#i'd seen the company name before but my brain filled in the details and decided it was like. a kitchen appliance

[ukulelekatie]

this post is how I learn there's a root vegetable called salsify and that the company Salsify has nothing to do with turning things into salsa like I had previously assumed based on the name

compilation of this type of post

[mornadest]

Homebrew D&D Campaign: Ohalette's Domain

So this morning I've been in a extremely creative mood, so I decided to write a campaign that I've always had floating about in my brain.

To give a brief overview of what I'm writing:

Setting

The campaign takes place in the Amaraviel galaxy on the planet Vil Gal. Sister planet to Urelith, sharing one moon: Hebriniel.

Story takes place in the Dridith Empire. A place Where unrest lives, there's talks of an impeding fall of the Empire and it's Embasy Alience as recently, most districts are at constant battle or disputes with each other and themselves. An empire where crime, desease, poverty and foul creatures roam rampant.

Basic Story

Two mysterious and powerful Drow brothers, named Ohalette and Layorac, appeared about 10 years ago which local legend attributes to how everything fell apart so fast in the Empire.

Very few had come in contact with the Drow and lived, they state that these mysterious beings are gods, able to bend time itself to their will.

Whispers in the Goldwald district told of a name for these beings. Chronomancers? Gods Of Time? Nobody knows, all they know is that monstrous creatures have started appearing all over the Empire.

About 3 years ago, survival rates of these encounters rose briefly. Survivals told of a war between the two brothers that devastated local lands. Of how Layorac had fallen for a mortal being and had become soft, no longer wishing for destruction and death to be attributed to his name.

Enraged, Ohalette killed his brothers lover. A vicious battle ending in the dissapearence of said brother, Layorac ensued. Ohalette, victorious, is said to be still reigning his terror over the lands. Some folk believe Layorac is dead, most believe him to be in hiding, plotting to kill his brother.

General Devashus, under rule of King Asarker of the Goldwald district and The Dridith Embasy has started hiring adventurers to clear out invading monsters but more importantly, find Layorac. Asking for them to win his trust and finally find a way to defeat Ohalette and bring peace to the Dridith Empire, before it collapses into war.

Story will either start at the Embasy Alience halls where the party will be hired or around the Goldwald district.

Finding Layorac

As the party start clearing out towns of monstrosity after monstrosity/exploring different towns in the Goldwald district they will eventually be given enough details in whispers or NPC interactions to find where Layorac is in hiding*

*(Note DM will get to choose which town or where in Goldwald this Drow is hiding)

Once Layorac has been found the party will find out there is a certain way to defeat Ohalette, and they must traverse each and every district in a certain order. Collecting everything they need to defeat him and levelling up enough to face him but Layorac cannot be the one to kill his brother. He will guide the party through the nine districts but will not follow them into the final battle.

Important Subplot:

*To note

The DM may choose to hide this from the party or hint at it through various puzzles/NPC interactions and the likes

---

There are nine (9) districts that make up the Dridith Empire, each representing the circles of hell from The Divine Comedy -Dante's Inferno. Each district corresponds with a circle of hell and enemies and allies vary on which district/circle you are exploring.

This is why Layorac insists to the party that they MUST traverse each district in a certain order. It's the only way to access the plane in which Ohalette can escape to and exist within.

*To note

Although the DM may choose which types of monsters/enemies their party will face, make sure as a DM, you use corresponding monster types for each district.

Districts and Enemies

1. Goldwald

Limbo

Goldwald is the Capital of the Dridithian Empire, home of the Embasy Alience halls and Where the story begins. The town's of Goldwald are often nostalgic and comforting upon first glace yet at closer look, they seem to be TOO familiar. As if you've been here before or atleast, you've been going in circles? Maybe check a map. Or maybe this place doesn't want you to leave

Traversing through Goldwald the types of enemies you will find are ghostlike in nature.

Typically ghosts or undead creatures

2. Greymont

Lust

Greymont is an unruly place where locals welcome strangers a little too warmly. Brothels are the main establishments found and provide the vast majority of Greymonts income and revenue. Known throughout the Empire as the settlement best for merriment. Best to not loose your bard here. They may wish to stay.

A harder look at this place reveals that succubus and incubus type monsters are everywhere terrorising unsuspecting visitors, locals and adventurers

3. Miskwick

Gluttony

Known throughout the Empire as THE place to go for a good meal, Miskwick trade in food and beverage. Their food is said to be so good you wish to eat nothing more that their food forever. Constantly leaving you hungry for more, almost like a craving. Adventurers should be wary of certain establishments who claim their food is divine. If something is too good to believe it may hide a secret. Eating the food at those places will ensure you never want to leave.

The monsters found here, without question, are ever hungry and almost terrifyingly gluttonous maybe even, dare say it... gelatinous.

4. Shadehaven

Greed

Shadehaven is a rather unwelcomingly dull place to traverse. Locals are untrustworthy of strangers and trading with locals can sometimes prove, challenging to say the least. Willing to buy and horde items from eager adventurers but unwilling to sell, it could be said that these parts are full of greedy and ungrateful folk. It may just be the monstrous company they seem to keep.

Whispers and tall tales of hoarding monsters are rampant here. The odd goblin den Maybe? Or something a bit..larger and with wings. Does anyone maybe speak dragonic?

5. Aelmoor

Anger

Travellers should beware when traversing through Aelmoor, this is where the first rumours of impeding Empire collapse and war began. Political unrest seems to be the norm in these parts. Many unhappy that the embassy fails to protect them. In fact, adventurers having always being sent around and killed in their district is just not fair. Between the monsters and the countless town riots, a successful party can’t come help soon enough. Providing of course, they prove their worth.

Monsters here seem to be becoming a lot more aggressive in their ambushing, attacking and kidnapping.

6. Esterview

Heresy

Once a peaceful and loving district, Esterview had a reputation of a safe haven for travellers and weary folk alike, know to be a little too superstitious in the past, some may wonder where in the old gods name the many towns religious belief went.

It seems, many folk now seem to be putting their faith into...darker things.

Rumours of cults roaming thee land have spread across the more gods fearing folk around Esterview. They may be in dire need of help.

7. Ibethimel

Violence

Beware, adventuring parties, of this district. Long since fallen into chaos and ruin. Said to be the ground zero of all the original mishap and destruction of The once proud Dridithian Empire.

The poor district had front row seats to the arrival of Ohalette and Layorac and the destruction they caused.

Resentful of any Drow, for good reason!

Things have never been the same in the district since then. The most violent of creatures are found freely wandering most parts of this district. Locals having long given up trying to protect their towns.

8. Orwyn

Fraud

Orwyn was once a very quiet and beloved district frequented by the nicest folk, popular for it's coastal views and warm weather. A tourist trap for sure. That was of course, before the arrival of the monstrous drows and the trouble they brought with. Orwyn was, unfortunetly severely unprepared and unprotected from the attacks. Leaving it a ruined district, a wasteland to date.

Of course, it is still frequented very often...just by a lot more, unsavoury folk. Bandits and thieves now run this district and have made themselves a home for their misdeeds. It’s said they are behind a lot of the unrest in the Empire. Having spies and guilds try and lure out the impending war and collapse of power and wealth.

Of course, it’s safe to say not everyone is who they seem in this district. It may be hard to tell allies from enemies and fair traders from con artists.

I'd have my wits about you in this district if I were you

9. Shadownesse

Treachery

Hey, if you've made it this far then you sure are a tremendous adventurer. You may also have gained enough knowledge, power and items to pull of the greatest heroic feat The Dridithian Empire and maybe even Vil Gal has ever seen! (Or you may die a horrible painful death)

See, Shadownesse is just as the name implies. The district is the darkest place known to Vil Galians and Amaraviels alike. Heck, even those who may or may not be on the Hebriniel moon know that this is not a place you tread lightly. Filled with the darkest and most powerful enemies known across the lands.

This district has become a hotbed for darkness. Some even say this is where Ohalette himself resides, if only to open portals and allow his vile monstrous creatures to enter the plane.

Maybe you should ask Layorac if he knows about it? That is....if you can find him. Swear he was just with your party right? Oh and hey when you do find him...make sure he looks the same...hang on a second.

This district may have just been a trap. Pray to the gods you can defeat Ohalette while you still know how. Pray also that you kill the correct brother and cause of this darkness over the land.

10. The Shadow Planes/Ohalette's Domain

Final end game location:

So you've killed that pesky Drow who seemed...very convincing that you have the wrong brother. I mean, come ON he couldn't possibly think you could be tricked into thinking that HE was actually Layorac and that Ohalette had lead you here.

And you can't possibly be convinced that easily that this phony "layorac" was creating these armies to stop his brother from destroying the Empire from the inside. Nah.

But what does shock your party is that 1. He was super easy to kill (heck yeah..kinda unnerved by the pleading at the end but whatever right?) 2. you all stepped into the portal to get here in this dark abissal plane of existence only to find....Layorac. on a...throne?

Wait that means "Ohalette" must have been right...well, now you must feel stupid right about now.

And well...ready to face the real threat. Yikes.

Goodluck.

Hello everyone who read this/maybe likes it/and whatnot

So this is just a brief overview of this campaign I've created. I am currently working on it and plan to playtest it myself in the form of a d&d podcast where I will DM. If you're interested in that kinda thing, let me know! Heck, I could try and make a thing of it!

Please also feel free to use this as a campaign, just shoot me a message and I can help you with it and help you map out the world and give you all the not mentioned details; such as various NPCs, taverns, shops and important items and knowledge needed in game!

Constructive criticism is also very welcome

Many Thanks! Love Rachael ('thedorktah')