Random hooks thread

Discussing all things Ravenloft
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Zettaijin
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Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Zettaijin »

With the I'Cath hook (and Lesser Evil's two new hooks in the following post) we are down to three domains! Here's what's left:

Castle Island

Nocturnal Sea (Nebligtode)

Shadow Rift

(I did not include domains featured solely in novels or Netbooks and sticking to those from official game products such as DoD, IoT etc.)
Last edited by Zettaijin on Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:09 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Random hooks thread

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A Friend Fallen Behind Enemy Lines (Avonleigh, Shadowbane Manor)

The PCs learn that a person dear to them has disappeared inside Shadowbane Manor. The PCs must call a meeting of the Knights of the Shadows in Avonleigh to learn of its location and its dangers. Discovering a way out may necessitate speaking with Morgoroth or infiltrating his abode and and stealing his notes.

A Book of Lost Memories (Darkon, Isle of the Ravens)

The PCs meet a traveling bard compelled by the Lady of Ravens to proclaim her call for adventurers. She will pay handsomely (alternatively, she has a particular item or knowledge highly desired by the PCs) for knowledge of Azalin's Book of Names. She believes a person she once knew once lived there, and that his experiences are recorded in said Book. The PCs must venture to the Isle of Ravens and learn the particular details of that person's identity and negotiate a deal with the Lady of Ravens. Then they must infiltrate Castle Avernus and extricate the information and venture back to the Isle of the Ravens to exchange the information for their reward.

Alternatively, she may seek the theft of the Book itself so she may create a functional duplicate for herself.
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Re: Random hooks thread

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That was quick... but hey, we're down to three!

I have some idea for Castle Island and the Lady of the Lake, but it will have to wait until I have more time.
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Re: Random hooks thread

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The Iron Man

She burned his flesh; the searing hot iron leaving a black, painful looking mark on his arm. Yet he did not scream.

She pierced his flesh; the needle point quite certainly rupturing an organ or two. Yet he did not flinch.

She told him of all the suffering he would endure; her words like a terrifying dirge. Yet he did not plead.

What manner of man is he, she wondered. Has he lost his mind? Is he alive or dead? Has he thoughts within his head?

He just stares at the world...

The Lady is not one to accept such insults and so she contemplates ever more vicious means of torturing her captive then turning her frustrations upon the other men she holds within her ancient castle. No man will deny her the only pleasure that remains in this stone prison.

Oh but what a story he holds in his now distant mind. Buried deep are secrets that some would pay dearly to know and others to erase. And deep indeed is his mind, itself trapped within the bowels of the realms in the dark expanses of the Shadow Rift.

Reuniting the two is not a feat mortals can hope to achieve as fey magic is powerful, too powerful for them to understand let alone meddle with. To unite the soul and the body would require abilities and knowledge beyond that of humans.

Enter the White Duke, a noble of uncertain descent whose pale skin and rather thin, somewhat alien appearance may lead one to speculate that he himself may be fey or perhaps one who has crossed back into the domain of the living after an extended stay with the dead. And yet he is neither.

He wishes to find his long absent cousin whom he fears may have been lead astray by foolhardy friends. The lure of women and wine always brought his cousin trouble, says the Duke, and it isn't so much out of compassion than filial duty that he undertook this journey. Let the fool drown he thought, before being asked to carry out this chase as a favor to his family. Tales of the Lady of the Lake and her luring men to an island castle where they shall meet their doom intrigued him - after all it involves an attractive, alluring female and if anything his foolish cousin would be daft enough to believe he could somehow charm her.

And so he seeks individuals with a sense of duty to accompany him on his trek. Already an oddly charismatic man from Paridon by the name of Yagger the Mouth has agreed to join his cause. The unorthodox man claims he is looking for adventure as he is bored of singing to drunken louses in filthy taverns.

------------------

The captive was a master spy by the name of Ziomi who found himself the target of fey attention. They took his shadow and left him a barely sentient husk. A Tepestian rival sent his body on a little journey to the Castle Island where the Lady accepted him as an offering in return for some trinket which he claimed had "sentimental value".

The rival in question was Yagger who, upon learning of the Duke's story, believes something may have gone awry.

The Duke is acually a Cambion, a half-fiend who has found out that the Shadow Rift holds an item which could help him be rid of his father. Ziomi, it appears, had been bold enough to penetrate the depths of the Rift and gained information that could be quite helpful to the Duke. Sadly he could not reach him before he was "elf shot". His human guise is an illusion, of course.

Within the depths of the Castle Island is a fracture from which the fey domain may be reached.
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Re: Random hooks thread

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And then there was one...

Who will finish off the list and offer an idea for the Nocturnal Sea and its resident cranky old wizard?

Me, of course!

In Effigy

They call it "The Wizard". A controversial painting which has been both acclaimed and derided by critiques of the more sophisticated cities of the core. A masterpiece or a shallow, juvenile attempt at humour? No one could say, really, however it has gained a significant following among the young and wealthy leading to a pseudo movement wherein artists are commissioned to depict a weary-looking robed man with a long white beard commanding lightning and fire from a staff. Garish colours are abundant, the wizard is never any younger than ancient and his powers are always displayed in the most flamboyant manner.

Moreover, the artist responsible for what most consider to be the original "Wizard" uses a technique that allows for a somewhat airy or ethereal feel.

Most choose to portray the powerful mage in a glacial setting, some opt for a towering peak while others for ice floating in the sea.

A group of youths composed of bored aristocratic brats have taken it upon themselves to find the original Wizard - that is the fabled mage whose likeness inspired the painting. One member however has more personal reasons to seek out the man, but the short haired and bespectacled lass joined the foursome without telling them of her motivation. Not that they would care. The somewhat goofy and often intoxicated twosome of Skood and Sharri are unconcerned with anything but food and the painting while the vain Alanee and her beau, Fared, he of the square jaw and ultimately vapid personality, tend to ignore the world around them save for whatever catches their fancy at the moment.

They have embarked on a wild trip to Graben island where they hope to gain more information on the whereabouts of the fabled wizard and even hope to present him with what they believe is a particularly inspiring version of the original art.

(Yes, airbrushed wizards on the sides of vans meets Scooby Doo in Ravenloft! Now if only Meredoth would complain about those meddling kids...)
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Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Zettaijin »

I just updated the first post so to include a list of all the domains covered along with a page number where you can find a hook.

I'll try to keep it up to date.
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Re: Random hooks thread

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The white bloom

"I come to you with but a simple request, oh magnificent one. I require no boon nor enchantment, nor do I even wish fr you impart your ageless wisdom or knowledge of things arcane. Nor I could not hope to even begin to understand such things for your insight is far greater than any woman who ever lived and ever will.

All I desire is a single bloom. A single flower which I would pluck from your fantastical gardens. This simple flower is of course valuable as are all things that grow and live within your kingdom..."

The sorceress arched an eyebrow and responds in a bored tone, unimpressed and certainly not amused by the mortal woman standing before her.

"All things have a price, you may find mine rather steep."

The woman stands her ground, polite yet firm in her response.

"I understand, your majesty. And so, for your entertainment I offer you these stout men. They will fight for you, they will kill for you, and they will be at your command."

The sorceress looks at the men with an unchanging expression before turning her gaze back to the woman. Already, the sorceress had unraveled the woman's plans and found those much more interesting than yet more toy soldiers.

"You know what fate awaits men in my presence."

Unflinching, she bows her head deeply as she was instructed to do. Trading with the sorceress is never easy and the price of even a single flower is considerable.

"I am aware of such things, but the flower is all I need in return."

And began the journey of a single flower which may now cause significant damage to the core's ruling elite. Once its essence distilled, it becomes potent and quite addictive.

A shame the woman had to go, thought the sorceress, she was a rather good fit for her realm. Perhaps she could have kept her as a handmaiden. There will be others, there always is. Stories of her strange island and the arcane secrets it holds is far too much for mortals to resist. Besides, she holds the key to neutralizing the flower's potent toxic charms and even more souls will be hers in return.

(I'Cath)
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Re: Random hooks thread

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If we have a new domain, should we post it here or start a new thread?
Do us a favor Luv, Stick yer 'ead in a bucket a kick it!

So, gentlemen, that's how it is. Until Grissome.... resurfaces, I'm the acting president, and I say starting with this... anniversary festival, we run this city into the ground! :D
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Re: Random hooks thread

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I'm ok with anything, really, although this is more of a "hook" thread where we discuss mostly existing canon material we have delved into non-canon from time to time.

Say it's a grey area and go ahead.
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Re: Random hooks thread

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Demon in the bottle

Janika can drink any man in the city under the table, twice on a good day. Her ability to hold liquor has become something of a local trick to fleece outsiders as the owners arrange drinking contests wherein an unsuspecting visitor will engage Janika and, as always, lose in short order.

Janika doesn't care much either way. She doesn't drink to forget but rather to remember. The bottles tell tales and bring back long forgotten memories. Sometimes, the bottles even allow her glimpses into far away lands and allow for visions.

Now, she's no wizard nor is she an oracle, but somehow the bottles have lead her to fortune in leaner times.

She never speaks of this, but she has been accumulating various knicks knacks in her various journeys and adventures. All of them suggestions from the bottles. They've never led her astray before, so what harm could come in accumulating this junk?
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Re: Random hooks thread

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The Delicate Charm of a Proper Wife

There are those who would prefer women to be patient, quiet and subservient; that they stand by their men at all times yet are also the mistress of the hearth with all the skills one would expect from such a role. However, some find that as the times change, so do women and with every generation some of the refinement and abilities of young women erodes. Enter the Académie des Femmes. Established in Richemulot by the ever proper Lady Marguerite, they offer to train girls for purposes of making more attractive brides for the distinguished gentlemen of the land.

Given the desire of some noble families to marry into the more affluent Borcan or Dementlieuse families, the institution has gained considerable attention.

In truth, Lady Marguerite is an assassin who is using the school to find potential trainees. Her aim is to create a small squad of well connected ladies whom no one would suspect. Of course they won't kill their husbands - they must remain as invisible and innocuous as they can - but they will use the man to approach other targets. Lady Marguerite feels that the more conservative views on the role of a wife allow for a very efficient cover as no one could blame a meek, unobtrusive and passive lady for terrible crimes.
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Re: Random hooks thread

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Holly Goodhead

Holly has a good head on her shoulders, that's what people used to say about her. Clever and resourceful to a fault with a charming smile for good measure. A shame then that she had to meet that awful witch and her sharp blade.

The first few months were taxing. Day and night she could hear the mad babbling and foul cursing of her fellow captives. A cacophony of voices screaming, yelling, pleading, raving and, sometimes, whispering...

The whispering one, what was she saying?

Then, one day the voice became clear. Somehow, all the other voices would die and only the whispers could be heard. "One day our reckoning will come. For now, sleep. Let the low humming of your voice take your mind to the lands beyond this realm so you may escape certain madness." The whispers taught her the ancient chant of mystics from a far away land, a means by which they would escape their daily concerns to seek wisdom beyond the mortal realm. And so Holly hummed. She hummed until her mind became blank, until her thoughts departed.

With no need for food or drink and never aging, she would remain in a state of peaceful unconsciousness (or perhaps supra-consciousness if the mystics are right) until the day she found herself awaken from her trance by a rather brutal shock. She opened her eyes for what may have been the first time in weeks, months or even years (time tends to flow differently when the mind is absent) to find herself with a body she did not recognize.

Had it been so long that she no longer remembered her body?

The lanky man leered at her with a smile which just as quickly turned to a cold, neutral expression. He mumbled to himself and took some heavy looking tome in which he scribbled down some notes, Holly couldn't quite formulate words. Not that it mattered since she had been gagged and bound to a sturdy wooden table. She saw blood on the floor. Panic. Who was he? What had he done? Was the blood hers? Where was she? Was the witch and her sword but a bad dream? Was her former prison also a mere trick of the mind?

"We've escaped the first prison, now for the next."

The whispers! They had come back! Did he not hear them too? She wanted to tell the whispering woman to be quiet but she couldn't speak given her situation, of course.

"He will release you. His mind is strong, but he will release you. You have little time. Look about you and subdue him immediately."

The words in her mind somehow reached the whisperer? How could...

No sooner had the whispers stopped that the man in a blood stained white lab coat came to her side and examined her neck. Again he mumbled in incomprehensible jargon until suddenly his eyes grew blank and his mouth opened, as if gasping silently. He loosened the restraints one after the other and then stepped aside, standing in complete silence with no apparent signs of being conscious of his actions. It was all as the whispers said! Holly quickly jumped off the table... and... felt nothing? The stone floor should feel cold to her bare feet, yet she felt nothing. It was jarring. She could stand yet her body felt nothing. Even the wooden table failed to register any sensations in her mind.

"Hasten your actions, Holly. He will awaken. The metal bar on the table should suffice. Hit him across the temple, the side of his head. Time is short."

Holly wanted to plead with the whispering woman, but she reached clumsily for a tool she could not feel and swung with all her force at her apparent captor's prone head. He dropped to the floor loudly but no blood save for a small patch staining the metal bar.

"He was ready for you. The dress is in the cabinet. It will fit, he made sure of it. Wear it. Then, burn his notes. We do not want more of us walking this land."

Holly had a good head on her shoulders now it feels like she has two. The whispers are not as frequent, but they are louder. As she sleeps, she can hear the maddening screams of a thousand women captive in that dark basement. The whispers tell her it was no dream, that her day of reckoning must come and that time is of the essence.

Holly feels nothing below her neck. While she has learned to function again, and even defend herself, it remains that her body is not hers. The heavy scars and stitches on her neck prove that something happened in the man's laboratory. The whispers have no answer, save that he is not someone she should concern herself with. The blade wielding witch is the one she needs to find - and fast. Her body is slowly decomposing and every day month that passes she comes closer to her end.

(The mad scientist is the Mordenheim copycat previously mentioned. He succeeded at the head transplant but with his notes destroyed and his only successful experiment gone, he is back to square one. His peers will obviously never believe he succeeded so he may be chasing after her as well...)
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Re: Random hooks thread

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The Tiny Knight

No taller than a child of eight, with it's sword gleaming in the light. The knight stands alone with fate, always vigilant be it day or night.

Have you met this tiny man? He who lives in woods so deep? Walk as carefully as you can, and do not disturb the forest's sleep.

Is the knight a friend or foe? Does anyone know?

Living among the fey or is there another way?

Who does he protect, what kingdom does he serve?

All ideas are suspect, and his silence can unnerve.

Perhaps a gypsies' curse or something more adverse?

Do not cross the path, lest you test his wrath.

His stature may be short, but with his sword he shall retort.

----

Anotella was raised to be a fighter and guardian, and with her staunch belief in rules and laws it should come as no surprise that she would not tolerate thieving gypsies.

"Oh but your payment was a pittance!" spat out the young Vistana man "Never have I seen such disrespect! Have we not entertained the youths? Have we not amazed men and women alike? Is there one of your lot who could best us?"

Anotella's ears were deaf to his arguments. The people of the town had paid them as they saw fit - a rule they themselves established. The cut purse should have been grateful that he was allowed to keep his hand.

Ah but things are never so simple and the situation quickly escalated into a war of words. Encouraged by the crowds, she stood her ground and threatened violence if the thieving outsiders did not leave now.

She should have measured her words and thought about the consequences of insulting the Vistani; one must assume that Anotella had little experience with their lots or else she would have known better than to push the Vistana lady.

"Tall as a tree you may be, but soon you'll see, you will bend the knee!

For our purse I bestow a curse!

To be strong once more, the Gods you will implore!

Forever with feys you will stay, for no words you can say, will save you from our way.

But embarass me again, and freedom you may gain."

The gypsies left as Anotella tried to understand what the witch was saying. A curse? Really? Nonsense...

The following day, Anotella awoke within the forest her clothes now too big and her skin reddish brown. What happened? Then she remembered - the Vistani curse... The woman's words were not spoken in vain, but what did she do?

She had little more than a sheathed dagger to protect herself with and already felt the oppressive gloom of the silent forest weighing heavily upon her now far less impressive shoulders.

"Foul fey! Your kind has no place in this land!"

She ran to the voice and found a threatening man brandishing a sword. From the bushes she spied upon the towering figure as he lifted his blade in the air swung it clumsily, apparently missing his target and cursing in return.

The creature was the size of a large child with reddish skin and an overly large mouth. She had heard of creatures such as these from the tales her grandmother used to tell her. Goblins! This particular one seemed rather helpless and his dark eyes were filled with fear. He had no weapons that she could see and only survived thanks to his assailants' obvious lack of training with weapons.

Why did she stab the man's leg? Why did she protect the goblin? Moreover, why did she follow the creature?

It's now been almost a year. She serves her new home much as she did her old, with a sword by her side and an unwavering sense of justice. They have no quarrels with the humans and simply wish to live their simple lives in peace.

She is now the tiny knight. Her identity is kept secret behind a helm and armour. She patrols the paths that lead to the village, making sure that no outsiders disturb their peace. At times she will act to save travelers from bandits or other minor threats, accepting no payments as the goblins do not need coins.

She remembers the words of the curse and that there may be a way to regain her humanity, but this means that she will have to leave the village. Until a suitable heir can be found, she will not pursue a cure - not that she even knows what that may entail.
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Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Manofevil »

Zettaijin wrote:I'm ok with anything, really, although this is more of a "hook" thread where we discuss mostly existing canon material we have delved into non-canon from time to time.

Say it's a grey area and go ahead.
Thanks but I've decided to post it to QTR. It's what it there for, right?
Do us a favor Luv, Stick yer 'ead in a bucket a kick it!

So, gentlemen, that's how it is. Until Grissome.... resurfaces, I'm the acting president, and I say starting with this... anniversary festival, we run this city into the ground! :D
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Re: Random hooks thread

Post by brilliantlight »

In his arrogance The Dukkar summoned a bone devil to do his biding , mocking his demonic father. The bone devil is unable to attack him directly due to powerful protections that The Dukkar cast during the summoning. Although unable to attack him directly he is able to cause whatever problems he can indirectly. The Dark Powers , to further torment Mocho, gave the fiend the power to change his appearance to a large man with a black beard and brown piercing eyes. The devil sworn vengeance on the one who summoned him. What diabolical plan does it have in the making to punish Mocho?
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