Unnamed Campaign

This is the main page for a short, unnamed, DnD 4e adventure that I ran this summer. It seemed to go fairly well, but only a few sessions were played due to scheduling issues.

Goals

First off I want to run a significantly houseruled game, just to test my understanding of the game mechanics, and to see how much changing the system impacts actual gameplay.

Next up I want to make sure none of my houserules complicate or slow down game play (at least not by much). If possible I'd like to speed up the game.

The setting is mostly human, rare magic. This means that there won't be many dragons to fight, and when dragon does show up its because a really badass wizard has figured out how to turn himself into a dragon. This also means that the primary foe will be human soldiers, bandits, and other martial types.

Because magic is rare, so are magic items. They will not be needed to balance the maths, but will be quite potent when acquired. Because many classes rely on magic items for damage, I'll need to find a way to compensate them. Because magic is rare, I want it to be more flavourful. In particular I want to add more flexible out of combat utility.

Because human soldiers will be the primary foe, I need to ensure that they are not irrelevant after mid heroic tier.

Most encounters should be quick, easy, but higher damage. Ideally they will take fewer turns, have low control enemies, and drain a handful of surges from the party. They need not be back to back, but can occur over a longer period of time to wear down the PCs slowly.

House Rules

http://valsarn.com/wiki/index.php?title=Unamed_Houserules

Dramatic Actions

http://valsarn.com/wiki/index.php?title=Unamed_Dramatic_Actions

Character Creation

http://valsarn.com/wiki/index.php?title=Unamed_Character_Creation

Summary

Bjorn, Desdemona and Zorgnapth were scouting ahead and found two rather large bears in the cave. They sought to drive the bears out, and were viciously mauled, just barely managing to slay the beasts. However there are now the materials to make two large bear-skin cloaks, along with a skull (the other got smashed) which will be used as the head of a mighty hammer. These three then guarded the caves while the rest of you were exploring further back. By activating the old runes of protection they were able to fight off four waves of soldiers, including a priest of the purifying flame. After successfully defending the cave, the priest's body (or at least the ashes that remained) were searched, and an enchanted ruby was found along with a fire-proof journal/holy book which contained some details of the military invasion. In particular the army you encountered will be sweeping south to try to take the main fort in the mountain pass from this side, attacking simultaneously with a force moving through the pass so that the keep is hit from both sides.

After securing the cave and altering the magic so that it will protect all six of you even when the towns folk are not present, it was decided that you would try to rid ahead of the invading army to pick off scouts and otherwise demoralize the army. You first stop was back in town where you broke into the stables and stole horses so that you could travel fast enough. Next up you rushed to the fort guarding the mountain pass to warn them of the impending attack. Finally you split up and where able to sucessfully ambush a large number of the light mounted patrols that were scouting ahead. You've sucessfully blinded the army to what's ahead, and implanted a seed of fear among its forces, but you lack the numbers for a head on confrontation. The invading army will be at the fort's walls in one day's time. What shall you do?

As the crusaders approached the fort guarding the pass, the lot of you were trying to do as much damage as possible. That night Kydus snuck into their command tent while everybody else provided a distraction. He was able to steal one of the Books of Light, and destroy one or two others. Within the borrowed book was insidious information concerning a complex castings of a righteous ritual to intently imbue a flock of fanatics with fiery ferver, so they may perform auspicious acts of assassination and other malevolent mischief. Upon learning of this perilous plot the durable druid and electrifying elemental prepared a surprising storm to douse the fanatics with a frightful funnel cloud and raging rain, thus preventing more than a sole soul from being enhance with elemental energy. Later the assassin ambushed archers and also all of you, and was promptly pacified.

Now an even larger invading army is coming from the south west, preparing to attack the keep from the far side.