Balazar Campaign Ideas

[Heltver]

I am returning to GMing after about 30 years, and always wanted to run a Balazar Campaign. Currently, I have 1 player who is 12 years old, and I am setting in 1617 before the dragonrise. I am drawing from Griffin Mountain as well as the excellent Johnstown Compendium products Imther Edge of Empire and Back to Balazar. 

I love the richness of the setting, and thought I would reach out to see if people could help with a few specific ideas. I want to find ways to foreshadow the Great Winter that is coming, and I thought it would be cool if Blueface and/or other shamans foresaw it. Blueface has just arrived and taken the PC in (a potential shaman) and is about to tell them of the coming winter. My idea is to link it to a myth, and I thought it would be cool if he had seen evidence of chains being prepared for Orlanth and Ernalda (I may totally misunderstand how the Great Winter worked), and could communicate that without giving too much away (Great winter to happen in about 3 years, I believe). I also thought it would be cool if I there was a myth of why Brother Dog (but also wolves) cry or sing to the moon, and to try to tie that to it. 

Not looking for a complete solution, just any thoughts or ideas. Thanks in advance!

[Joerg]

The Great Winter/Windstop starts in Dark Season 1621 and affects southern Balazar. Ironically, the only citadel to be affected is Lunar-controlled Elkoi (Guide p.731).

Halcyon var Enkarth might be somewhat involved in the build-up for the magics, as he seems to be in the better graces of Tatius, gaining the Pavis governorship after Sor-eel gets dismissed. It is possible that a military unit from Elkoi gets detached to the Siege of Whitewall to be used up in the futile attacks on the fortress to build up the magical momentum. If so, the shadow of prophecy might congeal around their regimental standard(s).

[Akhôrahil]

I’m long-term planning to send my Talastari PCs to Balazar in search for the Iron Crown of Aggar to bolster the claims of the new rebel king of Aggar following the Dragonrise. They are already experienced travellers on the Old Elf Trail, which should make it far easier to cross the Lunar Empire.

Edited December 5, 2024 by Akhôrahil

[jajagappa]

On 12/4/2024 at 9:52 PM, Heltver said:

My idea is to link it to a myth, and I thought it would be cool if he had seen evidence of chains being prepared for Orlanth and Ernalda (I may totally misunderstand how the Great Winter worked), and could communicate that without giving too much away (Great winter to happen in about 3 years, I believe). I also thought it would be cool if I there was a myth of why Brother Dog (but also wolves) cry or sing to the moon, and to try to tie that to it. 

You could have Blueface envision the Contest between the Sun and the Storm, but this time the Sun (perhaps aided by the Moon distracting the Storm) slays the Storm, and then the Earth falls into a deep sleep. And that second loss causes the Sun to withdraw into its Citadel in the Sky. The world falls prey to Winter. Dire wolves, monstrous bears, dark trolls, and other beasts stalk the land hunting for prey. 

[soltakss]

Look at the tensions. Citadel Dwellers vs Votanki Clans. Yelmalio vs Hunter. Orlanthi vs Lunars. Elder Races vs Humans.

Look at mysteries. Why is the Elf Sea full of monsters? Why did the nomadic Dragonewts, who carried their nests on the backs of dinosaurs, die out, or where did they go? Why did the Elder Races become disunited? 

Look at Heroic Deeds. Can the Adventurers tame the Elf Sea? Can they find the Wind Sword? Can they reunite the Elder Races of the Elder Wilds? Can they stop, or help, the Lunars? Can they uncover forgotten secrets of Balazar? Can they befriend, or rule, the Giants?

In our RQ2/RQ3 Campaign, one of the Adventurers freed Firshala and became a Shaman-Priest, although he was also a Yelmalio worshipper. He then gained control of Dykene, then Trilius, and finally Elkoi having become adopted by the Red Emperor. He also HeroQuested to prove that Balazar was a Yelm Cultist, not a Yelmalio worshipper, so that meant that he could draw his descent from Balazar and become a Yelm Cultist. He also built a Temple of the Reaching Moon in Balazar, on the edge of the Elder Wilds, to cover the whole of Greater Balazar.