Here go the plans for your group. Specifically, when in the story it is not so clear where you might be headed next, this is the place to let me know your ideas so I can plan accordingly. This does not mean you can't change your minds,or do something spontaneous. Just a general heads up.


I was thinking of maybe starting you all out with the Digger's Union and inset the (heavily adapted more likely than not) Mark of Heroes adventures into your adventures. This gives your group a base for planning for their main goal, including lots of contacts. Doesn't matter to me if you already know some or all of those adventures - you might not even recognize them anymore when I am done with them, save names of cast.

Generally, I don't mind if you take shortcuts in adventures, my own or published. As long as your characters do what is logical. I would rather be disappointed if you'd just drudge along in a plot without making the story unique. However, once your group accepts a quest, I expect you to follow it, however loosely. Unless, of course, there is a good reason not to, such as not being able to take it on yet. There will very likely be some things very easy for your group, and others rather difficult. If you come across something very simple (the standard monster random encounter for example)there's no need to dice for it, you just describe what's happening, or I'll just mention it has happened on your travels.

Your group can (and will probably have to) hire NPCs along the way, or want to add animals (horses, dogs, whatever). They should be treated like you would another group member, as in,you form some attachment/relationship so they are not just cannon fodder. If you encounter an NPC who is important for the story, one of your characters will get some idea that this is the case, so that you won't run into missed clues (because really, at least in published adventures, even the GM has to guess a lot as to whether some NPC may be of relevance later on, adventure paths are notorious for this).

The meta plot will develop in the background. But it is your world and you can change it. The same time, things will keep happening even if you don't pay any attention to them and you may hear about it later.

The year is 1004 YK at the start of your story.

Ok, keep in mind that according to this:
http://archive.wizards.com/def...x=dnd/ebee/20061023a

Our bases are in the Lhazaar Principalities.

Our idea was something like Mission: Impossible.

"Milken the merchant has made a pact with Deneith mercenaries to guard his caravans. Let him know that if he wants protection, House Incendar is the only option."

"The Pirate Lords One Eye and Wooden Leg have made a pact with House Phiarlan and Medani. They think the Dragonmarked can keep their secrets safe. I want them exposed. I want everyone else know that only House Novar can know everything."

"So, they think that introducing magebred pets is a good idea. House Vaymin need you to prove that their phrenic animals are so much better than Vadalis' weak breeds."

"Shoes Made in Cannith. Swords Made in Cannith. Shields made in Cannith. Adon Industries's problems are reduced to Cannith's large scale economies. Solve the problems."

"Those Orien messengers have a better marketing. That is for sure. House Celare needs the public to know that Orien system is... faulty and that if they want to send a package, Celare is the best option."

"The Sivis are good in what they do. House Cogitare doesn't think they are a threat to their power however. It takes more than a scribe to do what we do. Cogitares must think in the future, and that means to gather an army. And so far, our best bet is to recruit the enemies of our enemies: the Aberrant Dragonmarked. Let them know they are considered special. That they are valious. Make them kneel to us and die for us. The way they are treated, it won't be hard."

But hey, if you think it is better a more normal campaign, I have no problems with that :D

I think that our characters main incentives are our respective Houses main interests. If our houses can gain something, like an advantage again their Dragonmarked rivals, then it is all right with us.

The Principalities work fine, if you want to consolidate power there. I thought undermining the dragonmarked Houses close to their power base might be part of the plan though.

Naturally... But going for their bases would be like our missions in 20th level.
We thought in just protecting our base first, now that we are just 3rd level. Then we can go fully for them.

That said... this is your story too! Let's go with your plan. It will be fun either way.

I think the most important NPCs for now are the other members of the task force:
The Celare Nomad/Psychic Rogue, the Vaymin Ardent/Psychic Warrior and the Incendar Kineticist/Lurk.

Yup. Alternatively, you can run them as secondary characters. Also a good way to spread out over the continent if needed.

Getting to play them too would be great!

Cool! Making the Vaymin healer too!

Let me know the names and I'll add sheets.

So,the What's Happening Elsewhere thread is to let the players know what's been happening in the background. Asa player, I find it frustrating to mostly not be able to get the whole story because my characters won't know it. Other than that, it has no relevance to the story itself - unless you one day decide to find the loredragon on Argonnessen which is rather unlikely but one can never know.

Heh, who knows, maybe we can get an alliance against the inpired in Riedra :D

I think I will be done with Arshalon by Friday.