Editing User:Bill/Magocracy of Dholavira
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This odd system of governance came into being when the sovereign Qingu, last ruler of the Gibil dynasty, bequeathed the city to the stewardship of the Eldrich College, thirty years ago. Qingu had no heir, though rumors of bastards have surfaced several times and Qingu's more distant relatives have accused the college of usurpation, claiming that they are the legitimate rulers of Dholavira. The Eldrich College's charter has always placed the leadership of their organization on a body of seven Grand Masters that advise the High Magus; all of whom are elected by the members of the college. At the time of Qingu's death it was decided that this would not change, in spite of the college's new responsibilities.The system has persisted since then, but not without challenges. | This odd system of governance came into being when the sovereign Qingu, last ruler of the Gibil dynasty, bequeathed the city to the stewardship of the Eldrich College, thirty years ago. Qingu had no heir, though rumors of bastards have surfaced several times and Qingu's more distant relatives have accused the college of usurpation, claiming that they are the legitimate rulers of Dholavira. The Eldrich College's charter has always placed the leadership of their organization on a body of seven Grand Masters that advise the High Magus; all of whom are elected by the members of the college. At the time of Qingu's death it was decided that this would not change, in spite of the college's new responsibilities.The system has persisted since then, but not without challenges. | ||
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===Religion=== | ===Religion=== | ||
As a cosmopolitan trade center with visitors from several neighboring cities, and as a center for mystical study with visitors from several neighboring planes of existence, Dholavira's middle town hosts temples and shrines for over a dozen pantheons and a hundred gods. Festivals, feasts, and holy days dot the calendar. Seldom can a week go by without priests, acolytes and the faithful of one religion or another performing a spectacle. | As a cosmopolitan trade center with visitors from several neighboring cities, and as a center for mystical study with visitors from several neighboring planes of existence, Dholavira's middle town hosts temples and shrines for over a dozen pantheons and a hundred gods. Festivals, feasts, and holy days dot the calendar. Seldom can a week go by without priests, acolytes and the faithful of one religion or another performing a spectacle. | ||
− | + | Due to the heavy taxes levied on structures in the middle town, most temples are actually dedicated to an entire pantheon. Only Boccob, Wee Jas, Delleb, and Moquol have their own temples. | |
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− | Due to the heavy taxes levied on structures in the middle town, most temples are actually dedicated to an entire pantheon. Only Boccob, Wee Jas, Delleb, and Moquol have their own temples. | ||
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====Unsanctioned Cults==== | ====Unsanctioned Cults==== | ||
In addition to the mostly benevolent religions represented by temples and shrine houses in the middle town, small groups worshiping demons, devils, and evil deities flourish in the lower town. These disruptive and antisocial organizations are officially outlawed by ruling of the eldrich council. However, in a city of one million it is often difficult to flush them out. | In addition to the mostly benevolent religions represented by temples and shrine houses in the middle town, small groups worshiping demons, devils, and evil deities flourish in the lower town. These disruptive and antisocial organizations are officially outlawed by ruling of the eldrich council. However, in a city of one million it is often difficult to flush them out. | ||
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===Threats=== | ===Threats=== | ||
Dire rats infest the underground portions of the city. The eldrich council has enacted a bounty of a half silver for every carcass. | Dire rats infest the underground portions of the city. The eldrich council has enacted a bounty of a half silver for every carcass. | ||
− | Every year at midwinter, the Gnoll tribes that stalk the salt marshes and barren plains surrounding Dholavira invest the city for one phase of the moon. It is said that they are testing the resolve of her defenders and offering the gift of carnage to their twisted god, Karaan | + | Every year at midwinter, the Gnoll tribes that stalk the salt marshes and barren plains surrounding Dholavira invest the city for one phase of the moon. It is said that they are testing the resolve of her defenders and offering the gift of carnage to their twisted god, Karaan. |
Immigrants are a common sight in Dholavira. Many people of many races come to the great city seeking fortune and fame. Some come seeking power. The charter of the Eldrich College permits anyone, regardless of race, gender, country of birth, to attain membership. This attracts creatures with dark ambitions to seek apprenticeship. Fortunately most Masters of the College are scrupulous enough to deny these monsters their desire. Sadly, not all are immune to the lure of power that some of these creatures offer and others are down on their luck. | Immigrants are a common sight in Dholavira. Many people of many races come to the great city seeking fortune and fame. Some come seeking power. The charter of the Eldrich College permits anyone, regardless of race, gender, country of birth, to attain membership. This attracts creatures with dark ambitions to seek apprenticeship. Fortunately most Masters of the College are scrupulous enough to deny these monsters their desire. Sadly, not all are immune to the lure of power that some of these creatures offer and others are down on their luck. | ||
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==Characters== | ==Characters== | ||
− | The way I've written the background, anything would work. What sort of characters and group structure, if any, the players want will have to be discussed. My personal preference would be for the group to create low level (ECL1-4) characters and play this game as a sandbox. Each player would then be free to explore the portion of the setting that interests he or she most while his or her character develops. That would provide me with time to get to know the group as well | + | The way I've written the background, anything would work. What sort of characters and group structure, if any, the players want will have to be discussed. My personal preference would be for the group to create low level (ECL1-4) characters and play this game as a sandbox. Each player would then be free to explore the portion of the setting that interests he or she most while his or her character develops. That would provide me with time to get to know the group as well. |
Sandbox style games can present problems in terms of group cohesion, but I have some experience overcoming these issues. The key, in my opinion, is almost always creating characters that have some form of common background tying them together. In D&D, the easiest way to do that is make all of the characters blood relatives. This immediately eliminates racial conflicts and dramatically reduces incidents of in-group betrayal. It's just out of character for most folks to murder their siblings, especially heroes. Other options that have worked for me to varying degrees in the past include creating a shared narrative, basically describing one or more adventures that the characters have previously accompanied each other on, and creating a shared antagonist, capitalizing on the enemy of my enemy effect. How ever the group wants to handle it is fine with me except of course, "we met in a tavern." That is completely unacceptable in my opinion. | Sandbox style games can present problems in terms of group cohesion, but I have some experience overcoming these issues. The key, in my opinion, is almost always creating characters that have some form of common background tying them together. In D&D, the easiest way to do that is make all of the characters blood relatives. This immediately eliminates racial conflicts and dramatically reduces incidents of in-group betrayal. It's just out of character for most folks to murder their siblings, especially heroes. Other options that have worked for me to varying degrees in the past include creating a shared narrative, basically describing one or more adventures that the characters have previously accompanied each other on, and creating a shared antagonist, capitalizing on the enemy of my enemy effect. How ever the group wants to handle it is fine with me except of course, "we met in a tavern." That is completely unacceptable in my opinion. | ||
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While any race would be acceptable, with few exceptions only humans are native to Dholavira. Any native of Dholavira may take the Magical Training feat at first level. | While any race would be acceptable, with few exceptions only humans are native to Dholavira. Any native of Dholavira may take the Magical Training feat at first level. | ||
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[[/NPCs|NPCs]] | [[/NPCs|NPCs]] |