So, about to start a new campaign...

[zcthu3]

So, my wife's Dresden Files game ended before I was anticipating last week and there was overwhelming demand from the group for me to run a Shadows of Esteren game.

Which is awesome.

The campaign is picking up in Melwan following a previous campaign in which the events of Poison took place, and in which the previous PCs managed to draw the ire of the Hilderin's in Fearil; enough that they have drawn away some of the more... expansionist... knights to follow them.

Now, what I really want is to start low key in terms of the supernatural, with a focus on village life and events, so I thought I'd mine the collective wisdom here for some adventure ideas. Please leave your thoughts!

Thanks

[Clovis]

If they're being chased by Hilderins, they might want to steer clear of the Vale and its surroundings. Actually, they might even be fugitives, trying to find shelter far away from the place where they stirred up trouble (maybe even in another kingdom? It could be interesting to portray them getting used to different customs), with the Hilderins being a looming threat for them.

What you could do is play out how they'll find a community to become part of, and how they will make themselves accepted, possibly as a prologue to a big plot starting with extraordinary events at and near the village, like in the official campaign!

Just a few thoughts, but I think there's a lot to work with starting from such a premise.

[zcthu3]

If they're being chased by Hilderins, they might want to steer clear of the Vale and its surroundings. Actually, they might even be fugitives, trying to find shelter far away from the place where they stirred up trouble (maybe even in another kingdom? It could be interesting to portray them getting used to different customs), with the Hilderins being a looming threat for them.

What you could do is play out how they'll find a community to become part of, and how they will make themselves accepted, possibly as a prologue to a big plot starting with extraordinary events at and near the village, like in the official campaign!

Just a few thoughts, but I think there's a lot to work with starting from such a premise.

Thanks for the post, but (and sorry for this) I may have given the wrong impression - what you described was a part of the last campaign. The previous PCs got into trouble pretty quick and fled the vales being chased by a faction of Hilderins who had (initially) been intent on extending their influence over Melwan. That particular faction is still missing from the garrison, and the remaining knights are more honourable and less expansonistic then those that left.

Given the previous party left so early into the campaign, I am actually wanting this grou p to linger in the vale for a while so am looking for local things (preferably without supernatural influences) for them to do in the wake of the previous PC's actions.

[Clovis]

Oh, I thought you meant that the campaign would follow the adventures of these recently exiled PCs!

There's a lot you can have the PCs do; activities that may at first sight appear commonplace but could prove good material for a session, such as:

- Helping a hunting-gathering party: this would be a good opportunity for you to describe the surroundings of the village and the local fauna and flora more in-depth, all the while having the PCs become more familiar with the local hunters-gatherers.

- Assisting a nearby fortified farm: disaster may have struck (bad weather, a disease that took several of the locals, a bandit attack, etc.), and the people at the fortified farm need strong arms and clever minds to help them put things back in order. If you want to give this event a darker twist, the repair works may reveal the presence of something sinister, such as a human body or a cache of contraband. The PCs would therefore have to discover what the heck that thing is doing here and clear the locals of all suspicion.

- Escorting a local shepherd/herbalist/Demorthèn/merchant/etc: a nice way to introduce one or several NPCs the PCs could bond with. Such an assignment may seem simple at first glance, but you can throw in some danger (inclement weather, a natural disaster, a blocked path that required finding a byway) to make things more challenging. Inserting a Canvas from Book 2 like Night of Fright can also work.

- Requesting help: whether the locals lack food due to a poor harvest or need military help due to the presence of a nearby danger, the PCs will have to go to a nearby village/garrison/Angarde and try to persuade other people of helping them.


These are only a few ideas among many, of course. I think that by thinking about things that would be interesting to depict and would tick well with the PCs, you'll be able to find nice adventures to have them go through!

[zcthu3]

Thanks, that's the kind of thing I had in mind. I have some ideas myself, but was looking for more.

[Clovis]

You're welcome. I hope both you and your players will get to enjoy yourselves!