Artifact Search
The Plot
(This is based in a world where some great despotic Wizard-kings used
to rule before the free races allied against them and collapsed their
rule, some time in the distant past.)
Recently, a farmer in a rural area fell into an underground cavern
while hunting. Within the cavern are remnants of a vanished culture with
gleaming buildings and strange creatures moving about on unknown errands.
The farmer fled the scene immediately but his stories soon spread,
prompting several expeditions by locals and greedy adventurers. The only
person to return from these was found dead outside a village in the area,
clutching an object fashioned of a strange crystal form. The area is now
treated with caution and fear.
The mage who acquired the crystal form is now hiring a capable group
with the intentions of exploring further in search of greater treasures.
Options:
- The item was actually an artifact from the Wizard Kings and where
there is one there should be others (Greed inspired).
- The item was a portion of an unknown artifact, the rest is
desired (Interest and fascination inspired).
- The item is now known to have been the key holding a major
servant of the Wizard-Kings imprisoned. He/She/It is now free and the
PC's are required to capture/track/kill it. (Fear and caution inspired).
Maybe the servant knows where some of the Wizard-kings are still alive,
hiding in suspended animation or with their souls held in a magical gem,
waiting their moment of rebirth.
- The item is actually a map to a hitherto hidden realm (in a
magically shielded valley or alternate dimension) where the cavern's
inhabitants have come from. They have been preparing themselves for a
looting/slaving expedition into this realm and must be stopped before
they have a chance to expand out of their cavern. (This sets up a
possible major campaign: first clean out the cavern area, then gain
access to the hidden and unknown realm and scout it, then find those who
intend the raiding expeditions etc and stop them).
- The item is the key to time-travel. The mage who has it wants to
travel back to the time of the Wizard-Kings, alter history so that the
Wizard-Kings win and rule with them over one of the realms. He intends
to trick the PC's to act as his advance guards and protectors and take
them with him to spoil the plans of the allied free people. (This would
involve lots of trickery and be sneaky to manage, as the players can't
find out what's going on until too late - at which point they will
probably want to stop him and go home again).
- The object has given its new master some great abilities and he
now wants to use the powers of the PC's to slowly build his personal
power until he is able to rule as the great Wizard-Kings ruled. (See 5).
[The Net Book of Plots Home Page]
Email: Alexander Forst-Rakoczy