*slams down a stack of papers and has dark rings under my eyes*
OK, HEAR ME OUT, FRIENDS.
We need to have a series of side quests with G'raha and they'll be dedicated to taking him on adventures around the world? Yeah?
Take him to Ishgard so he can look around. Have him try the cuisine in Hingashi. Take him fishing in Limsa Lominsa. ANYWHERE DAMNIT. We promised to take him on an adventure and we should be keeping that promise -3-
If you were able to adopt Aventus Aretino, it could make for a really cool sidequest. I always compared that possibility to Lucien raising Ocheeva and Teinava. It could make for a cool quest, show Aventus how to assassinate people and raise him in the ways of the Brotherhood. It would also be amazing if Lucien had something to say about the whole quest.
Deep in a cave, the adventurers find a cavern with a series of branching tunnels, equal in number to the number of adventurers in the party. Each sign has the name of one of the adventurers written in their native language. For example, a dragon born character would find their name written in Draconic.
This dungeon piece can be used for anything, from an evil wizard that was expecting them, to an ancient curse that tries to separate and confuse unsuspecting travelers, to a test being given to prove the mettle of each adventurer.
This could be a good place to use illusion magics to cause confusion and alarm.
Next W.I.P Quest for the crew is something I'm calling Wicked Whispers. The synopsis so far is:
The Whispered Stone Monastery needs help. Not a place of religion or worship, the Monks there instead are known for utilizing objects called “Whisper Stone” to focus themselves, kind of like a meditative totem. Crafted by the monks themselves early in their training, these boxes are thought to hold the Monks most precious or dangerous secrets and truths. They act both as a tool of self-exploration and focus, but also a catalog of their lives. Recently, one of the orders oldest members died, and his Whisper Stone was stolen. PCs have been contracted to find the stone and return it to the Monastery before the Monks secrets are unleashed.
Below is the rough loot ideas and general twist/turns in my head atm:
At the end of the day my objectives are:
* To make my players a bit more interested in bigger stakes. So far they've been pretty afraid of larger campaigns, but I'd like to ease them in if I can.
* To give PCs an object that allows them to communicate in a sneakier way, so I'm thinking they'll be given alternative versions of the Whisper Stones towards the end of the quest, allowing them to speak to each other, or telepathically communicate (not sure which yet) within a few miles of one-another. This will help if they split up, but also if they just want to plan in-session within range of a big-bad.
So far my thought-process is that the stone was stolen by a wealthy businessman, who wanted to unlock the stones knowledge to open a vault containing the various collections of the Monk who had died. This includes wealth-based loot such as gold, or leveled magic items, but also one or two monsters that had been sealed away for -hopefully- eternity. The big bad I have in mind is an Eldritch Lich, sealed away with a bit of fluff being that maybe the Monk knew the Lich in life, and his greatest regret was not saving his friend from becoming a monster. IDK, still totally messy but I'm writing this as I prep for tonights session.
Additional thought stuff can be:
* Allowing you players to take over the business man's home to have a property within the city
* Allowing the monks to become allies upon completion.
* Gives players a chance to experience Monk stuff (since we don't have any Monk PCs) and maybe decide to multi-class who knows.
* Encourage exploration and give intelligent characters a chance to show off their build with Intelligence-based rolls.
Quest idea - anyones welcome to taking and running with it
My name is Oxard Quintaro,
I have, but a simple request. Deep in the caves, there is an item I am in dire need of. My child’s medicine’s most important ingredient is in that cave, but I cannot enter it. I am barred from entering it through some kind of magic. Monsters have taken up residence within it and a mouse told me that a monster made of living metal is taking up residence just before the underground river where the ingredient is. I beseech you, please get my daughter her medicine and save my precious girl. I was able to slow it down, but hurry...
Tiny dolls made of wheat sheaves are attacking the village at night, made by the children of the town being taught how to construct them by a night hag who disguises herself as a fairy godmother. T…