Random hooks thread

Discussing all things Ravenloft
User avatar
Zettaijin
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 667
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:30 am
Gender: Male
Location: Himeji, Japan

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Zettaijin »

Same here, or rather the that fact that song was stuck in my head is why I wrote the above hook.

Mind you, their wizard was completely benevolent while mine is... I guess ambiguous.

(edited to fix bad grammar/spelling and fill in missing words... must have been tired...)
User avatar
Zettaijin
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 667
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:30 am
Gender: Male
Location: Himeji, Japan

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Zettaijin »

The Beast

Something is lurking in the sewers of Richemulot, preying on the wererat population and somehow evading Jacqueline's notice.

She has sent various groups of hunters and other more capable individuals to flush out the predator but none return intact. Despite efforts to keep the rumours quiet, the Renier family is quite worried and wonder if Jacqueline is capable of ridding the sewers of the mysterious threat.

So far, the few who survived an encounter with the beast have been unable to describe it as they claim it somehow blurred their sight and neutralized their usually keen sense of smell.

Furthermore, scratches left on their bodies refuse to heal and none of the more learned members of the wererat population have been able to discern the true nature of the creature.

At this point, Jacqueline strongly suspects this is one of her sister's ploy to discredit her.

Louise, for her part, has actually been led to believe that this was all Jacqueline's fault. The creature is possibly a mutant breed engineered to provide Jacqueline with superior bodyguards and an insurance against all pretenders to her position, but the experiment has gone rogue and Jacqueline is powerless to stop it now.
User avatar
Dark Angel
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 815
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:00 am
Location: Falentei, the Lands of Fire and Darkness

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Dark Angel »

Is this the premise to
VIEW CONTENT:
Blade 2 with the engineered vampires that go rogue?
If this is from a video game, I got nothing.
"One does not stop playing when they get old, they grow old when they stop playing" George Bernard Shaw
"If you could be either God’s worst enemy or nothing, which would you choose?" Chuck Palahniuk
User avatar
brilliantlight
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 1003
Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:02 pm

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by brilliantlight »

Zettaijin wrote:The Spider

Most common burglars, cut-purse, and other miscreants will never be more than yet another faceless, anonymous figure in the great scheme of things. Not that this is entirely without value, but a few may rise above their station in life and turn into minor celebrities of a sort. People may even christen the stubborn or particularly (if not spectacularly) clever one with a nickname.

Hence we have the dreaded Spider, a man of some skill who seems to have an uncanny ability to avoid capture. The lithe figure can climb walls with no small amount of skill, thus the nickname, but also seems to be more than able to outrun anyone who tries to catch him.

Inspector Gilliam has been devoted to capturing the elusive rogue for quite some time. Months turn into years and years into decades. He can barely remember how it all started, but the number of times he came close to apprehending the Spider still remains branded into his memory.

The Spider is indeed no ordinary thief. The Spider exists because Gilliam needed him.

Gilliam's exceptional work as an inspector came in no small par due to latent psychic abilities. He call it his "intuition" as he truly does not fully understand the nature of his abilities. However, Gilliam always wanted to find a true match for his wit, so his mind created the Spider - alter ego of his imaginary friend from childhood.

Seems good ol' Ruttlepark has grown up along his psychic friend, becoming again what the now adult man needs: an adversary worthy of his ability.

Now the Spider may excel at escaping the clutches of justice, however he remains poor at hiding his pilfered goods. As such, the inspector's game of cat and mouse with the psychically created robber has grown somewhat predictable. So, the Spider gets bolder with every season.

How far will the Spider go to impress the masses and bring further attention to the clueless inspector?
Moriarty and Holmes?
User avatar
brilliantlight
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 1003
Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:02 pm

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by brilliantlight »

Paranoia

The party goes out to sea and they get shipwrecked on an island. The people on the island greet them and tells them that they are all equal there. Most of the people dress alike. There are heavily armed guards everywhere and occasionally they haul people off for no apparent reason. There are huge paintings of a man with a thick mustache everywhere. Everyone is going around talking about "saboteurs" and "enemies of the state" and how everything is getting better and better with the new leader making fearful glances at the guards.
User avatar
Zettaijin
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 667
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:30 am
Gender: Male
Location: Himeji, Japan

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Zettaijin »

Dark Angel wrote:Is this the premise to
VIEW CONTENT:
Blade 2 with the engineered vampires that go rogue?
If this is from a video game, I got nothing.
Nah, although not particularly original (plenty of monsters in the sewers stories around) it isn't based on any particular story.

The mutant idea is a red herring, I felt the real culprit should be some kind of powerful were-alligator.
User avatar
Zettaijin
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 667
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:30 am
Gender: Male
Location: Himeji, Japan

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Zettaijin »

brilliantlight wrote:
Zettaijin wrote:The Spider

Most common burglars, cut-purse, and other miscreants will never be more than yet another faceless, anonymous figure in the great scheme of things. Not that this is entirely without value, but a few may rise above their station in life and turn into minor celebrities of a sort. People may even christen the stubborn or particularly (if not spectacularly) clever one with a nickname.

Hence we have the dreaded Spider, a man of some skill who seems to have an uncanny ability to avoid capture. The lithe figure can climb walls with no small amount of skill, thus the nickname, but also seems to be more than able to outrun anyone who tries to catch him.

Inspector Gilliam has been devoted to capturing the elusive rogue for quite some time. Months turn into years and years into decades. He can barely remember how it all started, but the number of times he came close to apprehending the Spider still remains branded into his memory.

The Spider is indeed no ordinary thief. The Spider exists because Gilliam needed him.

Gilliam's exceptional work as an inspector came in no small par due to latent psychic abilities. He call it his "intuition" as he truly does not fully understand the nature of his abilities. However, Gilliam always wanted to find a true match for his wit, so his mind created the Spider - alter ego of his imaginary friend from childhood.

Seems good ol' Ruttlepark has grown up along his psychic friend, becoming again what the now adult man needs: an adversary worthy of his ability.

Now the Spider may excel at escaping the clutches of justice, however he remains poor at hiding his pilfered goods. As such, the inspector's game of cat and mouse with the psychically created robber has grown somewhat predictable. So, the Spider gets bolder with every season.

How far will the Spider go to impress the masses and bring further attention to the clueless inspector?
Moriarty and Holmes?
Among others, yes. I wasn't thinking of those two but it does work.
jamesfirecat
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 637
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:30 am

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by jamesfirecat »

Zettaijin wrote:Among others, yes. I wasn't thinking of those two but it does work.
Could just as easily be Lupin and Zenigata, though that's probably a bit lighthearted for Ravenloft.
User avatar
Zettaijin
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 667
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:30 am
Gender: Male
Location: Himeji, Japan

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Zettaijin »

Where everybody knows your name

The Red Cork is by all appearances a regular drinking establishment frequented by individuals of lower birth and its own share of shady characters.

It's not the prettiest place, but it does feel like home for its regular patrons in no small part due to the motherly owner Meliah.

She listens to their complaints with a patient ear and offers a gregarious laugh or a knowing smile when needed. Whether spousal troubles, unruly children, dwindling fortunes, or even the turning of the weather, no trouble is too great or too insignificant.

Sadly, The Red Cork never seems to stay in place for long. Inevitably it burns down and a number of its patrons die, more often than not after a large scale alcohol-fuelled brawl.

It then reappears in another city, another town, and its cycle continues.

The owner is a succubus who has found that what men most desire in women isn't always physical beauty or comeliness. Indeed some men long for the comfort of their mother's bosom just as much as that of a buxom wench. Hence her portrayal of the portly, "earthy" Meliah whose curves and plain looks are quickly overlooked in favour of her warm inviting smile and dotting ways.

Some of the regular patrons are miserable ghosts who haunt the place and offer little in the way of comfort for living ones. Some are aggressive, seeking to start fights which Meliah easily breaks with her unnatural strength. Others are just content in wallowing in the misery of others - the sadder the tale, the more "alive" they feel.

The Red Cork itself is a haunted place and acts as a pocket domain of sorts with the quirk that it may never settle in the same place twice.

The relationship between Meliah, the tavern, and its resident ghosts is a complex one.

Meliah is not bound to the tavern but has found a certain niche which she is reluctant to leave behind. The tavern prohibits her from taking on any shape other than that of the matronly owner within its premise. She resents the tavern's power over her as any of her kin would. She tells herself that she can leave any time, yet seems unable to leave.

The tavern feeds upon the negative emotions and seeks the blissful crescendo of violence and despair that accompanies its "end" however painful it is to it (yes, the fire and physical destruction of the tavern "hurts" it). It doesn't care for Meliah or its ghostly patrons, but it does behave in a predictable manner which sometimes bores both of its allies. Furthermore, the tavern has obvious control over itself and to some extent those within it. It doesn't "reason" or compromise with its allies and may try to punish them if they stray from the course.


The ghosts are bound to the tavern, unlike Meliah, and have limited memories, almost all of them bad or painful. They are hateful, but pretend to be nice to Meliah as the tavern can, at will, cause them excruciating pain if they stray from the script. They do not particularly care for being trapped in the tavern and find joy in seeing it burn down to the ground in an orgy of violence only to be reminded that they'll be back the following week like they always do... Some of the more clever ghost patrons have tried to reveal Meliah's true identity which should cause the "script" to derail much to the tavern's frustration. This is difficult given the tavern's powers.

Meliah attracts customers, the tavern provides a cover, and the ghosts are a convenient accessory to both their ends.

At times Meliah may find a man to share her bed; some men have peculiar urges, after all. These patrons will likely not survive and may come back as corporeal ghosts themselves. Those that survive will probably throw the first blow in the tavern's end brawl in a fit of jealous possessiveness.

If asked, the living patrons will invariably state that they like the Red Cork because "everybody knows their name".
jamesfirecat
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 637
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:30 am

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by jamesfirecat »

Zettaijin wrote:Where everybody knows your name

The Red Cork is by all appearances a regular drinking establishment frequented by individuals of lower birth and its own share of shady characters.

It's not the prettiest place, but it does feel like home for its regular patrons in no small part due to the motherly owner Meliah.

She listens to their complaints with a patient ear and offers a gregarious laugh or a knowing smile when needed. Whether spousal troubles, unruly children, dwindling fortunes, or even the turning of the weather, no trouble is too great or too insignificant.

Sadly, The Red Cork never seems to stay in place for long. Inevitably it burns down and a number of its patrons die, more often than not after a large scale alcohol-fuelled brawl.

It then reappears in another city, another town, and its cycle continues.

The owner is a succubus who has found that what men most desire in women isn't always physical beauty or comeliness. Indeed some men long for the comfort of their mother's bosom just as much as that of a buxom wench. Hence her portrayal of the portly, "earthy" Meliah whose curves and plain looks are quickly overlooked in favour of her warm inviting smile and dotting ways.

Some of the regular patrons are miserable ghosts who haunt the place and offer little in the way of comfort for living ones. Some are aggressive, seeking to start fights which Meliah easily breaks with her unnatural strength. Others are just content in wallowing in the misery of others - the sadder the tale, the more "alive" they feel.

The Red Cork itself is a haunted place and acts as a pocket domain of sorts with the quirk that it may never settle in the same place twice.

The relationship between Meliah, the tavern, and its resident ghosts is a complex one.

Meliah is not bound to the tavern but has found a certain niche which she is reluctant to leave behind. The tavern prohibits her from taking on any shape other than that of the matronly owner within its premise. She resents the tavern's power over her as any of her kin would. She tells herself that she can leave any time, yet seems unable to leave.

The tavern feeds upon the negative emotions and seeks the blissful crescendo of violence and despair that accompanies its "end" however painful it is to it (yes, the fire and physical destruction of the tavern "hurts" it). It doesn't care for Meliah or its ghostly patrons, but it does behave in a predictable manner which sometimes bores both of its allies. Furthermore, the tavern has obvious control over itself and to some extent those within it. It doesn't "reason" or compromise with its allies and may try to punish them if they stray from the course.


The ghosts are bound to the tavern, unlike Meliah, and have limited memories, almost all of them bad or painful. They are hateful, but pretend to be nice to Meliah as the tavern can, at will, cause them excruciating pain if they stray from the script. They do not particularly care for being trapped in the tavern and find joy in seeing it burn down to the ground in an orgy of violence only to be reminded that they'll be back the following week like they always do... Some of the more clever ghost patrons have tried to reveal Meliah's true identity which should cause the "script" to derail much to the tavern's frustration. This is difficult given the tavern's powers.

Meliah attracts customers, the tavern provides a cover, and the ghosts are a convenient accessory to both their ends.

At times Meliah may find a man to share her bed; some men have peculiar urges, after all. These patrons will likely not survive and may come back as corporeal ghosts themselves. Those that survive will probably throw the first blow in the tavern's end brawl in a fit of jealous possessiveness.

If asked, the living patrons will invariably state that they like the Red Cork because "everybody knows their name".


IIIIIIIIII...may be able to illuminate that for you! What you're feeling is that this woman has—REACHED into your chest—PLUCKED out your heart, and—THROWN it to her HELLHOUNDS for a CHEW TOY!!! It's not the last time either, because that's what this woman is—SHE IS THE DEVIL! It's no use running away from her, because no matter how far you go—how many years you let pass—you will never be completely out of REACH of THOSE—BONY—FINGERS!!! So drink hearty, Franklin, and laugh! Because you have made a pact—WITH BEELZEBUB!!! AND HER NAME IS MELIAH!!!
User avatar
brilliantlight
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 1003
Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:02 pm

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by brilliantlight »

A disciple of Baezabul is the dark lord of this pocket domain. He was an elf who prided himself as a "respectable politician" who cracked down on crime. Of course he was a great liar who was bribed by various smugglers . He was cursed to live in a palace in the shape of a slug like his archdevil patron. He is forced to live among smugglers, assassins and other criminals that he dealt with at a distance.
User avatar
The Lesser Evil
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 1544
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:17 am

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by The Lesser Evil »

Here's a couple for the much ignored and misaligned domain of Keening.

The Curse of the First-Born

In an unusually long period of coherence (if spitefulness), Tristessa orders her widderìbhinn to go out and gather the first born child of every family in the Core and bring them to her. She believes that SOMEONE within the core is holding her child as their own. What is enabling Tristessa to break from her incoherent mourning, and how are the widderibhinn increasing their numbers to enact such a plot?

Refuge Among the Damned

A powerful circle of necromancers and their associates have taken refuge among the City of the Dead. How have they avoided the wrath of the banshee (and indeed, seemingly earned her protection)? And what horrible scheme are they up to in this loneliest of domains?

For a personal stake, perhaps one of the enemies of the PCs have fled to this lonely domain for asylum.
User avatar
Dark Angel
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 815
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:00 am
Location: Falentei, the Lands of Fire and Darkness

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Dark Angel »

The Lesser Evil wrote:The Curse of the First-Born

In an unusually long period of coherence (if spitefulness), Tristessa orders her widderìbhinn to go out and gather the first born child of every family in the Core and bring them to her. She believes that SOMEONE within the core is holding her child as their own. What is enabling Tristessa to break from her incoherent mourning, and how are the widderibhinn increasing their numbers to enact such a plot?
I know that not every hook has to be derived form a specific source material, but Batman Returns' Penguin plot to avenge what happened to him against Gotham's elite?
"One does not stop playing when they get old, they grow old when they stop playing" George Bernard Shaw
"If you could be either God’s worst enemy or nothing, which would you choose?" Chuck Palahniuk
User avatar
The Lesser Evil
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 1544
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:17 am

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by The Lesser Evil »

Dark Angel wrote: I know that not every hook has to be derived form a specific source material, but Batman Returns' Penguin plot to avenge what happened to him against Gotham's elite?
No, except maybe indirectly in that they might have the same origin. I was actually drawing inspiration more from the Biblical 10th Plague of Egypt in Exodus.
User avatar
Dark Angel
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 815
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:00 am
Location: Falentei, the Lands of Fire and Darkness

Re: Random hooks thread

Post by Dark Angel »

The Lesser Evil wrote:
Dark Angel wrote: I know that not every hook has to be derived form a specific source material, but Batman Returns' Penguin plot to avenge what happened to him against Gotham's elite?
No, except maybe indirectly in that they might have the same origin. I was actually drawing inspiration more from the Biblical 10th Plague of Egypt in Exodus.
I was going to say that too, but didn't want to come across as religiously insensitive during Passover by comparing it to one of the weaker Batman movies.
"One does not stop playing when they get old, they grow old when they stop playing" George Bernard Shaw
"If you could be either God’s worst enemy or nothing, which would you choose?" Chuck Palahniuk
Post Reply