NEFARIOUS TALES OF PLACES IN THE DARK AND
SHADOWS TOO FOUL TO MENTION
NOTES:
SUGGESTED CAMPAIGNS
AND CHARACTERS
It's just a prologue at the moment. I wanted to get it written down while its fresh in my mind.
No firm direction yet for this story so any thoughts for continuing will be considered as well as
characters/NPCs/animal companions/villains/bosses/locations that people give a well-thought-out description and backstory for.
No magic items. No overpowered characters. 1st level start. And native to the Realms. No monstrous characters. Standard Races and classes of either gender. Standard Equipment and wealth. No romances or marriages this early in the story. Though open to suggestions when the story gets going.
Dark fantasy horror is the theme but nothing too graphic or suggestive. For this story, I'll keep the language to a minimum for profanity.
If anyone wants to suggest something they would like to see in this story feel free to let me know.
The main character is the female Drow rogue but for any campaign, she will need allies.
She tends towards a chaotic neutral view of life so would seek like-minded companions.
There is virtually no descriptive writing in the prologue as I intended. It's meant to be a long conversation to set the mood for what comes next. Once I get an idea of what campaign will follow I'll get back to it properly straight away. I won't kill off characters that have been requested/suggested unless specifically asked to do so. I'll occasionally ask if the story is going in the right direction and how the characters should proceed.
Hopefully, there might be a bit of interest.
Options for campaigns:
Suggestions welcome -
preferably 1st level start
(don't mind doing long stories/campaigns)
1: Ravenloft 5th edition campaign –
(pick a previous adventure and I'll
see if I have it – got most 2nd edition)
2: Time travelling Undermountain and Skullport
2nd edition books for 5th edition campaign
3: Out of the Abyss and Underdark 5th edition campaign
4: Waterdeep – dragon heist and dungeon
of the Mad Mage 5th edition campaign
5: Eve of Vecna very high-level 5th edition campaign
(could be a bit slow starting as I don't know the rules yet)
6: Something else that fits the prologue
(not curse of Strahd. doing that in another story)
CHARACTERS
LARNNASSIA SEVALLNEY 'LARNNA' DROW FEMALE ROGUE PRINCESS
PROLOGUE:
TREACHERY
"This wasn't what we agreed to, Larnna."
"The crew you sent to supposedly aid me were useless, Mullinthorne. I took all the damn risks and they still screwed it up."
"They were all bloodied by your hand, Larnna. The guild are mad and want payback for messing with their kin."
"They deserved it. They should think themselves lucky I let any of those useless bastards live. I won't be so lenient next time."
Lenient. Is that what you call cutting off a guild lieutenant's son's fingers?"
"He dropped the goods. Besides a healer can put them back with a bit of work."
"Funny. He's no use to us now. They've got him mugging drunks. That's about all he can do. His family are after a blood debt."
"Let them come. I'll take out the entire guild if they don't back off."
"You aren't that good yet, Larnna."
"I've got what I wanted. It was profitable that last job."
""You owe the guild their cut."
"I did all the work."
"On a guild job. Stop playing dumb. You know how this works."
"And you expect me to give my hard-earned take to those fat, lazy human scum?"
"You're on thin ice carrying on like a damn novice. You've been doing this long enough to know what you owe."
"I need the gold, Mullin. Got debts to pay."
"You know by now I'm the friendly hand of the guild, Larnna. Don't let me have to introduce you to the less friendly side of the guild. You don't know what they're capable of."
"I've got a good idea. But surely you know what happens if mother hears you harmed her daughter."
"Threats, empty threats. We know you have been exiled from your family and the Underdark. It was your mother who told us to keep a tight leash on your neck."
"Damn bitch. Typical Drow treachery."
"Doesn't matter how far you run, Larnna. You'll always be Drow. Not even you can escape that."
"If I don't pay my debt, I'll be a dead Drow."
"Ask the guild for help. Beg them on your knees. We'll take everything you took on that last job and deal with you're problem. You're mother has a long reach. Even here in Waterdeep she could take revenge on the guild if she wanted to. We don't want Drow assassins giving us trouble. Let us deal with your problem."
"And if I say no?"
"That's not an option available to you and you know it."
"I'll be in debt to the guild."
"The guild provides for all, Larnna"
"Spare me your bullshit, Mullin."
"I don't see anyone else willing to help."
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Larnna, my dead friend. You are arrogant even by the standards of your kind. We hope you take this wonderful opportunity to pay your dues. You're continued presence here in Waterdeep depends on it."
"Then what happens?"
"Simple, Larnna. You pay us. We take care of your business. And then you owe us a debt that will be paid at the time of our choosing and in the manner best suited to full profit for the guild. The guild demands it."
"Demands?"
"Even from pretty little Drow. Don't give us reason to turn that face into a butcher's leftovers."
"The mask slips. What happened to being friendly?"
"I grow weary of your games, Drow."
"What am I supposed to live on if I give everything to you?"
""The guild provides for all, Larnna"
"So you say. But what will that cost me?"
"We'll think of something. Besides, a talented thief never goes hungry."
"You would have me back robbing lowlifes and drunks."
"Wasted talent. Maybe we can offer something that even you will be satisfied with."
"And if I do that?"
"Your second debt only will be finished. But we have something big in mind. Too early to say anything until the wheels are set in motion. A pay day like no other and finally clear with the guild. Think on it, Larnna."
"Looks like I have no choice."
"You never really did. You only thought you did."
"And the crew? What happens with them?"
"They will seek compensation."
"Let me guess. The smaller job pays the compensation."
"See, you do know how this works. I'm glad its finally sinking in to that thick stubborn head of yours."
"I get a feeling there's no end to this."
"There's an end when you stop fighting the guild."
"And my sister. How is the little bitch? Is she kissing the guild's ass."
"You really should let the past go. Thankfully your sister is doing well without your influence."
"Who did she have to give herself to? That bitch always was quick to sate her lust for flesh."
"She speaks highly of you too."
"I bet she does. She's never missed a chance yet to put me down. Twins never get along. Not Drow twins anyway. Too much competition."
"And yet you fled the Underdark together."
"We wont be missed. Daughters 28 and 29 don't tend to warrant much attention. We would have been murdered by our kin if we had stayed."
"28 and 29?"
"Yes. There are 16 living daughters to my dear mother. She likes to have a big family until she gets bored. I have 13 dead sisters. All raised as vampires after she had no more use for them and a certain Human Vampire Countess decided she liked Drow playthings."
"Let me guess. You were next on the list."
"I left before they had chance. We both did."
"And the Countess?"
"She seeks us to this day. Bloody crazy perverted human whore. They are just as bad as Drow. Damn Humans."
"You do not wish this?"
"Are you mad. She tortures them. Marries them and … I don't want to say anymore."
"Blood Brides? How very typical of royalty. No telling what they'll get up to next."
"I will not be a slave. Especially not to a lowly human."
"Thus the reason for your exile."
"Mother has vowed to give us to the countess. We have been paid for in advance. And as powerful as the Drow are. They do not seek a war with the Undead King. I am amazed they haven't found us. It's been months and no sign of them or word from below."
"Perhaps there are players in the game that you do not yet know about. Moving you all around like pawns on a board."
"What do you know, Mullin?"
"I know information is power and very valuable."
"What do you want?"
"Perhaps I desire ..."
"You have got to be kidding me. You're a bloody half-orc. No, I won't do it."
"Careful, Princess. You might hurt my feelings. Wouldn't want that now would we."
"Did Mother or my sister put you up to this?"
"Perhaps I feel like something a little different. Perhaps if I pay your debt the guild will give me something in return."
"You're giving me the creeps, Orc. I'm not the guild's to give away."
"You do realize only the guild's continued intervention is the only thing keeping you from your mother?"
"I am my own keeper. No one will buy and sell me."
"I can do nothing to persuade you, Larnna?"
"Hells, no. I thought the guild was pleased with my work."
"You cause too many problems. You think yourself above us. Does the Princess really think she can escape her past. You have a duty to the guild."
"And you? What do I owe you?"
"Who do you think negotiates on your behalf? If not for me the guild would have returned you to the Underdark in chains. You do not realize how valuable you are."
"I'm not bloody loot to be handed around to all takers."
"That is your problem, Larnna. You do not realize your predicament."
"You two-faced bastard. I'll cut your damn head off."
"You leave me no choice, Drow. You are to be exiled from the guild and must leave Waterdeep and all surrounding territories.
"I ..."
"Silence. The time for games is over."
"You know what will happen to me."
"By the way. The countess sends you her best regards."
"You know her?"
"She paid well. A small fortune."
"You've killed me. You know that?"
"I never did like you, Princess. Or that sister of yours. At least you'll be together. And we will no longer have to suffer you."
"I would sooner die."
"You will. But not here. Our guest wishes to speak to you and your sister."
"She's been here all along? I will kill you for this and every member of the guild."
"You still aren't grasping the situation, Larnna. Where you're going there is no escape. We will never see you again. We really had no other choice."
"All this talk for nothing. All those jobs. A waste of time and effort. You were always going to betray me. Why?"
"Don't be a fool. Take on the Undead, the Drow, and Royalty. Just to save your pitiful hide?"
"I'll find a way, Orc. Even if it takes centuries. I will have my revenge."
"My understanding is that you will receive something special. Do you like blood? You had better acquire a taste for it. Where you're going you will have chance to meet others like you and like them. It seems your wait is over. Our guest has arrived. After all this time you will meet the countess and your long dead sisters and their entourage."
"My dear, Larnnassia. It's wonderful to finally meet you. You ran off without so much as a word to your dear mother."
"You."
"You remember me. I saw you only fleetingly when you were young but now I believe we have business to attend to. Make it easy on yourself. Submit willingly and you will simply be bound in chains ready for the journey. Defy me and you will wish you had never been born. Look your sister has come to visit. She will accompany us. And just as a treat I'll let you know that the 30th sister has arrived to your dear mother. Give it twenty years or more and you'll get to see her for yourself."
"Alreyandria. So good to see you, Dear sister."
"Likewise, Piglet. You've put on weight."
"You've lost a lot of colour. Perhaps you had an encounter that didn't agree with you."
"I've been blessed by her holiness."
"Blessed. You fool. Look at you. What have they done to you, Sister?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Do you really think I'm going to give myself to this ancient rotting lowly hag?"
"You will regret those words, Sister."
"Recall."
"Wasn't expecting that were you bitch. I guess very soon I'm going to be the most wanted person in Waterdeep. Time to disappear for a while. The guildhouse is compromised. They'll be watching all my old haunts. Good job I cleared everything out of the room I had had Madame Lissette's Pleasure Palace. Won't miss all those powdered bitches. Damn humans, bloody hags. But it served its purpose. A good hideout while it lasted."
It's been years since I was last in Undermountain. I need to get to Skullport. And then the Underdark. It's risky but at least I fit in down here. Drow shouldn't expect an easy time when traveling the Realms. I'm no exception. The humans fear us. They would be no help to me. I will take my revenge on all of them. Now I just have to navigate Undermountain on my own. Should be easy.
Maybe there's some clueless adventuring fools looking to hire a rogue. Let's see what this place can dig up. I have become the prey for once in a very long time. This place is overflowing with potential foes.
Halaster, will you even remember a young Drow princess you saved from your creations? I doubt it but we'll see. Finding you is going to be about the hardest thing I've ever done or will ever do. But you're my only hope of leaving this place. You were kind back then in your own twisted and sick way.
Here I go again on my own. May Lolth darken the path and give me shadows. I knew that the old Drow mark and recall ring would be useful one day. The only thing mother didn't begrudge giving me.
Into the shadows. At least I'm at home in the shadows."
NPC'S
THE DROW QUEEN
THE UNDEAD VAMPIRE KING – (HUMAN)
THE VAMPIRE COUNTESS – (HUMAN)
THE THIEVES GUILD GRAND MASTER – (HUMAN)
THE THIEVES GUILD MASTERS – (12 VAMPIRE MASTERS)
THE VAMPIRE DROW SISTERS – (14 VAMPIRE SISTERS)
THE VAMPIRE ROYAL ENTOURAGE (MANY ROYAL VAMPIRES)
THE THIEVES GUILD LIEUTENANT – DERENDOR MULLINTHORNE (HALF-ORC)
THE VAMPIRE DROW TWIN SISTER – ALREYANDRIA SEVALLNEY