2024-08-13 DRAFT
Alae Adventurers,
Thank you all for taking the time to fill out the form I sent last week! Your feedback is invaluable in shaping our game into something we can all enjoy. A few of you expressed interest in a more dynamic story set a century into the future, which is a significant shift from how I’ve run the setting over the past ten years. Traditionally, time has progressed slowly—typically 5 to 10 in-game years—allowing the weight of your choices and their outcomes to be deeply felt. However, I understand the appeal of experiencing more significant cultural shifts.
We already have some exciting technological developments in the works—like crystals and magicoal—that will gradually come to the forefront. While these changes might seem subtle at first, they will become more pronounced as you venture beyond the remote tundra and peaks of Icebeach. In places like Castgate, magic has advanced through the Firmament, butIcebeach much of the area remains rural and not as developed as Blū or the Athenaeum. Both the Katia game and the BG3 game will delve deeper into these advancements through NPC interactions and quests.
In light of your feedback, I’ve reimagined Pitch the First to focus on your characters as members of the Argentum Compact, engaging in more traditional Gild-style quests. Similarly, Pitch the Third will also center around your characters’ involvement with the Argentum Compact. I see the Argentum Compact becoming increasingly influential in the setting’s future, alongside other factions and guilds your characters can join.
One thing to note: none of these pitches will involve high-stakes, stakes/world-ending scenarios. Instead, the focus will be on your PCs and the challenges they face, with an aim to create a more lighthearted and less intense experience. Each of these campaigns will span around 9+ sessions, taking your characters from 1st to 5th (ish) level. There will also be some announcements at session 0 for how level pacing will be done moving forward and some other home rules in the pipes.
I’m excited to see where these ideas take us!
Pitch the First
Rise of the Rookies
Welcome to the *Wandering Wyvern*, an outpost of the venerable Argentum Compact, situated in the bustling city of Windreach(?).Compact. The Compact, known for its dedication to peace and justice, has established this fledgling adventuring guild to cultivate the next generation of Silver Sentinels, Mercury Messengers, and Silver Scribes. You and your companions are among the latest recruits, eager to make your mark within this storied organization.
The campaign begins with simple tasks—chasing off pesky kobolds, gathering rare herbs, and escorting merchants—but as you gain experience, the challenges grow. Under the mentorship of seasoned Compact members, you’ll learn the ways of the guild, from covert operations to upholding justice in the Gilded Nations. Along the way, you’ll build relationships with fellow guild members and the city's colorful inhabitants, creating a network of allies and rivals.
As your reputation within the Compact grows, so too do the quests. From exploring ancient ruins to battling ferocious monsters, your journey will take you to the farthest reaches of the kingdom, perhaps even to the icy realms near Icebeach.kingdoms. The Compact’s legacy, and perhaps the stability of the Gilded Nations, will rest in your hands.
Tone: A lighthearted, "grow with the campaign" adventure that focuses on character progression, relationships, and the joys of adventuring within the framework of the Argentum Compact. The tone is fun and optimistic, with challenges that scale with your abilities and the moral ideals of the Compact.
Lethality: ★☆☆☆☆ The focus is on growth and exploration rather than life-or-death stakes. Challenges will increase gradually, providing room for character development and a more relaxed progression.
Pitch the Second
Cursāriī Thalassiae: Umbra Nummī Fatalis
Pirates of the Thalassia: Shadow of the Doomcoin
Arrr, listen well, ye corsairs! The Captain be dead, died doing what he loved given it to . While ye were ashore, guzzlin' grog and spendin' yer hard-won plunder, the blasted Anti-Pirate fleet caught wind o’ the *Onyx Cat*. She barely slipped their iron grasp, her timbers groanin' and her sails torn asunder, but our fearless Captain met his fate in the fiery clash.
We start with a proper sea burial—no grand ceremony, just the cold, unforgivin' ocean takin' what’s hers. The crew stands silent, hats in hand, the salt air heavy with loss. But as the last words drift off with the wind—BOOM!—cannons roar, and the ship’s under attack! Who or what dares to strike the first blow on this dark day?
But there’s more than just blood and smoke in the air, mates. As the battle rages and the sea churns beneath ye, a scrap of parchment is found in the Captain’s quarters—nothin’ less than a piece o’ the map to the legendary “Doomcoin,” a cursed treasure said to bring power to the bold and doom to the greedy.
Now, with the Captain gone, the crew must rally together, navigatin’ treacherous waters filled with rival pirates, monstrous sea beasts, and the relentless pursuit of that accursed naval fleet. And don’t forget, there’s whispers of dark magic, ancient curses, and perhaps a betrayal or two among yer own. It’s a dangerous life, but the lure of the Doomcoin’s power be too strong to resist.
Expect swashbucklin’ fights, raucous sea shanties, and larger-than-life adventures as ye carve yer name into the legend of the seas. Will ye claim the Doomcoin and rise to infamy, or will the ocean claim yer bones?
Tone: A rip-roarin’ pirate adventure, full of roguish charm, dark curses, and the thrill o’ the high seas. Picture yerself shoulder to shoulder with the likes o’ Captain Jack Sparrow and the dread Davy Jones, with a hearty dose of humor and camaraderie to boot.
Lethality: ★★☆☆☆ Aye, death be possible, but ye’d have to be downright unlucky or foolish to meet it. There’s a balance between the thrill of the fight and the tale bein’ told. If ye fall, there’s always another sea dog waitin’ in the wings to take yer place.
Pitch the Third
The Secrets of the Cult
Deep in the heart of the occupied region of Astrorusia, where vast deserts meet dense jungles and ancient temples rise from the earth like forgotten sentinels, lies a mystery that will test your courage, your wits, and your very will to survive. You and your team are seasoned adventurers, each with unique skills honed through years of perilous quests. Stationed at a remote outpost on the edge of civilization, you’ve been tasked with a mission that’s about to become far more dangerous than anyone could have imagined.
It all starts with a village that’s gone silent—eerily, ominously silent. The outpost is buzzing with rumors of dark rituals, hidden treasures, and a shadowy cult that was supposed to have been wiped out centuries ago. Your mission: find out what happened and stop whatever evil is lurking in the shadows.
You’ll dive headfirst into action as you battle through hostile terrain, from sun-scorched deserts to treacherous jungle paths, where every step could be your last. The ancient ruins you explore are filled with deadly traps and puzzles that guard secrets long forgotten. But time is of the essence—when one of your own is captured by the cult, the stakes skyrocket. It’s a race against time to save them and prevent the cult from unleashing an ancient power that could change the world forever.
This is no ordinary rescue mission. You’ll engage in high-octane battles against fanatical cultists, navigate crumbling temples that could collapse at any moment, and face down the cult’s formidable leader in a showdown that will push your team to their limits. Every twist and turn reveals new secrets, each more dangerous than the last, as you uncover the cult’s hidden agenda and the ancient forces they seek to control.
Tone: This is a pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat adventure, channeling the spirit of Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, and The Mummy. Expect nonstop action, heart-pounding suspense, and a narrative that pulls you deeper into a world of ancient secrets and dangerous foes. It’s a cinematic thrill ride where every moment counts.
NOTE: This will take place is Astrousia know for its city-states.
Lethality: ★★★☆☆ The stakes are high, and danger is ever-present. Death is a real possibility if you don’t think fast and act faster. But with the right mix of brains, brawn, and a little bit of luck, you might just make it out alive—and with a few scars to show for it.
Pitch the Fourth
A New World
The trading island of Wolgari has grown into the bustling hub of trade under Governor Isabel. Recently, a new rumor has shaken the island to its core: an uncharted landmass has been seen on the horizon by the scribes of The Four Corners. The King of Harold-Ford and Wolgari have funded a joint veture to this new world, and you are among those chosen to lead the charge.
As part of the expedition, you’ll be tasked with mapping out this unknown territory, and securing valuable resources before rival factions or nations can claim them. But this is no ordinary exploration—ancient ruins dot the landscape, and strange, otherworldly creatures lurk in the shadows. The land itself seems to be alive, reacting to your presence in ways that defy explanation.
As you delve deeper into this new world, you’ll uncover secrets that could change history. But you’re not the only ones with an interest in this land...
Tone: An epic exploration and discovery adventure with elements of mystery and survival. Expect a mix of intrigue, diplomacy, and high-stakes exploration as you uncover the secrets of a new world.
NOTE: This will be in the side of a Hex Crawl, as well a party controled NPCs like the captain which will be his own NPC-ness but will manifest what the party wants to do. The hex crawl will be a in the sense that I have a detailed full map and you will have a blank sheet of paper to keep track of things - space is accounted for as well as the cowardents from the Four Corners.
Lethality: ★★★☆☆ The dangers are real, but with careful planning and teamwork, you can overcome them. The focus is on discovery and adventure rather than constant mortal peril.
Pitch the Fifth
A Storm is Coming
The tech innovation nation of Blū is facing an unprecedented crisis: a massive storm, the likes of which have never been seen, is set to engulf the entire country within a Tenday. The government, slow to act and not centralized enouht to help the most vulnerable areas. But hope remains—a brilliant gnomish inventor has developed a prototype device that could potentially control or even prevent the storm. They also are inventing dams and systems to move water away.
You are a team of adventurers tasked with locating the scattered pieces of this storm-controlling device and assembling it before time runs out. But it won’t be easy. The weather itself will challenge you, with howling winds, torrential rains, and unpredictable lightning strikes making every step of your journey treacherous.
Tone: A high-tension, race-against-time adventure filled with environmental challenges, political intrigue, and heroic efforts to save a nation.
Lethality: ★★☆☆☆ Survival will require quick thinking, bravery, and a bit of luck. But working in the early storm will only result I mid annoyance, and prevent the real storm.
Pitch the Sixth
For King and Country
In the kingdom of Harold-Ford, the King’s rule is absolute, but the threats to his reign are many. You are part of a special task force, composed of various factions loyal to the crown, charged with protecting the kingdom from all manner of dangers—both internal and external.
Your missions will take you deep into enemy territory, pitting you against monstrous foes, treacherous nobles, and ancient evils that have long lain dormant. Each assignment will test your loyalty, your skill, and your resolve as you work to secure the King’s hold on the throne.
But loyalty has its price. As you rise through the ranks, you’ll be faced with moral dilemmas that challenge your sense of right and wrong. Will you follow orders, no matter the cost, or will you forge your own path for the good of the kingdom?
Tone: A gritty, loyalty-driven campaign with a focus on duty, honor, and the complexities of power. Expect morally ambiguous choices, intense combat, and the weight of responsibility as you serve your king.
Lethality: ★★★☆☆ The threats are real, and failure could mean death—but those who survive will be rewarded with power and prestige, there will be means for your PCs to come back.
Pitch the Seventh
Clearing the Way
The future of transportation in the Gilded Nations lies in the construction of the Lightning Rail, a revolutionary new mode of travel that will connect the Athenaeum to the Last Elven State. But before the first track can be laid, the land must be cleared—a task easier said than done. You have been hired by a powerful consortium to assist in clearing the path for the rail, a job that will require you to navigate political tensions, battle dangerous creatures, and contend with the forces of nature itself.
As you work to clear the land, you’ll uncover secrets that some would rather keep buried—ancient magics, forbidden knowledge, and evidence of a long-forgotten war that could reignite if discovered. The job will take you to remote and dangerous locations, testing your mettle and your resolve as you strive to complete the mission.
But not everyone wants the rail to be built. Saboteurs, rival factions, and even members of your own team may have their own agendas, and it will be up to you to navigate these treacherous waters while keeping the project on track.
Tone: A challenging, mission-based campaign with elements of exploration, political intrigue, and industrial revolution. Expect a mix of combat, problem-solving, and diplomacy as you work to clear the way for progress.
Lethality: ★★★★☆ The dangers are significant, but part of the fun will be playing a verity of PCs, in some ways like a comedy. There will be very little story just hack and slash! Teamwork and determination, you can overcome them. The focus is on the challenges of progress and the costs of innovation.
As we embark on one of these new adventures together, your feedback and enthusiasm will continue to shape the stories we tell and the world. Unlike the ...