Fantasy Plot Hooks

Curufea · January 23, 2005

Some ideas I've suggested to GMs needing plots in their games

These are not the Druids you are looking for

A case of mistaken identity - one or more PCs are "recognised" by local authorites as eco-terrorists that recently began magical attacks on settlements in the area. Added complications happen when followers of these leaders start coming to the PCs for missions. Or possibly one PC is captured by authorites and the followers need to be recruited to get them out of jail.

Tanks for the memories

A renegade alchemist has found a way to bottle magic and store it in containers. It lowers the ambient magic level of the areas he's sucked magic from - basically all spells are harder to cast and have much less affect. The alchemist has amnesia and can't remember where the tanks of magic are, or what would happen if they were opened - but is wondering what is happening to the magic in the area and employs the PCs to find out.

Added complications are - the alchemist found ways to multiply the power of things stored in his tanks, and decided to put parts of his intellect in the tanks as well. If the tanks are opened, or destroyed - not only will the area be super-charged with magic (making spells easy and more powerful), but the alchemist will effectively become a very high level Liche-equivalent (without being undead) or possibly a demigod or dragon or something. His memories will be tainted by storage, however, so he will be psychotic and need to be put down.

I did a quick search of the forum and couldn't find a thread on generic plot hooks - so I'm starting one here

mvoncannon · January 26, 2005

Re: Fantasy Plot Hooks

Nice. And thanks.

Curufea · January 26, 2005

Re: Fantasy Plot Hooks

Some more (adapted from plot ideas I've given folk in other genres)

(starwarsian mood at the time)

Phantom Menace

There's a ghost in the Opera House.

It's a murdered singer of some magical race, or was in contact with an artifact at the time. She can only drift about and make haunting type noises. But she can possess magic users who attend the opera - and will do so. Loudly singing out (she can't talk, but to sing) who murdered her, and how. If a PC is possessed, give them cards with information related to whatever question is asked them, and insist that until they are cured, they must sing everything.

Attack of the Clones

The most easily defeated NPC that the PCs ever faced is back. But this time they're not alone. Having got their hands on the Axolotlotlotl Tanks of the magical/trans-dimensional race known as the Tax-Lous. The Tax-Lous want it back of course, and will turn up just as the PCs are being humiliatingly defeated by a multitude of their wimpiest enemy. A simple spray disolves clones (ie possibly salt water, or maybe peppermint scented water or even tea)

(Okay, this is somewhat inspired by Slayers)

A New Hope

A bunch of Evil Racial Sterotypes (ie Orcs etc) have decided to go straight (or so they say). They turn up to all the adventures the PCs try to get to - before the PCs. The solve the problem/rescue the damsel and disappear before the town militia can apprehend them for Conspiciously Being An Orc. What is going on? The town speculates and wonders when the PCs will turn bad.

Then there is a rash of crimes being commited by the PCs - the tables have turned!

What is happening-

The PCs and ERS crossed from a mirror dimension
A Mad Thurmaturgist (Bob, short for Kate) has cloned exact opposite versions of both (he took magical signatures or true names from associates and friends/ DNPCs of the PCs)
A Mad Thurmaturgist (Kate, short for Bob) has invented a Mind Control Artifact that only affects beings when they think of looting - turning them into the exact opposite (ERS often loot villagers, PCs often loot the ERS, villagers think about farming). They must destroy the device (hidden in a treasure room mine without thinking about looting.

The Lovers Strike Back

A union is forming of all the S.O.s and DNPCs of PCs. They're tired of being constantly kidnapped and threatened. Now they're taking action. The union leader is of course, an ERS or magic user with a mind control spell or artifact, who wishes to kidnap and threaten all the DNPCs at the same time for their nefarious reasons.

These are from the radioplays of X Minus 1

Charles in Charge

A mad toymaker who creates animated puppets to take over the world. When in actual fact the toymaker is a puppet, and the puppets are small demons (I noticed the muppet Angel story ripped off this idea as well)

Wag the Dog

The ERS decide to invade A Good Realm without any fuss - so they set up an advertising campaign first, employing locals.

The Barrier

All ships sent to investigate a certain continent disappear without trace when entering a fog on the way. The fog is a red herring - it's the point where the target continent's native inhabitants who had been infiltrating the navy for years to protect their nation decide to mutiny and take over the ships.

SaintQuakko · January 26, 2005

Re: Fantasy Plot Hooks

Hmm... well, I don't have many of my own, but I'm really enthralled with some of the ideas put forth by Wizards of the Coast for their new Eberron setting...

If you like Noir/Pulp fantasy, then there's plenty to steal from in WotC's biweekly "Steal This Hook" column. (All fluff, no crunch! You probably won't be able to steal these as is, but ideas are ideas, right?)

The Trials of Academia

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsh/20050103a

The Lhazaar Principalities (Think: Pirate Isles)

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsh/20041220a

The Dark Cloaked Stranger

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsh/20041206a

War Weary Souls

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsh/20041122a

Life or Death Countdowns

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsh/20041108a

Ghoulish Tales

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsh/20041025a