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Post by ProfGremlin on Nov 16, 2015 8:57:27 GMT -5
Hey, folks, I was browsing along and came across this image which I found rather interesting and surreal. Then the thought occurred, "Hey, this would make a really good jumping off point. If our heroes are escaping in the ship and the God of Chance has sent a blizzard of dominoes after them, how did we get to this point?" It could be a rather thought provoking excercise. At the very least, we could create a library of potential plot hooks, one-shot, and campaign ideas. So, I invite you to post an image you found that could inspire such a thought. Two rules: 1) Respect copyright. 'Nuff said. 2) Link to the page you found the image rather than the image itself. Respect the hosts bandwidth. Let's see what catches your imagination! ~ Prof.
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Post by ProfGremlin on Nov 18, 2015 7:17:57 GMT -5
Thought I'd throw another image in to help 'prime the pump' as it were. Here's one I just came across: Mt. Fungi Is it a cure for a curse or disease? Perhaps a rare spell ingredient or the key component for a potion? Or it could be simply a rare plant that the delver's patron would like to see in their garden. And what's the deal with those floating rocks? Is there a symbiotic relationship between the plant and the rocks? Could they be harvested/collected for some creative use in the future or sold back in town for good ol' cashy money? Mount a fan and a pedal crank to the rock and you have your own Delver powered vehicle. Great for floating across those pesky crevasses. Or mount a sail on it and use it like a sail-board. The imagination must flow!
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Post by zanshin on Nov 18, 2015 11:43:26 GMT -5
Absolutely loving the images Prof, just feel unable to offer anything I have seen that could be in the ballpark. Know I am following this with interest though.
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Post by gaptooth on Nov 18, 2015 12:02:02 GMT -5
Cymothoa exigua: This image is pretty tame, but if you dial up an image search for the species on Google, prepare to be grossed out. Adventure hook: An ancient Warrior society, sick of being left out of the magic game, set themselves up a cult somewhere in the dungeons. Finding some amusement in this, a creepy dungeon ghod sent them some crawlies while they slept that entered via the nose and sucked blood from their tongue until it withered away. Then, it attached itself to the nubbins where it could speak on behalf of the mute Warriors. On the plus side, they gave the Warriors access to a random assortment of spells, any level, powered by the Warriors' own Strength (this represents blood drained from the Warrior with each casting). The casting cost of such spells is always the listed cost + 1d6 per spell level. If a given drain reduces the Warrior's STR to 2 or lower, she loses consciousness and has creepy crawly dreams. Is there some other, more insidious effect? Let the GM cackle maniacally at the possibilities. Somehow, potions made by the Warrior cult got scattered through the dungeons of the world. If a Wizard or Rogue drinks such a potion, treat it like Spider Venom (as listed in 5th edition or Deluxe rules, for instance). But if imbibed by a Warrior, the crawly egg hatches unnoticed in the back of her throat, and her tongue falls out in CON days, unless she is subject to Curses Foiled or similar. Once it attaches to the nub of the Warrior's tongue, the Warrior becomes aware of the new spells she can cast.
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Post by ProfGremlin on Nov 26, 2015 19:50:49 GMT -5
Is it a gateway? If so, why does the road continue on the other side? Perhaps the portal doesn't take anyone anywhere but does something else? Perhaps it's a defense system? Does it activate only under certain solar/lunar events? Do you need the correct pass phrase, 'friend'? What is the significanse of the stone wheels that litter the countryside? Are the geese harbingers or are they the remanents of an invading force? Perhaps geese make great watch 'dogs' because they were once an invading force which was transformed and a geas laid upon them to protect their new home from future invaders?
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Post by ProfGremlin on Jun 15, 2016 12:19:07 GMT -5
What kind of world would use giant tortoise as a beast of burden? What other unique creatures could be found here? Are there special skills or job-types that could grow out of this? Look at the metal work incorporated into the tortoise' shell. Could/would gypsies/tinkers use this kind of beast? How about a special breed of tortoise with a shell that could be used as a mobile home. Yeah, you're not going to get there quickly but it's the journey that really matters, right? "Usul, we have tortoise sign the likes of which even the Trollgod has never seen!"The more I look at this image the more I absolutely love it.
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Post by ProfGremlin on Jun 16, 2016 2:18:50 GMT -5
Is he a delver scout? Is he a lookout for his village? What does he see in the distance? Could it be the entrance to a fabled city or dungeon ruins? Perhaps a party of delvers on a mountain trail navigating a series of switchbacks? Is he watching the delvers to see how close they'll come to his village before he sends up the alarm? Maybe the rest of his delving party is holding onto the rope and lowering the scout down to retrieve a valuable item or to set an anchor so they can more easily attain a remote doorway?
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Post by ProfGremlin on Aug 14, 2016 1:30:47 GMT -5
Who is this? A bounty-hunter? A pirate? Is there a blood-debt involved? How did he get ahold of that black-powder gunne? Is it functional or just a bluff? Who are these poor pebbly, blue-skinned critters with the spiney mohawks and tusks? Does the smaller one actually have steampunk goggles and is that a shackle on it's wrist?
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Post by mahrundl on Aug 14, 2016 5:18:15 GMT -5
Over and above those very good observations, I'm intrigued by the rather chunky-looking bayonet on the end of the gunne barrel...
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Post by ProfGremlin on Nov 1, 2016 1:13:41 GMT -5
Ok, just how in the three realms did this happen? Was it a prank by the tavern stable boy? Perhaps a mischievous band of faerie decided the four-footed one needed a change in perspective? I know! Last night was the celebration of the Autumnal equinox and the local rogue's guild hall was celebrating with free flowing honey wine. There were reports of a number of mis-fired spells both during and after the celebration. It would seem as if an apprentice got a hold of a goblet or two as well. Then again, if you look just right there's a glint in the eye there. Perhaps the horse knows more than he's letting on...
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Post by ProfGremlin on Nov 1, 2016 1:27:49 GMT -5
Hoo, Piggy! Best clear the way when this guy comes thundering through town! Where does he come from? Is he a lone rider or an advance scout for a band of mercs? Just what is that green glow? Was he always like this or was he the unwitting victim of a gamma-ray wand misfiring? Or, worse yet, perhaps he was a willing participant and quaffed an untested alchemical brew. Well, I guess there always has to be someone to try it first. What kind of potion is attached to that blunderbuss and does it expel in cloud or stream? Is it the same sickly substance as in the grenades? And what, exactly, happened to that poor boar? Was it exposure to the potion in the blunderbuss and grenades that caused him the 'shroom growths on his tusks, exposure to his potentially radioactive rider, or something else entirely? Perhaps the swine rooted up some of the troll 'shrrrooms left behind by Sir Dahhn Keehootee... Now there's a frightening thought, radioactive Troll 'Shrrrooms... :: Shudder ::
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Post by jeffepp on Nov 1, 2016 4:48:53 GMT -5
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Post by ProfGremlin on Dec 8, 2016 3:32:58 GMT -5
Now just who is this fella stalking? Is he an adventurer collecting bounties to redeem for gold? Possibly clearing the forest trails of ne'er-do-wells? Perhaps he's a raider taking heads to prove his prowess in battle? With the multiple weapons and decorations could our goblin be a tribal chieftain or maybe a tribal champion? What did the poor owners of those heads do to deserve such a heinous fate? Is there a blood-feud going on with the tribe who lost those heads? Who's feud, the goblin's or the wolf's? Are there more wolf-riders? Who's in charge, the wolf or the goblin? Perhaps the 'mount' required a 'rider' to interface with 'civilization'.
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Post by ProfGremlin on Dec 8, 2016 3:54:09 GMT -5
Hey, uh, Jorgoth? We're going to need arbalests, lots of arbalests. Maybe a trebuchet or three... Is this giant a menace or an ambassador for his people? Maybe he's a king without a throne? Could he be simply a wandering monster and the trio at his feet the recipients of a particularly bad die roll? Perhaps he's come to trade at the town market for some delicacies he's unable to otherwise obtain. What's the significance of the tree trunk he holds? Is it his tribes talking stick or the kings scepter? Perhaps he's a journeyman wizard and the trunk is his blasting rod? By the way, has anyone seen Bard the Bowman...?
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Post by ProfGremlin on Dec 28, 2016 20:08:35 GMT -5
So many dungeon delves begin this way. Ah, but is this a beginning or an ending? Is the traveler seeking entrance in pursuit of glory, power and arcane knowledge or returning home at journey's end? Perhaps this isn't a delver at all but a messenger from a neighboring kingdom serving as a plot hook to catch our delver's attention. Is there a kingdom in need of their special talents, even if it's only a willingness to put life-and-limb on the line? Could it be, rather, that word of our adventurer's deeds is about to come to the notice of the local Marcher Lord? Are they soon to become victims of their own success?
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