits their minds. But word quickly spreads of their skills/prowess and a rival or enemy comes to dual them. Weave it back into the in-character story.
Now since the characters have some idea of what MAY be coming - they may have dreams, since their subconscious would have some anxiety/fear of what is to come. These dreams may contain an adventure where other characters card events come into reality.
If you want to be really dynamic, ask other players for ideas/interpretations for the card drawer players results. Then modify and alter them to make a great interactive story. Ideally you tie them into someone's background or goals.
Regarding the Black Forest Seekers -
One sacrifice a week is alot, especially if the town is less than 5,000 people. Perhaps they accept cows or pigs as a substitute, since there is a similar amount of flesh and blood, and there is still 'sacrifice' in the sense to giving something of value.
Lastly, perhaps they have a weakness for cake!
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Forest_gateau