Colonialism, Dragons, and the Endless Possibilities of Perspective

Recently a method of writing a quick campaign opener has been floating around Phlox's GLoG server, and I decided to give it a go. The idea is to write up what happened 5 Centuries ago, 5 Decades ago, 5 Years ago, 5 Days ago, and lastly 5 Minutes ago. I actually started with the "5 Minutes ago", as I had an image in mind of what the players would be dealing with, then worked back from there.

At the end of the process I realized I'd created something rather dark, and placed the heroes in a position that wasn't as unquestionably heroic as our playstyle tends to be. That's all well and good for some tables, but we just happen to like being the good guys, or at least feeling like we're good guys. So I thought, "Who else could the group play as?"

Well, I found some. And it turns out they aren't perfect people either, but their story is—in my opinion—the more interesting of the two.

Of course, then there's option C.

The Mountain of the Sun 

5 Centuries Ago

The Ancient Red Dragon Erekvall fell into a deep slumber beneath the Mountain of the Sun. At the base of the mountain the local Naranthi people built a temple where their women would sing lullabies to the slumbering beast.

5 Decades Ago

Erin Forland crossed the sea and founded the city of Rhynnesburg in the valley beneath the Mountain of the Sun. He brought with him thousands of humans and dwarves greedy for material gain in the unspoiled lands, and many more eager to escape the strict laws of the old Empire.

5 Years Ago

The Guild Leaders of Rhynnesburg (in the absence of a king) declared war on the native Naranthi population in order to expand their borders. Since that day, bloody conflicts have marred the western coast of Erinar, and the Naranthi are pushed ever further into the jungles. The Rhynnesburgmen attacked the Temple of Erekvall, and built a small but well-fortified township around the ruins, which were repurposed into a Temple of the Wandering.

5 Days Ago

Inspired by a radical priestess of the ruined temple, the Naranthi assaulted the town of Areven, and raided the storehouse where relics from their temple were kept. 7 Humans and 2 Dwarves were killed in the assault, and the locals have talked of nothing but vengeance since then.

5 Minutes Ago

The mountain began to shake. Steam rises from the peak. A lone, bloody scout reports that a troop of Naranthi were seen walking toward the mountain's peek, but when his group attacked, the Naranthi struck back with ferocity, and he is the lone survivor.

You, defenders of Areven, have been ordered up the mountain to stop whatever black rite the Naranthi are performing to bring about this terror. 

May the Wandering bless you.

Viewpoint B

5 Days Ago

The old priestess of the temple of Erekvall, grieving for the lost Naranthi lives, made a horrible decision. She spoke to the elders, and was given permission to wake the ancient dragon.

Many are leaving the area, but there is a fierce determination in their eyes. Better to lose the land to the dragon, whose land it was first, than to the strangers from across the sea.

5 Minutes Ago

You said you last farewells to your loved ones, donned your weapons, and followed the Priestess into the dark, towards the Mountain of the Sun and the poisonous city of outsiders at its base. 

You go to find the Horn of Zulish, loudest of all horns. You go to bring vengeance for the fallen. You go to wake the Dragon.

May the Sun bless you.

Viewpoint C

5 Centuries Ago

You decided to take a nice nap in some warm tunnels under a mountain. Every now and then, you drift toward consciousness, and are comforted by the pleasant droning of worshipful song. You sleep.

5 Minutes Ago

You were in the middle of a great dream, then some IDIOT started blowing a horn, and they don't seem to be quitting anytime soon.

Looks like naptime's over.