Here’s my draft of the intro to Drazhu I’m running in a two-hour slot at Ettin Con next month:
When Lord Drazhu came to power, he spouted promises to strengthen the kingdom by fortifying its borders and uniting against their enemies. Then the attacks and the kidnappings started, targeting so-called “demi-humans” and their allies. First, he came for the halfling forest guardians, then the elven peacekeepers, even the dwarven sustainable mining unions were under threat. Once he gained possession of the legendary Crown of Tyrants, he became dangerously unhinged. Distrusting the royal guard, he brought in a private security force of orc mercenaries and goblin spies. He even sent trollish armies with battle-axes to hack into the web of the peaceful Spider Kingdom. Now you are all his slaves, forced to expand his underground lair, increase his resources and further his dark agenda: To raise a demon army who would wipe all opposition off the map and bring a new Dark Age to reign.
He has taken your gear, your companions, and thwarted your magic with wards painted on the walls around you. Now an earthquake has damaged the doors, cracked those wards and distracted your keepers. The rebellion begins now, with you.
Muhahaha nice
I would maybe incorporate the earthquake better with whats written rather than that last bit. Its really effective when that table starts shaking
And what caused the earthquake to start with? Maybe it wasn’t just a natural phenomenon (cue sinister music).
Nice.
Maybe add something about how all the dwarves cautioned that such deep and expansive excavation would disrupt the very bedrock, and possibly unleashing the heat and molten lava of the world’s core, but Drazu ignored their whinging until the earthquakes started.
And even now, he keeps digging, because his kingdom’s wealth was based on mining and that other dictator [who forged Drazu’s beautiful crown] really needs more ore.
(Too much?)
Haha! I will keep these in mind.