[Banestorm] Djinn Lands Plot Seeds

[TheQuestionMan]

Greetings HEROphiles, I am putting together a bunch of Plot Seeds for my turn at GMing our Friday Gaming Groups "The Chronicles of Yrth" Campaign. Fortunately they never read these forums and I can bounce ideas off you guys. Keep in mind for you GURPS Fans that many of the rules I am using are non-canon.

Much will be improvised and off the cuff, but I believe in being prepared. First I will set the scene.

The Companions (aka Kingmakers) are a group of high powered adventures and heroes. In our campaign continuity the Djinn Lands has been identified as allies of the Orcs and responsible for much of the espionage against the Kingdom of Caithness and by association the Dwarven Kingdom of Grinnel, and the Elven Kingdom of Telperion.

Even more recently one of the Djinn Land City States recently sacked the Barony of Blythe in Caithness. Only a few escaped to spread the tale. The rest were either enslaved or dead. Reports indicate a that Orcs and Reptile Men aided the Djinn Land attackers.

Caithness is rebuilding following a the 4th Orc Invasion to the north and can not seek retribution at this time.

The Companions were responsible for exposing the Djinn Land involvement in Caithness's recent troubles. Now that the Civil War in Megalos is winding down they are free to pursue their investigation in the Djinn Lands.

A realm of mysterious people controlling the powerful Djinn.

Why are they allied with the Orcs?

Why did the Reptile Men ally with them?

What is their objective?


Lets look at the Plot Seeds I have written and find out shall we?

QM

[TheQuestionMan]

Djinn Land Plot Seeds


Sand storms and Desert Raiders
The Companions are attacked by Desert Raiders out of the of the storm. The Sand storm blinds the PCs for a time and their attackers use it to their advantage.


Red Sands
Sand Sharks attracted by the scent of blood hunt the PCs across the dune sea. Leviathans of the Land. Even powerful magics will not avail them much as these creatures are Magic Resistant. A by product of surviving the Mana Storms.


Quicksands and Ruins
One of the Companions is quickly entombed in quick sand and dragged down. After what feels like an eternity he is spat out into a stone floor. The sands still pouring down on his head. When he is able to create light he finds himself in a fortress buried under the sands for what looks like a thousand years. Nothing living could survive here for long, but then that does not really apply to the Vampires sleeping in the great hall now does it? The Vampires of Yrth were one normal humans, but what happens when they take over an whole city.


Rogue Djinn (Shaidain)
The Companions arrive at an Oasis to find a Desert Nomad engaged in a battle for his live against a Shaidain (Earth Djinn). After rescuing the young man they learn he is a Sha'ir (Muslim Wizard), he was trying to summon a familiar and got a crazed Shaidain instead. The Shaidain is far more powerful than his "Master" and seems intent on slaying him. What will they do?


The Desert Oasis (Not Misspelled)
The Companions stop at an Oasis and find it occupied by several groups, 2 bands of Desert Nomads, Goblin Merchants, Reptile Men, Centaurs, Slavers, their Slavers and their Guards. One of the Shiekhs invited the PCs to diner. When they arrive they are served fine food and entertained by Musicians, Poets, Acrobats, and more... Finally the Belly Dancers arrive and out come the fermented mares milk or coffee and a smoke (Hashish).

One of the dancers is a Succubi and the other s Djinn. Who will discover the truth?

Caravans and Bandits
The Companions hear the sounds of battle ahead. When they arrive they find 12 Guards, 2 Goblins a dozen slavers and an lone Alchemist holding off more than 50 Bandit Cavalry. Unless they intervene they are dead. The Alchemist is using Elixirs in their many forms to defend his wagon house and its contents. He is doing an excellent job of it so far.

When the battle is over they see the Alchemists wagon house clearly for the first time and see the front axle and wheels broken, but it hovers over the shattered by a hidden trench trap.


The Fallen
The Companions discover the body of a beautiful Winged man. The side of his bod facing the ground is mangled beyond belief, but the left side is untouched. Later they find the battlefield where hundreds of Winged Folk had fallen. Near a hundred have been impaled on axle rods, dismembered or crucified atop wagon wheels and left to die under in the burning desert sun. They find a survivor, a once very beautiful young winged woman, crucified to on a wagon wheel. Mortally wounded and barely alive they restore her to health, but the trauma of events have left her mute. As they prepare to leave, 50 Winged Men arrive and demand their prisoner. What will they do?

Eventually they will learn that she is a Princess and soul survivor of her House and her people.
or
The Survivor is a rebel Prince who tried to usurp his peoples rightful throne.


The City Guard and the Companions
Depending on how they are dressed (armed) determines how much trouble they will have bribing the Guards to get into the city. If they cause any trouble they will be asked at spear point to meet the captain. They are lead into the audience chamber which is a No Mana Zone. Once there the Captain of the Guard greets them, asks them some invasive questions before accepting a large bribe a issuing them travel papers.


The Rainbow Palace
Seemingly built of crystal the Rainbow Palace of Akkalion is


The Coffee House
While enjoying the atmosphere of bazaars of Akkalion. One of the PCs is accosted by a heavily scarred Desert Nomad and his large Reptile Man companion.


The Magic Carpet Ride
Arteasian is targeted by a gang of Wizard Apprentices on Magic Carpets bent on mischief. A Prince wants her for his Harem and is so infatuated be even offers to marry her, making her his first wife. Power, Prestige, and Wealth beyond the dreams of avarice. He speaks the truth.


Agents of the Sublime Porte
The Companions quickly come to the attention of agents of the Sublime Porte, who report the the Grand Vizier, and her to the Emperor. They will shortly be followed by many spies, some subtle, and some more like paparazzi. The curious will ask questions, the powerful will invite them to private meetings, and they wil find passing unnoticed almost impossible.


Slave Breeders and Schools
The primary goal of the Companions is to discover the identity of the Slave House responsible for breeding the Half-Orc Spies who infiltrated the Kingdom of Caithness and paved the way for the 4th Orc Lands Invasion. The Sheikh's of the Slave Houses will learn of their interest and they may find aid them in their search or have them killed for interfering in their affairs.

Yildirim of Haroun, Sheikh of the Slave House of Silver Star. When his agents learn of the Companions interest in his affairs they will find themselves under attack by Desert Nomads, Hashshashins, and Djinn. If that does not work he will resort to more subtle attacks. Framing them for crimes, conspiracy against the Sultan, and possibly using them to regain his position as Vizier in the Rainbow Court.

Of interest to some of the Companions is his use of fertility magics to in his breeding pens.


The Harem of Akkalion
One of the attractive Companions draws the interest of one of the Sultan's Concubines. The PC receives an invitation from a Vizier of the Rainbow Court. When he arrived he is escort to a garden and through a passage into the sanctuary of the Harem. He quickly finds himself surrounded by the Sultan's Concubines. They are curious, enchanted, and most disconcertedly enamored.

This does however give them a look into the life of the Djinn, the Harem, and the politics of Akkalion.


More later


QM

[TheQuestionMan]

Updated Folks, could you help a GM out and comment or add to it.


Thanks


QM

[Shadowsoul]

Djinn Land Plot Seeds


Sand storms and Desert Raiders
The Companions are attacked by Desert Raiders out of the of the storm. The Sand storm blinds the PCs for a time and their attackers use it to their advantage.


Red Sands
Sand Sharks attracted by the scent of blood hunt the PCs across the dune sea. Leviathans of the Land. Even powerful magics will not avail them much as these creatures are Magic Resistant. A by product of surviving the Mana Storms.


Quicksands and Ruins
One of the Companions is quickly entombed in quick sand and dragged down. After what feels like an eternity he is spat out into a stone floor. The sands still pouring down on his head. When he is able to create light he finds himself in a fortress buried under the sands for what looks like a thousand years. Nothing living could survive here for long, but then that does not really apply to the Vampires sleeping in the great hall now does it? The Vampires of Yrth were one normal humans, but what happens when they take over an whole city.


Rogue Djinn (Shaidain)
The Companions arrive at an Oasis to find a Desert Nomad engaged in a battle for his live against a Shaidain (Earth Djinn). After rescuing the young man they learn he is a Sha'ir (Muslim Wizard), he was trying to summon a familiar and got a crazed Shaidain instead. The Shaidain is far more powerful than his "Master" and seems intent on slaying him. What will they do?

The Fallen
The Companions discover the body of a beautiful Winged man. The side of his bod facing the ground is mangled beyond belief, but the left side is untouched. Later they find the battlefield where hundreds of Winged Folk had fallen. Near a hundred have been impaled on axle rods, dismembered or crucified atop wagon wheels and left to die under in the burning desert sun. They find a survivor, a once very beautiful young winged woman, crucified to on a wagon wheel. Mortally wounded and barely alive they restore her to health, but the trauma of events have left her mute. As they prepare to leave, 50 Winged Men arrive and demand their prisoner. What will they do?

Eventually they will learn that she is a Princess and soul survivor of her House and her people.
or
The Survivor is a rebel Prince who tried to usurp his peoples rightful throne.

Slave Breeders and Schools
The primary goal of the Companions is to discover the identity of the Slave House responsible for breeding the Half-Orc Spies who infiltrated the Kingdom of Caithness and paved the way for the 4th Orc Lands Invasion. The Sheikh's of the Slave Houses will learn of their interest and they may find aid them in their search or have them killed for interfering in their affairs.

Yildirim of Haroun, Sheikh of the Slave House of Silver Star. When his agents learn of the Companions interest in his affairs they will find themselves under attack by Desert Nomads, Hashshashins, and Djinn. If that does not work he will resort to more subtle attacks. Framing them for crimes, conspiracy against the Sultan, and possibly using them to regain his position as Vizier in the Rainbow Court.

Of interest to some of the Companions is his use of fertility magics to in his breeding pens.


The Harem of Akkalion
One of the attractive Companions draws the interest of one of the Sultan's Concubines. The PC receives an invitation from a Vizier of the Rainbow Court. When he arrived he is escort to a garden and through a passage into the sanctuary of the Harem. He quickly finds himself surrounded by the Sultan's Concubines. They are curious, enchanted, and most disconcertedly enamored.

This does however give them a look into the life of the Djinn, the Harem, and the politics of Akkalion.


More later
QM


Sand storms and Desert Raiders
Perhaps this sand storm is no accident. Maybe one of the raiders holds an item that allows him to control a Sand Elemental/Desert Djinn. The heroes might be able to wrest this artefact away from its wielder and turn the tables, or perhaps the Elemental goes wild(er) when its master is slain.
If the party is really struggling then a cunning raider might try to steal the item for himself, with hilarious consequences.

Red Sands
The Companions meet others in their headlong flight. Do they protect these strangers? Even the objectionable ones? Or do they give in to temptation and allow the Sand Sharks to hunt easier prey?

Finally poised to destroy their adversaries the heroes are disturbed by a wizard and travelling zoologist who demands that they stop exterminating members of an endangered species. Or perhaps asks the Companions to locate the Sharks' offspring so he can raise them in captivity.

Quicksands and Ruins
Tricky to see one PC surviving a whole city of undead unless they are weakened and/or sluggish because of their long sleep.
Are the vampires of this setting inherently evil? Or are there those who still regret their dark fate and could be prevailed upon to aid the mortal/s among them.
Simple hunger could set the vampires on each other of course.
This encounter could just become a desperate race as the hero/es try to find their way back to the surface while being chased by raging hordes of starving bloodsuckers. Almost 28 Days Later Underground if you think about it.
If the vampire's hunger is not so urgent they might waste time coming up with an elaborate ceremony or feast so that they can squeeze as much enjoyment as possible out of the lone morsel that has dropped into their midst.


Rogue Djinn (Shaidain)
What's the Djinn's story? Was it part of a magical trap intended to destroy the wizard?
Or was it imprisoned in the sand by a powerful mage some time in the past and now intends to wreak its revenge on any and every magic user it can get its hands on?
Is the wizard truly innocent? Or did he try to bind the Djinn using evil magic or was he hoping to set it on a rival.
What happens if the heroes are currently protecting certain innocents whom they might endanger by aiding this wizard?

The Fallen
Why not both? Someone who wrongfully tried to usurp the throne but was excessively punished with the destruction of her/his entire house or even sub-race. Might this person know of a way to resurrect some of her people and be prepared to die trying to locate it; thus expiating her sins.
Or perhaps he/she was tricked into attacking the throne by some subtle politician because she/he was a threat to their plans or had some inconvenient destiny.


Slave Breeders and Schools
Plenty of possibilities here.
A number of slaves escape and flock to join the Companions, proclaiming them to be the promised saviours. Hot on their heels are a lot of slavers and soldiers. Turns out that Yildirim allowed these slaves to escape and the heroes hav been set up.

The Hashshashins were known to have intimidated their targets by sneaking into their chambers in the night and leaving them 'presents', (cakes in Saladin's case), to show just how easy it was to get into those chambers. These particular assassins might leave something more exciting like a cursed artifact or the head of a minor ally of the PC's.

Of course you could always use the assassins to play that game which all parties love. 'Chase the anonymous assailant across rooftops that he/she/it knows like the back of his/her/its hand.' This could actually be an elaborate set up in which the heroes chase their assailants and eventually lose them. Only to find themselves on the roof of a house in which the Hashshashins have just committed a high profile murder. When law officers arrive they find a body and a bunch of heavily armed foreigners ... I am sure they will be very understanding.

For whatever reason the authorities are already upset with the heroes. So when they are attacked by a Djinn they have to dispose of it while causing as little collaterall damage and general commotion as possible. If they want to avoid the snake-pit that is.


The Harem of Akkalion
A useful way of learning interesting new skills. Not just seduction and belly dancing but unusual forms of magic and perhaps ways of dealing with or even taming interesting animals

What if some of the concubines are also secret bodyguards or assassins? Would you want to upset a gorgeous assassin?

The hero doesn't know about the guardian spirits, guardian statues or hidden eunuchs who are watching this meeting with displeasure and intend to put a very sharp end to it very quickly.

Concubine falls completely in love with hero and begs him to take her with him on his journeys.

Attractive female Companions, (or extremely feminine male Companions), could use this connection to infiltrate high society by posing as harem maidens.

If the heroes have managed to learn/get hold of some of Yildirim's fertility magic then certain Concubines bent on rising in position by giving their master a child might be very interested in it.


That's all for now but I might come up with some more ideas or extra plot seeds later.

[TheQuestionMan]

Some brilliant suggestion Sir!


Zakara - Al-Qadim
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qadim

7th Sea's Crescent Empire
http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showbook&bookid=2166

GURPS Banestorm - Al Haz, Al Wazif, and the Djinn Lands.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GURPS_Banestorm

Dark Sun (Athas)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Sun

Shadizar - City of the Wicked (Conan)
http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/home/detail.php?qsID=545&qsSeries=7

Al-Qadim - Warrior Templates (please comment)
http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39015&highlight=Al-Qadim

Zahhak - Prince of Persia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zahhak

Calimshan - West Faerûn (Forgotten Realms)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calimshan

Empire of Thessid-Gola - Artesia:AKW (Archaia Studios Press)
http://www.theknownworld.com/main.html

Al' Istaan (al•is•taan/ahl'iztahn) The Red Star: Country south of the URRS; home of the Nistaani warrior.
http://www.archangel-studios.com/comics/redstar/frame.htm

Umayyad Caliphate - Muslim Spain - Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Umayyad_Caliphate


Cheers


QM

[TheQuestionMan]

Desception & Misdirection
A Shiekh is murdered by assassins and witnesses identify them as the PCs. They have no alibi as they were involved in their own scam during that period. Who framed them and why?

1. One of the PCs many Enemies has sent an Agent to cause trouble for the PCs and if possible. Arrange for their deaths.

2. The Sheikhs enemies need a sacrificial goat to prevent a blood feud.

3. The leader of the Bandit Band they annihilated want revenge and this is the only way to get it.

4. The Merchant House of the White Star and the Goblin Traders House do not want to lose their monopoly on trade with the Djinn Lands and seeks to stop them by any means necessary.

5. The Gebel Thamad Sultan wants the Elf Maiden for his Courtisan.


Just a few mroe ideas.


QM

[Shadowsoul]

One particularly convoluted version of the 'sacrificial goat' idea. The Sheik in question wanted to see precisely who his enemies and friends were, or just lure his enemies into a trap. So he faked his own death to find out who would try to avenge him and who would try to pounce on his holdings. He doesn't want to fight a war with any particular faction so framing the PC's is a nice neutral option.

If one of the Sheik's enemies took him out they might have framed the heroes as a bonus so that they could have a hold over him. The real killers will offer to clear the PC's names, (or bribe everyone to forget them anyway), in return for certain favours.

Really weird idea but I'm writing this under the influence of fatigue and raw coffee. They may not remember the incident but in fact it was the PC's! They were being controlled by some kind of spirit or demon for its evil purposes and have now been discarded. Or have they?

[TheQuestionMan]

Very Machiavellian of you Shadowsoul

Unfortunately we are dealing with several Wizards of high power and skill. They might just decide to wipe them out rather than talk to them now that the diplomat if the group has been forced into retirement.

Cheers

QM

[Shadowsoul]

Ah but do the villains know that?

It can be quite hilarious when NPC's underestimate the PC's. Happened a couple of times in my campaign. My favourite was when I had a Highwayman accost the stagecoach my party was riding in. I've actually posted it before but I'll mention it again because it amuses me.

He told them to stand and deliver. There was a moment of shocked silence and then a hail of lead smashed him from his horse.

Then they massacred his minions and dragged his bleeding body into town to be hanged.

While it's good to challenge players I think that it is great fun for them to be allowed to demonstrate to some fool just how hard they are and just how bad an idea messing with them is.

But that's just my opinion.