Seldon Plan (2015)
| The Emperor Seldon Plan | |
|---|---|
 "He rules the land by claw and magic." | |
| Status | Ended |
| Genre/Theme | Fantasy |
| System | Custom |
| Began | May 2015 |
| Ended | May 2015 |
| Time active | Short! |
| Game Master | Benjamin |
| Players | amie, Luke, Dennis, Theartis |
The characters wake up near a meteor crash site, not remembering who they are. Over time they work out this mystery and uncover the machinations of Emperor Seldon. Set on the Emberfang Isles.
Inspiration from Isaac Asimov
Contents
Characters
- René Voltaire, played by Luke
- Bergia, played by Jamie
- Tisberry, played by Theartis
- Elod, played by Dennis
Plot
The players wake up in a clearing. One of them, René, is wearing a green, black, and silver uniform, with helm stylized after a dragon's head. The others are in gold and red uniforms with leonine styling. After a bit of dusting themselves off, they notice a large, out of place rock, the "meteor". Some of the grass/plants in a trail near it have been torn out by it landing here. On the other side of the meteor they find two dead people wearing the same gold and red uniforms some of the player characters have.
The players begin sifting through their pouches and find various maps, orders, and personal effects. Using the maps and orders, they determine that they are from two kingdoms to the northwest. They determine to travel to the nearer of the two for help.
They travel first towards Kebury, a town just north of the meteor site through a forest. On their way through the forest, they are waylaid by bandits. After a short skirmish, they are separated, Bergia is knocked unconscious, and Elod is killed. Just after he is shot, a body is heard falling out of a nearby tree, and the bandits are heard retreating through the forest. While René cares for Bergia's wounds, Elod finds themselves waking up, laying on the ground. When he approaches the others, they are taken aback, because he is in the body of one of the bandits. After a round of questioning, the others are assured that it is really their companion, and they continue unmolested to Kebury.
In Kebury they meet briefly with the town council and explain their situation, but the local councilors do not feel themselves qualified to deal with the issues presented, and the players are sent along to Maymoor to the north, the seat of the Supreme Aram Council.
In Maymoor, they are seen by the Council and again explain what is going on. The Council includes Bergia's father, he is distraught by her condition and does not speak during the council meeting. Eventually it is determined that the players must be sent to the Dragon Empire for study. In the Empire, where magical creatures and phenomenon are studied, it is hoped that someone will have the knowledge to assist the players. Arrangements are made in the night for the players to be granted passage into the empire.
The next morning, the players journey north to the mountain pass leading into the lands of the Empire. There they are met by several Empire guardsmen who will escort them to the capital, the Wyrm Throne fortress itself. Dragons are seen high on the cliffs above them. During the journey, Bergia attempts to turn back, thinking that they are walking into a trap. After a bit of a scuffle, she is restrained and carried. Shortly thereafter, in a bout of rage she produces a burst of flame, freeing herself and displaying a new ability. She again tries to turn back, but a dragon bars their way, and a voice is heard encouraging them to continue on to the capital.
The players continue their journey, when Bergia is suddenly stricken by a headache, and one of the guards falls unconscious. When he awakes, the guard known as "Tisberry" is in the same condition as the other players. The remaining guardsmen are noticeably uneasy, and urge the party to reach the capital as quickly as possible.
They arrive at a large gate set into the mountain pass at a narrow point in the pass. Behind the gate lies the fortress capital of the Dragon Empire. At a signal from the guards, the gates are opened and the players are ushered in. Once inside they are led down passage after passage into a large cavern, which contains a lone building in the center. The players are taken to the doors and ushered inside. The gates close behind them and they are left in darkness for a moment. Torches ahead of them begin to light, showing a path to a throne at the back of the chamber. Here sits the Dragon Emperor, who beckons them to come forth.
The Emperor listens to their story, and then explains that they are not sick or cursed. They are not even human. He reveals that players, like the Emperor himself, are a beings of magical energy. He has been Dragon Emperor for centuries, proclaiming a new emperor and taking their body as needed. He has a plan for the humans, and has been shepherding them all this time as their Emperor. He demonstrates his own powers and confirms that Bergia's fiery outburst was a manifestation of the elemental abilities they all share.
This is a lot to take in for our players, so they are taken to well-appointed guest quarters to rest and consider the matter. Instead, they begin exploring their pasts and their powers.
Bergia goes to a rooftop and rests there. When night comes, she cannot sleep and instead considers the darkness around her. She comes to be able to control the powers of Shadow, and leaves the rooftop in the morning shrouding herself in a mood and sensation dampening haze.
Elod travels first to a library in the fortress city, and studies the magical creatures cataloged in books contained therein. After reading of a bird-like creature that uses magical wind, he goes to a rooftop and attempts to control the wind. After a few attempts, he manages to create gusts of wind. Once he figures out the trick, it comes easily to him.
René and Tisberry go to an official records office to obtain information about the lives of their respective hosts. After examining the records they return to their quarters to consider what they have learned about their host's lives, as some memories begin to trickle into their minds. Elod then returns as well and they begin experimenting to learn to control their elemental powers. After some false starts and some trickery on Elod's part, René happens upon to secret to controlling Earth.
Tisberry had tried each of the elements that others had controlled, but could not manage any of them. He gave up and went into the bath. Just when he was down and forlorn about the situation, ice crystals began to form around his hands and soon he was sitting in a block of ice. He called to the others to see and to help him out of the ice.
After this, they all tried to rest for the night, but sleep did not come for any of them.
...(need to finish writing this out)
Major Groups
The Dragon Empire
AKA The Wyrm Throne. Situated in the northern, mountainous region of the largest island in the chain. The Empire controls nearly every source of metal on the isles, and enjoys military dominance thanks to this fact. Most of the citizens live in fortress cities set into the mountains, though some live in small farming towns in the plain on the western portion of their territory. The empire cannot produce enough food for its people, and so trades metal goods with the Aram Confederacy for food.
The Aram Trader Confederacy
The Aram Confederacy is a loose alliance of traders and farmers. They are ruled by a series of councils; local, regional, and the Supreme Aram Council over them all. Their main territory is to the southeast of the Dragon Empire, but they also claim other small islands and a portion of the second major island. Primarily they produce food and wood based crafts, but also facilitate most trade and travel throughout the isles.
The Realm of the Witch-Queen
The Witch Queen's lands include the southeastern tip of the main island along with portions of the second major island and a few of the smaller islands. Some of her territory is in dispute with the Aram Confederacy.
Major NPCs
Emperor Seldon
Seated on the Wyrm Throne, Emperor Seldon is the de facto ruler of the Emberfang Isles.
The Witch Queen
Even more of an isolationist than Emperor Seldon, little is known of her. The Dragon Emperor insists that she isn't even a real witch, but has never explained his conviction.
